Kayla
OT, MS, OTR
Meet Kayla
Kayla is a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist who received her master’s degree in occupational therapy in 2019 from Quinnipiac University. Kayla has spent her OT career working in the school system where she gained experience working with students with ASD, Down Syndrome, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. She has experience supporting sensory processing needs, fine/gross motor skills, emotional regulation, and developing life skills. As a staff therapist at KidSHINE, Kayla is passionate about helping kids grow their skills and gain further success and independence.
In her free time, you can find Kayla outside reading a good book, baking her favorite desserts or spending time with her friends and family.
Jessie
OT, MS, OTR
Meet Jessie
Ashley
OT, MS, OTR
Meet Ashley
Ashley is a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist who earned her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of New Hampshire. During her studies, she completed a Level II Fieldwork placement at the Kioko Center working with children ages 3-15 where she found her passion for working with children in an outpatient setting. Throughout college, Ashley worked as a paraprofessional in a collaborative school (K-5) where she was able to see the joy OT brought students and the positive social-emotional changes in students made possible by OT services. Ashley values building strong, trusting relationships with children and their families and engaging kids in OT through their personal interests. Outside of KidSHINE, Ashley loves going to the beach and spending time with her family!
Serena
OT, OTD, OTR
Meet Serena
Angela
OT, OTD, OTR
Meet Angela
Sophia
OT, MS, OTR
Meet Sophia
Christine
OT, MS, OTR
Meet Christine
Jenny
COTA/L
Meet Jenny
Jenny joins the KidSHINE staff as a recent graduate of the North Shore Community College, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, class of 2023. She completed one of her Level II Fieldworks at the Timberlane Learning Center, servicing Pre K- Kindergarten aged children. Jenny has 8 years of involvement with KidSHINE as a parent, intern, and now a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
Outside of KidSHINE, Jenny and her husband enjoy the busy schedules of their four children. In addition, she holds several volunteer roles. As a support group leader, she coordinates opportunities for families raising children with Down Syndrome to come together, connect, and navigate challenges they encounter. Jenny also has an enthusiasm for youth sports and exercise as she committed 10 years to coaching and eventually co-directing the MASCO Youth Field Hockey Program. She expresses her eagerness to contribute her expertise and experiences to the KidSHINE team.
Melissa
COTA/L
Meet Melissa
Melissa has been a certified occupational therapy assistant since 2017, after graduating from North Shore Community College. Melissa also has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts, obtained in 2005. Melissa worked as a COTA in the Methuen Public School system gaining experience and knowledge working with children with strength and FM needs as well as various diagnoses, including ASD, ADHD, CP and others. Melissa also worked as a lead teacher in a Montessori style preschool from 2007 – 2014 and taught children’s yoga from 2009 – 2014. Melissa brings with her a passion for meeting children where they are at and offering that just right challenge, noting that empathy and understanding are integral for creating a bond and a base needed for lasting impressions on her clients.
Melissa values exercise and movement for the health of mind and body and enjoys running, hiking, yoga, dancing, and any activities that involve moving.
Sam
COTA/L
Meet Sam
Sam has been a COTA since 2014 and has been working with children from an occupational therapy perspective since 2018. She received her Bachelors of Science from Springfield College and went on to receive her Associates Degree from North Shore Community College. Sam has worked in schools and worked with children ranging from 5 to 22. Sam has a passion for helping children who learn or think differently, highlight and showcase their differences. Primarily working with children with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, or Down’s Syndrome, Sam enjoys helping children thrive and succeed.
Keren
COTA/L
Meet Keren
Keren joins the KidSHINE team as a licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). She graduated from North Shore Community College in 2019 and has spent the past five years working in the Bedford Public School system. During that time, she gained valuable experience supporting children with a wide range of developmental, sensory, and motor needs.
Keren is passionate about creating a fun and playful environment that helps children develop the skills they need to achieve personal success and independence. She is also committed to ongoing professional growth and plans to further her education in the field of occupational therapy in the near future.
Outside of KidSHINE, Keren enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children. She also loves being outdoors—whether it’s walking by the beach, playing softball, or engaging in any activity that keeps her moving.
Maryann
COTA/L
Meet Maryann
Lydia
Mental Health Specialist
Meet Lydia
Lydia is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who received her Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity International University in 2013 and her BA in English Literature from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Lydia’s experience as a therapist has been varied in setting and age group, and she has 8 years of experience helping kids and supporting families with anxiety, stress reduction, depression, ADHD, adjustments/transition, and trauma. Lydia employs an eclectic approach as a therapist drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focused and somatic approaches. She loves to teach folks how to enjoy a mindful lifestyle and is passionate about helping kids get to know how their own unique brains are working and be able to communicate what they need to those around them. Lydia is also looking forward to the opportunity to bring more parent support services to Kid-SHINE, because a cared for parent is a better caregiver!
In her free time, Lydia enjoys exploring the North Shore with her family, spending time outdoors, reading books and baking gluten free treats.
Heidi
Office Manager
Meet Heidi
Heidi is kidSHINE’s Office Manager. Leadership is everything with over 20 years of experience in the medical field. Her expertise includes operations management, business development, strategic planning with execution while motivating and bringing the best out in everyone. Heidi has a passion for leading teams and managing business operations, HR/Payroll with a professional demeanor along with bringing a fun and positive attitude.
Heidi is a proud mom of 2 teenage boys that are extremely active in sports. She enjoys triathlon distance races, long distance running and riding her bike.
Terri
Billing Manager
Meet Terri
Terri is kidSHINE’s office billing manager, scheduler, insurance specialist, and sanity keeper. She is a medical billing specialist and certified bookkeeper with over 20 years experience working in medical offices. Terri can answer any questions that current and prospective clients have, and she keeps kidSHINE running smoothly. Terri has a passion for helping families to navigate insurance complexities so that their children can receive all the services they require.
In her free time, Terri loves spending time with her daughters, her two grandchildren and her grand fur babies.
Sara
Patient Care Coordinator
Meet Sara
Sara is the friendly face who welcomes you to our Rowley location, managing all the clinic’s scheduling needs and enjoying every opportunity to interact with caregivers and clients. She’s also the talent behind our email marketing and program promotions, as well as the brains behind our newsletter. With an administrative background in healthcare, an associate’s degree in health science, and experience working with children, Sara is a key part of our team. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her spunky daughter and pets, enjoys the outdoors, and dreams of having a homestead one day.
Natalie
Lead Rehab Aide
Meet Natalie
Lead Occupational Therapy Aide & EXERSHINE Kids POWER Bootcamp Instructor
Natalie is a 2026 graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a minor in Psychology. Prior to joining kidSHINE, she worked as a camp counselor and home healthcare aide. Through these experiences, she discovered a passion for occupational therapy and helping children reach their fullest potential.
Natalie now serves as a Rehab Aide in our pediatric outpatient clinic, where she supports therapists during sessions and helps children work toward their individual goals. She loves being part of kidSHINE because of its fun, energetic approach to therapy and its commitment to building children’s confidence through movement and play.
Natalie plans to continue her education and pursue a career as an Occupational Therapist.
Outside of work, Natalie enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring new coffee shops, and reading.
Meghan
Lead Rehab Aide
Meet Meghan
Occupational Therapy Aide & EXERSHINE Kids POWER Bootcamp Instructor
Meghan is a 2026 graduate of Loyola University Maryland, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with minors in Communications and Health & Human Experience. Through her previous work with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Meghan discovered a passion for occupational therapy. She now works as a Rehab Aide in our pediatric outpatient clinic, helping children work toward their goals and assisting therapists during sessions.
Meghan loves the energetic and inclusive environment fostered at KidSHINE. She plans to continue her education and pursue a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy in the near future. Outside of work, Meghan enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, and trying new restaurants.