Melissa Epstein has been a practicing pediatric occupational therapist in Los Angeles, CA for the past 14+ years. After earning a BBA in entrepreneurship from The George Washington University, she combined her life long interest in working with children and her love of gymnastics by creating a mobile gymnastics program for early education centers. Working with many special needs children led her to pursue her masters degree in occupational therapy at The University of Southern California. She graduated from the program in 2008. During her studies and subsequent practice, Melissa has focused extensively on sensory integration and neuromotor development. Throughout her career, she has concentrated on providing child-centered therapy, combining multiple therapeutic interventions and strategies, as well as parent/caregiver education. During this process, she has gained extensive experience working with children ages 0-18 individually and in groups in multiple different environments, including out-patient clinics, schools, backyard pods, and in-home settings. Melissa opened Thrive! Occupational Therapy, Inc., in July 2020. She takes a holistic approach to pediatric practice by integrating traditional therapies with enrichment activities and education to help children achieve and maintain a healthy life style. In these particularly difficult "post Covid" times, she is able to provide therapeutic interventions, pragmatic strategies, and coaching for children and their parents/caregivers that address the increased physical, social-emotional, and educational challenges being faced.
Thrive! Occupational Therapy, Inc.’s clinic space is opening in June 2023. In the meantime, Melissa is offering both in-home therapy and enrichment services as well as telehealth services upon request.