Staff

Scott Matthews, OT, MS

Executive Director

Scott is the founder and Executive Director of Intensive Therapeutics. Prior to becoming an occupational therapist, Scott was a social worker for 7 years in both pediatric and geriatric settings. In 1997, Scott graduated from Kean University with a post-baccalaureate major in occupational therapy. He earned a post-professional Master of Science degree in Health Science, with a specialization in movement science, from Seton Hall University in 2005. As an occupational therapist, Scott has worked in various settings with adults and children. He has been an adjunct professor at Kean University.

Alexandra Clayton, MS OTR/L

Director of Therapy Services

Alexandra earned her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Kean University in January 2013. Previously, she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Rutgers University in May 2009. During her time at Kean, Alexandra completed a pediatric internship with Intensive Therapeutics, and an internship in adult rehabilitation at Universal Institute. She has gained experience from working in a variety of pediatric settings including the New Jersey Early Intervention Program, as an independent contractor for the New York Board of Education, and as a staff occupational therapist at a pediatric private clinic in New Jersey and New York. Alexandra has worked summers at Intensive Therapeutics since 2013, and started full-time in December 2014.

Brielle Hassa, MS OTR/L

Director of Occupational Therapy

Brielle earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Kean University in 2015, after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Substance Abuse Counseling at Ramapo College of New Jersey in 2012. During her studies, Brielle gained valuable experience through a pediatric internship with Intensive Therapeutics and an adult neurology internship at Kessler Institute’s outpatient rehab. She also contributed to research on children with hemiplegia, focusing her master’s thesis titled “How Goals Identified on the COPM Change for Children with Hemiplegia at a CIMT Camp Across Factors of Age, Gender, Time, and Botox: A Retrospective Study.”

Brielle has also worked as an independent contractor in New Jersey schools and in-home care, offering a wide range of support to children and families in various settings. She’s also pursued additional training and education in the areas of sensory processing, cortical visual impairment, and primitive reflex integration. 

One of Brielle’s favorite therapy programs to lead is Ready Set Ride, where she gets to see kids experience the pure joy of ditching their training wheels and cruising on two wheels for the first time. There’s nothing quite like the moment a child realizes they are capable—they light up with confidence as they join their friends and take off, often leaving their parents (and Brielle) cheering and a little teary-eyed.

Outside of work, Brielle loves spending time outdoors, whether she’s soaking up the sun at the beach (always a book in hand) or exploring the mountains. She also works part-time as a landscape and lifestyle photographer, capturing the beauty of nature and the connections between families.

Alexandra Edwards, MS CCC-SLP

Director of Speech-Language Pathology

Ali is a speech-language pathologist who joined Intensive Therapeutics in June 2016. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA and licensure in New Jersey. Ali completed her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Seton Hall University in May of 2013. Previously, Ali obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in human development and family studies from the Pennsylvania State University in May of 2011. During her time at Seton Hall, Ali completed three clinical internships at The Lewis School of Princeton, The Lakeview School of Edison, and Children Specialized Hospital – Early Intervention program where she provided speech and language therapy to children ages birth to 12 with a variety of special needs. Ali has previously gained work experience as a certified speech-language specialist working in a public school setting providing individual and small group speech and language services for preschool and kindergarten special education students with a wide range of disabilities.

Alyssa Pascua

Office Administrator

Alyssa completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and Sport Studies with a minor in psychology from Rutgers University in 2017. During her final semester, she completed an undergraduate internship with Intensive Therapeutics; she officially joined the team in September 2017. While completing her degree, Alyssa gained experience working in a variety of settings including childcare, an optometry practice, and in-school settings for children with special needs, including the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center at Rutgers, a school for children with autism spectrum disorder, where she was an undergraduate fieldwork intern.

Lauren Armenti, MS OTR/L

Supervisor of Occupational Therapy

bio coming soon

Tara Horvat, MA CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Tara found her passion to begin a career in speech-language pathology after watching her younger sister work with a speech therapist for years throughout their childhood. She began her journey by obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from Montclair State University with a minor in Communication sciences and disorders, as well as a minor in cognitive science. Tara was accepted into the Montclair State University Master’s program for Communication Sciences and Disorders where she completed two internships, one at the Adler Aphasia Center in Maywood and the other at Intensive Therapeutics! Tara is a certified speech-language therapist in NJ, and she currently holds a certificate of clinical competence from ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association). Tara also has experience working with school aged children as a substitute teacher, a 5th grade paraprofessional, and as a gymnastics coach for 6 years. Tara loves using a multi-sensory approach in her sessions inspired by her love for cheerleading, gymnastics, and yoga.

Photo coming soon

Dana Catalano, MA CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Bio coming soon

Photo coming soon

Kelly Malanga, OTD, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Bio coming soon

Photo coming soon

Casandra Lambert, MS, OTR/L

Director of Adult Services, Occupational Therapist

Bio coming soon