Occupational Therapist in Pinecrest, FL | Fine & Gross Motor Skills Development
An old tree canopy filters light differently than open sky, softer, dappled, unhurried, and that same quality shapes how I approach the children I meet here. My practice supports kids who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the motor and emotional skills that daily life quietly asks of them, at a pace that matches the neighborhood itself.
Wide, tree lined lots stretch along quiet streets near Pinecrest Gardens, once home to the old Parrot Jungle, and families often border Palmetto Bay to the south or Suniland's shops to the north. Kids here grow up with more land around them than most of Miami, big yards, mature oaks, and space that invites slower exploration.
Even with so much room to grow, high expectations around academics and achievement can quietly weigh on a sensitive child here. Parents often feel pressure to have it all figured out, when really they are looking for someone who will slow down enough to actually see their child.

How it works

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Step 1

Growth should move at the pace of an old oak, not a deadline. We use the yard, the trees, and the quiet already present in your home to build skills that genuinely last.
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Step 2

We begin with an honest conversation about your child and your family's pace, never a clinical form. That shapes a plan that fits the rhythm your household actually keeps.
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Step 3

Small shifts build steadily under that same tree canopy, a backyard afternoon that ends in laughter instead of tears. Parent coaching keeps that progress alive between visits.
Families often reach out once they notice a child struggling quietly despite having every advantage around them. As an occupational therapist working across Pinecrest, 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 backyard afternoon stop feeling unpredictable and start feeling like real rest. Sessions often unfold beneath your own trees, using the shade and space already part of your yard.
Climbing an old oak or biking down a long, tree lined driveway asks more of a developing body than a smaller lot ever would. Fine and gross motor skills development is often the first concern families bring to me here. The relief shows up in small wins, a child climbing confidently or finally riding the length of the driveway without wobbling. We build strength and coordination using the yard's natural features, low branches, open grass, quiet driveways.
Even a quiet, shaded neighborhood cannot always soften a child's sensory world, some still feel overwhelmed by heat, bugs, or unexpected textures outdoors. This shows up often among the families I support here. What shifts first is usually the resistance to going outside at all, a child who once avoided the yard begins asking to spend time there. We lean on the natural textures already surrounding your home, bark, grass, dappled shade, to help a child's nervous system settle.
High academic expectations can quietly weigh on a sensitive child even in a neighborhood built for comfort. 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 an entire afternoon starts resolving in minutes. We build a feelings vocabulary and coping tools that hold up under real academic pressure.
Many parents here feel pressure to have everything figured out and still quietly struggle some days. This is for the caregiver who wants honesty over appearances. The shift I see most is confidence, trusting their own instinct instead of chasing the next parenting trend. We talk through your real week, school pressure, extracurricular schedules, sibling dynamics, and build a plan that actually fits.
A neighborhood already built around old trees and open yards makes mindfulness with plants feel like coming home to something familiar. What shifts is presence, a child who feels pressure to achieve finds ease simply tending to something living under the shade. Sessions might include a planting ritual beneath your own tree canopy, a quiet practice that becomes a weekly anchor.

I serve children, teens and adults

I work with families throughout Pinecrest and into neighboring Palmetto Bay and South Miami. Sessions often happen beneath your own trees or in the backyard, wherever your family already gathers. 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 growth should move at the pace of an old oak, not a deadline. I bring therapy beneath Pinecrest's tree canopy, wherever your family feels most at ease. 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.