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
Email: alicia.b.harriman@stretchtherapyct.com
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!
Email: emily.bielesz@stretchtherapyct.com
Darcy Parmalee
Program Specialist & Referral Coordinator
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.
Email: darcy.parmelee@stretchtherapyct.com
OUR THERAPISTS
Sofi Andrews
COTA/L - Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant/Licensed
Sofi is a board certified occupational therapy assistant, graduating from CUNY Laguardia in New York City and currently pursuing a masters degree in occupational therapy at Bay Path University. Sofi has clinical experience working with a diverse variety of clients ranging from two years old to young adulthood. She also has experience in aquatic therapy and geriatric OT.
Sofi loves working with kids on sensory and emotional regulation, executive functioning, fine motor and gross motor skills, visual motor skills, and activities of daily living. Sofi also teaches an inclusive dance class at Stretch. Building therapeutic rapport with children and caregivers is important to Sofi, and she strives to make sessions individualized, meaningful, functional, and fun.
Prior to becoming a COTA, Sofi was a dance teacher. She 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 and performing, 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!
Email: sofi.andrews@stretchtherapyct.com
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.
Email: alyce.gill@stretchtherapyct.com
Lori Raye
PT - Senior Pediatric Physical Therapist
Ms. Raye has over 15 years and extensive experience in pediatrics working in a variety of settings. She specializes in infants, toddlers and children with neurological and impairments and developmental delays. Ms. Raye has worked in a variety of settings including Early Intervention / Birth to Three, clinic based pediatric physical therapy as well as public and private special education schools throughout CT. She brings her energy and enthusiasm to Stretch Pediatric Therapy. Ms. Raye is also a licensed massage therapist and an accomplished actress and vocalist who has performed throughout the United States.
Email: lori.grodski@stretchtherapyct.com
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!
Email: rachael.kuhn@stretchtherapyct.com
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.
Email: emily.petrone@stretchtherapyct.com
Amanda MacIntyre
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.
Email: amanda.macintyre@stretchtherapyct.com
Bryne-Marie Sidney
M.S., CCC-SLP – Speech and Language Pathologist
Graduating in 2019, Bryne earned her bachelor’s degree with a double major in Speech-Language and Hearing Science and Cognitive Science from the University of Connecticut. After taking a gap year as a Teaching Assistant in a specialized school setting, she received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Emerson College in 2022. Bryne has been working in Early Intervention with Building Bridges since 2022.
Bryne believes in a personalized child-led approach, where the child’s interests, strengths, and pace guide the direction of therapy. This approach fosters a positive, engaging experience that promotes active participation and motivation. Bryne has developed a passion for play-based intervention, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and neurodiversity affirming therapy.
Outside of work, Bryne enjoys staying active and living a balanced lifestyle. Weightlifting is one of her favorite ways to unwind and stay strong, while reading allows her to relax and dive into new worlds. When she’s not hitting the gym, enjoying a good book, or attending a concert, you’ll often find her soaking up the outdoors—whether it’s relaxing in the yard with her dog, Rosie, or working in her garden.
Email: brynemarie.sidney@stretchtherapyct.com
Kirsten Andreasen
M.S., CCC-SLP - Speech and Language Pathologist
Kirsten is a graduate of Ithaca College where she received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology with an additional teaching certification. Kirsten also minored in Deaf Studies during her undergraduate career.
Kirsten has worked in both private and public special education programs for students with multiple disabilities, specifically a primary diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has a passion for providing access to communication for children of all ages and teaching functional communication skills with the use of AAC. Additionally, Kirsten has experience within the areas of social communication, speech sound disorders, and expressive/receptive language. She enjoys providing child-lead therapy and teaching communication and language skills utilizing play-based intervention strategies. Kirsten believes in collaboration with caregivers and other team members to best support successful outcomes for every child she works with. She loves being apart of the Stretch Pediatric Therapy team!
Outside of work, Kirsten enjoys reading, music, and spending time with her friends and family.
Email: kirsten.andreasen@stretchtherapyct.com
Erin Terrance
M.A., CCC-SLP - Speech and Language Pathologist
Erin Terrance (M.A., CCC-SLP) is a graduate of Southern Connecticut University with a Master of Science in Communication Disorders. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Connecticut where she had a dual focus on human development family studies, then headed to Southern Connecticut State to begin her clinical practicum. Erin has worked in a variety of settings including private therapy, transitional academies, and the public schools. She has been practicing as a speech and language pathologist in the lower elementary school system for the past 7 years.
Throughout her experience, Erin has worked with students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder of varying levels, articulation disorders, language disorders, fluency disorders, and individuals who have medically complex conditions. She has a passion for providing a voice for everyone through AAC, and increasing client confidence and participation across the community. Erin values a client and family centered approach including embedding highly motivational and interest driven activities that are functional and meaningful. She pays particular attention to respect neurodivergence and meet sensory needs to maximize growth throughout sessions. She looks forward to utilizing her diagnostic and clinical skills to build relationships with clients and families, develop and implement effective treatment models, and promote an engaging therapeutic environment.
Email: erin.terrance@stretchtherapyct.com
Lisa Tarchini
MS., OTR/L - Licensed Occupational Therapist
Lisa earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Southern Connecticut State University in 2013, an Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant from Manchester Community College in 2016, and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from New England Institute of Technology in 2022. With a strong focus on pediatrics, her professional experience spans various settings, including the school system, early intervention, and clinic-based work. She also works as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Instructor for the Occupational Therapy Department at NEIT.
Outside of work, she enjoys all things active—whether it's running, hiking, or playing with her dog, Hank. She's an avid sports fan with a passion for watching soccer, cheering on UConn basketball, and the New England Patriots. Recently, she's been learning to play golf and is enjoying the challenge of picking up a new sport. She also loves spending time at her family’s beach house in Guilford, relaxing on the beach or looking for seashells.
Email: lisa.tarchini@stretchtherapyct.com
Erin Hersh
OTR/L, BCP- Licensed Occupational Therapist
Erin is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where she earned her master's degree in Occupational Therapy in 2011. She began practicing pediatric OT in California, serving children with medically complex needs in a state therapy program, and earned her AOTA Board Certification in Pediatrics in 2021. Since moving to Connecticut, she has worked in a variety of pediatric settings, including school, private practice, and home care. Erin loves working with children and their families to help them participate meaningfully in the things that are important to them.
Outside of work, Erin enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, taking walks and reading.
Email: erin.hersh@stretchtherapyct.com