The Top 5 Best Occupational Therapists in the Bay Area

Here are five of the best occupational therapists for kids in the Bay Area. These OTs are experienced, compassionate, and eager to work with your child. The best part - they also accept insurance!

You can have peace of mind knowing that this guide has been vetted and approved by professionals and families. You’ll find in our list a number of options, with in-person and virtual care available. Looking to get started with Occupational Therapy? Don’t delay! Get started with one of these experienced OTs today.

Juliana Lainez OTD, OTR/L

Profile | SF, San Mateo, Palo Alto, and San Jose

About Juliana:

Juliana Lainez, OTD, OTR/L is a bilingual pediatric occupational therapist with extensive experience in working with unique little ones and their families in the home, community, and clinic-based settings. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development from San Francisco State University, she used her own son’s journey with sensory difficulties as inspiration to complete a doctorate in occupational therapy from Samuel Merritt University. Dr. Lainez is dedicated to working in the child’s natural environment to include family members as crucial team members.

Her therapeutic approach is dynamic and playful resulting in a child’s joyful participation. She enjoys working in an interdisciplinary team that includes speech therapists, early interventionists, teachers, and pediatricians. In addition to one on one therapy sessions, she also provides occupational therapy consultation services for Izzi Early Education in San Mateo County.

Insurance: United Healthcare, Golden Gate Regional Center, Kaiser
Setting: In-Home, Virtual
Contact: julianalainezot@gmail.com; 415-236-2178

Angela Weller MS, OTR/L

Profile | Mountain View, Sunnyvale

About Angela:

Angela Weller MS, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist. She holds a Masters in Occupational Therapy from Sacred Hear University and has worked as an occupational therapist for over 20 years.

Angela's experience is extensive, having supported clients in both schools and private settings. She has worked with children of all ages and their parents to assist with sensory processing challenges, fine motor and gross motor coordination challenges, as well as visual perceptual motor challenges. She has a passion for helping children and their families understand and solve sensory processing challenges.

Insurance: United Healthcare, Kaiser
Setting: In-Home, Virtual
Contact: angelaweller924@gmail.com; 408-663-1434

Kim Arzillo MS

Profile | Virtual

About Kim:

Kim provides occupational therapy evaluations, treatment, and parent training to children and their families via telehealth or with in-home mobile OT services.

Kim uses a collaborative, family-centered approach based on a child’s and family’s specific needs. She specializes in sensory-based feeding therapy, daily living skills, sensory processing skills, motor skill development, and social emotional skill development.

Check out her TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@kimtheot

Insurance: Kaiser
Setting: Virtual
Contact: kimarzillo@gmail.com

Alondra Ammon, MOT, OTR/L

Profile | San Mateo, Redwood City, Palo Alto

About Alondra:

Alondra is a pediatric occupational therapist. She recently completed her PhD in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman's University.

Alondra's passion lies in supporting the growth of a culturally responsive occupational therapy workforce. She believes that there is beauty in having diverse cultures no matter where you're from! She embraces all backgrounds so that she can provide quality education and care to students and clients with compassion and understanding.

Check out her Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alondralaot/?hl=en

Insurance: Kaiser, United Healthcare
Setting: Virtual
Contact: alondratheot@gmail.com

Kristen McNutt MOT, OTR/L

Profile | Danville, San Ramon

About Kristen:

Kristen is a pediatric occupational therapist. She holds a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman's University. She is a compassionate clinician with over 25 years’ experience working with pediatric and adult clients in a variety of settings.

Insurance: Kaiser, United Healthcare
Setting: Virtual
Contact: kristenmcnuttotr@gmail.com

Have questions about occupational therapy? Check out our article here. If you're ready to move forward, feel free to reach out to these clinicians directly or call us at 415-236-2178 to get started today!