About our founder

 

Vanessa MacKay, M.S., OTR/L

Vanessa started Play + Wellness Collective to provide occupational therapy that feels supportive and person affirming. She has been an occupational therapist for over 15 years working almost exclusively in pediatrics. She has experience working in a variety of pediatric practice settings including school-based practice (public, private, and charter), outpatient pediatrics, and early intervention (home health and early learning centers). She graduated in 2005 from The College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Promotion. In 2008, she graduated from The Medical University of South Carolina with a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. Vanessa earned a health coaching certificate from The Institute of Integrative Nutrition in 2019. She is certified in Unyte Integrated Listening Systems Safe and Sound Protocol and The Learn Play Thrive Approach to Autism. 

Vanessa is a caring and empathetic therapist drawing from her broad clinical experience and a personal and familial history of learning disabilities. She uses a holistic, family-centered, strengths-based approach to intervention. She believes both children and caregivers benefit from seeing themselves in a positive light and constructing their lives around what works rather than what doesn’t work. She is an expert at creating a safe space for curiosity, genuine connection, joy, and growth. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys training for triathlons, yoga, breaking bread with friends and family, watching stand-up comedy, and growing her knowledge about the meaning of life via books and podcasts. Her favorite words to live and teach by are “The only thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.” -Neil Gaiman.

 

 


 

Meet the rest of our team

Denniece Butts, M.S., OTR/L 
Occupational Therapist
 
Denniece was born and raised in Covington, GA. She obtained her graduate degree from Brenau University in Gainesville, GA. Her parents are retired special education teachers, so serving children is a true calling from her bloodline.
 
Denniece has been an occupational therapist for about 4 years with most of her experience in outpatient and school-based practice. Her favorite part about being an occupational therapist is educating patients and families and empowering them to advocate for themselves.
 
Denniece is excited to continue this work with Play+Wellness Collective. Her favorite OT phrase is "We Rise by lifting OThers!"
Kelsea Newman, M.S., OTR/L 
Occupational Therapist
 
Kelsea received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Georgia State University. She also has her disability advocacy certification from the University of Georgia focusing on neurodiversity-affirming practices, improving healthcare delivery systems, and supporting disability and family advocacy.
As an OT, Kelsea is passionate about building kids’ self-esteem and facilitating independence in her patients through fun and functional activities that are unique to each child's goals and interests. She was trained at the Star Institute Sensory Processing Program. She approaches developmental skills including sensory-trauma-based approaches, reflex integration, sensory integration, and emotional regulation with her clients through play. She especially emphasizes connection with her clients and families to support optimal progression. 
In her free time, Kelsea enjoys spending time with family, hiking, good food, and traveling!
Dr. Jegnasha “Jiggy” Patel 
Occupational Therapist
 
Jiggy graduated with her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University, and with her Master of Occupational Therapy from Brenau University. Jiggy has experience working in a wide array of occupational therapy settings including outpatient pediatrics, early intervention, home health, community based settings, and research studies. She currently maintains her National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy and is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, World Federation of Occupational Therapy, and Georgia Occupational Therapy Association.
 
Jiggy has clinical experience working with individuals across the lifespan with a wide array of diagnoses in their homes, schools, communities, and in the clinic. She is passionate about providing a safe and positive environment to enhance the patient and practitioner collaboration in which the patient can learn, explore, and reach their full potential for success in participation in their daily lives. Jiggy believes in providing individualistic and holistic care that is well planned to meet the unique needs of each of her patients and their families to promote their health and well-being.
 
Outside of her professional role, Jiggy loves to travel, and spend time with her husband, family, and friends. A self proclaimed historian, She enjoys exploring historic towns and cozying up with a hot cup of coffee and a good book. She also loves to run, hike, read, and watch movies.
 
Jiggy is excited about this opportunity to meet you and work with you and your family!
Adrea Murphy, M.S., CCC-SLP 
Speech-Language Pathologist
 

 After growing up on Long Island, New York, Adrea attended New York University for her undergraduate degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders before then completing the master's program at the University of the District of Columbia for her degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

Since grad school, Adrea has always had a passion for infant and toddler development. She was thrilled to learn about the coaching model within early intervention and to find her niche within the field of speech pathology, working closely with families and empowering them by creating strategies to help their children's development. She particularly is interested in evaluations and she enjoy being a family's first contact in regards to speech services. Before starting in early intervention in 2020, she had also worked in an after-school program with toddlers and school-age children, as well as, with high schoolers and even the geriatric population in a skilled nursing facility setting.

In addition to early intervention, Adrea has a love for traveling and for writing. As the daughter of a first-generation Italian-American, she has always had an appreciation for the dynamics of language, and returning to Southern Italy is her favorite.

Adrea specializes in serving clients 0-3 years of age.

Sara "Persy" Persutti, M.S., OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
 
Persy holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from D'Youville College of New York. They have an active license in the states of New York and Georgia. 
 
Persy is a personable and motivated occupational therapist with comprehensive experience including the ability to deliver skilled therapy services in an empathetic manner. They are competent with the desire to utilize leadership skills and organizational abilities to provide quality care with a client-centered approach.

Jodi McClain, M.S., OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Jodi McClain is a licensed occupational therapist with over 18 years of experience supporting children and families across clinic, school, home, and community settings. She specializes in evaluating and treating children from 12 months to 18 years old using an eclectic approach grounded in sensory integration, neurodevelopmental, and developmental theories. 

Jodi is deeply committed to empowering children with neurodevelopmental differences—including Autism, ADHD, sensory processing challenges, developmental delays, dyspraxia, and other fine and gross motor coordination difficulties—to thrive in their natural environments. Her practice emphasizes collaboration with families, educators, and interdisciplinary teams to promote meaningful participation in daily routines and learning. 

Throughout her career, Jodi has worked in diverse settings including schools, child development centers, and early intervention. Her international experience includes developing clinical programs and parent workshops in Singapore. 

An experienced mentor and supervisor, Jodi provides coaching and support to COTAs, therapy aides, and fieldwork students. She has also developed teacher trainings and parent education programs addressing sensory integration, motor development, and self-regulation frameworks such as Zones of Regulation and The Alert Program. 

Jodi holds a Master of Occupational Therapy from Temple University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Delaware. She is licensed in both Georgia and California, and nationally certified by the NBCOT. 

Her continuing professional development includes advanced training in Interactive Metronome, Astronaut Training, Therapeutic Yoga for the Child with Developmental Challenges, Social Thinking Curriculum, Handwriting Without Tears, Bal-A-Vis-X, and S’cool Moves.

Kyrei Miller, M.S., OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
 
Kyrei holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Boston University. She began her career working in a non-profit, advocating for youths in the juvenile justice system. She went on to spend nearly 10 years working as a special education teacher where she was exposed to the wonderful field of occupational therapy. She enjoyed seeing how therapy helped her students become more successful in the classroom and was in awe at the positive impact that therapy not only had in a child’s education but with their self-esteem.
 
Kyrei took a leap of faith and decided to pursue a career change to occupational therapy. As a therapist, she enjoys helping kids become more independent and reach their goals through intrinsic motivation by allowing children to establish a sense of their own autonomy, they can build the confidence needed to successfully navigate their environment and perform daily occupations.
 
Kyrei was born in Chicago but raised in Georgia and is a southern girl at heart. She is a mother to her beautiful daughter Kennedy and enjoys the beach, cooking, and exploring local festivals and activities with her family!
Gaganpreet "Gigi" Kaur, M.S., OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
 
 Gaganpreet (Gigi) obtained her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos, California.
 
Gigi loves being an occupational therapist because it is a profession that allows her to work at the intersection of science, creativity, and compassion. Seeing her patients achieve their goals is what motivates her to work hard. She regularly works with children with sensory processing disorders, ASD, ADHD/ADD, cerebral palsy, and developmental delays.
 
In her free time, Gigi enjoys exercising, baking, and catching up with her friends/family. 
 

Teresa Iatridis, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Teresa Iatridis is a licensed and registered occupational therapist with nine years of experience providing care across pediatric, school-based, telehealth, early intervention, geriatric, and acute care settings. She is passionate about expanding access to telehealth services to support clients and families in areas of need.

Teresa’s expertise includes conducting comprehensive evaluations, developing individualized treatment plans, and providing client and caregiver coaching to promote functional independence. She is skilled in coordinating interventions with multidisciplinary teams, advocating for clients, and utilizing technology to enhance therapy delivery and family engagement.

She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and a Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy, graduating with high honors. Teresa is nationally board certified (NBCOT) and licensed in multiple states, bringing a strong foundation in clinical reasoning, intervention planning, and evidence-based practice.

Committed to holistic, client-centered care, Teresa combines her clinical expertise with excellent interpersonal skills to support meaningful outcomes for individuals across the lifespan.

Yilmarie Hall, PT
Physical Therapist

Yilmarie Hall is a licensed physical therapist with over 14 years of experience providing compassionate, evidence-based care to children and families across home, clinic, and virtual settings. She specializes in early intervention and pediatric physical therapy, supporting children’s gross motor development and functional independence through family-centered, play-based approaches. Fluent in English and Spanish, Yilmarie is committed to providing culturally sensitive care and fostering clear, meaningful communication with families from diverse backgrounds.

Throughout her career, Yilmarie has partnered closely with families, physicians, service coordinators, and multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized plans of care and measurable outcomes. She is highly experienced in early intervention service delivery models, including IFSP development, transition planning, and family coaching.

Yilmarie’s contributions have included designing clinical tools, mentoring families, and expanding pediatric programming within outpatient and community settings. With a warm, collaborative approach and deep expertise in motor development and early childhood intervention, Yilmarie is committed to helping every child reach their highest potential while supporting families through each stage of growth.

Ashlee Carrandi, M.S., OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Ashlee Carrandi is a licensed and registered occupational therapist dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to children and families. Ashlee brings strong clinical skills, collaborative energy, and a service-driven mindset to her practice—helping each child reach their fullest potential across home, school, and community settings.Ashlee has experience providing pediatric occupational therapy in both clinical, educational, and natural learning environments, with a focus on fine and gross motor development, sensory processing, and functional daily living skills.

Ashlee earned her Master of Occupational Therapy from Brenau University in Norcross, GA, and her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Wellness from Jacksonville State University. She is licensed through the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy, certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, and holds an active American Heart Association BLS/CPR certification.

A member of both the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the Georgia Occupational Therapy Association (GOTA), Ashlee remains committed to lifelong learning and professional development. She is known by colleagues for her strong communication skills, teamwork, and ability to create meaningful connections with clients and families to promote lasting functional growth.

Tori Oldham, M.S.,OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Tori received her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Georgia. She earned her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University in 2018.

Tori has worked in diverse environments—including inpatient rehab, outpatient clinics, schools, and early intervention programs. Her background includes supporting children recovering from brain and spinal cord injuries, as well as those with developmental, sensory, and behavioral needs.

Tori is nationally certified by the NBCOT and licensed in Georgia, with additional certification in physical agent modalities (C-PAM). Tori is trained and certified in specialized approaches such as the Learn Play Thrive strengths-based model for autism and Blomberg Rhythmic Movement Training and Reflex Integration, Sensory Motor Approach to Feeding, and Management of Visual Deficits in Children. Tori values getting outdoors and loves to incorporate nature-based play into her therapy sessions.

In her free time, Tori enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and their dog, Maple. She enjoys trail running, watching college football, listening to live music, and crafting of all types.

Dr. Brittany D. Lawrence, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Brittany graduated from Brenau University in 2019 with a Master's in Science of Occupational. She began working in the outpatient pediatric setting, and then transitioned into the school system after giving birth to her daughter. She returned to school a few years later, attending the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, where she received her Post Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy in 2024, focusing on how perinatal mood and anxiety disorders impact mothers and their ability to bond with their child.

Along with being a pediatric occupational therapist, providing services to children in the public school system and in the outpatient setting, Brittany is also a maternal occupational therapist. After the birth of her daughter, she noticed a gap in supportive services for women who were navigating through the pre/postpartum phases, and felt the need to help where she could. Therefore, she joined the board of a non-profit organization that provides an array of supportive services to women transitioning through motherhood, and she opened up her own practice where she provides free 1-1 supportive sessions for moms in need.

Brittany is also a certified Mat Pilates Instructor. Pilates really helped her rebuild her core strength and postural control after having her daughter, so she wanted to be able to facilitate classes to like women who could possibly receive the same benefit.

When not working (which seems like never..lol), she likes to enjoy time with her family and travel as much as possible. She just got married in 2024, and she is the mom of a 16 year old athlete and an energetic 3 year old toddler.

Brittany's favorite quote is "Y.O.L.O." (You only live once). She believes that life is meant to be lived, adventures are meant to taken, memories are meant to be made!

McKenzie Dodson, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist

McKenzie Dodson is a licensed speech-language pathologist with specialized expertise in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. She is passionate about helping children build safe, positive, and developmentally appropriate relationships with food while supporting families in creating mealtime environments that foster confidence and connection.

McKenzie currently provides individualized speech and feeding therapy and enjoys working with children presenting with a range of developmental delays, speech-language disorders, and sensory-based feeding challenges. Her work emphasizes collaboration with occupational therapists, physical therapists, and families to create holistic, interdisciplinary treatment plans that promote meaningful progress across settings.

Her clinical background includes experience in outpatient pediatrics, school-based services, and adult outpatient and acute care settings. She has treated patients across the lifespan with a large range of diagnoses. McKenzie is skilled in interpreting Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS), implementing feeding interventions, and coordinating care with multidisciplinary medical teams including ENT, GI, and radiology professionals.

McKenzie earned both her Master of Education in Speech-Language Pathology and Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of West Georgia, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Her approach integrates clinical expertise with warmth, creativity, and family partnership to support each child’s growth in communication and feeding.

Isabel Nataniel, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Isabel Nataniel is a licensed occupational therapist with a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree from Georgia State University. She is passionate about supporting children and families through evidence-based, trauma-informed, and family-centered occupational therapy. Isabel brings clinical experience across pediatric, school-based, and rehabilitation settings, combining her expertise in motor, sensory, and developmental skills with a holistic approach that values each child’s environment, relationships, and lived experience.

Isabel has completed extensive pediatric training, including rotations at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where she conducted comprehensive evaluations and delivered individualized interventions to children from birth to young adulthood in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. She also gained outpatient pediatric experience at Aspire Pediatric Therapy, providing evaluation and treatment for children with a range of diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and learning disabilities. Her additional fieldwork experiences span school-based, adult acute care, and psychiatric rehabilitation environments, reflecting her versatility and commitment to whole-person care.

Isabel’s doctoral research focused on the development of a pediatric screening tool for trauma exposure and developmental milestones, designed to help pediatricians and caregivers identify children who may benefit from early occupational therapy intervention. Collaborating with Holding Space Collaborative, a trauma-informed occupational therapy group in Cincinnati, Isabel also developed a caregiver education component to promote awareness of how early trauma impacts development.

Outside of clinical practice, Isabel has demonstrated strong leadership and program development skills through her work at GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center, where she created and led life skills and independent living programs for adults with Down syndrome. She also served as a Graduate Administrative Assistant in the Georgia State University Department of Occupational Therapy, supporting faculty and program operations.

Bilingual in English and Spanish, Isabel values culturally responsive care and effective communication with diverse families. Her professional strengths include client-centered collaboration, detailed clinical documentation, and the integration of research into everyday practice to promote meaningful, functional outcomes for every client she serves.

Rex Semblante
Physical therapist/Virtual assistant
 
Rex is a licensed physical therapist based in the Philippines with a passion for helping others achieve optimal health and mobility. Rex is also a Certified Healthcare Virtual Assistant, where he assists healthcare professionals in streamlining operations through remote administrative support.
 
Outside of work, Rex is an avid traveler and hiking enthusiast, constantly seeking new adventures and exploring the great outdoors. Whether it's scaling a mountain or discovering hidden gems in remote destinations, he finds inspiration in nature and new experiences.
 
His goal is to balance his professional pursuits with his love for exploration, and he is always looking for ways to merge his skills and passions in both healthcare and adventure.

Lorena Marie XU
Physical therapist/Virtual assistant

Lorena is a licensed Physical Therapist in the Philippines and a certified Healthcare Virtual Assistant. She supports patients and families by guiding them through the new patient onboarding process, coordinating with therapists, managing schedules, and handling calls and messages related to therapy services.

Beyond her professional role, Lorena enjoys spending quality moments with her family, friends, and pets. She also appreciates relaxing at home with a good series, discovering new cafes, and exploring new activities. She has a passion for travel, whether through out-of-town getaways or international trips, as it allows her to embrace new experiences and broaden her perspective.

Lorena is dedicated to providing reliable support and seamless coordination to ensure patients and families receive the best care experience possible.

Rika Mae Semblante
Virtual Assistant & Administrative Support

Rika is a dedicated virtual assistant and administrative support team member with a passion for organization, efficiency, and helping teams succeed. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Holy Cross College of Davao, Philippines, Rika combines her academic knowledge with strong administrative skills to provide reliable support in daily operations, scheduling, documentation, and communication.

Outside of work, Rika enjoys watching movies and reading electronic books. She is an active person who loves playing sports like volleyball and badminton, and often jogs with her siblings or friends. Traveling with her siblings and cousins is one of her favorite things to do, and she loves spending free time with friends. Rika has a deep love for beaches and sunsets, finding peace in the natural beauty they offer.

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