Occupational Therapists
Julie
Beth Dahlmer, OTR/L has been a Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist specializing in pediatrics for over 25 years. In 1987 she received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire. Beth is certified in the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT). Beth began her career in a hospital setting working with outpatient clients from birth to twenty years old. She has also worked in a variety of other settings including private practice, early childhood intervention, and schools. Beth is passionate about helping clients and their families. She values the role of play and identifies with the following quote: “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” – Plato (Greek philosopher 427–347 BC). Beth began working at Peer Projects - Therapy from the Heart in 2013 and we are thrilled to have her as part of our team!
Rochelle Hardenstine COTA/L, BS has over 18 years of experience as a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant working in a variety of settings including public schools, Head Start programs, and short and long term rehabilitation facilities. She graduated from Salem State University in 1991 with a major in Elementary Education and Psychology and she graduated from North Shore Community College in 1996 with her associates in OT. She worked in the Gloucester public schools for 7 years until moving to the Lynnfield schools, where she has been on staff since 2005. Rochelle works with students ranging in ages from preschool thru high school, servicing a variety of children with special needs. She is also involved in parent and staff education and supervising and training Occupational Therapy students. Rochelle focuses on individual and small group therapy and whole group activities within the classroom as part of an inclusion model. She is also interested in incorporating assistive technology for students and works with educators and private consultants for technology based programs to increase students’ independence. Rochelle enjoys working as part of a team with educators to help students meet their individual sensory and fine motor needs and increase their independence and success in the classroom. She enjoys working in the schools and in the private clinic to help build skills for clients and families for school and home. Rochelle has been part of the Peer Projects - Therapy From the Heart team since February 2013. In addition to providing OT, she co-leads groups, bringing her expertise in sensory and movement aspects of development to each and every session to ensure our kids have the most fun while also being challenged in just the right way.
Jodi Fox