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.

Fun fact: Brielle’s photography has even been published in Willard & Spackman’s Occupational Therapy, Chapter 50 [Swarbrick & Knis-Matthews, 2023], a core text in OT education—an unexpected but meaningful blend of her creative and clinical worlds!

Alexandra Edwards, MS, CCC-SLP

Director of Speech-Language Pathology

Ali Edwards is the Director of Speech-Language Pathology at Intensive Therapeutics, where she has been dedicated to supporting children and families since 2016. A licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Ali brings both expertise and compassion to her work.

Ali earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Seton Hall University and her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The Pennsylvania State University. She is PROMPT Level 1 certified and has a special interest in helping young children with motor speech disorders find their voice.

With over a decade of experience working with children with hemiplegia through the Helping Hands program, Ali has provided speech, language, and feeding therapy in small group settings, fostering communication skills and confidence. Her clinical background also includes internships at The Lewis School of Princeton, The Lakeview School of Edison, and Children’s Specialized Hospital – Early Intervention Program, as well as experience as a speech-language specialist in public schools.

Ali recently contributed to a research poster presented at the AACPDM conference titled “Investigating the Integration of Speech Therapy into Intensive Small Groups for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy.” She is committed to advancing the field by exploring innovative ways to promote and evaluate the impactful work being done at Intensive Therapeutics.

Outside of work, Ali is a proud mother of three and an avid sports fan who cheers for Penn State, the New York Giants, and the New York Yankees. She loves spending her free time with her family.

Lauren Armenti, MS, OTR/L

Supervisor of Occupational Therapy

Lauren earned both her Bachelor of Science (2017) and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (2018) from The University of Scranton. Throughout her academic training, she gained clinical experience in adult rehabilitation, mental health, and pediatrics, completing her final graduate internship at Intensive Therapeutics.

Since entering the field, Lauren has cultivated a strong clinical foundation across a range of settings, including school-based and in-home occupational therapy services. She has experience co-leading and supporting the development of a prevocational and independent living program as well as an executive functioning skills program for teens and young adults. She also serves as a clinical supervisor for graduate-level interns, including doctoral students, supporting research initiatives such as the integration of wearable eye-tracking technology in pediatric and young adult populations.

Lauren has presented research at national and international conferences, contributing to evidenced-based research to support the effectiveness of intensive, group-based occupational therapy programs for children with cerebral palsy. Her recent presentations include:

“A Pilot Study: An Analysis of a Clinic-based, Small Group, Intensive Occupational Program for Children with Cerebral Palsy”, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

“The Social and Motor Benefits of Group-based Programming for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy”, American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM)

Emma Przyhocki, MS, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Emma graduated with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Misericordia University in 2022. She joined Intensive Therapeutics in September 2023, but her journey with us began much earlier—volunteering during Camp Helping Hands in 2016 and 2017. It was during those summers that she discovered her passion for occupational therapy, making her return as a full-time therapist a meaningful full-circle moment.

Before joining our team, Emma worked as a school-based occupational therapist, supporting students from elementary through high school. She completed her fieldwork in both inpatient/acute rehab and school settings, gaining valuable experience across a range of needs and environments.

At Intensive Therapeutics, her favorite program to lead is Say and Play, where she loves collaborating with speech therapists to help young children build friendships, communication skills, and confidence in a fun, play-based group setting.

Emma also brings her strong sports background into her therapy sessions—something the kids absolutely love. Whether it’s soccer skills, teamwork games, or movement-based challenges, she knows how to make therapy both active and exciting. She’s also working on developing an inclusive sports program to bring the joy of athletics to children of all abilities.

Outside of work, Emma enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and playing soccer. She’s a youth soccer coach and is passionate about sharing her love of the game with the next generation.

Dana Catalano, MA, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Dana is a dedicated and passionate speech therapist who loves to treat across the lifespan. She earned her undergraduate degree in Linguistics from Montclair State University before continuing to graduate school at the same institution to become a licensed speech-language pathologist. Dana is a licensed professional and holds a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). 

Dana has a deep passion for helping individuals with a variety of speech and communication challenges, with a particular focus on voice and motor speech disorders. During her academic journey, she gained valuable experience working in school settings as well as at Intensive Therapeutics, where she honed her skills in treating diverse speech and language disorders. 

Committed to a holistic approach to treatment, Dana pursued additional training in orofacial myology, allowing her to address orofacial myology disorders that impact speech. This training complements her belief in the importance of treating the whole individual, rather than just focusing on isolated symptoms. 

Outside of her professional life, Dana enjoys playing tennis and exploring new places, always seeking opportunities for personal growth and adventure.

Kelly Malanga, OTD, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Kelly earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Kean University in August 2021. Previously, she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation and Human Services with a minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the Pennsylvania State University in December 2017. Kelly’s professional experience includes internships at respected institutions including Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and Intensive Therapeutics. She also conducted her doctoral research on Lifelong Learning for Adults with Disabilities in partnership with the Arc of Somerset County. Prior to joining Intensive Therapeutics in 2024, Kelly worked at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and Children’s Specialized Hospital, where she gained valuable experience working with both adult and pediatric populations. Committed to continued professional growth, Kelly has pursued advanced training in several specialized areas, including NDT baby handling, the Therasuit Method, vision, and sensory processing. In her free time, Kelly enjoys reading, relaxing on the beach, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Jenna Epler, DPT

Physical Therapist

Jenna joined Intensive Therapeutics this year and is so happy to be a part of the team! Throughout her career, she has been passionate about working with children  of all ages and is especially excited about the team-based approach here at Intensive Therapeutics, which emphasizes supporting the whole child rather than focusing solely on physical limitations.

With over a decade of experience as a physical therapist, Jenna has worked across diverse settings and with clients of all ages. Her clinical background includes inpatient neurological rehabilitation, early intervention, vestibular and aquatic therapy, orthopedics. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in 2013, completing a year-long internship in both neurological inpatient and outpatient care.

Jenna has pursued advanced training in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT), myofascial release techniques, and dry needling. She also holds certifications in Vestibular and Concussion Therapy through the American Institute of Balance (AIB), allowing her to specialize in treating children and adults recovering from concussions and vestibular disorders. Most recently, Jenna became Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) – Level A Certified, further expanding her expertise in promoting gross motor development and postural control in children with neurological and developmental challenges.

Outside of work, Jenna loves outdoor adventures such as hiking, skiing, and spending time with family—especially making memories with her nephew and three nieces, who all share her love for soccer!