Occupational Therapist in Coral Gables, FL | Fine & Gross Motor Skills Development
There is a particular kind of pressure that comes with growing up somewhere so carefully designed, where even the sidewalks feel intentional. My work supports children who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the motor and emotional skills that daily routines quietly demand, no matter how polished the neighborhood around them looks.
Families here send their kids past the Biltmore's towers, along Miracle Mile, and through the banyan lined streets of the Riviera section toward the University of Miami just south. Some swim laps at the Venetian Pool on weekends, others walk to school through neighborhoods built entirely around Mediterranean courtyards and coral rock walls.
Growing up in a place built around beauty and achievement can quietly raise the bar for kids who are already working harder than their peers to keep up. Parents here often feel pressure to make it all look effortless, when really they are searching for a therapist who sees past the curb appeal to what their child actually needs.

How it works

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Step 1

Real growth rarely looks as polished as the architecture around it, and that is exactly the point. We use whatever is already in your courtyard or living room to build skills that transfer far beyond a single session.
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Step 2

We start with a genuine conversation about your child, not a clinical form. From there we shape a plan around your family's actual pace, not an idealized one.
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Step 3

Small wins compound quickly once we begin, a morning routine that used to end in tears starts moving smoothly. Parent coaching keeps that progress steady long after each visit ends.
Families often reach out once they notice that getting ready for school or winding down at night takes far more effort than it should. As an occupational therapist working across Coral Gables, I support children who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the fine and gross motor skills daily life asks of them. Parents describe the shift as relief, mornings stop feeling like a performance and start feeling manageable again. Sessions might unfold in a courtyard or living room, built entirely around what your child needs that day.
Coral rock steps, wrought iron gates, and Mediterranean tile floors ask more of a developing body than people expect. Fine and gross motor skills development often becomes the starting point for families noticing their child hesitating on stairs or struggling with fasteners. The relief shows up in small, visible wins, a child climbing confidently or finally managing their own buttons. We build coordination through play already present in the home, courtyard games, tile hopscotch, banyan branch reaching.
Grand homes filled with echoing tile floors and formal furniture can be surprisingly hard on a sensitive nervous system. This shows up often among the families I work with in the Gables. What shifts first is usually the meltdown tied to formal family gatherings or structured events, kids start finding calm without needing to escape the room entirely. We build regulation tools that fit a polished home, a quiet courtyard corner, a favorite texture kept close by.
Living somewhere built around high standards can leave little room for a child's big feelings to simply exist. This work is for the child who shuts down or lashes out before they can name what they feel. Families notice the recovery time shrink first, a meltdown that once lasted through dinner resolves in minutes instead. We build emotional vocabulary and coping tools that hold up under real pressure, not just in a calm therapy room.
Many parents here are already doing what looks like everything right and still feel like something is missing. This is for the caregiver who wants honesty over appearances. The shift I see most is confidence, trusting instinct over image, and home starting to feel less like a performance. We talk through your real week, school pressure, extracurricular schedules, sibling comparison, and build tools that actually fit.
Even the most manicured landscaping can become a doorway into something slower and more grounded when approached with intention. What shifts is presence, a child who feels pressure to perform finds ease in simply tending to something living. Sessions might include a courtyard planting ritual or a quiet gardening practice built around your family's own outdoor space.

I serve children, teens and adults

I work with families throughout Coral Gables and into neighboring Coconut Grove and South Miami. Sessions often happen in a courtyard, living room, or wherever your home naturally invites your child to be themselves. 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 who believes a child's growth should never be measured against a curated backdrop. I bring therapy into the Gables' courtyards and living rooms, meeting each child exactly as they are. 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.