Our Staff
Outstanding Pediatric Occupational Therapists
At Tender Touch Occupational Therapy, we take pride in the pediatric occupational therapists who evaluate and treat children with a variety of special needs and diagnoses. Our therapists are highly trained and work in the clinic, school and home environments. Our therapists help children maximize functional and age-appropriate skills through the use of therapeutic play, exercise and adaption of the environment. Consultation and train is performed within these settings for maximum success of the child.
Tender Touch Occupational Therapy evaluation and treatment focus on identifying the areas that are interfering with a child’s performance in his/her home, school and social environments and remediate these difficulties with excellent treatment to build these skills. Our goal for each child is to gain his/her optimal potential to fully participate in meaningful earl life activities.
Get to Know Our Team
Terry fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening an occupational therapy facility to provide occupational therapy with a “Tender Touch” in 2001. Terry has been working in pediatrics for 39 years. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Kean University in occupational therapy. She is certified in sensory integration, Therapeutic Listening and is Board Certified in Pediatrics. Terry has years of experience in evaluating and working with children from 2 to 18 years of age. She has worked with children with an array of diagnoses such as Aspergers syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, pervasisve developmental disorder, sensory integration, visual processing disorders, sensory processing, communication disorders, Down Syndrome, learning disorders and behavioral problems. Through the years Terry has lectured throughout the country on a variety of topics such as sensory processing, techniques in treating self stimulatory behaviors and sensory integration. She has also lectured to various school districts and colleges. She has trained many teachers on how to implement sensory strategies in the classroom. Terry continues to participate in continuing education on topics of executive functioning and self-regulation. Terry is highly regarded in her field and has been a mentor to many occupational therapists. She will continue to take pride in the success that she has achieved with Tender Touch as well as her role in treating the children that she has helped in schools and the community.
Katherine attended Sacred Heart University and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science and a Double Minor in Psychology and Geriatric Health and Wellness. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Sacred Heart University. Katherine has been a part of the Tender Touch team since 2018. Before Tender Touch Katherine worked in New York in a clinic setting as well as several elementary schools. She has been treating children from ages 3-18 with a variety of diagnoses which include autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome, Down syndrome, gross motor and fine motor, visual motor and perceptual impairments and developmental delays. Katherine continues to attend educational courses to increase her occupational therapy skills. She has completed all the Handwriting Without Tears courses and enjoys incorporating HWT methods into her OT sessions. She also works in a local school providing occupational therapy treating students from pre-k through high school. Katherine works closely with the parents, teachers and child study team to collaborate to provide therapy so each student could reach their highest potential. When she isn’t working, Katherine enjoys volunteering her time with the Plast Ukrainian Scouting organization as a counselor in various programs. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outside hiking and skiing.
Suzanne graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education. She worked for several years as a teacher in a school for children with multiple handicaps. She found her desire to be an occupational therapist in this setting.
Suzanne attended Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia where she received her certificate in occupational therapy.
Suzanne has worked in a variety of settings including adult rehab, home care, a university program, and a private school. She has been working at Tender Touch for the past 17 years and has been a school-based therapist since then. She has been at Monmouth Beach School for the last 15 years where she works very closely with the child study team to help their students benefit from their educational program. Her focus is to help her students be the best students they can be. She also has a big role in helping teachers and paraprofessionals support students who are learning, and supporting executive function needs like work completion and organization. In her free time, Suzanne enjoys spending time with her family, walking, traveling and gardening.
Renee graduated from Stockton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance and then went on to Salus University where she graduated with a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy. She served as a Salus University Student Ambassador and treasurer of the university’s Student Occupational Therapy Association. She has worked in a wide range of settings with children and families, including early intervention. She has worked with children of all ages and skill levels. Her experience includes working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, Down Syndrome, learning disabilities, developmental delays, early intervention and more. She currently works in the local school district with students pre-k to grade 8 as well as Tender Touch. She loves working directly with the families providing them with strategies they can incorporate into their daily lives. When Renee is not working she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
Jenna joined Tender Touch in 2018. She graduated Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has worked in the private and public schools of New York City and New Jersey. Jenna currently works for the nation’s largest school district for children with special needs. She has worked with children with diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, gross and fine motor impairments, attention deficit disorder, executive functioning delays, sensory modulation difficulties and behavior challenges. She also attends continuing education courses to enhance her occupational therapy skills. Jenna enjoys working as a team with families, teachers, and other related service providers to assure all of her students reach their highest potential. She caters every therapy plan to each child’s individual needs and enjoys using her creativity to make every session as fun and interactive as possible. Jenna enjoys spending time with her family and beloved dog.
Jennifer joined Tender Touch in 2009. She graduated New York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and CUNY LaGuardia Community College with an Associate in Science and her COTA certification. She has worked at the Special Programs in Occupational Therapy Services, New York, NY treating a caseload of 35 children ranging in ages 2 to 13. She designed and managed a summer camp for children ages 3-6 with sensory processing disorder. She has worked with children with diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, gross and fine motor impairments, attention deficit disorder, sensory modulation difficulties and behavior challenges. Jennifer also attends continuing education courses to increase her occupational therapy skills. Jennifer currently works in a school district with grades pre-k through grade 8. She enjoys collaborating with teachers, parents, and the child study team to assure optimal OT results from her students. She looks at each child individually and tailors her treatment uniquely to optimize their performance for success. Jennifer also loves spending time with her family and performing with a local theater company.
Michelle has been an occupational therapist for almost two years now. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Childhood Studies from Stockton University in 2018. From there, she went on to earn her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Stockton University, graduating in 2021. Since then, her full time work includes working with geriatric patients in various ALFs. Michelle has been a part of our Tender Touch team since 2022. When she is not working, you can find her at the beach, spending time with family and friends, playing tennis, and serving her town as a part of the EMS squad as an active EMT!
Taryn graduated from Quinnipiac University with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She went on to obtain her Masters Degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Learning Cognition and Development at Rutgers University. Taryn joined the Tender Touch team in 2020. Taryn has worked in a variety of settings including adult rehab, home care, a charter school and currently a school district with grades pre-K through grade 8. She has worked with children with various diagnoses such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, Down Syndrome, sensory processing disorders, gross and fine motor impairments, behavior challenges, developmental and executive functioning delays. She sees the value in collaborating with teachers, families and the child study team to develop individual interactive, fun, holistic therapy to all children she works with. Taryn attends continuing education courses to increase her occupational therapy skills, including Handwriting Without Tears and various sensory modulation courses. She is a certified adult, teen and children's yoga teacher and owns her own business teaching children’s yoga. When not working Taryn enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and dog. She also loves practicing yoga, exercising, traveling, enjoying the outdoors skiing, cycling and gardening.
Brittney graduated from Kean University with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreational Therapy and proceeded to go to Seton Hall to retrieve her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has worked in early intervention and in public schools of New York City and New Jersey. Brittney currently works for the nation’s largest school district for children with special needs. She has worked with children with diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, gross and fine motor impairments, attention deficit disorder, executive functioning delays, visual motor and developmental delays, and behavior challenges. Brittney thrives when giving her students and patients confidence and skills to reach toward a greater potential to complete their goals and every day activities. She also enjoys working with a team and enjoys using her creativity to make every session as 'fun'ctional and rewarding as possible! When Brittney is not working, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and being active.
