Our Team
Mary Vanesko
MOT, OTR/L, CIMI
Mary Vanesko, MOT, OTR/L, CIMI, CPY, REIKI-2 is an occupational therapist with over 18 years of experience across diverse settings—from NICUs to end-of-life care. She earned her BA in Psychology from Bloomsburg University and her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Temple University. Mary holds certifications in infant massage, pediatric and adult yoga, Reiki, and is currently pursuing training in Pre and Perinatal Psychology.
Mary has served as a NICU specialist nationwide, focusing on program development and family-centered care. She provides consultation and course content for global organizations including Philips Healthcare, CIAO, and Summit Education. She is the founder of WELL-Nurtured Development, LLC, an OT/PT outpatient and wellness practice serving children and families in northeastern PA. Mary also mentors therapists in infant and pediatric care and is a board member of Autism Awareness NEPA and co-founder of the nonprofit Well-Nurtured Community.
Mo
Chief Happiness Officer 🐾
Jacqueline
MS, OTR/L
"Miss Jacque"
Jacque is a pediatric occupational therapist whose goal is to help families thrive through client-centered care and holistic interventions. She received her BS in health science and MS in occupational therapy from Misericordia University in 2020. She is a Level 2 SOS Approach to Feeding trained professional with specialty in the ASD population and children 6-16 months. She also has advanced certifications in vision rehabilitation and visual perceptual programs. Her favorite treatment areas are helping kids learn to love eating, improving their play skills, and advocating for and helping children achieve success with their unique sensory processing needs. Jacque also serves as the clinical supervisor to our staff at WND.
Elizabeth C
MS, OTR/L, CIMI
"Miss Lizzie"
Lizzie is an occupational therapist that specializes in helping individuals of all ages achieve their highest potential in daily living. She is a Level 1 SOS Approach to Feeding trained professional, with a passion for supporting children and families through feeding challenges, offering a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to improve eating skills and sensory processing. Her areas of special interest include working with infants, as well as exploring the vital connections between interoception, emotional regulation, and sensory processing. Lizzie believes in taking a holistic approach to therapy, focusing on the unique needs of each individual, and helping them develop the skills they need to thrive in their daily lives.
Whether supporting infants in their early developmental stages or assisting individuals with emotional or sensory regulation, Lizzie’s goal is to empower those she works with to better understand and manage their bodies and emotions for improved well-being and independence.
Elias K
MS, OTR/L
"Mr. E"
Elias (E) is an occupational therapist with a masters degree from The University of Scranton. He has experience in psych, early intervention, pediatrics, and school-based OT, with focuses on mental health, trauma, feeding/sensory processing, and social-emotional development. He is a published writer, winning prizes for both his research in graduate school and his poetry. His passions include writing, cooking, and spending time with his cat. He’s excited to work with families to encourage mind-body well-being and development!
Claire S
OTR/L
"Miss Claire"
Claire is a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in feeding difficulties, handwriting, sensory and emotional regulation. She has over 20 years experience working in NY and PA at various Pediatric settings. Claire is currently also a school based therapist. Her experience includes clinical experience in Early intervention, outpatient therapy and school system. Claire is a SOS Approach to Feeding trained professional as well as certified in Therapeutic Listening and Handwriting Without Tears with other advanced certifications in treating children with SI, ASD and ADHD. Claire is also the OT Fieldwork Student coordinator of WND.
Rachel E
MS, OTR/L
"Miss Rachel"
Rachel is a dedicated occupational therapist, with a passion for helping children and families thrive. She graduated with her Masters in OT from Misericordia University in 2022, and since has specialized in feeding therapy via becoming a trained professional in the SOS Approach to Feeding. While she has worked in various settings, her heart lies in pediatrics and ensuring that all children and their families have access to the services they need to grow, develop, and succeed.
Driven by a commitment to increasing access to therapy services within the community, Rachel continues to advocate for and develop programs that support children and their families. Through her work, she strives to create welcoming, engaging environments where every child has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.
Lydia L
MS, OTR/L
"Miss Lydia"
Lydia is a pediatric occupational therapist. She received her Bachelors of Science in Health and Occupation and Masters of Occupational Therapy from Elizabethtown College. Her clinical experience includes outpatient pediatrics, school-based therapy, early intervention, and inpatient rehabilitation. However, her passion lies in pediatrics. She is extremely passionate about working with infants, children, and families in the areas of feeding, vision, sensory processing, self and emotional regulation. Lydia is a Level 1 SOS Approach to Feeding trained professional. In addition to feeding, Lydia holds a certification in vision rehabilitation, specifically evaluation and treatment of visual perceptual disorders.
Laura K
MS, OTR/L
"Miss Laura"
Laura is an occupational therapist and a working mom of three with a strong passion for supporting children through play based occupations. Working with children who have neurological impacts is near and dear to her heart after transitioning from a career that began in brain injury rehab. Laura has more recently began to learn more into the speciality of infant care and massage. She is so happy to be a part of the growing, family centered team here at WELL-Nurtured Development.
Rachael M
MS, OTR/L, DIRFloortime Advanced
"Miss Rachael"
Rachael Martin is a pediatric occupational therapist who has nearly a decade of experience working with Autistic and neurodiverse children ages 3-21. She holds an advanced certificate in DIR Floortime which is a play-based, child-led approach to promote functional emotional development and foster meaningful relationships while considering the unique individual differences of each child. DIR uses human connection to expand our capacity for regulation, engagement, communication, problem solving, thinking, curiosity and reasoning. Rachael champions the power of empathy, joy, and humor - especially in difficult spaces - to allow everyone to be their authentic self while fostering a safe, inclusive atmosphere where growth can thrive.
Rachael received her masters in occupational therapy from Long Island University - Brooklyn and previously worked at the Rebecca School in NYC, a leader in developmental approaches for autistic children. In her spare time, Rachael enjoys exercising, ceramics, sewing, and spending quality time with her family.
Maria M
MS, OTR/L, Reiki 2
"Miss Maria"
Maria is a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in early intervention and school based practice settings. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Occupation and Health and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. She has experience throughout the lifespan including, outpatient, tele-health, and private practice settings. Maria is passionate about trauma informed care practices and is also a certified reiki 2 practitioner, infusing these principles into her practice.
Aftin F
MS, OTR/L
"Miss Aftin"
Aftin attended Misericordia University and received her MS in occupational therapy. Her clinical experience includes pediatrics, adults, geriatrics, and psychosocial groups. Her favorite treatment areas focus on age appropriate play skills, emotional regulation, interoceptive awareness, sensory processing/integration, supporting academics, appropriate functional development, working with children and their family/caregiver through play, meeting the child where they are at for functional performance to their full capacity. She has specialty interests in expanding my learning and specialities in vision, feeding, and infants.
Tracy N
OTR/L
"Miss Tracy"
Tracy is a pediatric occupational therapist with experience working with children and their families to improve their child’s development of feeding skills, motor skills, sensory processing, and play skill development. She is an Endorsed Early Intervention Coach through Family Guided Routines Based Interventions and helps her families to feel comfort and competence in their care and interactions with their child to build positive relationships together. She has additional training in responsive feeding, the Get Permission approach to feeding, sensory processing, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and Neuro-Developmental Treatment approach. She is available for clinic based and home based OT treatment.
Allison S
MS, OTR/L
"Miss Allie"
Allison is a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing difficulties. She graduated from Misericordia University with a Bachelor of Health and Science and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. Her experience includes clinical experience in acute care, school-based, and outpatient rehabilitation settings across the life span. Allison is currently completing continuing education to obtain a “Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist” certification. Allison enjoys helping children with sensory, emotional regulation, fine motor, and visual perceptual difficulties and supporting their families with family-centered education. She has been an employee at WND since 2022!
Lorraine C
Admin
Lorraine C
Lorraine is an experienced office administrator who helps keep daily operations running smoothly and efficiently. With strong organizational skills and a focus on customer service, Lorraine supports both staff and clients, ensuring everything from scheduling to communication flows seamlessly. Known for being dependable, detail-oriented, and friendly, Lorraine plays a key role in maintaining a positive and productive office environment.