Occupational Therapy

Meet our Therapists

Elizabeth Gifford, OTR/L

Elisabeth Gifford is an occupational therapist licensed and registered in New Jersey and New York. She attended Seton Hall University’s dual degree occupational therapy program, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral sciences and a master’s degree in occupational therapy.

Throughout her clinical experiences, she worked in acute care hospitals, outpatient therapy clinics for children and adults, teletherapy, day programs, and public schools with elementary, middle, and high school students. She had the opportunity to develop and present multiple in-services on topics including the role of occupational therapy in social and emotional learning and the impact of sleep on occupational performance.

Elisabeth has treated children with many diagnoses, including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, cognitive impairments, developmental coordination disorder, and more. She also has prior non-clinical experience working with children in summer camps, adaptive dance programs, and after school tutoring and enrichment programs.

Elisabeth loves creating individualized, playful therapy sessions that are motivating for every child. She believes it is important to collaborate with the child, caregivers, and other team members to best achieve each child’s goals. In her free time, Elisabeth enjoys exercise and yoga, reading, community service, and watching movies.

Kelly Shimabukuro, OTR/L

Kelly Shimabukuro is a licensed and registered occupational therapist in New Jersey and New York. She is certified by the NJ and NY Department of Education as a school-based occupational therapist. She graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with an Education minor. She then attended Seton Hall University where she received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2021.

Kelly has had the opportunity to work with children of varying ages and diagnoses across all their environments – home, school, and community. She has worked in early intervention, an outpatient clinic, and as a school-based occupational therapist. Kelly is also fluent in Spanish. During her graduate studies, Kelly has also had the opportunity to work with the adult population in a cognitive rehabilitation program. Within the cognitive rehabilitation program, Kelly focused on closing the gap on language barriers affecting progress in therapy by providing the program with a library of translated activities/resources for Spanish speaking clients to ensure carry over of strategies/exercises.

She has a passion for making therapy fun while still achieving goals. She believes that in order to be successful in therapy, it is important to listen to the child’s wants/needs and incorporate them as much as possible when planning activities. A strong relationship with each child helps build confidence and increase their motivation to improve the skills needed to be more independent in their everyday routines.

Mya Sicherer, OTD, OTR

Maya Sicherer is a Licensed and Registered Occupational Therapist in the state of New Jersey. She graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and a Psychology minor. She then attended Boston University where she received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.

Throughout her graduate studies, Maya has worked with populations of all ages in multiple environments including community based and outpatient settings. She has experience working with clients with a variety of diagnoses including CVA, cancer, attention deficits, autism, sensory processing disorders, cerebral palsy, dementia, Parkinson’s, arthritis, and disorders of the vestibular system. Non-clinically, Maya has been working within the disability community for the past 10 years.

As part of her doctoral capstone, Maya completed a research project aimed at describing sensory challenges and recommendations for LGBTQIA+ Autistic adults participating in occupations associated with gender and sexuality. Utilizing her research, Maya created a preliminary sexual education resource and is in the process of publishing her findings along with the research team she continues to work with.

Maya is committed to collaborating with caregivers/carepartners to create neurodiversity affirming, evidence-based, and client-centered treatment plans that are engaging and motivating!

Nikki Perez, MOTR/L Clinical Supervisor of OT

Nikki Perez is a Licensed and Registered Occupational Therapist in the state of New Jersey. She attended Quinnipiac University in Connecticut where she received her Bachelors of Science degree in 2007 and went on to achieve her Masters of Occupational Therapy.
Nikki has worked in pediatrics for 13 years, employed primarily in outpatient hospital and private practice where she has collaborated with disciplines such as speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and behaviorists. She also has experience working in early intervention and in a school setting specifically designed for children with disabilities.

She has been trained in the Alert Program and certified in The Listening Program as well as a Fieldwork Educator collaborating with various universities. Nikki has attended continuing education courses to further her knowledge in relation to sensory-based modalities, Torticollis, physical agent modalities, and feeding difficulties. Nikki has experience with a variety of diagnoses and conditions including, but not limited to Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Down Syndrome, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, prematurity, visual impairments, neurological impairments, mental health disorders, and feeding difficulties.

Nikki’s fun, compassionate, and loving approach with children earned her the recognition of New Jersey’s Favorite Kids’ Doc in 2017 and 2018.

Samantha Bross, COTA

Samantha “Sammie” Bross is a Licensed and Certified Occupational Therapist assistant in the state of New Jersey. She attended Rutgers University where she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Public Health in 2017 and Occupational Therapy Degree from Eastwick College in 2019.

Sammie has had several years of experience working with children in a variety of settings. Her knowledge spans from, neurological, physical and developmental delays including ADHD, Sensory Processing Differences, Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Global Developmental Delay, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Dyslexia/ Dysgraphia, and Orthopedic Rehabilitation. Sammie has also led group therapy sessions in Handwriting, Kindergarten Readiness, and social skills classes.

Her favorite part of being an OT is the opportunity to get to know a kiddos unique interests and strengths, and then use that insight to help them grow towards their full potential.

In her free time she enjoys reading, days at the beach, exercising and spending time with her little dog named Beatrice.

Samantha Krych, OTD, OTR/L

Samantha Krych is a Licensed and Registered Occupational Therapist in the state of New Jersey. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science at the University of Delaware in 2018 and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from Kean University in 2021.

Throughout her graduate studies, Sam has worked with populations of all ages in a variety of settings including inpatient rehabilitation facilities, community based settings, and public schools. She has experience working with a variety of diagnoses including CVA, cardiovascular diseases, traumatic brain injury, attention deficits, autism, sensory processing disorder, and cerebral palsy.

As part of her doctoral capstone, Sam created custom programming for the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases and delivered it in a low income housing building. She presented her findings at the New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association annual conference.

Sam emphasizes an evidence-based, client-centered approach to treatment and seeks to help every individual reach their personal goals!