OT 4 Kids Collective therapists love working with children of all ages and abilities and are passionate about providing developmentally appropriate opportunities for children to learn, develop, and engage in the world around them.
Our collective of therapists are thoughtfully selected to ensure your child is only receiving the best treatments and education. They are dedicated to providing a holistic approach to therapy, assessing each child’s gross and fine motor skills, sensory processing, and self-regulation skills.
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Danielle Cesarz, MS, OTR/L, Clinic Director
Danielle has been a licensed pediatric occupational therapist on the peninsula since 2004, most recently becoming clinic owner and director of OT 4 Kids. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Washington and earned her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at San Jose State University. Danielle has been a part of the “OT 4 Kids family” when she started volunteering at the clinic in 1998 under the mentorship of OT 4 Kids founder, Patti Volpe. For over 15 years, she has provided high quality evaluations and treatment for children with sensory processing differences and motor delays. Most importantly, Danielle treats each family with care and compassion. As a result, families feel validated and supported through their journey of raising calm, confident, independent children. Danielle has provided consultative services to schools throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. She works to educate and empower families and educators to support transformative outcomes.
Danielle incorporates Sensory Integration, Motor Learning, Zones of Regulation, Social Thinking, Therapeutic Listening, Quickshifts, Astronaut Training, the S.O.S approach to feeding and a multitude of calming strategies such as breathing, yoga and meditation into her practice.
Danielle lives in San Carlos with her husband and two daughters, ages 12 and 9 years old. During her free time, she loves hiking, running, reading, soccer, and travel.
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Michelle Cirigliano, MA, OTR/L
Michelle received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with an emphasis in child development. Before entering the field of occupational therapy, she gained experience working with children with Autism in the home and school environments as a Behavioral Therapist. Michelle received her Masters degree at the University of Southern California (USC) in Occupational Therapy in 2011. During her time at USC she was selected as a recipient of the Training of Occupational Therapists (TOTS) Grant scholarship program. Since graduation, Michelle has worked with children in the school district (pre-school through high school), early intervention (0-2 years) and private practice. Michelle joined OT 4 KIDs in 2012. She has received additional training and coursework in the areas of handwriting and sensory processing disorder, and is proficient in utilizing programs such as Handwriting without Tears, The S.O.S approach to feeding, The Zones of Regulation, the Alert Program, Therapeutic Listening, and Astronaut Training. Michelle also received her advanced certification in Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) as well as completing the Star Institute Level 1 Mentorship program. Michelle is the mother of 3 boys (4 years, 3 years and 3 months) and is actively involved in a cooperative preschool setting. Michelle is especially creative and talented in motivating children in therapy and does so in a positive, engaging and playful manner. She believes in viewing each child as a unique individual and utilizing his/her strengths as well as closely collaborating with the child’s parents and support team in order to help the child meet his/her goals.
Therapists at OT 4 Kids Collective, Inc. are sole proprietors and are not employees or owners of OT 4 Kids.
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Kristina Fender, MA, OTR/L
Kristina received her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Sacramento State University with a minor in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies. Before entering the field of occupational therapy, she gained experience working with children with special needs at Saddle Pals, a therapeutic horseback riding center. Kristina received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California (USC), where she served in a leadership position on the student council. Kristina has received additional training and coursework in Sensory Integration Theory and Practice, The Integrated Listening System, Handwriting Without Tears, Keyboarding Without Tears, Core Connections, Executive Functioning, Quickshifts, Therapeutic Listening, Managing Visual Deficits, Outdoor Therapy, Auditory Defensiveness, Astronaut Training, SOS Approach to Feeding, and Bal-A-Vis-X. Kristina has developed her practice through experience in a variety of settings including: pediatric clinics, public and private schools, physical rehabilitation in an inpatient neurological unit, a clubhouse working with members who have mental illnesses, and a children’s receiving home. Being passionate about supporting and collaborating with families in the therapeutic process, Kristina uses an engaging and creative approach to motivate children in therapy. She has a warm, caring, understanding personality and possesses a special talent helping children with self-regulation strategies and tools.
Therapists at OT 4 Kids Collective, Inc. are sole proprietors and are not employees or owners of OT 4 Kids.
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Alvin Pineda, MS, OTR/L
Alvin received a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Psychology from William Paterson University in New Jersey in 2010. Throughout his undergraduate and graduate studies, Alvin displayed a strong passion for working within pediatrics with 10-years of experience working within special needs summer camps, after school programs, home-based programs, and schools as a behavioral therapist. In 2016, Alvin graduated with his Master’s of Science from Dominican College in New York. Upon graduating, Alvin gained a wide range of experience as a Travel School-Based Occupational Therapist as he worked in Non-Public Schools and Local Public School Districts throughout the bay area. As an OT, he has worked with a variety of populations, age ranges, and diagnoses ranging from mild to severe impairments from age 4 to 21. Alvin has developed a keen interest in sensory processing and has additional training sensory-motor interventions, completion of the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder: Advanced Intensive Level 1 Mentorship, Integrated Listening System, and the Astronaut Training Program. Alvin has additional training within social-emotional development areas, including the concepts of Social Thinking and the Zones of Regulation. Aside from clinic and school-based work, Alvin has combined his passion for the outdoors and occupational therapy by working in an Outdoor based OT practice in the East Bay. There, Alvin has learned to utilize nature’s natural benefits as a tool to facilitate similar motor, social-emotional, and social outcomes with his client. Overall, Alvin strives to provide his clients with out of the box treatment activities that are intrinsically motivating based on each child’s needs, goals, and interests. Alvin works towards building positive motor, social, or regulatory outcomes, but works towards building each child’s self-confidence outside of the clinic.
Therapists at OT 4 Kids Collective, Inc. are sole proprietors and are not employees or owners of OT 4 Kids.
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Marisa Harrison, MS, OTR/L
Marisa received her Bachelors degree in Human Development from University of California, San Diego. She received her Masters of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University. Marisa has gained pediatric occupational therapy experience in a variety of settings throughout the United States and internationally, including preschool and elementary schools, an Autism center, a children’s hospital home, and private clinics. Areas of advanced certification and training include sensory integration, therapeutically modified listening programs (Integrated Listening Systems and Therapeutic Listening), S.O.S. Approach to Feeding, Neuro-Developmental Treatment, fine motor development, Handwriting Without Tears, visual processing and problem solving, Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration, and executive functioning. She is also proficient in using the Zones of Regulation and Astronaut Training programs. Marisa enjoys forming collaborative, trusting relationships with children and their families. She is passionate about helping children build upon their strengths through engaging with them in fun, motivating and meaningful therapy activities.
Therapists at OT 4 Kids Collective, Inc. are sole proprietors and are not employees or owners of OT 4 Kids.
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Hana Ju Leonard, MA, OTR/L
Hana received her undergraduate degree from The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from The University of Southern California (USC) and has been a practicing OT since 2003. Hana worked in several non-public schools for children on the spectrum in San Jose and New York City before ending up in clinic-based work in 2011.
Hana has been trained in and utilizes a variety of therapy approaches, including Therapeutic Listening, Integrated Listening System, Handwriting Without Tears, SOS approach to feeding, DIR/Floortime, and the Beckman oral-motor protocol.
Hana’s experience in various pediatric settings and with varying diagnoses gives her a deep understanding of how to create a safe, fun and rewarding environment, while maintaining strong therapeutic relationships with her clients and families. She firmly believes that the relationship with the child and their family is integral to positive and successful therapy outcomes.
Therapists at OT 4 Kids Collective, Inc. are sole proprietors and are not employees or owners of OT 4 Kids.
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Kelly Northness
Kelly is a licensed and certified occupational therapist with more than 10 years of experience working in pediatrics. She earned her Masters of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University and her bachelor degree in Human Development from University of California, San Diego.
Kelly has experience working with children with a broad range of abilities in various settings. She is a certified provider for Integrated Listening Systems (iLs), Therapeutic Listening, and has training in visual-vestibular treatments, Handwriting Without Tears, and the Therapressure Program for sensory defensiveness. Kelly has a special interest in working on self-regulation, emotional regulation, feelings of anxiety, and social skills for kids, especially in peer group opportunities. She has extensive training in Social Thinking® courses and The Zones of Regulation®. Additionally, Kelly enjoys supporting children with feeding difficulties and expanding diets for picky-eaters after being trained in the S.O.S Approach to Feeding and SMILE courses.
She enjoys building trusting, collaborative relationships with her clients and their families, tailoring therapy to meet their individual needs. A compassionate and energetic approach helps Kelly draw the most from her clients and encourages independence, connection, and growth.
She lives in Half Moon Bay and enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and three kids.
Therapists at OT 4 Kids Collective, Inc. are sole proprietors and are not employees or owners of OT 4 Kids.
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Lisa Romersa, OTR/L
Lisa Romersa has been working as a licensed occupational therapist for the past 16 years. She joined the OT 4 Kids family in October 2021. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University. Lisa has been evaluating and working with children ranging from 4 to 17 years old in clinics, homes, and both private and public schools. She has experience in programs such as Handwriting Without Tears, Keyboarding Without Tears, and the Zones of Regulation. Lisa has experience assisting children with sensory regulation struggles, attention and focus difficulties, and motor coordination delays. She also incorporates yoga, movement, and calming strategies into her practice to allow children to add tools to their “toolbox”, which allows them to better understand and manage their emotional regulation.
Lisa enjoys working with kids and their caregivers and providing strategies and support that allow the children to function to the best of their abilities. She enjoys connecting with the kids and encouraging them through humor and play to help them feel relaxed and successful. Her focus is to help children become more confident in reaching their goals. Lisa knows there is no one-size-fits-all treatment strategy and works to find what fits best for the individual child.
Therapists at OT 4 Kids Collective, Inc. are sole proprietors and are not employees or owners of OT 4 Kids.
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Patti Volpe, OTR/L (Founder of OT 4 KIds)
Patti received her training in occupational therapy at USC and San Jose State University. She initially worked in mental health settings for 9 years as an occupational therapist at Langley Porter NPI, UCSF and as Director of Adjunctive Therapy at Belmont Hills Psychiatric Center. Following the birth of her twin sons she took a brief leave. Her sons attended a parent cooperative preschool, where she realized her true passion was working with children. She joined an established private pediatric OT practice in 1981 with Barbara Chow, OTR, who was her mentor. Patti later established OT 4 Kids in 1986.
Patti is certified in the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test. She received advanced training in sensory processing theory and treatment along with numerous treatment modalities including, Therapeutic Listening and the Perceptual Enrichment Program. (PEP). She’s also published visual perception remediation materials and fine motor development games. During her leadership the clinic received an award for Outstanding Clinical Training of Occupational Therapy graduate interns. Over the years the goal of OT 4 KIDS has been to provide a nurturing, caring and joyful place for children, while providing the highest quality of treatment. Patti is grateful to and proud of the outstanding, dedicated and talented therapists, who’ve contributed to children’s development, family centered care and the success of the clinic over the years. Patti continues to be involved with the clinic as a consultant and mentor.
Therapists at OT 4 Kids Collective, Inc. are sole proprietors and are not employees or owners of OT 4 Kids.
To learn more about our team, please feel free to contact us.