Occupational Therapist in Coconut Grove, FL | Fine & Gross Motor Skills Development
Under a canopy this old, growth is supposed to look a little wild, and that is exactly how I approach the children I work with here. My practice supports kids who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the motor and emotional skills that let a day unfold with more ease, all without pulling them out of the environment they already know.
Banyan roots spill across sidewalks near CocoWalk, sailboats rock gently at Dinner Key Marina, and Peacock Park fills with kids after school lets out at Ransom Everglades or Carrollton. Vizcaya's gardens sit just up the road, and the whole Grove carries a slower, tree shaded energy that feels distinct from the rest of Miami.
Even in a neighborhood this green, sensory and emotional challenges do not take a break. Humidity, bugs, and uneven brick sidewalks can make outdoor play harder than it looks, and the artsy, laid back culture here sometimes hides how much families are quietly struggling. What parents want is someone who understands the Grove's particular rhythm and will meet their child right there under the same trees.

How it works

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Step 1

Growth should look like exploring a root system, not following a worksheet. We use the natural textures already surrounding your home, bark, shade, uneven ground, to build skills that stick.
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Step 2

We start with an honest conversation about your child and your family's pace, never a clipboard. From there we shape a plan that fits the way your household already moves through the day.
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Step 3

Small shifts build on each other, a walk to Peacock Park without a meltdown, a bike ride that ends in laughter instead of tears. Parent coaching keeps that momentum alive between our sessions.
Most families reach out after noticing that simple routines, getting dressed, eating dinner, settling for bed, have quietly become a daily struggle. As an occupational therapist working across Coconut Grove, I support children who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the fine and gross motor skills their days require. Parents describe the first shift as relief, a walk through the neighborhood stops feeling unpredictable and starts feeling like something to look forward to. Sessions might unfold on a shaded porch or lawn, using whatever the Grove's natural texture offers that day.
Uneven brick sidewalks, tangled roots, and old growth trees ask a lot of a developing body, more than most people realize. Fine and gross motor skills development is often where families start once they notice a child avoiding uneven ground or struggling with buttons and zippers. The relief shows up in small, visible wins, a child climbing a low branch confidently or finally managing their own shoelaces. We build strength and coordination using the neighborhood itself, roots to balance on, low branches to reach for, sidewalk chalk games.
Humidity, insects, and dappled light filtering through dense canopy create a sensory world that some children find soothing and others find overwhelming. Both show up regularly among the families I support here. What shifts first is usually the resistance to going outside at all, a child who once refused the yard begins asking to go back. We lean on the Grove's natural textures, bark, shade, soft grass, to help a child's nervous system find new ways to settle.
A slower, artsy neighborhood culture can sometimes mask how much a family is struggling behind closed doors. This work is for the child who cannot yet name what they are feeling before frustration takes over. Families usually notice the recovery time shift first, a meltdown that once stretched an entire afternoon starts resolving much faster. We build a feelings vocabulary through story and art, alongside breathing tools that hold up on a hot, sticky afternoon.
Many parents in the Grove are already trying every gentle parenting approach they can find and still feel stuck some days. This is for the caregiver who wants real tools instead of another book. The shift I see most is confidence, trusting their own read on their child instead of chasing the next strategy. We talk through your real week, school pickups at Ransom or Carrollton, sibling friction, weekend plans at the park, and build tools that fit your actual life.
Few neighborhoods make mindfulness with plants feel as natural as one already wrapped in banyan roots and garden walls. What shifts is presence, a child who cannot sit still indoors settles easily while planting something small in the yard. Sessions might include a planting ritual under your own tree canopy or a quiet gardening practice that becomes a weekly anchor.

I serve children, teens and adults

I work with families throughout Coconut Grove and into neighboring Coral Gables and the Roads. Sessions often take place on a porch, in a yard, or wherever your family's outdoor space allows. Below is a map of the area I serve.

Testimonials

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“The Cafetera planting workshop was such a meaningful experience. It felt intimate, grounding, and deeply connected to culture and intention. Creating something with my hands while slowing down and being present made the experience feel special and memorable.”

Christina S. | Cafetera Planting Workshop

“I’ve created three vision planters, and I’ll continue coming back. Even though I know the process, it’s the experience of the class that keeps drawing me in. The energy and intention of each workshop meet me exactly where I am.”

Cassandra M. | Vision Planter (Repeat Client)

“Having a manifesting planting bar at my 50th birthday celebration was one of the most special parts of the day. It gave my guests a moment to pause, reflect, and create something meaningful together. The energy it brought into the celebration was beautiful and unforgettable.”

Maria S. | 50th Birthday Manifesting Planting Bar

“Our team-building planting experience was refreshing and genuinely impactful. It created space for connection, collaboration, and creativity in a way that felt natural and meaningful. The experience brought our team together and left a lasting impression.”

Jenny T. | Corporate Team-Building Workshop

Erika Valdés – A pediatric occupational therapist

I'm a pediatric occupational therapist, former elementary school teacher, and plant ritual facilitator drawn to neighborhoods that already know how to grow things slowly. I bring therapy into the Grove's yards, porches, and gardens, wherever a child feels most themselves. I help people bloom where they are planted.

Frequently asked questions

  • Do you accept insurance?

    Play2Learn  currently operates as an out-of-network provider. Superbills can be provided upon request for possible reimbursement from your insurance plan. Payment is due at the time of service.

  • What if I need to cancel or reschedule?

    Cancellations + Rescheduling:

    Appointments must be canceled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged the full session fee. Exceptions may be made for illness or emergencies communicated promptly.

  • How often should my child have sessions?

    Every child is different, but most families see the best results with 1–3 sessions per week for at least 10 weeks.

  • Payment plans

    Flexible payment plans are available for therapy packages. Please inquire during your consultation.

  • Confidentiality + privacy

    All client information is kept confidential in accordance with HIPAA regulations. Your privacy is always protected.