Sherman Oaks & Surrounding Area - Educational Therapy Team
Saima, M.A., Educational Therapist
Saima earned her B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Northridge in 2012. Her passion for teaching children K-6 literacy and math led her to become a Sunday School teacher and volunteer at the Child Development Institute. She found her passion in teaching, but soon discovered she enjoyed one-on-one work with students. She felt inspired to reach every student and understand individual Learning profiles to aid academic success. In 2015, she graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a Master's degree in Special Education, with an emphasis in Educational Therapy. Saima believes that connection makes growth possible. She draws on her experience as a struggling learner to connect with her students and show them they can achieve anything they set their minds to. These skills make her a highly sought-after educator in a field that supports students with diverse needs and helps them achieve academic success. She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham Reading and Step-Up to Writing programs. Saima is an Associate Member of the Association of Educational Therapists (ET/Associate).
Cayla, M.A, M.Ed. ET/P
Cayla earned her B.A. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and her M.Ed. in Special Education/Learning Disabilities from American University in Washington, D.C. She also received a second M.A. degree in Curriculum and Supervision from Point Loma University. Soon after, Cayla began her teaching career with LAUSD as a Special Day Class teacher and then as a Resource Specialist. She holds both the Multiple Subject Credential and the Special Education Mild/Moderate Credential, as well as the Resource Specialist Certificate. Cayla loves to help students become more confident learners and to achieve success in the classroom. She specializes in working with all students K-6. She is trained in Lindamood-Bell's Seeing Stars, Visualizing and Verbalizing, and the Wilson Reading Program. Cayla is a Professional Member of the Association of Educational Therapists.
Travis, Specialist
Travis is a Southern California native, but he moved to Northern California to earn his bachelor's degree in classical civilizations from UC Davis in 2002. After graduation, Travis's passion for learning and education led him on a 15-year journey with Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes. During this time, he gained extensive experience and mastery in sensory-cognitive programs designed to develop essential language and literacy skills, primarily with students who have learning challenges or are explicitly diagnosed with learning disabilities. He is a master teacher in all of Lindamood-Bell's programs. Travis is also skilled in administering and analyzing diagnostic tests, providing research-based instruction for diverse learners, and implementing positive behavior management strategies. Travis works as a Learning Specialist for 9th- and 10th-graders at a local Los Angeles independent high school, focusing on executive functioning development and providing content-specific support. When not working with students, Travis thoroughly enjoys culinary artistry, spending time with his wife and two daughters, and using his telescope to explore the cosmos.
Dana, Educational Therapist
Dana thrived as a theater and television director before becoming an educational therapist. After the birth of her second child, Dana delved into current special education research, earning her Special Education credential and Master's degree from California State University, Northridge, with an emphasis in Educational Therapy. Dana previously worked as a resource teacher before transitioning to private practice. Dana is trained in the Orton-Gillingham, the Writing Revolution method, and the SONDAY reading program. She specializes in working with students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, executive functioning disorders, and ADHD. She works with all learners in K-6 and incorporates kinesthetic learning into her lessons. She celebrates the beauty of children's neurodivergent differences and how to nurture and celebrate them.
Samantha, Specialist
Samantha is a reading specialist dedicated to helping students develop strong, confident literacy skills. She specializes in sensory-cognitive reading remediation and implements evidence-based programs such as Lindamood-Bell’s Seeing Stars and Visualizing and Verbalizing to strengthen foundational reading abilities and comprehension.
With extensive experience supporting students with diverse learning profiles—including dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), auditory processing disorder (APD), and ADHD—Samantha brings both expertise and empathy to her work. She integrates executive functioning strategies into her sessions to support students holistically.
Through her work with the J3 Foundation, Samantha delivered high-impact literacy interventions in underserved schools across Los Angeles, successfully implementing the structured reading program SIPPS. Guided by the belief that every child deserves access to reading success, Samantha designs individualized, inclusive, and empowering instruction.
Dena, Educational Therapist
Dena is an Educational Therapist with 11 years of experience supporting students with learning differences through individualized, strengths-based instruction. She began her career working in a group home setting supporting children with emotional and behavioral challenges, which shaped her trauma-informed and student-centered approach. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Reading, Literacy, and Language Arts from Loyola Marymount University, and an Educational Therapy Certification from California State University, Northridge. She has completed coursework in Wilson® Reading System approaches, along with training in Orton-Gillingham–based instruction, TouchMath, and Step Up to Writing. She served for 6 years as a Reading and Math Specialist at a private school dedicated entirely to students with learning disabilities, while also maintaining a private practice throughout her career.
Dena specializes in literacy development, executive functioning, and structured, evidence-informed interventions tailored to each learner’s needs, with a focus on building confidence, independence, and long-term academic success. Dena is an associate member of the Association of Educational Therapists (AET).
Maggie, Specialist
Maggie earned her Master of Fine Arts in Writing from the University of Southern Maine and holds an English teaching credential in California. She began her career as a Peace Corps Youth Development Specialist. There, she collaborated with community partners in rural Peru to develop and implement literacy programs, teacher training, and extracurricular clubs. During this time, Maggie taught art, English, and personal health to students in grades 3 through 8. After her time in the Peace Corps, Maggie wanted to support K-12 students more deeply with reading, writing, and organization. She became a Lindamood-Bell reading specialist and has extensive experience creating individualized lesson plans for her students and communicating their progress to parents and teachers. Maggie is also trained as an executive function coach, helping students develop planning, prioritization, and overall task-management skills. With her education experience, she is well-versed in supporting students with learning differences.
Shane, ET student
Shane is originally from Michigan and relocated to the West Coast to attend the University of Oregon, where he earned a degree in Journalism and Communications. He began his professional career as a freelance newspaper reporter before transitioning into education to pursue his passion for working directly with students and supporting their academic and personal growth. Shane brings experience as a behavioral therapist, working with children ages 4–12 in a variety of school settings throughout Los Angeles. He has supported students on the autism spectrum, as well as those with diverse developmental and learning needs, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and executive functioning challenges. Shane is trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach and Lindamood-Bell’s Visualizing and Verbalizing program, and he earned his Educational Therapist certification through the University of California, Riverside. Shane is passionate about helping students strengthen foundational academic skills, develop effective writing strategies, improve executive functioning skills, and build confidence in their abilities. He is committed to continuing to expand his expertise and creating supportive, engaging learning experiences that empower students to grow both academically and personally.
Sonja, M.A., ET
Sonja is a certified Educational Therapist with more than 16 years of experience as a K–3 classroom teacher and reading specialist. She earned her Certification in Educational Therapy from the University of California, Riverside, after years of supporting general education students and students with IEPs in inclusive classrooms. She also completed graduate coursework in Special Education at California State University, Northridge, and holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Sonja is an Associate Member of the Association of Educational Therapists (AET). Sonja provides individualized educational therapy by developing personalized intervention plans that address each student’s unique learning needs. She specializes in working with K-6 students with dyslexia, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder, incorporating evidence-based, multisensory literacy approaches, including Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Fundations, to strengthen reading, spelling, handwriting, phonological awareness, and phonics skills. Sonja is passionate about helping students build strong literacy foundations through a structured, systematic approach. She believes every child can succeed and is committed to building confidence, supporting academic growth, celebrating each student’s unique strengths, and nurturing their cognitive, social, and emotional development.