SPRING AHEAD TEAM

Heidi Hallenbeck is native New Yorker who holds a master's degree in occupational therapy from Columbia University. She has over nine years of experience working in pediatrics and has been a part of the Spring Ahead team since 2018. Heidi has extensive experience working with children from 3K to middle school and with ASD, ADHD, ODD, SPD, dysgraphia, learning disabilities, and developmental delays. In addition to working at Spring Ahead Heidi, is a school based occupational therapist at two elementary schools in the city. She is a certified handwriting specialist through handwriting without tears and is proficient with the Alert Program, Zones of Regulation, reflex integration, sensory processing, Brain Gym, and Bal-A-Vis-X, among others. Heidi is passionate about working with children and believes in tailoring each session to the child’s individual passions and needs. She loves finding creative ways to achieve individual goals making therapy fun and meaningful for each child. Heidi is a strong advocate of a collaborative, team-based approach, actively engaging with parents, teachers, and other professionals to provide optimal support for the child. She values the crucial role that parents play in a child’s development journey and seeks to create a collaborative, supportive partnership with them, to ensure that therapy strategies can be carried over into the home environment. In her free time Heidi enjoys exploring NYC with her husband, son & daughter

Kailey has been a practicing occupational therapist in New York City since 2020. Prior to her arrival she worked as an OT in Canada for several years with children ages 2-18 in schools and sensory based clinics. She graduated from Western University with a degree in Health Sciences and attended McMaster University, where she received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy. Kailey specializes in treatments related to sensory processing, executive functioning and handwriting support. Kailey is certified in Therapeutic Listening, Trauma Informed Approach to Sensory Processing and the ALERT program.. Kailey is passionate about working with children with a variety of needs to support them as they grow. She believes in a child- and family-centered approach to therapy to ensure the child is engaged and motivated. When she is not treating clients, Kailey enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends and exploring the city. 

Brianna is a licensed occupational therapist who earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Kean University and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Delaware. She has experience working with children across a variety of settings, including school-based and clinical environments.

Brianna has worked with children with a range of needs, including autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing challenges, and developmental delays. She is passionate about supporting children in developing functional skills, emotional regulation, and independence through engaging, play-based interventions.

She takes a child-centered and individualized approach to therapy, focusing on each child’s strengths and interests to promote meaningful progress. Brianna values collaboration with families and caregivers and strives to create a supportive environment that encourages carryover of skills across home, school, and community settings. 

When she is not treating, Brianna enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, and exploring new places and restaurants.

Nadine Eliyahu, MS, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist based in New York City with experience in school-based settings, sensory gyms, and outpatient rehabilitation. She received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Hofstra University and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Yeshiva University. Nadine has worked with children across a wide range of developmental needs, supporting growth in fine motor skills, sensory processing, visual-motor integration, and executive functioning.

Nadine’s approach to therapy is individualized, play-based, and rooted in building strong therapeutic relationships. She focuses on underlying skills such as regulation, body awareness, and motor coordination to help children participate more independently in daily routines. She integrates techniques including sensory-based strategies, reflex integration, and functional skill building into her sessions. Nadine values collaboration with families and believes that consistency, communication, and a supportive environment are key to meaningful progress. She is passionate about making therapy both effective and enjoyable for every child she works with.

Tovy is an exceptional pediatric physical therapist who has been practicing for 15+ years. Tovy has extensive experience with early intervention, preschool, school & tween populations. Tovy is confident and comfortable in working with children in our sensory gym, schools , community & homes. She has extensive experience in outpatient facilitates, home based services and school based settings. She is skilled in evaluating  & treating children with neurological, motor & sensory integration differences including ASD, Down syndrome, Hypotonia, Cerebral Palsy, Dyspraxia & global developmental delays.  She draws from a variety of techniques including biomechanics, NDT, sensory- motor & kinesiotaping. She is skilled in gait training, ambulation & orthotic management.She utilizes an effective and dynamic approach in working with children and families to help them achieve gross motor skill goals independently.