Meet our Team
As therapists we are committed to providing you with high quality therapy that meets your individual needs. We are committed to providing you evidence-based interventions and helping you and your child become the experts in your child’s care.
Emily
Partner & Occupational Therapist
emily@otmoontherapy.com
Emily (she/her) has been working with children and families since 2009. She has specialized training in Sensory Integration evaluation and treatment (WPS SIPT certified, EASI trained) and is a DIRFloortime Expert Training Leader. Outside of the clinic she does improv comedy at the Tucson Improv Movement, reads, swims, lifts weights, and hangs out with her two boys, two dogs, cat, and ball python.
Nicole
Partner & Speech-Language Pathologist nicole@otmoontherapy.com
Nicole (she/her) has been working with children and families since 2009 and is nationally certified by American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. She received her undergraduate degree from University of Arizona, and has a Master’s in Clinical Speech Pathology from Northern Arizona University. She has years of formal training in Childhood Apraxia of Speech (and part of the Apraxia Kids Directory), holds DIRFloortime Advanced Certificate, and is an AAC/Gestalt Language Processor (GLP) trained clinician. Nicole has a daughter and a son and loves to spend time crafting, gardening and reading.
Lisa
Lisa (she/her) joined Over the Moon as the "Director of Educational Programming and Community Liaison.” She heads our Homeschool program. Lisa has been an educator since 2007. She received her Master’s in Special Education and graduate certificate in Assistive Technology in 2010. She has worked as an Early Childhood Specialist, Preschool Special Education teacher and started a Kindergarten assessment program in Phoenix, Arizona. Lisa moved to London, England in 2013 and worked as a Special Education Coordinator across the Borough of Richmond (where Ted Lasso was filmed). Lisa is the mother of two young children. In 2023, Lisa attended the London Meaningful Speech Conference, completed Gestalt Language Processing training and has the Certificate of Proficiency through DIRFloortime. Lisa is passionate about providing Neurodiversity affirming and inclusive practices to children with disabilities.
Jen
Jen (she/her) is joining us as our new Practice Manager. She handles billing, intakes and scheduling. She has an extensive background in management, organizational development, diversity education and leadership cultivation. She has worked with children and adults in educational settings for over 25 years. She is passionate about creating a world where every person can experience the inclusion and belonging they deserve. She is a proud parent of twin daughters and many many plants. When she’s not at work she tries to stay in motion as much as possible through dance, yoga, walking, cooking and laughing. jen@otmoontherapy.com
Onalee
Onalee (she/her) has 12 years of experience as a pediatric occupational therapist. She has worked in clinics, schools, in-home, and community settings. Onalee has extensive training and experience in helping children with sensory processing challenges, including completing a Level I Intensive Mentorship with STAR Institute for Sensory Processing. She has also received DIRFloortime Basic certification and Yoga Calm Youth Instructor certification. Onalee identifies as a highly sensitive person and someone with sensory processing disorder (or, as she likes to think of it, sensory super powers!). She is a children's book author, a poet, and the mother of one busy toddler. Onalee is a mountain dweller at heart and loves nothing more than a walk in the forest and giggling with her little one.
Elaine
Elaine (she/her) has a Bachelor of Science in special and elementary education along with certification in early childhood education. She has taught special education and elementary education PreK through 12 grades in Tucson private and public schools for 12 years. She fell in love with Occupational Therapy while teaching and decided to pursue her AA in occupational science to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). She has been a COTA in clinical and in-home settings for two years. She is DIRFloortime Basic certified and is currently in graduate school working toward a Master’s of Occupational Therapy. She loves learning, live music and family game night. She has two children both in college, a supportive husband, and two dogs.
Marissa
Marissa (she/her) is currently finishing her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology at Northern Arizona University. She’s so excited to be joining Over the Moon! She spent the past six years in Flagstaff earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and she’s thrilled to be coming back home to Tucson. Marissa’s clinical experience includes working with both children and adults at the NAU clinic and throughout the Flagstaff community, including settings such as hippotherapy, teletherapy, and home-based services. When not doing speech therapy, she enjoys hiking, taking cycling classes and hanging out with her family.
Samantha (“Sam”)
Sam (she/her) is joining Over the Moon as an Education Program Assistant. She earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Film from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2017. Originally from Phoenix, she found her way to Tucson in 2021 following a post-grad career in New York City where she worked in film production. With a passion for character development and an advocacy for individual voices and narratives, she found herself in the business of care. Her background in art has shown itself to be an invaluable tool in building rapport and fostering communication with children. She has experience mentoring adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, working in schools with children K-12, and implementing behavior plans to children on the spectrum as a Behavior Technician. In her free time, Samantha enjoys oil painting, practicing yoga/pilates, and reading nonfiction.
Laura
Laura (she/her) joined Over the Moon as a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) in 2023. Since 1999 Laura has been working with children and families leading community programs, providing childcare, facilitating parenting classes, teaching preschool for 9 years (as well as one year in each 1st/2nd and 5th grade), leading youth groups, and co-hosting a young adult residential program. She received her Associates Degree in Occupational Science in August of 2022 and has been a licensed COTA since January of 2023. Since graduation, Laura has worked in public school, home health, and clinic settings. She has completed DIRFloortime 101 (and is taking 201 starting January 2024), loves learning about the nervous system, and is passionate about trauma responsive care. Laura has 4 children and loves music, dance, and yoga.
Bethany
Bethany (she/her) has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Arizona, and joined Over the Moon as an Education Program Assistant. With seven years in childcare, she is patient, creative, friendly, and easily connects with children. Bethany’s passion is rooted in nurturing children's growth and development. She realized her calling to positively impact young lives, and expects to go to school for her Doctorate degree in Occupation Therapy. Bethany has training in First Aid, CPR, and early childhood development. She is a proud first generation immigrant Ugandan-American originally from Ohio. She loves the sun (which was a big factor in her decision to move across the country), music, and spending time with those she loves.
