Our OTs

Dana is a Fresno native and returned to the community after receiving her M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University. Her background includes working in both private practice and school-based pediatric settings, providing services to children with neurodevelopmental delays, sensory processing differences, and mental health diagnoses. Dana also has experience in psychiatric settings working with adults with depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety diagnoses. She incorporates these experiences and additional continuing education in Sensory Integration, Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), trauma, and feeding, into developing unique plans for individuals and groups. 

Dana’s passion for mental health and belief that therapy services are most effective when provided in a natural environment, inspired her to develop an OT community-based practice with her OT partner, Sarah. Together, they created Playwell Collective.  

Outside of work, Dana can be found in the sun, drinking lots of tea and coffee, and reading a copious amount of fiction books. She is frequently spotted walking or rollerblading around her neighborhood. Her friends and family are proof of the power of community. 

Sarah Chumley-Johnson is a licensed pediatric occupational therapist who has served children with diverse needs for her entire career, including autistic kids/teens, children with ADHD, genetic disorders, physical disabilities, and mental health diagnoses. Sarah’s professional passion is relationship and play-focused therapy for neurodivergent learners and kids from hard places. She also has a personal interest in serving individuals with chronic pain/fatigue after her own brush with chronic illness in 2017.

In her recent work, in collaboration with Goodfellow Therapy, Sarah developed a partnership with Fresno Mission and brought occupational therapy services to homeless families during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with coaching occupational therapy fieldwork students in trauma-sensitive interventions. Sarah holds a master’s degree from San Jose State University, along with many other specialty certifications/post professional education. 

Sarah is a wife, and mother of two bright and rambunctious kids. Sarah is a serial herbal tea drinker who is happiest riding her big purple beach cruiser with her family around her neighborhood. Advice given by her grandmother before her first child was born has continued to circle her experience as a mother and OT- “When a little one is upset, put ‘em in water or take ‘em outside”. Sarah believes in the sensory power of nature and art to help reset and connect families, and believes that the new parenting revolution includes an intentional family slow down, connecting practices and rested (and regulated) parents.

Megan Baxter moved to Fresno from southern California in 2014 after graduating from California State University, Dominguez Hills with her Master’s in Occupational Therapy. She has a background in working with children who have physical disabilities from her time at California Children’s Services in Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties. She also has experience with children with autism, ADHD, and a variety of developmental/mental diagnoses in both private practice and school-based settings. Megan quickly discovered a passion for feeding therapy and developed a specialty with kids who have sensory aversions, difficulty with weight gain, g-tube complications, and even infants who are struggling to latch or progress their diet. She has been trained in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT), SOS protocols, lactation, and advanced swallowing courses. This has become a personal and professional journey for her as she welcomed home two sets of twins in the past five years.

Outside of work, you can find Megan chasing too many toddlers, training for a run with her dog Piper, baking like she is a contestant on the Great British Baking Show, or finding a creative outlet with her eye behind a camera!

Maria Holgado is a licensed and registered occupational therapist with 10 years of experience in pediatrics. Her experience ranges from working with neurodivergent children, to genetic disorders, to feeding and early intervention. Maria is passionate about providing support and education to parents/caregivers of children with a variety of abilities. Her goal is to help all children thrive in their environment and meet their potential.

Maria earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Loma Linda University and spent several years gaining experience and knowledge in multiple school districts and outpatient clinics within Riverside and San Bernardino counties before relocating to the Central Valley. She has taken courses in SOS feeding as well as Beckman Oral Motor. She is a devoted mother to 3 wonderful children and a wife. She enjoys reading historical fiction, science fiction and romance novels as well as practicing yoga, running, and baking.

Stephanie is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant who graduated from Clovis Community
College and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University. With over 10 years of experience working with children, teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, she has developed a strong foundation in supporting individuals as they build life skills and greater independence. Her experience includes supporting daily life skills, employment, education, housing, community participation and meaningful personal goals.

She finds fulfillment in helping others recognize their strengths, build confidence, and become more independent in their everyday lives. She looks forward to bringing her previous experience into her role as a COTA while continuing to learn and grow into the field of Occupational Therapy.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, reading and being outdoors, especially under the trees or near the water.

Marissa is a recent graduate of Clovis Community College and a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with a passion for working with children and helping them build the skills they need to participate and succeed in their everyday lives. She brings years of experience working with children into each session and loves using crafts, creativity, and play to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences.

Marissa believes therapy should be both purposeful and enjoyable and enjoys finding creative ways to meet each child where they are while encouraging independence, confidence, and participation. She is excited to continue growing as a COTA and making a positive difference in the lives of the children, families, and staff she works with.

Outside of work, Marissa’s favorite role is being a mom to her 9-year-old daughter. She loves spending time with her family, making memories together, and giving back to her community.