KidTherapy is a well-established comprehensive pediatric private practice in Chester, New Jersey. At KidTherapy, we combine experience with cutting edge clinical interventions provided in a state-of-the art sensory integration clinic to provide our families a comfortable setting for their children to thrive. It is our professional mission to offer each child and their family a positive, enriching experience to affect changes in the child’s life to be the best they can be. To do this, we partner passionate therapists who are experts in their fields, and the caregivers to develop individualized therapy programs utilizing a variety of innovative, evidence-based therapies and the newest technologies. We are excited that you found us and look forward to providing your family services highlighted by excellence and quality of care.
Kelly is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist with over 30 years in practice working with children of varying ages and abilities. As a co-founder of KidTherapy in 1999, Kelly’s approach is holistic and child-centered, focusing on addressing root challenges through a whole-child perspective. She integrates motor, sensory, and regulation components, emphasizing their combined impact on function. She also prioritizes play and relationship-based strategies along with parent education, recognizing their importance in effective therapeutic interventions. Her practice is both neuro-affirming and trauma-informed. Kelly’s diverse experience spans hospitals, school systems, Early Intervention Programs, specialized school settings, and private clinics.
Read more
Dana has been an occupational therapist since 1998. She is a Certified Autism Disorder Clinical Specialist who utilizes neurodiversity-affirming practices, and has dedicated her entire career to the pediatric population. With extensive experience in Early Intervention and school-based practice, Dana understands the continuum of skills required to meet your child’s needs, from early infancy through the school years. Dana has served as the lead Occupational Therapist on pediatric evaluation teams for over 20 years, and has taken extensive continuing education courses pertaining to infant development, sensory integration, handwriting, self-regulation, and autism, including Handwriting Without Tears, the Astronaut Training Program, DIR/Floortime, and Therapeutic Listening. She believes in supporting the whole family while providing expert guidance, practical solutions, and hands-on therapeutic interventions to help children grow into their full, unique potential. Trusting, authentic relationships are at the heart of her practice.
Dana enjoys hanging out with her husband, two children, and menagerie of animal companions. She can often be found with her nose in a good book.
Dawn Kontos is an Occupational Therapy Assistant with 20+ years of experience working in pediatrics. She enjoys working on a creative, individualized and group approach to help children improve in the areas of sensory processing, fine motor, grapho-motor/visual motor, visual perception, motor planning and self-care skills. She is trained in the Handwriting without Tears program, Interactive Metronome, Listening with the Whole Body, and sensory integration. She has experience working with preschoolers for Kindergarten readiness, as well as elementary school aged children. Her ongoing work in the school based settings, in addition to the clinical settings makes her aware of what children need to achieve educational success.
Dawn enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children. In her spare time she enjoys volunteering for many organizations within her community.
With over three decades of experience in pediatric care, Kim is a seasoned Occupational Therapist dedicated to transforming the lives of children. Her expertise spans across various settings, including acute care, hippotherapy, early intervention, and private practice, where she has honed her skills in promoting developmental milestones and fostering independence. Joining the esteemed KidTherapy team, Kim brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for innovation. Kim holds certifications in Therapeutic Listening, Astronaut Training, and Primitive Reflex Integration and is passionate about providing comprehensive and personalized care to her young clients.
Maria Usewick has been a Licensed and Registered, Pediatric, Occupational Therapist, working in both the clinic and school settings, for over 25 years. Maria has worked with children experiencing a variety of developmental disabilities throughout her career; her current focus of practice is on children exhibiting difficulty with sustained attention, impulsivity, self-regulation, anxiety, and social-emotional skills. Maria has completed numerous continuing education courses in mindfulness mental training (including an MBSR Course for Professionals). She is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher and a Registered Yoga Instructor. She integrates both mindfulness and yoga practices into her therapy sessions. Maria developed and facilitates KidTherapy’s Inner Explorer Program for kids in grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8, as well as a Parent Training for those who have kids enrolled in the program.
In her spare-time Maria enjoys walking and agility training with her dog Mocha, completing home projects with her husband, visiting her 3 sons, reading, meditating, and practicing yoga.
Laura has been practicing Occupational Therapy specializing in Pediatrics, for over 25 years. She graduated from Quinnipiac University, and gained experience in the hospital setting working in St. Barnabas Medical Center for several years, including the NICU and Pediatric ICU.
Laura has been part time with KidTherapy for over 20 years, and has worked in both the school setting and clinic, specializing in Sensory Integration Dysfunction and Sensory Processing Disorders. She has experience with varying ages and diagnoses, including Autism, ADHD, Developmental Disabilities, and Dyspraxia. She is certified in The Listening Program and Listening With the Whole Body, and has training in Neurodevelopmental Treatment and Brain Gym. She has extensive continuing education in the areas of primitive reflex integration, sensory and motor integration, executive functioning, self-regulation, dyslexia, dysgraphia, yoga and mindfulness, anxiety, ADHD, and visual processing disorders.
In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children, cooking, playing tennis, and watching her kids play sports.
Lisa has been an Occupational Therapist for more than 30 years. She has a strong background working with children with multiple disabilities including neurological and developmental disorders. She has numerous trainings in neurodevelopmental therapy, MNRI, Sensory integration, vision, feeding which includes SOS, and DIR/Floortime. Her passion has been combining meaningful activities with developmentally challenging tasks and having fun!
She recently restored a 200 year old farmhouse with her husband and she loves to garden and spend time with her family.
Nicole is a licensed speech-language pathologist who cares deeply about providing neurodiversity affirming practices and creating meaningful change by fostering authentic relationships with her clients and families. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice Speech-Language Pathology in the state of New Jersey. Nicole holds a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Marywood University.
Nicole has practiced speech therapy in early intervention and private practice and is passionate about serving the pediatric population. She has taken extensive continuing education in the evaluation and treatment of receptive/expressive language delays and disorders, gestalt language processing, articulation and phonological disorders, oral motor disorders including CAS (Childhood Apraxia of Speech), orofacial myofunctional disorders, feeding difficulties, AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), and executive function.
Nicole is trained in PROMPT©, Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, NLA (Natural Language Acquisition), AEIOU (An Integrated Approach to Pediatric Feeding), Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, and uses an integrated approach to address your child’s unique needs.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys reading, hiking, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Anne Marie is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC). She has been a part of KidTherapy’s practice since 2004.
Anne Marie holds a BA in Psychology with a concentration in Child Development, a MA in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Student Personnel Services and a PhD in general Psychology. She has worked as a teacher in inclusive classrooms, adjunct college professor and therapist.
Anne Marie has presented schools, parent groups and conferences on topics including social/emotional growth, positive parenting, classroom management, managing stressors and teaching social interaction skills to children.
Anne Marie is a solution-focused therapist who specializes in counseling children, teens, parents and families. Areas of practice include family systems issues, behavioral and mood disorders, anxiety, depression, pro-social behavior and self-regulation
Annie has been practicing pediatric physical therapy for 16 years. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Sacred Heart University following her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. She has since worked with children of all ages, from 0 to 21 years-old in many settings including the NICU, acute care pediatrics, specialized school-based therapy, aquatics therapy and outpatient clinics. In years past she received her Board Certification in Pediatric Physical Therapy and certificate as an Assistive Technology Professional.
Annie has taken extensive continuing education courses related to gait analysis, motor planning, muscle strengthening, coordination training and aquatic therapy. Her continuing education courses focus on manual skills to relieve pain and connect the brain and body.
Annie enjoys skiing and swimming with her family, listening to audiobooks, and gardening. When she isn’t gardening, she is busy trying to keep up with her two kids, husband and giant dog, Daisy!
Damanpreet earned her bachelor’s degree in Physical therapy from IP University, Delhi, India in 2005 and her Master’s degree in sports medicine and physical therapy from GNDU, Punjab India in 2007. She is a certified Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration specialist and utilizes the Developmental Individual Difference Relashonship-Based Methodology. As a pediatric physical therapist and mother of 3 children, she has been committed to identifying, understanding and supporting the physical, social-emotional and sensory needs in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, delayed developmental disorders, Down Syndrome, rare genetic disorders and various other musuloskeletal and neurological disorders.
In her free time, Damanpreet likes to spend time with her husband, two daughters, son and friends. She enjoys the outdoors, swimming, hiking and biking, but mostly loves watching her children play sports, particularly soccer and basketball.
With over 20 years of experience in healthcare administration, Leanne has excelled in various healthcare settings. She is highly skilled in customer service and enjoys connecting with families. Leanne is passionate about providing families with personalized care and support. Her expertise in social media and marketing enables her to effectively communicate and engage with patients, families, and the broader community, significantly enhancing the visibility and reputation of the healthcare organizations she serves. Leanne brings compassion and understanding to her role of supporting families as they navigate the administrative elements of accessing therapeutic care at KidTherapy.
In her free time, Leanne enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children.
