Intensive By The Sea
2-4 week Physical Therapy Intensive Program. Bring your child to receive world-class care and take in the sunshine and beautiful beaches of the greater Sarasota area.
Why an intensive?
After doing in-home therapy for 25 years, I have learned how much progress a child can make when given extra time and hands-on attention. Intensives allow me to help a child make months of progress in just a few weeks and often help a child accomplish bigger goals more efficiently than in a traditional setting!
How does the intensive work?
After a consult call with me, you can book a vacation home or Air BnB for the weeks of the intensive. Once your family arrives, I will spend 2-4 hours every day with your child right at your vacation home. Part of your child’s therapy session may be at a local beach, park, or attraction if it fits into your child’s therapy plan and family’s schedule. When available, I can also add aquatic therapy in your pool, weather permitting. The rest of the time is for your vacation! Go to the beach or enjoy the many other kid-friendly activities here in beautiful Sarasota.
After the intensive, you will return home with a comprehensive written and video home program that is customized for your child’s specific needs and goals. I’m happy to work with your current therapist at home for optimal carryover. I also offer telehealth coaching sessions as an add-on for clients, so you can continue your journey at home.
What is an intensive “by the sea”?
I am blessed to live in the beautiful Sarasota, FL area, home to some of the best beaches in America. In addition to your child getting the care they need, your family has the unique opportunity to take advantage of the awe-inspiring beauty of the greater Sarasota area.
What does an intensive cost?
My desire is for every child to receive the care they need, no matter their financial situation. I offer many different packages and prices to make sure you can find an affordable solution for your family. Travel and housing costs are not included in my program fees.
We accept: Cash, Gardiner/ Family Empowerment/ Step Up For Students Scholarship, credit card, Zelle, and Venmo. I am happy to provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company upon request.
Various foundations provide assistance with the cost of intensives, and I encourage you to research these as well. One example is the Lenn Foundation, whose mission is to assist families of children with cerebral palsy with the cost of their intensives. Many families are successful in obtaining reimbursement for a part of the intensive therapy cost through their insurance company.
So, come relax, and have fun with your family while your child receives exceptional care at their Intensive By The Sea!
Ready to get started?
Your Guide to Sarasota!
Don’t have time to plan a vacation? I’ve got you covered! Check out some of the attractions, beaches, fun activities, and restaurants available in Sarasota that I personally recommend. These are some of our family’s favorite places to have fun, take in the sun, relax, or grab a bite to eat.
Click a category below for more! *Wheelchair accessible locations are marked with an asterisk.
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Beaches:
Sarasota beaches are known world-wide for their beautiful, clear, calm water, ideal for wading in and swimming. We have beautiful shells and white sand. In my opinion, we have some of the best beaches in the world!
*Siesta Key Beach
-Has an ADA mobility mat that allows better accessibility for those in wheelchairs or adaptive strollers; it is located near the concession area
-This beach is wide and flat with super soft sand. It is one of our favorite places to take an evening stroll or to spend the day at.
*Venice Beach
-Service Club Park portion of Venice Beach has an ADA mobility mat to allow better accessibility for those in wheelchairs or adaptive strollers
https://www.venicegov.com/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/59/265
Nokomis Beach/ Casey Key
-This is another one of our favorites because it is typically less crowded.
-Has tons of beautiful shells, but it’s not as wide and flat as Siesta Key Beach
-Parking here is usually pretty easy to find and close to the beach access
Lido Beach
-This beach is wide and flat with super soft sand. Another one of our favorite places to take an evening stroll or spend the day at.
Englewood Beach
Nature and Outdoor Fun:
Oscar Scherer State Park
-Great for hiking or kayaking
Myakka River State Park
-Great for hiking and check out the Canopy Walkway
Emmerson Point (in Palmetto)
The Nest at Robinson Preserve
Rye Preserve
Legacy Trail (biking)
Kayak or Paddleboard
-Mangroves on Lido Key is one of our favorite places to do this, but there are countless other places.
Parks with Playgrounds:
Summerfield Park in Lakewood Ranch
Werlin Park
-Waterfront park
-At the base of the John Ringling Causeway bridge in Sarasota
Bayfront Park/ Island Park and Playground at Marina Jack in Sarasota
Payne Park aka Circus Park in Sarasota
Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota
Arlington Park in Sarasota
*Ashton Legacy Trail Park and Playground in Sarasota
*Rothenbach Park in Sarasota
*Urfer Park in Sarasota
*Lewis Park (wheelchair accessible playground) in Bradenton
*Boundless Adventures Playground at the Garden of the Five Senses in North Port (wheelchair accessible playground) https://www.cityofnorthport.com/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/42/3341
North Jetty Park
-By Nokomis beach on Casey Key
South Lido Park
-By the beach on Lido Key
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Many of these may need reservations or have a long wait during the busy season. Some are for a special night out. All have some kind of local flair.
Columbia
-Saint Armands Circle/Lido Key is my favorite Cuban food and great atmosphere
-One of Sarasota‘s oldest restaurants
Yoders Restaurant and Amish Village
Owen’s Fish Camp - Sarasota
Pop’s Sunset Grill - Nokomis Waterfront
Sharky’s- Venice Waterfront
The Point
-Osprey waterfront
-Amazing burger
-Great seafood and view
Casey Key Fish House
-Osprey/ Casey Key waterfront
Shore
- Saint Armands Circle/Lido Key and Longboat Key on the water
Walt’s Fish Market
- A Sarasota local favorite, seafood that is caught the day you buy it
-Expect a wait, but it’s worth it
Tsunami Sushi
-downtown Sarasota
Max’s Table
-Osprey breakfast or lunch
Breakfast Cottage
-Nokomis, our favorite spot for breakfast
Crop
-Multiple locations especially great for gluten-free, vegetarian, and healthy
Simon’s Coffee House
-Sarasota breakfast and lunch, especially great for gluten-free, vegetarian, and healthy
Island Organics
-Venice
-Especially great for a gluten-free, vegetarian, healthy
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*Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary
https://bigcathabitat.org/
*Mote Marine Aquarium and Laboratory
https://mote.org/
*Ringling
-So much to offer… all amazing!
-Free admission to the Museum of Art and the grounds on Mondays! https://www.ringling.org/
-Circus Museum
-Museum of Art
-Ringling Grounds and Playground (The grounds are accessible but the playground is not)
-Ca’d’zan
Treeumph
*Marie Selby Botanical Gardens https://selby.org/
*Sarasota Jungle Gardens https://sarasotajunglegardens.com
*The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
https://bishopscience.org/
The Children’s Garden and Art Center
http://www.sarasotachildrensgarden.com/
Historic Spanish Point
Shopping
University Town Center
-Has great shops and restaurants
Saint Armands Circle on Lido Key
-Beautiful outdoor shopping area with great shopping and restaurants, has people playing music in the evenings, also very close to the beach
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*Rise and Nyes
-Sarasota This is my favorite ice cream and coffee shop!! Not only do they sell some seriously great ice cream and coffee, but it is run by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and has a focus on jobs, inclusion, and dignity. Be sure to check it out!
https://riseandnyes.com/
Sweet Melissa’s - Nokomis
Bob’s Twist and Shake - Venice
Venice Avenue Creamery
-Downtown Venice
For more ideas, Macaroni Kid Sarasota Venice is a parents’ guide to family-friendly activities.
https://sarasota.macaronikid.com
