Meet The Team

Megan Payne

Occupational Therapist

As an experienced occupational therapist, I have the privilege of working in both private practice and school-based settings providing treatment to address fine motor, visual motor, visual perceptual, sensory processing, social/emotional skills, and executive skills. Beyond my clinical work, I act as a primary analyst and consultant to support the research on the early diagnosis of Autism. I am also a consultant and guest speaker to ABA companies in the greater San Francisco Bay Area to discuss sensory processing and a sensory-based approach to interpreting and addressing behavior. My additional post-graduate training includes Masgutova Neuroreflex integration, Therapeutic Listening, Handwriting Without Tears, Safe and Sound Protocol, and an advanced intensive mentorship from the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing. I believe in a strengths-based approach to therapy, which supports the child in developing a sense of self-efficacy and esteem, even when the challenge is great!

Emily Ruddy

Behavior Analyst

As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), I have six years of experience in the field and have developed a robust skill set in functional communication training, natural environment teaching, and play-based therapy. I have extensive experience working with children of varying profiles and ages and have had the opportunity to work in a range of settings, including schools, in-home ABA programs, social groups, and special needs camps. My primary goal is to reduce challenging behaviors while providing children with alternative behaviors that meet their needs without compromising their well-being.
Currently, I am advancing my knowledge through continued education in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which integrates mindfulness and behavioral strategies to help individuals accept difficult emotions and take actions that align with their core values. 
My approach focuses on allowing children to enjoy their formative years while developing the social and life skills needed to experience life in a way that is meaningful to them.