Padra Smith is the Founder and Clinic Director of Mighty Minds and Muscles who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education from Arizona State University. After obtaining her B.S., she pursued a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine and trained at Mayo Clinic & the University of Champaign Hospital and Clinics (and other locations). To build on her exercise and research background, when Padra continued her studies at Washington University School of Medicine she studied how cognition develops and changes through the life cycle. Additionally, she studied how the physical environment affects one's ability to participate and be successful in the world. She also took care of a child with severe physical and mental disabilities and traveled internationally with and assisted a professional adult with quadriplegia on a daily basis. These experiences inspired her to develop her practice using neurodevelopmental therapeutic interventions and coaching strategies. In addition to providing O.T. services, Padra also incorporates her skills as a Professional Organizer in order to help clients and their families to interact with their belongings and successfully complete life tasks in a calm organized fashion. She also acts as a consultant to a number of schools and provides teacher and parent workshops regularly. Padra is constantly promoting her own knowledge and seeks to grow with each client as they grow and learn. Padra also provides mentorship to other therapists and emerging clinicians. Padra is a Certified Tomatis Method® Practitioner, Certified Therapeutic Listening Provider, Certified iLS Provider and Certified in Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) and a Licensed Cellfield Reading Intervention provider. She is also training in the Masgutova Sensory Neural Reflex Integration program. She is very experienced in Handwriting Without Tears, Balametrics, Astronaut Training, The Alert Program and incorporates concepts related to Orton Gillingham, Writer's Workshop, Singapore Math, Brain Gym, Beckman's Oral Motor Techniques, NDT and many more programs. When she is not working Padra loves to spend time with her devoted husband, visit with her family and friends, read, design (anything), cooking, photography, arts & crafts, going to the movies or shows and most of all she loves to travel.

Mandi....

Catherine is a physical therapist with over 30 years of experience working with children and families. She is certified in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, NeuroDevelopmental Treatment, Zero Balancing, and Soaring Crane Qigong, and has extensive training in yoga, Aikido, and meditation. Catherine finds Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy to be the most transformative approach in her practice and enjoys sharing these integrative mind-body techniques with clients of all ages.

Alison is a general and special education teacher who provides SETSS at Mighty Minds and Muscles in both our Tribeca clinic and local schools. She studied communications and culture at Clark University and earned her degree in elementary education from Manhattan College. Teaching since 2014, Alison is New York State certified in both general and special education. She specializes in early literacy using a structured literacy (Orton-Gillingham) approach. Alison has worked with children ages 4–12 with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, speech and language disorders, intellectual disabilities, PDA, and other learning differences. One of her favorite parts of working at Mighty Minds and Muscles is collaborating with occupational and speech therapists to continue growing her teaching toolkit.

Molly is a certified special education teacher with dual licenses in Childhood and Special Education in New York and Florida. She earned her B.S. in Human Development from Binghamton University and her M.S. in Childhood and Special Education from Touro College. She has experience in both school and clinical settings, working with children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, hyperlexia, and executive functioning challenges. Molly uses a whole-child, individualized approach to teaching—building skills in literacy, math, social-emotional learning, and executive functioning. She values strong relationships, structured and engaging lessons, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, using visual supports and hands-on learning. Outside the classroom, she loves traveling, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with her husband and their Goldendoodle, Khaleesi.

Emma is a native of Massachusetts and attended the University of Delaware for her undergraduate degree, receiving a Bachelor of Science. She went on to receive a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She comes to Mighty Minds and Muscles with experience working with children with a diagnosis of Autism and is LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s certified. Emma is passionate about working with the pediatric population; increasing their participation and independence in all aspects of life. She is enthusiastic about building a strong rapport with clients and families to be able to work as a team together to support any child. She is eager to make a positive impact in the lives of the children she serves. As a new resident of New York City, Emma loves to explore the city and walk on the west side highway. When she is not in the clinic, she likes trying new restaurants and new workout classes with friends. Emma is excited to continue growing both professionally and personally in her role at Mighty Minds and Muscles.

Dr. Jen Gordon is excited to join the Mighty Minds and Muscles team! Originally from Buffalo, NY, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University at Buffalo and her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. She previously ran her own practice specializing in sensory integration and tic disorders, and is eager to bring that expertise to MMM. Jen believes sensory processing is at the core of child development, helping children engage with their environment, regulate their bodies, and focus. She has experience in preschool, subacute, and outpatient settings, with pediatrics being her greatest passion. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring NYC with her husband and cat, singing, acting, and coaching adaptive tennis for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities.

Rebecca is a compassionate occupational therapist dedicated to building children’s independence through playful, engaging activities. She earned her B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Delaware and her M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine, where she created a support group for parents in early intervention. Her pediatric experience includes outpatient clinics, preschools for children with developmental disabilities, and mentoring students with autism transitioning to college. Rebecca uses encouragement, empathy, and fun in every session and values collaborating with families through parent coaching. Outside of work, she enjoys dance classes, biking, exploring coffee shops and restaurants, and spending time with loved ones. She’s excited to bring her positivity and passion for pediatric OT to the Mighty Minds and Muscles team.

Gabriella is an occupational therapist who earned both a Bachelors of Science in Health Science and a Doctoral Degree in Occupational Therapy from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. Throughout her time in college, Gabriella spent her summers working at the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children, where she further embraced her love of working with children and began to cultivate her passion for working with individuals experiencing vision loss. After she graduated from university, she decided to pursue further education, earning her graduate certificate in Orientation and Mobility from Portland State University to allow her to more holistically serve individuals living with vision loss. Gabriella’s passion for working with individuals experiencing vision loss has allowed her to work with individuals across the lifespan, providing outpatient and in-home services to help individuals find meaningful engagement in their occupations. Gabriella is excited to return to the pediatric population where she can foster confidence, curiosity and capability through a play-based approach. When she is not at the clinic, Gabriella enjoys visiting her family in her hometown of Wilmington, DE. She also enjoys cooking, reading, running, and, most of all, traveling!

Kelly is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Assistant Clinical Manager who joined the MMM team in 2022. As a primary liaison for families, she ensures each child’s therapy journey is guided with empathy, expertise, and care. A Certified Autism Specialist, Kelly brings advanced training in sensory processing, behavior interventions, and the impact of ASD on childhood occupations. She also holds certifications in MNRI, Therapeutic Listening, and Interactive Metronome. With extensive experience supporting children with ADHD, ASD, SPD, and developmental delays, Kelly takes a holistic, play-based approach to help every child reach their goals. Outside the clinic, she enjoys exploring new restaurants, walking in Central Park, fitness classes, and cooking with friends.

Gaby is a bilingual speech-language pathologist with over ten years of experience supporting children with speech, language, communication, and feeding needs in both English and Spanish. She earned her Master’s in Communication Disorders from Teachers College, Columbia University, with certification as a bilingual Teacher of Speech and Language Disabilities. She takes a holistic, collaborative approach to therapy—partnering with families and professionals to build on each child’s strengths and support meaningful communication. Certifications & Training: DIR-Floortime Trained PROMPT Trained Solid Starts Foundations for Feeding Certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certified Bilingual Speech Therapist (TSSLD-bi), Teachers College, Columbia University

Dr. Morlaye Kamara is a physical therapist with over 14 years of experience improving quality of life for clients across pediatric and adult care. He specializes in identifying movement dysfunction within the body’s kinetic chain and takes a whole-body approach that integrates physical, psychological, and functional aspects of health. His treatment philosophy centers on building confidence through movement and enhancing overall physical ability. Dr. Morlaye holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Mount St. Mary’s University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Hunter College. He has worked with patients of all ages and has also supported the National Wheelchair Rugby Team. A passionate traveler and artist, he founded Project Guinea, an organization providing therapy, clothing, and toys to underserved communities in West Africa.

Fahim brings 14 years of teaching and tutoring experience across kindergarten through eighth grade. He holds a B.A. in English from Cornell University, an M.S. in Education from Hunter College, and dual New York State certifications in Childhood and Special Education. At the Bronx Charter School for Better Learning, he was nominated for New York State Teacher of the Year. His students consistently outperformed city and state averages in ELA, Math, and Science, and he supported students in meeting over 90% of their IEP goals. He also led Coding and Robotics programs, guiding his First Lego League team to city finals. Fahim is passionate about helping students build confidence, skills, and a love of learning—whether academic, social, or physical. Outside the classroom, Fahim loves to travel and has visited 16 countries, including teaching English in Thailand. These experiences have shaped his global perspective and deep appreciation for people and culture.

Roopali is an occupational therapist with 10 years of experience and holds a Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Seton Hall University. As both a clinician and a parent of a child who has received therapy, she brings deep empathy and strong family support to her practice. She has worked in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, specializing in home programs, caregiver training, early intervention, sensory processing, and movement analysis. Roopali is passionate about empowering families and creating individualized, effective therapy plans. Outside of work, she is a trained classical Indian dancer, pageant contestant, and local director for a national pageant organization. She’s also a mom of two and a guest moderator for the Jersey City Moms group. Roopali looks forward to caring for your child with compassion and expertise.

Esmé Erdynast is a pediatric occupational therapist dedicated to supporting children and families through compassionate, client-centered care. She earned her MSOT from Columbia University and has been working with children for over five years, joining Mighty Minds and Muscles in 2024. Esmé is certified in Trauma-Informed Care and integrates mental health, emotional intelligence, and sensory integration into her practice. She believes emotional well-being is essential to development and strives to create safe, supportive spaces where children feel heard, empowered, and confident. At Mighty Minds and Muscles, she provides individualized, evidence-based therapy that builds skills while nurturing each child’s strengths and sense of self.

Nicole is a pediatric occupational therapist who graduated from Temple University in 2023. She has experience in outpatient clinics, schools, and home health, working with children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing challenges, and executive functioning needs. She creates individualized, play-based sessions that incorporate each child’s interests to make therapy both fun and effective. When she’s not working, Nicole enjoys park walks, exploring new restaurants, and discovering Manhattan’s many neighborhoods.

Melissa is a licensed occupational therapist with an MA from the University of Southern California. Since returning to New York in 2020, she has worked with children ages 18 months to 18 years in schools, daycares, homes, and sensory gyms. She also continues to support early intervention outside of MMM. Melissa takes a whole-child approach, drawing from Floortime, Sensory Integration, and Neurodevelopmental Treatment. She aims to help children become confident, curious, and aware of their strengths while nurturing growth through play, creativity, and strong relationships. Passionate about pediatric OT, she is excited to continue learning and growing with the Mighty Minds and Muscles team.

Malinda continuously works to transform Padra's creative visions into a final product she loves!

Kate brings extensive experience supporting children and families in home, clinic, and school-based settings. She earned her Master’s in Occupational Science from Seton Hall University and began her career in Early Intervention, working with infants and toddlers to promote early developmental milestones. She values the therapeutic bond between child and therapist, focusing on individualized goals that foster confidence, skill-building, and meaningful progress. Her experience includes feeding therapy for selective eaters, fine motor development, social skill enhancement, and group therapy leadership. Outside of work, Kate enjoys meditation, yoga, playing piano, and jogging. She’s also learning new family recipes and enjoys creating DIY fine motor toys.