Meet The Team

Meet The Team

Danielle Amster, OTR, Founder

Danielle Amster is a seasoned occupational therapist with 25 years of experience guiding individuals across the lifespan toward greater ease, function, and resilience. A graduate of Columbia University, Danielle founded SensoryWellness with a clear vision: to create a therapy space where children, teenagers, and adults could feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Drawing on her deep expertise and ongoing study of sensory processing theory, reflex integration, neuroscience, and the biology of trauma and self-regulation, Danielle developed a unique, root-cause approach to therapy. Her work helps clients move beyond coping strategies by restoring foundational mind-body connections, unlocking the capacity for meaningful and lasting change.

Under Danielle’s leadership, the SensoryWellness team has helped hundreds of clients—from young children to seniors—regulate their nervous systems, build emotional resilience, and thrive in their daily lives. She is passionate about training the next generation of therapists, regularly teaching professional workshops and mentoring clinicians to deliver the same depth of care that defines the SensoryWellness model.

Known for her compassionate presence, systematic methodology, and genuine investment in her clients’ success, Danielle continues to innovate within the field. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to make life easier for individuals struggling with sensory and self-regulation challenges—and to prove that it is never too late for change.

Chavi Brisk, COTA

Chavi started her career as a massage therapist and earned her diploma in Massage and Bodywork in 2011. Having trained in both the UK and the USA, she combines a holistic approach with science-based methods to achieve a total mind-body experience for each client.

Through her work as a massage therapist, Chavi became aware of the number of adults struggling with sensory processing disorder and the lack of understanding and treatment available for adults. This prompted her to return to school and she completed her degree in occupational therapy at Eastwick college where she received the Award of Excellence in AAS.

Chavi is passionate about helping her clients feel understood, find solutions, and the strength within themselves to heal and live a more comfortable life. Her experience includes helping adults and children with sensory processing disorder, developmental delays and self-regulation difficulties, utilizing a trauma-informed approach.

Chavi strives to continuously expand her repertoire of modalities in order to provide up-to-date intervention for the best client outcome. Areas of interest include sensory and reflex integration and trauma recovery.

Fradel Rena Cohen, OTR

Fradel Rena completed her graduate degree in Occupational Therapy from Long Island University in 2021. She began her career in West Lawrence Care Center Nursing Home and continued to Yaldeinu, a School for children with special needs, where her gentle and warm nature has been beneficial for treating her clients. She continued her education in topics such as sensory integration, reflex integration, and executive functioning.

Fradel Rena enjoys using her skills sets to help benefit her clients’ lives in a permanent way. Her sense of fulfillment lies in seeing her clients improving both physically and emotionally.

She is passionate about expanding her knowledge in the mind and body connection and constantly continues her education to further help her clients.

Chavy Freund, OTR

Chavy holds a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Long Island University. Following the completion of her degree, she received extensive education and personal training in various areas of OT including Sensory
Integration, Reflex Integration, Executive Functioning and Emotional Regulation. She has over 10 years of experience working in school-based OT, early intervention settings, as well as privately with both children and adults. She combines her knowledge with both bottom-up and top-down approaches to create a treatment plan that is tailor made for each client.
Chavy’s passion is helping both children and adults achieve nervous system regulation as she helps bring the body and mind into unity. Her even keeled and soft energy help her clients achieve an optimal state of physical and emotional balance necessary to succeed in their every day social, academic, and job environments.
She looks forward to being a part of the journey that makes you the best you!

Chaya Horowitz, OTR

Chaya graduated from Long Island University in 2015, with a Bachelors and Masters degree in Occupational Therapy. Prior to joining Sensory Wellness, Chaya has had diverse OT experiences working in numerous settings such as physical rehabilitation, sensory integration centers, and school based therapy. She has worked with clients of all ages, ranging from infancy to geriatrics.

These various work experiences have helped her create a rich, multifaceted “toolbox” enabling her to skillfully and creatively treat diverse clients and their symptoms and conditions. She has worked with clients presenting with Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental delays, physical abnormalities and social difficulties, to name but a few. Chaya firmly believes that by working to shape foundational brain networks, we can improve one’s social and emotional well-being, as well as gain skills needed for everyday life. Chaya values the individuality of each client, and creates a “tailored for you” approach to bring about maximum change and development.

Chaya is committed to bringing to her clients the best the therapy world has to offer. She makes expanding her knowledge and expertise a priority by attending post graduate courses and lectures.

Chaya has an easy going, non-judgmental nature which creates a safe and relaxing atmosphere during therapy sessions. Her caring personality together with her sense of humor makes it easy for clients to connect with Chaya.

Chaya looks forward to being part of your journey towards becoming the best version of you!

Tobi Krupka, OTR

Tobi completed her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from New York Institute of Technology. Following her completion of schooling she received numerous higher education trainings on the topics of Sensory Integration, Reflex Integration, Executive Functioning, Self-Regulation and the Polyvagal Theory. She has worked with individuals of all ages presenting with various social-emotional and processing challenges including both individuals with and without specific diagnoses.

Tobi chose the field of occupational therapy for its holistic approach in helping clients achieve greater fulfillment and meaning in their lives. Tobi is passionate about the way in which a person’s emotional experiences impact their physical bodies, and is committed to helping regulate their nervous system through creating mature and developed movement patterns.

Tobi is constantly learning and is dedicated to seeing real change in her clients. Tobi uses her warm and engaging personality to create a safe space for her clients in which they feel comfortable, allowing the work to have maximum effect.

Leah Makabi, MS Ed., Office Manager

Leah completed her graduate degree with a Master’s in Special Education from the Sara Schenirer Institute in 2015. She used her talents in the field of education for a number of years before transitioning into care management. In this capacity, Leah utilized the skills and experiences that she gained as a special education provider to enable the children and the families under her care to have access to the services that would best provide for their needs and enable them to thrive.

Leah joined the SensoryWellness team in 2023, maintaining the flow of day-to-day operations and serving as a warm and welcoming presence for both clients and staff. Always with a smile on her face, Leah is appreciated by all for her assistance in logistical matters as well as her helpful and cheerful nature.

Angela Menegatos, MS, LMT

Angela Menegatos is a licensed massage therapist, specializing in reflex integration and body-based therapies that support sensory, developmental, and neurological regulation. She holds a master’s degree in psychology and has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practice.

As a mother of four boys, including one with special needs, Angela brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her work. Alongside her husband, she has navigated the challenges of raising a child with special needs and remains deeply committed to supporting other families on similar paths.

Angela and her family enjoy staying active together and have a strong background in martial arts, which has shaped their values around discipline, resilience, and wellness. She is dedicated to creating a calm, compassionate environment for her clients and believes in empowering individuals and families to build the foundation they need to grow, connect, and thrive.

Rella Morris, OTR

Rella graduated from Long Island University with a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has experience treating clients with sensory processing disorder, neurodevelopmental conditions, and social-emotional challenges. Rella draws on a variety of modalities to facilitate gentle nervous system shifts that promote inner balance and well-being.

Passionate about helping individuals across the lifespan thrive in their environments, Rella works collaboratively with each client to support them in achieving their personal goals. She uses a “bottom up” treatment approach to address the foundational components necessary to bring the brain and body into synchrony. Rella’s warm and approachable personality fosters a strong therapeutic rapport, creating a supportive environment for her clients.

Committed to continuous learning, she actively seeks opportunities to enhance her practice and help her clients lead more integrated lives. Rella’s training encompasses a range of approaches including sensory integration, polyvagal theory, neurodevelopmental treatment, craniosacral therapy, and executive functioning.

      Ariella Neuman, OTR

Ariella completed her graduate degree in occupational therapy from Columbia University in 2005, where she received the Award for Excellence in Gerontology. Ariella has extensive experience working with individuals of all ages, specializing in helping those with sensory processing disorders, learning disabilities, social-emotional challenges, and autism spectrum disorders. Her holistic approach allows her to seamlessly combine body-based methodologies with her training and experience helping those with trauma, anxiety, and difficulty with self regulation.

Ariella’s dedication to learning and professional growth adds depth to her clinical expertise. She continuously participates in post graduate trainings and strives to bring new information to her clients on a regular basis.

Ariella has a passion for helping people no matter the age find their strengths from within and move beyond their obstacles. She believes each person has their own unique journey and she feels honored and blessed when she is able to be a part of that journey.

Yehudis Nockenofsky, COTA

Yehudis completed her degree in occupational therapy from Eastwick College in 2021, where she graduated as class representative. Yehudis has experience working with individuals of various ages, specifically helping those with processing disorders, learning disabilities and social-emotional challenges. Her knowledge in reflex integration and rhythmic movements has helped her clients and their parents lead calmer and more productive lives.

Yehudis’s commitment to learning and professional growth adds depth to her clinical interventions. She continuously participates in post graduate trainings to provide new information to her clients on a regular basis.

Yehudis, has a desire to help others no matter the age to improve themselves and give them the tools to have the best quality of life. Her positive energy and empathetic personality allows her to build relationships with her clients and make them feel at ease while on their therapeutic journey.

Lea Price, PT

Lea completed her graduate degree in Physical Therapy from New York Medical College in 2003. She has worked with patients from infancy to adulthood across the spectrum of life. For the past 13 years Lea has specialized in working with children and young adults with autism spectrum disorders, and sensory processing disorders. Additionally, she has experience working with a multitude of diagnoses related to motor and neurodevelopmental delay and dysfunction such as Cerebral Palsy and Down syndrome. She is passionate about treating the whole person in helping them achieve their functional goals.

Lea is a lifelong learner, and is excited to constantly learn new methods and techniques to help her patients optimize success and achieve their potential.

Outside of work, Lea loves to run and spend time with her husband and five children, especially while traveling to national parks and other beautiful destinations.

Tzippora Rothberg, OTR

Tzippora brings warmth, positivity, and a deep commitment to helping individuals and families thrive. She holds a graduate degree in Occupation Therapy from Touro University. Tzippora has a passion for empowering people to feel understood, capable, and confident in their daily lives.

Tzippora integrates evidence-based approaches—including Tom Myers’ Anatomy Trains methodology and reflex integration techniques—to help address the root of self-regulation and sensory processing challenges. She is dedicated to staying current with research to provide thoughtful, effective, and individualized support.

Above all, Tzippora strives to create a warm and welcoming environment where clients feel safe to explore, grow, and celebrate their progress. She is honored to be part of the SensoryWellness community and to support meaningful, positive change for every client she works with.

David Amster, MS, CNS

David is a Certified Nutrition Specialist and holds a graduate degree in Clinical Nutrition from Maryland University of Integrative Health. David uses a holistic and individualized approach that includes assessing both diet and lifestyle factors that contribute to functioning. He specializes in helping those with digestive health challenges including food sensitivities, irritable bowel syndrome, and autoimmune related digestive issues.

David finds great satisfaction helping people heal and strengthen their physiological systems through diet, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies. His unique model of assessment and evaluation also allows for optimal results for those experiencing anxiety, sensory processing difficulties, and trauma.

David is dedicated to staying on top of the latest research in the field and how findings can be applied in a clinical setting. When he isn’t seeing clients he is likely engrossed in a continuing education course or reading the latest research paper.

Outside of work David spends time cooking healthy dinners for the family and enjoys outdoor adventures with his wife and 5 children.