Occupational Therapist in Cutler Bay, FL | Fine & Gross Motor Skills Development
Where suburb meets wild edge, growth tends to look a little different, less manicured, more genuine. My practice supports children who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the motor and emotional skills that daily life quietly asks of them, in a community that sits right at that border between planned neighborhood and open nature.
Franjo Road connects newer developments to the Old Cutler Trail, Southridge's ballfields fill up most weekends, and the edge of Biscayne National Park is close enough that some families spend Saturday mornings there instead of a backyard. The area still carries the feel of a community coming into its own, newer than the neighborhoods just north of it.
Living at the edge of so much undeveloped land means fewer established resources close by, longer drives to specialists, fewer nearby therapy options built specifically for kids. Parents here often want a therapist willing to come to them, given how far the nearest clinic usually sits.

How it works

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Step 1

Growth should draw on the wild edge already nearby, not fight against it. We use the yard, the trail, or the living room already part of your family's world to build skills that genuinely last.
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Step 2

We begin with a real conversation about your child and your family's actual routine, never a clinical form. That shapes a plan built around your specific corner of Cutler Bay.
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Step 3

Momentum builds steadily, a weekend at the ballfield without a meltdown, a bike ride down the trail that ends in laughter. Parent coaching keeps that progress alive between visits.
Families often reach out once they notice a child struggling with everyday routines, especially without a nearby clinic built for kids to turn to first. As an occupational therapist working across Cutler Bay, I support children who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the fine and gross motor skills their day requires. Parents describe the shift as relief, watching a weekend at the ballfield stop feeling risky and start feeling like real fun. Sessions often happen right at home, sparing families the long drive to the nearest specialist.
Biking the Old Cutler Trail or keeping up at a Saturday ballgame asks a lot of a developing body, more than most people realize. Fine and gross motor skills development is often the first concern families in Cutler Bay bring to me. The relief shows up in small wins, a child biking confidently along the trail or finally catching a ball with steady hands. We build strength and coordination using the trail, the ballfield, and the yard already part of your family's weekend.
Living near open, undeveloped land brings its own sensory textures, heat, insects, unfamiliar sounds, that some children find harder to filter than others. This shows up often among the families I support here. What shifts first is usually the resistance to outdoor time, a child who once avoided the trail begins asking to explore it. We lean on the natural textures already nearby, trail dirt, tall grass, open air, to help a child's nervous system settle.
Fewer nearby resources can leave a family feeling more alone when a child's big feelings become hard to manage. This work is for the child who cannot yet name what they feel before it becomes a meltdown. Families notice the recovery time shrink first, a meltdown that once lasted through a whole weekend outing starts resolving in minutes. We build a feelings vocabulary and coping tools without requiring a drive to a clinic across town.
Many parents here feel the distance to specialists more than families closer to the city center do. This is for the caregiver who wants real, local support without the long drive. The shift I see most is confidence, trusting their instincts instead of feeling like help is always somewhere else. We talk through your real week, ballfield schedules, trail routines, sibling dynamics, and build a plan that fits your specific corner of Cutler Bay.
Living this close to open, wild land makes mindfulness with plants feel less like a practice and more like an extension of what already surrounds the neighborhood. What shifts is presence, a child who struggles to sit still after a busy trail day settles easily while tending something small and green at home. Sessions might include a planting ritual just steps from the trail, drawing on the wild edge that borders your own backyard.

I serve children, teens and adults

I work with families throughout Cutler Bay and into neighboring Palmetto Bay and Homestead. Sessions happen right at home, sparing you the long drive to a specialist across town. 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 loves working right at the edge of the wild. I bring therapy directly into Cutler Bay's homes, so no family has to make the long drive alone. 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.