Tom Mirabella is the Chief Executive Officer of Wingman Planning. He founded Wingman Planning in 2009 at his dining room table. Wingman now provides web and marketing services to over 450+ businesses across the U.S. Tom is very involved in giving back to the community where he works and lives. Over the last 5 years, Wingman has helped local organizations in the community. We manage and run with the Brick Morning Rotary a perpetual food drive, we run a toy drive to benefit multiple recognized 501c3 organizations and the company runs Cornhole for a Cause event to spread awareness about mental health. In both business and philanthropy, Mirabella enlists local businesses to work together, and he is an active member of several Chambers of Commerce.
Rebecca Heider, M.S., CCC-SLP is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with over five years of experience serving preschool and school-aged children. She currently practices in a clinic setting and brings additional experience from multiple school-based environments, allowing her to support children across a variety of developmental and educational contexts.
Becca’s clinical expertise includes working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, language disorders and delays, and phonological disorders. Her primary areas of focus include motor speech, nonverbal communication, feeding challenges, and social language development. She is PROMPT certified and is passionate about helping children build independence, confidence, and meaningful communication skills that support their wants, needs, and daily interactions.
Becca is deeply committed to fostering clinical excellence and collaborative care. She has mentored and supervised new staff members, Clinical Fellows, aspiring student clinicians, and early learners exploring careers in the therapeutic field. In her leadership role as Operations Manager, Rebecca believes that effective leadership begins with leading by example and emphasizes teamwork across disciplines to ensure each child is supported as a whole, not just by individual areas of care.
Becca earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences from Kean University and her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Baylor University. She maintains her Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC-SLP) and is an active member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Outside of work, Becca enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her family. As a proud aunt to two nieces and one nephew, she brings a genuine love for children into both her professional and personal life. Rebecca finds pediatric therapy especially rewarding because of the powerful impact early, intensive intervention can have on helping children grow and thrive. Her ultimate goal is to help create a supportive, trustworthy community for families of children with special needs—one that advocates for each child and empowers them to reach their highest potential.
Sarah Meyer, MSEd, BCBA, LBS, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and holds the position of Program Coordinator at Professional Therapy Associates. She has worked in the field of special education, Autism, and Applied Behavior Analysis since 2014 having worked as a teacher for children with Autism, an RBT, and a BCBA in public schools, in-home settings, and now with PTA in a clinical setting. Sarah’s specialties and interests include: working with children, teens, and adults with challenging behaviors, toilet training and hygiene procedures, and functional living skills. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys volunteering with Autism on the Seas, spending time adventuring with her Border Collie Maddie, and creating new memories with friends and family. Sarah says her favorite part about working at PTA is the “family” mentality and getting to collaborate with other disciplines!
Bri Walker, M. Ed is the Assistant Program Coordinator, Circle Time Leader, and ABA Therapist who works out of our Toms River office. Bri has worked in the field of ABA for over 6 years and has been with PTA for 2 years. Bri is a certified preschool-8th grade teacher in NJ. She completed undergraduate & graduate school at TCNJ, and an advanced graduate certificate in ABA through Arizona State University. In the area of ABA, Bri’s interests include: nonverbal communication & communication devices, play based learning, social and emotional learning, and family involvement. When not at work, Bri enjoys spending time at the beach with her family and friends, working out, cooking, and traveling. Some interesting facts about Bri include that she is pursuing her BCBA certification.
Congratulations and welcome to our Team. Professional Thearapy Associates LLC is a privately owned therapist operated pediatric sensory gym and rehabilitation facility. We have a great interdisciplinary team at PTA and I look forward to meeting and working alongside all of you.
Arlene Schwartz
Owner & CEO
Arlene Schwartz, OTR/L is a Licensed Occupational Therapist and the Chief Executive Officer at Professional Therapy Associates. Arlene has worked in the field of Occupational Therapy for 35+ years in a variety of settings and founded the company after discovering a need within her community for a sensory gym and rehabilitation clinic for pediatrics. Arlene is passionate about Pediatrics, Early Intervention, Sensory Processing, Schools, Management and Administration. Outside of work, Arlene is active within the Brick Morning Rotary Club and has served as President. She is also a trustee for Gift of Life Rotary District 7505. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. And she prides herself in sponsoring local children who are involved in Racing for the Nascar Youth Series. Arlene is an active AOTA and NJOTA Member.
Helen Brown, B.S., ACC is the Billing Manager at Professional Therapy Associates. She has worked within the field of medical billing for 10 years and has been a part of PTA for 2 years. Helen enjoys assisting parents in understanding their insurance benefits and out of pocket costs as well as using her analytical skills to resolve billing issues with insurance companies. Outside of work, Helen enjoys spending time doing outdoor activities with her family such as bike riding, going to the beach and the park.
Liz DeMaria is a dedicated COTA/RBT with over 10 years of experience in pediatric care, serving children ages 3 through young adulthood in the clinic setting. Her clinical focus centers on supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, with particular expertise in motor skills development, sensory processing, and behavioral regulation. Liz is especially passionate about helping children build independence and learn to express their emotions in healthy, appropriate ways.
In addition to her clinical work, she serves as a Clinic Manager and plays an active leadership role within PTA, mentoring RBTs and supporting staff growth through her work as a HWC trainer and CPR/First Aid instructor. She holds an Associate’s Degree for COTA from Central Piedmont Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Covenant College, and maintains her OTA License, RBT certification, HWC Instructor certification, and CPR/First Aid Instructor certification.
Outside of work, Liz enjoys attending concerts, playing volleyball, spending time at the beach, and making memories with friends and family. What she loves most about working with children is sharing in their joy when they reach milestones, creating a fun and engaging learning environment, and embracing her “big kid” energy to connect with them. Liz’s ultimate goal is to enrich the lives of the children and families she serves by walking alongside them with compassion, easing daily challenges, and helping families find more joy in the simple moments together.
Dana Van De Vaarst, MOT, OTR/L is a licensed occupational therapist and the Student Fieldwork/Clinical Program Coordinator at Professional Therapy Associates. Dana completed her last level II fieldwork experience for grad school at PTA and fell in love with the company! She then started working at Professional Therapy Associates in September of 2019 running a dance social group before receiving her license in OT in November of 2019. She has now been practicing OT for 3 years at Professional Therapy Associates. She is a member of AOTA and NJOTA. Dana has many interests in the pediatric field including sensory processing disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and motor planning and orthopedic deficits. She is currently taking courses on becoming a Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist and taking courses in American Sign Language. When not working as an OT, you can still find Dana working with children, teens and young adults with various abilities. Dana has been an assistant dance instructor for an inclusive dance program, Unique Kids, since 2017, where she helps teach dances to perform at local recitals, competitions and community events. Dana also became a volunteer for Autism on the Seas in 2022, a program for cruise lines that helps families with kids and other family members who have disabilities enjoy vacations. Dana's favorite hobbies include dancing, traveling, hiking, boating/sailing, going to the beach, hanging with friends and family, and enjoying downtime with her dogs. Dana enjoys being a part of Professional Therapy Associates as she gets to watch children meet their goals and make a huge positive impact on the child's and family's lives.
Gabby Ferrara is an Occupational Therapist and the Clinic Manager at the Toms River location of Professional Therapy Associates. She has been practicing as an Occupational Therapist for four years, all of which have been spent growing her career at PTA. Gabby’s journey with the organization began as an Occupational Therapy student at the Brick clinic, where she quickly demonstrated a strong clinical foundation and passion for pediatric care. Following graduation, she joined PTA as a per diem Occupational Therapist and soon transitioned into a full-time role at the Robbinsville clinic before stepping into her current leadership position.
In addition to managing clinic operations, Gabby serves as the Occupational Therapy Team Leader and oversees PTA’s innovative Korro AI Occupational Therapy Program. She is deeply committed to clinical excellence, mentorship, and fostering collaboration among her team. Gabby’s clinical interests include working with children under the age of five, motor planning, gross motor strengthening, and supporting social-emotional regulation. She is especially passionate about helping young children build foundational skills that support confidence, independence, and long-term success.
Outside of the clinic, Gabby enjoys spending time at the beach, attending group fitness classes, and FaceTiming her niece. What Gabby loves most about pediatric therapy is witnessing children reach meaningful milestones every day and being part of the moments—big and small—that make a lasting impact on both children and their families.
Randi Bucca, M.S., CCC-SLP serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Professional Therapy Associates (PTA), where she provides strategic and operational leadership across all clinical programs and service lines. In her role, Randi oversees day-to-day clinical operations, long-term program development, staff performance and growth, interdepartmental collaboration, and organizational systems that support high-quality, ethical, and sustainable care. She works closely with executive leadership to translate PTA’s mission and values into scalable practices, ensuring consistency, compliance, and excellence across the organization.
Although Randi is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over a decade of hands-on pediatric clinical experience, her professional focus has evolved toward administration, mentorship, and organizational leadership. She plays a key role in shaping clinical standards, onboarding and training frameworks, supervision models, and workflow efficiencies that support both clinicians and the families they serve. Randi is deeply involved in mentoring leadership staff, fostering professional growth, and creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Clinically, Randi’s background includes extensive work with preschool- and elementary-aged children in both school-based and outpatient clinic settings. Her experience spans a wide range of diagnoses and needs, including autism spectrum disorder, expressive and receptive language delays, motor speech disorders, feeding and oral-motor challenges, and social communication deficits. This foundation allows her to approach operational decision-making with a clinician’s perspective, ensuring that administrative systems always support high-quality therapeutic outcomes.
Throughout her career, Randi has provided supervision and guidance to Clinical Fellows, graduate-level university students, and newly hired clinicians, helping to shape competent, confident, and compassionate providers. She has led the design, implementation, and expansion of several key programs at PTA, including the Intensive Therapeutic Day Program, Young Adult Program, structured social skills curricula, and Mommy and Me classes. She is currently spearheading the development of a new intensive social skills program for school-aged children, aimed at addressing growing community needs through evidence-based, interdisciplinary care models.
Randi’s leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, transparency, and leading by example. She is committed to maintaining high professional standards while cultivating a supportive and empowering work environment—believing that when clinicians feel supported and valued, families receive the highest level of care.
Randi earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from East Stroudsburg University. She maintains her Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC-SLP) and is an active member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Outside of work, Randi enjoys reading, shopping, and spending quality time with her family, especially her two children, Colin and Isabella.
Rachel Hettmann, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist who has been working in pediatric care since 2022, serving children from birth through the teenage years in the clinic setting. Rachel specializes in the evaluation and treatment of expressive and receptive language disorders, language delays, articulation and phonological disorders, and feeding disorders. Her clinical passion lies in helping children find their voice—particularly through the use of AAC devices—so they can communicate their needs, thoughts, and personalities with confidence.
In addition to her clinical work, Rachel serves as a Clinic Manager and plays an active leadership role within PTA. She mentors new clinic managers and assistant managers and leads the Note Audit Program, helping ensure high standards of documentation and clinical excellence. Rachel values clear communication, trust, collaboration, and honoring diverse perspectives, and she supports team success by fostering open dialogue and shared learning across disciplines.
Rachel holds a Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders and maintains her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) as well as Handle With Care certification. Outside of work, she enjoys watching baseball and hockey and relaxing with a good movie. What Rachel loves most about working with children is that no two days are the same—she thrives on creativity and adaptability in her work. Her ultimate goal is to help children and families achieve outcomes that best meet their individual needs, and she finds pediatric therapy especially rewarding because of its strong collaboration with families. Rachel hopes families feel complete trust and genuine care when working with her, knowing their children are always supported with compassion and expertise.
Sergio DeAlmeida, MS, OTR/L is a licensed Occupational Therapist and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at Professional Therapy Associates (PTA), bringing over a decade of experience in pediatric therapy, mental health, and applied behavior analysis (ABA). In his clinical work, Sergio provides services in both clinic-based and in-home settings and most frequently supports children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as those navigating behavioral, emotional, and mental health challenges. His clinical areas of expertise include sensory processing and regulation, fine and gross motor development, activities of daily living (ADLs), life skills, and vocational skill development. Sergio is particularly passionate about promoting functional independence, recognizing that challenges in daily routines and self-care often underlie behavioral concerns and impact overall quality of life.
In his executive role as Chief Administrative Officer, Sergio is responsible for overseeing administrative operations, clinic infrastructure, and internal systems that support efficient, compliant, and high-quality service delivery across the organization. He plays a critical role in developing and refining operational workflows, policies, and procedures, ensuring alignment between clinical practice, administrative processes, and organizational goals. Sergio collaborates closely with executive leadership to support strategic planning, organizational growth, and the implementation of initiatives that enhance staff effectiveness, client experience, and long-term sustainability.
In addition to his CAO responsibilities, Sergio serves in leadership roles as a Clinic Executive and Improvement Manager. In these capacities, he mentors and supervises clinicians, students, and emerging leaders, supports performance improvement initiatives, and contributes to program development and clinic-wide projects. He is actively involved in identifying opportunities for operational improvement, supporting interdepartmental collaboration, and fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.
Sergio’s leadership style is grounded in clear communication, consistency, and openness to new ideas. He places strong value on listening—to families, staff, and the children served—and believes that meaningful progress is achieved when systems are responsive, transparent, and built around the real needs of those they support. His combined clinical and administrative background allows him to bridge the gap between direct care and organizational operations, ensuring that administrative decisions remain rooted in clinical excellence and family-centered care.
Sergio earned his Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Kean University and maintains licensure as an Occupational Therapist (OTR/L). He is an active member of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association (NJOTA), and the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Sergio remains deeply committed to empowering children and families to feel heard, supported, and confident as they work toward meaningful progress, independence, and long-term success.
Brittany is the Assistant Manager of the West Windsor clinic and an experienced ABA Therapist with 16 years of dedicated service in pediatric care. She works with children of all ages in the clinic setting and brings a deep passion for supporting behavioral growth and meaningful communication. Brittany specializes in helping children find their voice—whether through assistive devices or verbal communication—and is especially inspired by each child’s unique journey toward self-expression and confidence. She holds certifications in Early Childhood Development, Handle With Care, and RBT training, which further support her thoughtful and child-centered clinical approach.
In her leadership role, Brittany is a driving force behind mentorship and team development. She serves as Head of the Mentorship Program and a Circle Time Leader, fostering connection, consistency, and collaboration within the clinic. Brittany leads with a “family unit” mindset, making herself readily available to support staff and encourage clinical excellence through teamwork, trust, and shared purpose. Her leadership style is grounded in accessibility, compassion, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed.
Outside of work, Brittany treasures time spent with her husband and children and enjoys life on her small farm. Her family also gives back to the community by volunteering with the Miracle League each spring—an extension of her passion for inclusion and supporting children of all abilities. What Brittany finds most rewarding about pediatric therapy is witnessing children gain new skills, reach milestones, and develop confidence and pride in their achievements. Her ultimate goal is to equip children and families with tools for lifelong success, and she hopes families feel complete trust and reassurance when working with her, knowing their most precious gift is in caring and capable hands.
Laura Schwartz is the Patient Services Manager at Professional Therapy Associates, where she plays a vital role in ensuring families feel supported, heard, and confidently guided throughout their care journey. Laura oversees the front desk and scheduling teams, serving as a key bridge between families and therapists while ensuring clients are scheduled in a timely manner and in alignment with clinical recommendations. With a strong focus on communication and organization, she works proactively to keep clinic operations running smoothly and efficiently.
Laura has been part of the PTA family since 2018, beginning as the clinic’s very first scheduler when only the Brick location was open. As the practice grew, she helped expand and develop the scheduling department into what it is today. She brings a collaborative, solution-focused approach to her role, supervising staff, maintaining open communication with families, and supporting team members across departments. Her leadership is guided by empathy, respect, honesty, and clear communication, and she strives to create an environment where both families and staff feel valued, informed, and comfortable asking questions.
Laura holds a Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University and has completed extensive on-the-job training and internal professional development through PTA. What she enjoys most about her role is building relationships with families and witnessing children reach their goals, knowing her work behind the scenes helps make those successes possible.
Outside of work, Laura loves spending time with her husband and two children. During the summer months, she can often be found on the boat with her family and their Black Lab, Remington, or enjoying rides at the Point Pleasant Boardwalk. A music lover at heart, she also enjoys attending live shows whenever a babysitter is available. Laura finds deep meaning in her role and takes pride in helping create a positive, welcoming, and supportive experience for every family who walks through PTA’s doors
Mary Kate Fedak
Billing Specialist
Email: Coming Soon
Jasmine Bethea
Robbinsville Assistant Manager
Jasmine Bethea is a passionate Scheduler and ABA Therapist with four years of experience supporting children from birth through young adulthood across clinic and community-based settings. She works primarily with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and is deeply committed to creating consistent, supportive experiences for families by balancing her clinical work with her vital role in scheduling and care coordination. Jasmine is Handle With Care certified and brings a calm, thoughtful approach to helping children and families feel safe, supported, and understood throughout their therapy journey.
In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Jasmine serves as an Assistant Manager and is a trusted mentor to new ABA therapists and schedulers, helping them grow in confidence and competence. She is also the newly appointed leader of Patient Special Events, where she brings creativity and heart to initiatives such as Parents’ Night Out—building meaningful connections beyond therapy sessions and strengthening the PTA community. Jasmine leads with collaboration, compassion, and organization, always striving to support clinical excellence and foster strong teamwork.
What Jasmine finds most rewarding about pediatric therapy is being part of each child’s progress, no matter how big or small, and knowing her work helps families experience smoother, more joyful days together. Her ultimate goal is to support children and families in ways that feel empowering, thoughtful, and uplifting, and she hopes families feel genuine care, trust, and reassurance when working with her—knowing their child is always in kind and capable hands.
Chery McCleary
Human Resources Manager
Cheryl McCleary is the Human Resources Manager at the clinic, where she plays a vital role in ensuring the organization is staffed with qualified, supported, and compliant professionals so clinicians can focus on delivering high-quality care to children and families. With a strong foundation in Human Resources and pediatric administration experience, Cheryl oversees recruiting, onboarding, training, workforce compliance, employee relations, performance management, benefits administration, and personnel records.
A SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and member of the Society for Human Resource Management, Cheryl brings technical HR expertise, strong organizational skills, and a compassionate, people-centered approach to her work. She partners closely with clinic managers and staff, serving as a trusted and neutral resource for guidance, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Known for her ability to balance empathy with accountability, Cheryl helps foster a collaborative, inclusive workplace where employees feel heard, valued, and empowered to grow.
As a mother of three boys, Cheryl brings a deeply personal understanding of the pediatric care experience and the importance of being listened to and supported. What she finds most rewarding is seeing children make progress and witnessing the pride clinicians feel in helping them achieve their goals. Outside of work, Cheryl enjoys traveling with her family, exploring new cultures, and relaxing on the beach with a good book.
Susan Poehler
Billing Manager
Susan Poehler is the Finance Manager at the clinic, where she oversees the full revenue cycle to ensure billing is accurate, compliant, and timely. With more than 30 years of experience in healthcare administration, Susan brings deep expertise in medical billing, coding, revenue cycle management, and payer regulations. As a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and member of the Academy of Professional Coders, she ensures claims are submitted cleanly, monitors accounts receivable and denial trends, and provides leadership with clear financial insights that support the clinic’s operations.
Susan leads and mentors the billing team, providing ongoing training in payer policies, CPT and ICD-10 updates, and efficient workflows. She works closely with clinical staff and insurance carriers to resolve complex billing issues, streamline processes, and reduce stress for both families and the care team. Although new to pediatrics, Susan is deeply committed to supporting families with clarity, empathy, and calm guidance as they navigate the financial side of care.
What Susan finds most rewarding is knowing her work helps create a smoother, more transparent experience—allowing families to feel informed and supported, and clinicians to focus fully on delivering exceptional care. Outside of work, Susan treasures time with her husband and children, adores her grandpups Scrappy and Bob, loves traveling, music, and the beach, and is a lifelong Bruce Springsteen fan who has attended more than 125 concerts.
