ALICIA BERGER HARRIMAN
MSPT, DPT - Chief Executive Director/ Pediatric Physical Therapist
Dr. Berger received her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy in 1999 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2002 both from Simmons College in Boston, MA. Dr. Berger has worked with children and adults with developmental delays across a variety of pediatric settings including; early intervention (birth to age 3 years), school based physical therapy services (ages 3-21) and in pediatric rehabilitation settings. Dr. Berger specializes in the care of children with complex medical issues, premature infants, children with neurological disorders and children with severe disabilities.
Dr. Berger travels throughout New England providing physical therapy services as well as consultative services, and professional development trainings.
Dr. Berger has combined her love of dance and yoga to develop the Rise and Shine Yoga Program for children of all abilities and GIRL POWER YOGA, a program to build self- confidence and self- esteem in girl ages 7-16 yrs old. She is a certified children’s yoga teacher through The Karma Kids Yoga Program and has studied children’s yoga extensively with Every Child’s Yoga, Radiant Child Yoga™ Special Needs Yoga Program and Yoga for Rehabilitation.
Dr. Berger is a certified dance teacher through the Dance Teachers Club of Boston, and she was a principal dancer with the Rhode Island Youth Ballet Company as well as a Senior Company Member and soloist with the Carolyn Dutra Dancers in Rhode Island.
Dr. Berger believes that collaborating with families in the caring for their children is the greatest contributing factor to realizing a child’s potential. She resides in Connecticut with her husband and is the proud mother of two beautiful girls.
“I’d recommend Ms. Alicia to everyone! I trust her beyond measure with my most prized possessions! -Parent
Emily Bielesz
BA - Practice Manager/Program Director
Emily is a graduate from Central Connecticut State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English. She works as a Direct Support Professional for young adults with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities at Marc Community Resources in Middletown, CT.
Emily is an Individual Community Aid where she works closely with her client and family to create and provide services for the individual needing assistance within the community and at home.
Emily has been dancing since she was 7 years old. She is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and lyrical. She was a student and teacher at Dance 10 Performing Arts Center in Wethersfield, CT and Director of the Dance and Drama Summer Program for Wethersfield Parks and Recreation. Emily travels to surrounding schools, community centers, and summer camps teaching therapeutic yoga, relaxation, and meditation.
Emily loves all things crafty; she especially enjoys painting. In her free time, you will usually find Emily at the beach on her days off in the summer months or curled up with a book and a cup of tea.
At Stretch, you can find Emily working at the front desk or teaching our therapeutic programs. Emily has a passion for working with patients of all ages and loves working with the Stretch team!
OUR THERAPISTS
Alyce Gill
COTA/L - Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant/Licensed
Alyce Gill is a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant. She is a graduate from the University of Hartford where she received her Bachelor’s of Health Science in 2016. She recieved her Occupational Therapist Assistant Certification from Goodwin University.
Alyce has been working for the Gengras Center at the University of Saint Joseph, a unique, state-approved, private special education facility, since September 2020.
Alyce is a dog mom to her dog Mollie. She loves to travel and even took a solo trip to South Africa. Alyce is a huge Taylor Swift fan and is currently learning to play golf.
Alyce’s bright personality and creative approach to occupational therapy is sure to engage and bring fun into your child’s therapy session.
Rachael Kuhn
MOT - Licensed Occupational Therapist and Feeding Specialist
Rachael Kuhn is a graduate of Quinnipiac University, where she completed her Master’s of Occupational Therapy in 2015.
As an OT, Rachael has worked in pediatric outpatient clinics, psychiatric hospitals, and in home health settings with children who are medically complex. She is also certified in pediatric trauma & attachment, with several years of experience working with children who have been involved in the foster care system.
At Stretch, Rachael often works with children who struggle with feeding challenges and those who have difficulty with sensory processing or emotional/behavioral dysregulation. She really loves supporting and educating families through OT services.
Outside of work, Rachael loves road trips, concerts, starting new home renovation projects and adopting senior pets!
Emily Petrone
M.S., CCC-SLP - Speech and Language Pathologist
Emily Petrone (M.S.,CCC-SLP) is a graduate of the University of Wyoming with a Master of Science in Communication Disorders. Emily has lived in New York City and Denver and has chosen to make Connecticut home. She began practicing as a speech and language pathologist in the schools in Denver, Colorado.
She fell in love with working with a Special Education team, administration, and teachers to help struggling students learn to love learning and overcoming speech and language disabilities. She worked with students with autism spectrum disorder, fluency disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders, phonological processing disorders, articulation disorders, childhood apraxia of speech and students with significant trauma and social and emotional disabilities.
Simultaneously, Emily worked for Handprints Home Health where she provided in-home therapy and support for children ranging in age from 6 months to 18 years of age. In her spare time, she worked for an outpatient clinic, STEP Therapy Pediatrics, to work with children with more complex communication needs and support families with the IEP and public school process.
Across all of these settings, she developed a passion for play-based intervention, social skills groups, AAC, interventions for phonological processing disorders, and feeding therapy. Finally, Emily and her family made the move to Connecticut where she began working for Birth to Three with Beacon Services of CT. With Birth to Three, she continues to work with families on supporting their children with feeding, communication, and play. While she continues to love early intervention, she is eager to put her knowledge to work in a clinic setting with family participation and continue to cultivate her expertise with school age children.
Sofi Andrews
COTA/L - Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant/Licensed
Sofi is a certified occupational therapy assistant, graduating from CUNY Laguardia in New York City. Sofi has clinical experience working with a variety of pediatric clients as well as experience in aquatic therapy and skilled nursing OT. Sofi believes in a holistic and child-centered approach. She strives to make sessions both functional and fun!
Prior to becoming a COTA, Sofi was a dance teacher. Sofi taught adaptive dance at a community senior center and taught classes using dance as a tool for social and emotional learning in NYC public schools. In her spare time, Sofi enjoys dancing, spending time outdoors, and quality time with friends and family. Sofi is passionate about pediatric occupational therapy and is thrilled to be part of the Stretch team!
Amanda Santiago
PTA - Physical Therapy Assistant
Amanda graduated in 2017 with a double baccalaureate in Spanish and Exercise Science from Southern Connecticut State University. She has since gone on to graduate from the PTA program at Naugatuck Valley Community College in 2020. Amanda enjoys working in a variety of PT settings, and began working with pediatrics in 2022.
Aside from her professional endeavors, Amanda enjoys traveling, music, and dance. She also enjoys spending time with loved ones including her husband and two dogs, Nala and Bella.
Darcy Parmalee
Program Specialist
Darcy Parmelee graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2010 with a double major in Elementary Education and English. Darcy is a certified K-6 elementary teacher. She has worked in many different school settings over the past years ranging from preschool to private tutor for children with learning disabilities. Darcy most recently worked at Valley View School assisting in the Special Education preschool program.
In her hometown, Darcy is very active in the PTO for her children's school, as well is the Cubmaster. Darcy also has been the Kiddie Camp Director for preschool aged Children at the Parks and Recreation Summer Camp. Community and family connection is a very important part of Darcy's learning philosophy.
Darcy really enjoys spending time with her family (two boys ages 9 and 11). We will often find her cheering on at their soccer or flag football games. Darcy loves to be outside and enjoy the sunshine. At Stretch, you can find Darcy helping with the Kindness Academy, as well as, working with individuals who are developing their social and emotional skills.