Mary Jane Zehnpfennig, MA, OTR/L
Executive Director
Mary Jane received both her undergraduate degree and graduate degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California. She completed the four month advanced graduate course in sensory integration. Mary Jane has a wide range of pediatric experience including outpatient rehabilitation, early intervention, high-risk infant follow up, school district and private practice. Mary Jane had the privilege of studying and working with A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D., OTR at the Ayers Clinic. While working with Dr. Ayres, Mary Jane was involved in research, test development and normative data gathering for the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT). Mary Jane is certified in the administration and interpretation of the SIPT. She considers herself first and foremost a clinician, but is also very committed to teaching and mentoring the new generation of occupational therapists, including at the university level. As the mother of two sets of twins, Mary Jane has a special empathy for mothers of multiples.
Emily Dassow, OTR/L
Director of School Services
Emily is an energetic and passionate pediatric occupational therapy practitioner specializing in sensory integration (SIPT certified). She has worked extensively in a private sensory integration clinic setting, as well as in schools and homes with a variety of aged children and abilities since 2004. She enjoys mentoring new practitioners and hosting workshops and continuing education courses for her colleagues and other related professionals focused on sharing and teaching fun and practical activities with kids. Emily thinks the best part of being an occupational therapy practitioner is being able to help kids and their families meet their goals, big or small. Emily and her husband are parents to 3 young boys (twins included), loves to cook and travel.
Patricia (Patty) Cruz, MS, OTR/L
Staff occupational therapist
Patty received her undergraduate degree in sociology and chicano latino studies from UC Irvine. After working with children in special education for 5 years, Patty became interested in working as an OT in a school-based setting. She received her masters degree in occupational therapy from Stanbridge University. As a student, Patty was introduced to the world of sensory integration and decided to work in a school-based setting as well as an outpatient sensory integration clinic. Patty’s pediatric experience includes sensory integration, feeding therapy and school-based OT. She loves being able to use play-based therapy as a means to help children (and their families) meet their goals. During her free time, Patty enjoys baking, yoga, going to the movies, traveling and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Olivia John, OTD, OTR/L
Staff occupational therapist
Olivia is a kind, dedicated, and energetic occupational therapist who specializes in sensory integration and feeding therapy. Olivia provides individualized, client-centered treatment in private clinic spaces and in homes. Olivia is most proud of obtaining her doctoral degree in occupational therapy and having her team’s article published in WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation. Olivia has enjoyed participating in various continuing education opportunities such as the Theoretical Foundations of Sensory Integration: From Theory to Identification, Approach to Pediatric Feeding: Finding Mealtime Peace, and various American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) seminars. Olivia finds deep meaning and passion through helping individuals become the best version of themselves. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new foods, hiking, and playing with her dog.
Sivan Louria, OTR/L
Staff Occupational therapist
Sivan has always had a passion for working with children stemming from as young as the age of 8 and helping to take care of her younger brothers. Over the years, Sivan has continued in many capacities working with children from private tutoring, babysitting, and being a teaching assistant. After obtaining an undergraduate degree in Child and Adolescent Development from Cal State University, Northridge, Sivan found occupational therapy and the rest as they say is history! During her fieldwork rotation in an outpatient pediatric setting, Sivan found a passion for sensory integration as a vessel for helping clients reach their independence and daily living skills. When not in the clinic, you can find Sivan hanging out with friends, dancing, or spending time with family. Her favorite part about being an OT are the connections she makes with her clients and watching them flourish!
Cheryl L. Ecker, MA, OTR/L, BCP, SWC
Consulting Occupational therapist
Cheryl received her undergraduate degree from the Medical College of Georgia (now named Georgia Regents University) and her graduate degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California. Cheryl completed the four month advanced graduate course on sensory integration. She maintains national board certification through AOTA as a pediatric specialist (BCP) and the state of California’s Advanced Practice Certification for the evaluation and treatment of feeding and swallowing disorders (SWC). She is also certified in the administration and interpretation of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT). Cheryl has worked in a wide variety of settings including hospital based acute and outpatient rehabilitation, medically fragile children, school district and private practice. Cheryl has given numerous presentations nationally and internationally about feeding and about sensory integration. She also has been adjunct faculty, teaching at the university level. She is a co-author of the Sensory Processing Measure, a published test instrument, and has co-authored articles in research journals.
Wilma Rodeen, MA, MPT
Staff Physical Therapist
Wilma received her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley in Biophysics/Medical Physics and a graduate degree from California State University at Northridge in Biomechanics and Kinesiology. She received her second graduate degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. Wilma has had a variety of pediatric experience from infants to teens in settings such as the NICU, outpatient clinics and in school based practice. Wilma’s special interests include children with neurological impairments and adaptive equipment/mobility aids for the classroom.
Jill Matz
Office Staff
Jill joined Therapy in Action in the year 2000 and quickly noticed the need for families to understand how to navigate the insurance system. Realizing the frustration that busy parents had by not understanding their own insurance plans, it became her mission to help. She is very well versed in all insurance companies and can answer all questions about your needs. It is a great satisfaction at the end of the day when she can help any family be able to get services for their child and to be reimbursed at the highest rate possible. Her most joy is being a wife, mother and grandmother. When not in the office, she is off on our local and beach bike trails and quite often on the ski slopes in the winter months.
Joanne Peterson
Office Staff
Joanne began her journey with Therapy In Action over 30 years ago as a parent of a child receiving both clinic and school based OT services. In 1999 she was offered a position in the office to assist with school district billing and general operations. After nearly 25 years and moving to San Diego County, she still enjoys providing support to the staff and families while mostly working remotely. She especially looks forward to her monthly trek into the office to see everyone in person. When not working she spends time with family, enjoys needlework, gardening, reading, music and playing with her challenging dog, Lucy.