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Meet the Team Behind Little Peak Therapy
Real people. Deep expertise. Shared purpose.
Our Team
More Than Professionals—We’re Partners in Your Journey
At Little Peak Therapy, every child’s experience is shaped by the humans who walk beside them. Our team is a compassionate, multidisciplinary group of occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, counsellors, and support specialists.
We believe in care that’s collaborative, strength-based, and embracing of neurodiversity. No rigid checklists. No one-size-fits-all plans. Just curious minds and open hearts working together to help your child thrive.
What Makes Our Team Different
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Neurodiversity-Affirming: We celebrate different ways of thinking, feeling, and learning.
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Play-Based & Purposeful: We use curiosity and joy to build connection and growth.
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Family-Centered: We work with you, not around you, every step of the way.
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Multidisciplinary: OT, SLP, counselling, Music Therapy and Rehabilitation support (BI)—all connected in one space.
Our Occupational Therapists (OT)
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Occupational Therapist (OT)
Joanne Leitch
Joanne is a pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT) with over 10 years of experience supporting children across a wide range of developmental abilities and neurodiverse profiles. She practices from a neurodiversity-affirming lens, using play-based therapy to help children grow, thrive, and engage meaningfully in their daily lives.
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Occupational Therapist (OT)
Samantha Doyle
Samantha is an Occupational Therapist (OT) with a passion for supporting children with diverse abilities, and their families, in meeting their goals through neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-informed, and play-based approaches. She strives to create inclusive and safe spaces that allow every child to thrive.
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Occupational Therapist (OT)
Rachel Lager
Rachel is an Occupational Therapist passionate about empowering children and families through collaborative, strengths-based care. She combines evidence-based practices with creativity and fun to support neurodivergent teens and adults in building confidence, independence, and joy in daily life.
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Occupational Therapist (OT)
Jessica Carriere
Jess is a pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT) who is offers compassionate and practical support for both children and caregivers from an inclusive lens. She values connection and strives to create a fun and relaxed environment where children feel safe to be themselves, play freely, and develop skills that carry over into everyday life. As a mom herself she prioritizes parent and caregiver involvement in therapy.
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Occupational Therapist (OT)
Nicole Carlson
Nicole is a pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT) who is passionate about providing compassionate, collaborative, and neurodiversity-affirming care for children and their families. She has experience supporting children with a wide range of developmental differences and complex medical needs across hospital and community settings. Nicole takes a strengths-based, play-focused approach to help children build skills, confidence, and meaningful participation in their everyday lives.
OT Assistant
Kayley Arnoldus
Kayley is an Australian registered Occupational Therapist (OT) currently working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA). She has over five years of experience supporting children across a range of developmental abilities and neurodiverse profiles within community, school, and early learning settings. Kayley practices from a neuro-affirming, child-led, and strengths-based lens, using play, movement, and sensory regulation strategies to support children to build confidence, independence, and meaningful participation in their everyday lives.
Our Registered Clinical Counselors (RCC)
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Registered Clinical Counselor (RCC)
Lisa Bay
Lisa is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with over a decade of experience working with adults, children, youth, and families. She is passionate about normalizing counselling and eliminating the stigma around mental health challenges. She is currently working towards becoming a Registered Play therapist in BC.
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Registered Clinical Counselor (RCC)
Marika Posnikoff
Marika works towards creating a neuro-affirming space where differences are understood, celebrated and supported. With a background in teaching, Marika brings an understanding of educational environments and child development to her counselling practice. She is dedicated to supporting children and their families, including those navigating challenges related to anxiety, ADHD, autism, and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).
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Registered Clinical Counselor (RCC)
Hannah Gastaldo
Hannah is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with over 8 years of experience
working in community mental health as a counsellor for children, youth, and their
families. Her passion is supporting neurodivergent individuals and their support systems and has done so in recreational, educational, and therapeutic settings. She is certified in AutPlay Therapy.
Our Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP)
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Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
Sarah Mermuys
Sarah is a Speech-Language Pathologist who believes that the best progress happens when therapy feels natural, fun, and centered around each unique family. Her approach is family-centered and play-based, with a focus on helping children and parents discover what works best for them in their everyday routines.
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Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
Katie Lanigan
Katie is a speech-language pathologist with over 8 years of experience supporting children and families. A former elementary school teacher, she brings a warm, play-based approach to therapy, tailoring every assessment and session to each child's unique strengths and interests. Katie works with children and teens.
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Alex McKenzie
Alex is a registered SLP in Australia who is working on her registration here in BC. She has a special interest in neurodiversity-affirming practice, AAC and language development. She takes a child- and family-centred approach, tailoring therapy to each child’s individual strengths, interests and needs. I’m passionate about making therapy fun, engaging and meaningful, and helping every child find their own way to communicate.
Our Rehabilitation Assistants/BI's
Rehabilitation Assistant/BI
Leah Schwartz
Leah is a Rehab Assistant born and raised in North Vancouver. She works alongside occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists to help children reach their goals and enjoys creating playful, supportive environments where kids feel safe to explore, build confidence, and develop new skills.
Rehabilitation Assistant/BI
Melissa Shong
Mel wears many hats at Little Peak! She is a rehabilitation assistant with a degree in kinesiology, providing support to OT and SLP programs in the clinic and in the community. Mel is the friendly face to greet kiddos at reception and her bubbly energy helps put them at ease in the space.
Our Music Therapist
Music Therapist
Chelsea Assaf
Chelsea is a board certified Music Therapist who believes that the power of creative music and play can help nurture all aspects of learning and development. She loves using music as a bridge to connection, creativity, and communication, while helping nourish and support each child’s development and reach their goals through fun, success-oriented musical experiences.
Why This Team Works
We’re not just coworkers—we’re collaborators, cheerleaders, and community builders. Every member of our team is here because they believe in the power of connection and the possibility inside every child.
Whether we’re on the floor building towers, being silly with pretend play, or meeting with parent who just needs support—we show up with empathy, playfulness, and purpose.
FAQs: Little Peak Therapy Team
