Center for Developmental Play and Learning
Established in 2007
Serving Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties
Our Staff
Jeanne White
Jeanne White, LMFT
Director, Mental Health Associates
For over 25 years, Jeanne has worked with families and their children to help them achieve their highest developmental and emotional outcomes. Jeanne is a licensed MFT who has also worked in private practice and worked with child development specialist teams providing services to young children with autism. In addition, Jeanne was Program Director for a children's mental health program called A Childs Path which provided therapeutic support and case management for extremely high-risk children and their families. Since 2007, Jeanne has been Co-Director of CDPL, and is DIR®Assistant Faculty through Profectum organization.
Most recently, in February of 2021, Jeanne became the sole Director of the Center for Developmental Play and Learning. Jeanne and the entire staff at CDPL are inspired by Patricia's legacy and lifelong work to carry on the important developmental work of CDPL in her honor.
Kendra Wessling
Kendra Wessling, M.S.
Director, DIR/Floortime
Kendra Wessling has worked with children and families affected by autism and related developmental delays for the past 10 years. Because she values partnering with parents and families, she pursued her master's
in clinical pyschology ('09). This has allowed her to work with many different children, such as at-risk youth, foster children, and other emotionally/socially impacted children. She has undergone training in a variety of methodologies for children and has found DIR/Floortime to be an integrative, family-centered, individualized approach that can be
applied to a wide array of neurodiverse populations! She is pleased to have been part of the CDPL team since 2011, soon after she moved to Santa Barbara. Currently Kendra is the Assistant Director of CDPL, assisting in all aspects of the administration of CDPL's program, training of staff, presentations and outreach. Kendra is a DIR Clinical Supervisor.
Greta Wright
Greta Wright
Director, Early Birds
Greta rejoined the CDPL team in June 2022 to manage their new early intervention program. Greta has worked with young children and their families in Santa Barbara County for over 25 years as a child development specialist. She has extensive experience working with infants and toddlers with developmental differences and believes in working collaboratively with parents to discover their child’s strengths and challenges to create individualized and family-centered goals and strategies to support their growth. Greta received her DIR certification through the International Council on Developmental Learning in 2010 and uses many DIR principles in working with toddlers and their families. She focuses on helping families strengthen their child’s foundational developmental milestones of regulation and shared attention, engagement, and reciprocity through child-led, play-based interactions and during everyday family routines. Greta received her B.A. degree in psychology and sociology from UCSB and is currently pursuing her M.A. degree in counseling through Palo Alto University with the goal of being a licensed therapist providing neurodiversity-affirming mental health support to children and families.
Becky Todd
Staff Mentor and Senior Child Development Specialist
Becky joined the CDPL team in 2009. She was an Early Childhood Educator before working for the Learning Enrichment Autism Program (LEAP) for the Santa Barbara County Special Education Office. This is where she had the opportunity to be trained in the DIR/Floortime Model by Pat Marquart. She continues to work in the Early Start Infant and Preschool Plus programs for SBCEO, where she is able to use the DIR Model in her work with children ages 0-6. She is a co-facilitator for our CDPL Summer Playgroup Program. Currently Becky is providing services to CDPL families and is mentoring newer practitioners in the methods of DIR/Floortime.
Becky Todd
Shaina Beatrice
Shaina Beatrice, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist, Early Birds Program Manager
Shaina is a licensed SLP from the East Coast who joined the CDPL team in 2022! She received her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Yeshiva University in NYC and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in 2019 with a minor in Psychology. She has served populations across all age ranges in medical, home health, and school-based settings, however, has a strong passion for early childhood development, which led her practice to Early Intervention over the last several years. Shaina understands the importance of Early Identification and is rooted in the belief that each child charts a unique course between birth and adolescence. She strives to foster family-centered, natural-learning environments that aid in building strong relationships through trust, advocacy, and education for all. Her knowledge in typical child development, communication disorders, feeding, and use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices allows her to address identified needs and priorities of young children and their families, in a developmental and progressive manner. Shaina believes every child’s voice matters and has set out to provide high-quality care to make an impact in all the lives she encounters.
Grace Brandmaier
Grace Brandmaier
DIR-Floortime Certified Clinician, DIR/Floortime Trainer
Originally from Vienna, Austria, Grace’s family moved to Portland, Maine when she was seven years old. Grace received her bachelor's degree from Bard college in 2015 in the Division of Social Studies. She also served as a New York State Certified EMT-B, resident assistant, mehndi art club founder, and meditation group leader throughout her undergraduate education. Grace moved to New York City after graduating and worked at the Rebecca School in Manhattan, a school designed and co-founded by Stanley Greenspan, developer of DIR/Floortime, for children with ASD and developmental delays. Grace was trained and certified through the Interdisciplinary Council of Development & Learning (ICDL) as a Floortime Practitioner in May 2018 while working at Rebecca School. She has continued serving families as a Floortime provider outside of a school setting and, upon moving to Santa Barbara in 2020, found CDPL! Grace has been working with CDPL since June of 2021 and is overjoyed to continue learning and growing with her new Floortime team and their families.
Tammy Cruz
Tammy Cruz, OTR/L, SWC
Occupational Therapist, Swallowing Certified
Tammy Cruz is an inquisitive Occupational Therapist with over 25 years of experience working in pediatrics. In order to provide support that benefits children and their families, Tammy seeks out advanced learning. Certifications include Advanced Practice Feeding and Swallowing, Developmental Individual Differences Model Basic, and Typical and Atypical Development. Outside of work, you can find Tammy spending time with her husband, sons, and dog; reading again; spending time in her garden; and figuring out how to move through life as the seasons change!
Annie Ewald, AMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, DIR-Floortime Trained Clinician
Annie Ewald joined CDPL in 2022 as a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working towards licensure. She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications and Media. She has served several populations including children, adolescents, adults and families within a range of school-based and mental health settings. Annie has witnessed the power and impact of DIR/Floortime and is passionate about using this relationship based model as tool to support child development through emotionally meaningful learning exchanges. Annie also provides individual psychotherapy to CDPL clients under the supervision of CDPL’s clinical director, Jeanne White, LMFT.
Annie Ewald
Rosie Gates-Bowes, ASW
Associate Clinical Social Worker; Interim Assistant Director, DIR/Floortime
Rosie Gates-Bowes joined the CDPL team in 2018 and is a registered Associate Clinical Social Worker working towards licensure. She holds a Master's Degree and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work and has a background of working with children, individuals and families in a variety of mental health and community settings. Rosie is passionate about the power of the DIR/Floortime model in supporting children and families in promoting the development of social, emotional and intellectual capacities. Rosie also provides supervision for clinicians newer to DIR/Floortime and is a CDPL Therapy Associate, providing psychotherapy to CDPL clients under supervision from CDPL's clinical director.
Rosie Gates-Bowes
Michelle Greiner, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Michelle Greiner is a licensed Occupational Therapist with 14 years of experience in Early Intervention. She strongly believes that autism is not a disease to be fixed but a different way of thinking and learning that should be respected and nurtured. In addition to Early Intervention, Michelle has worked in elementary schools, adult rehabilitation, and nursing homes. She has a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from USC and a Master’s in Public Health from UCLA as well as a teaching credential.
Michelle Greiner
Ellie Hagemeister
Bi-lingual DIR-Floortime Trained Child Development Specialist
Ellie Hagemeister joined the CDPL staff in May 2023 and offers neurodiversity-affirming support to children and families under both the Early Birds (0-3 years old) and Floortime (3-13 years old) programs. Ellie is passionate about justice and inclusion in all its forms, including amplifying neurodivergent voices and respecting the agency and full humanity of children. She hopes to bring a sense of calm and feeling of unconditional acceptance to her sessions, creating a space where her clients can be authentic and unafraid. She is grateful to be a part of introducing families to the Floortime model and to always be learning from her clients. Ellie holds a BA in Psychology, a BA in Spanish (Hispanic cultures emphasis), and a minor in Ethnic Studies from Westmont College. When she is not playing with kids, she is likely tending to her flower garden or on the pickleball court.
Ellie Hagemeister
Megan Holmes
DIR-Floortime Trained Child Developmental Specialist
Megan is a Santa Barbara local, who began working at CDPL towards the end of 2021. She has worked with children for 15 years as a babysitter, youth care instructor, after-school program leader, and homework tutoring club volunteer, to name a few. From an early age, Megan realized her true passion lies in working with children and families. In 2019, she started working in early intervention as a child development specialist and fell in love this type of work. She is extremely passionate about creating a positive, safe, playful, and nurturing environment when working with children using the Floortime approach. Megan has an associate degree in Sociology, a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and a postbaccalaureate degree in Speech Language Pathology, and is excited to use her education and vast experience while working with the neurodiverse population.
Megan Holmes
Sarah Kaplan
Sarah Kaplan
DIR-Floortime Trained Child Developmental Specialist
Sarah joined the CDPL team in August of 2021, and has been a grateful Central California local for the last 10 years. Her experience includes working with children as an arts educator, camp counselor, music/drama teacher, preschool teacher, and professional nanny. Her previous experience also includes working for a non-profit, where she was able to teach art to children in the foster care system within Ventura County. Sarah is passionate about cultivating a loving, accepting, and creative space to help neurodiverse children be able to thrive and express themselves fully. Her extensive background in the creative arts, with a particular focus on process-art, is naturally weaved into her Flootime approach. She is currently earning her B.A. in developmental psychology, with her goal aimed at becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist. She is thrilled to be working with her colleagues on the CDPL team, helping support children and their families towards deeper connection, understanding, and joy with one another.
Tiana Mascagno, AMFT
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, DIR-Floortime Trained Clinician
Tiana is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and joined the CDPLteam in December 2022. She is thrilled to be a part of the DIR Floortime, Early Birds, and Mental Health programs. She earned her master’s degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University and is currently pursuing licensure. Tiana is passionate about working with children and families and has experience as a personal nanny and camp counselor, teaching ESL to students of all ages, after-school programs, and as a residential case worker at a local teen shelter. She believes wholeheartedly in fostering individual strengths and meeting people where they are to support them in reaching their goals. Tiana loves working for an organization that embraces individual differences and embodies the values of person-centered care. She feels grateful to have found the DIR Floortime model and to be working alongside such dedicated clinicians.
Tiana Mascagno
Gloria Michel, ASW
Associate Clinical Social Worker, Bi-lingual DIR-Floortime Trained Clinician
Gloria joined the CDPL team in the summer of 2022 and is an Associate Clinical Social Worker, working towards licensure. She was introduced to the DIR/Floortime model at CDPL and has enjoyed integrating the modality with her clients as it celebrates the client's individual differences and strengths and it is a comprehensive and robust influence on the overall development of the child. Gloria predominately serves Spanish-speaking families and is motivated to work with underserved populations in the community. Gloria received her BSW and Master in Social Work from CSU, Los Angeles. She relocated to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles in 2021 and has been of service to the community since. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, hiking, and traveling.
Gloria Michel
Aly Salazar
Alania (Aly) Salazar
Bilingual Child Development Specialist, Early Birds Program Coordinator
Alania joined CDPL in January 2023 as a Bilingual Child Developmental Specialist in the Early Birds program, providing early intervention services for children from birth to age three. Alania holds a bachelor of science degree in clinical psychology from the University of California-San Diego. In 2024, she earned her master’s degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University-Santa Barbara, specializing in Latinx Mental Health, and is currently pursuing licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy. Now serving as a clinician and program coordinator for the Early Birds program and a clinician for CDPL’s Mental Health program, Alania values working alongside a collaborative team to support individuals and families through a neurodiverse-affirming lens. Born and raised in Santa Barbara, she is passionate about serving both English- and Spanish-speaking communities, advocating and embracing each individual’s unique cultural experiences and perspectives. Outside of work, she enjoys listening to podcasts, running, hiking, and traveling.
Nitaña Rey
Nitaña Rey, AMFT
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, DIR-Floortime Trained Clinician
Nitaña joined CDPL in 2020. She is grateful to have worked with and learned from Pat Marquart before she passed away. Nitaña earned her master’s degree in counseling psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. She earned her bachelor’s degree in World Arts and Cultures from UCLA. Nitaña has worked as a transitional kindergarten teacher’s aide, a dance instructor, a camp counselor, and a mentor at afterschool programs. She has completed parent trainings at the Autism Treatment Center of America, professional development trainings at the Northern California Regional Play Therapy Conferences, in addition to other parent and child classes and courses in neurodiversity. Nitaña loves connecting with children and celebrating their unique gifts and personalities. She feels very fortunate to work with the dedicated team of professionals at CDPL. Nitaña is joining our team of CDPL Therapy Associates as of July 2022 and will be offering psychotherapy services as well through CDPL, under the supervision of the CDPL Director.
Noemi Reyes
Noemi Reyes
DIR-Floortime Trained Clinician, Interim Assistant Director, DIR/Floortime
Noemi joined CDPL in 2018 and she is currently serving as Interim Assistant Director in Ventura County. In this role, she offers support to clinicians through supervision, parent coaching in DIR, as well as providing evaluations and assessments. Noemi is passionate about understanding each child’s individual differences, particularly in supporting them with co-regulation and regulation, engagement, and meaningful interactions among other developmental abilities to enhance children’s socio-emotional abilities. Originally from Mexico, she holds a background in psychology and certifications in Bioneuromotion® and DIR by Profectum. Additionally, she received mentorship from CDPL co-founders and Profectum Faculty members Jeanne White and Patricia Marquart, which has further expanded her expertise in DIR/Floortime as well as in parent coaching. Committed to lifelong learning, Noemi continually seeks to integrate other modalities to provide more strategies to better support families and children. She has dedicated much of her work to supporting the Hispanic community in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, always striving to create a nurturing environment where children thrive.