​​​​​​​Keren Siegel,OTR

Occupational Therapist

MS in Occupational Therapy from Seton Hall University
BS in Human Development from Binghamton University

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LICENSES and CERTIFICATIONS

• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy 
  
• NJ State License in Occupational Therapy
  
• NY State License in Occupational Therapy
  

"I have been working as an occupational therapist since 2015 at Elizabeth Seton Children’s
Center (ESCC) and since 2017 at The Therapy Garage. ESCC is an inpatient rehabilitation
and nursing facility that provides services to children birth-21 with complex medical
diagnoses. I have the opportunity to work with children of all ages with a variety of
diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, downs syndrome, traumatic brain injuries and sensory
processing disorders. My time at ESCC and TTG has allowed me to understand the
extreme importance of utilizing a team approach, collaborating with the child, the child’s
family and other healthcare providers to achieve the greatest goals.

Ensuring that children enjoy themselves and feel comfortable throughout therapy is the key
to achieving goals. Watching each child achieve their goals, enabling them to live a more
independent and successful life, is why I love being an OT.

In addition to being an OT, I am a mom to twin girls and enjoy spending time with them and
my husband at home in Jersey City. I also love traveling, being outside and watching
movies under a blanket on the couch.

Occupational Therapy

Your child may face barriers that impact their success. Specifically, your child may struggle with fine motor skills, gross motor skills, strength, bilateral coordination, visual perceptual skills, sensory integration/ modulation or social interaction.

Our occupational therapist work with children and adolescents to determine what is important for your child and will work with you and them to improve their skill or performance in these areas. Areas of concern may include: self-care skills such as tying shoes, zipping a jacket or brushing teeth, school related skills such as handwriting, scissor skills, attention, sensory skills, socialization, leisure activities ball and sports related activities, bike riding, and modulation of sensory responses to improve performance in all activities.

We will determine the barriers or challenges that impact your child’s success in these areas as well as determine your child’s areas of strength.  Based on this evaluation, we will design a treatment plan to help your child improve their performance, increase their skill and gain confidence in the areas that are important for your child so he/she can meet their full potential.

Meet our OT Team.....

Melissa Jamison, OTR
Occupational Therapist
MS in Occupational Therapy from Seton Hall University
BS in Psychology from Gettysburg College

LICENSES and CERTIFICATIONS

• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy 
• NJ State License in Occupational Therapy
  
• NY State License in Occupational Therapy
  

MEMBERSHIPS 

• American Occupational Therapy Association, Member 
• New York State Occupational Therapy Association, Member​
  

"I have been working as an occupational therapist since 2014 with children of various ages and and a variety of challenges.  I have had the opportunity to work in schools and clinics in NYC.  I joined the team at the Therapy Garage in 2019 and love being a member of their team. 

I have a passion for ensuring that children are able to meet their IEP and personal goals.  I believe in the importance of making sure that reflexes are integrated for the overall success of children.  I feel that children are successful when they feel empowered and confident.  Allowing children to make choices, to be actively involved in therapy and encouraged to practice at home is important for them to increase their independence and reach their goals." 

Karen Hoover, OTD, OTR

Occupational Therapist

BS in Speech/Language Pathology from Ithaca College
MS in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University
OT Doctorate Degree from Chatham University

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LICENSES and CERTIFICATIONS

• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy  
• NJ State License in Occupational Therapy
• NJ State Certification in School-Based Occupational Therapy
• The Listening Program Certified

MEMBERSHIPS 

• American Occupational Therapy Association, Member 
• New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association, Member

“I have been an occupational therapist since 1994. Early in my career I worked in Adult Physical Rehabilitation both in in-patient rehabilitation and out-patient facilities at Staten Island University hospital and Kessler Institute. I found that I enjoyed working with patients with neurological disorders, especially individuals with traumatic brain injury. 

Following the birth of my first child – more years ago than I like to admit – I changed the focus of my OT practice and began working with children in a local school district while also teaching in a local OTA program. For over 20 years I have combined teaching in occupational therapy assistant and Master’s level Occupational therapy programs with my practice as an OT in  schools and private practice.  

While I love working with the children in the school district, I found that I wanted to develop and work in a private clinic to allow me to assist children to address their goals in all areas related to occupational therapy, not just school related skill development. My capstone project for my doctoral education focused on teaching early childhood educators how to incorporate the development of OT related skills into the classroom for the benefit of all children in the class.

Continuing education is important to remaining current in practice and I continue to participate in education - most recently taking courses related to Autism, visual therapy, social skills, treatment strategies for children with dyslexia and dsygraphia.

I have presented learning from past and current research and projects on the local, state and national level. I am currently active in a grant that supports graduate OT and SLP students to collaborate to help children to improve their writing skills. Additionally, a  colleague and I are developing a research based, developmental program to assist in scissor skill development.

I love being an OT and watching the pride that children emote when they learn to do something new."