ABOUT Us
OUR STORY
Our Story
Dr. Stanley Greenspan had always wanted there to be a clinic that specialized in only providing DIR based services, especially The Greenspan Floortime Approach. After seeing so many ‘floortime’ clinics only using bits and pieces of his framwork, he wanted this clinic to uphold his standards of his DIR Model, and to achieve his outcomes. He wanted to make sure that families could get the comprehensive support they needed onsite as well as the support to effectively implement The Greenspan Floortime Approach at home.
Having no interest in running a clinic himself he approched his son, Jake Greenspan and Tim Bleecker to collaborate and start the clinic themselves. For over a year the three of them planned and developed every aspect of what the ideal clinic would be like. In 2004 The Floortime Center in Bethesda, Maryland, known then as DIR Support Services, opened its doors.
To this day The Floortime Center remains the only clinic in the world to be developed with the assistance of Dr. Stanley Greenspan that provides The Greenspan Floortime Approach. It is our goal to continue Dr. Greenspan’s legacy and provide the highest quality “Greenspan” programs.
Since the start of The Floortime Center in 2004, Jake Greenspan and Tim Bleecker, it’s founder and co-director, have worked with over 3000 families, and have presented 1 to 4-day workshops for dozens of health and educational organizations. In addition to providing The Greenspan Floortime Approach, they have expanded their clinic to include Social Groups, Sensory Integration, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Pathology, Visuo-MotorTherapy, and Feeding Therapy.
Our Mission
At The Floortime Center®, we are dedicated to using Dr. Greenspan’s model and intervention within all of our services to achieve his
developmental goals while providing comprehensive child-centered programs.
When making decisions and designing programs we follow three core principles.
1. What is best for the child and what is best for the family.
2. A comprehensive Greenspan Floortime program must integrate it’s principles within a therapy program, as well as at home by parents.
This ensures maximum benefits and generalization.
3. All learning experiences; academic, social, and therapeutic must be based on encouraging “THINKING”, not adult lead teaching or memorization.
Meet our Team
DIRECTOR
JAKE GREENSPAN
Jake is a graduate of Kenyon College, started working with his father, Dr. Stanley Greenspan in 1998. Together they authored the Functional Emotional Developmental Questionnaire which was published in the Journal of Developmental and Learning Disorders, 2002. He also worked with many of Dr. Greenspan’s colleagues, specifically in the areas of visual-spatial, motor, and social skills, as well as Interactive Metronome training. His work included teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade at a school specializing in learning differences. During this time he also worked with children with a range of developmental and learning challenges using Floortime. Since 1998 Jake worked with Dr. Greenspan, present workshops on the DIR/Floortime model, and help families as the co-director of The Floortime Center. In 2017 Jake authored The Floortime Manual™, and in 2009 he was the co-author, with Dr. Stanley Greenspan, of Overcoming ADHD: Helping Your Child Become Calm, Engaged, and Focused. He is currently on the Board for All The Difference Inc., a Floortime non-profit in Wilmington DE, and is a Founding Member of Creative Minds International Public Charter School.
DIRECTOR
TIM BLEECKER
Tim is a graduate of Kenyon College. For over a decade Tim worked with Dr. Stanley Greenspan and his colleagues. He was fortunate to have seven years of personal mentorship by Dr. Greenspan in areas such as emotional development, family Tim Bleeckerdynamics, and intervention. He has also been trained by specialists in occupational, speech and visuo-cognitive therapy.Tim has worked with many families and children with a wide range of developmental and learning challenges using the Floortime approach. He continues to travel domestically and internationally hosting trainings and presenting at conferences on a wide variety of topics affecting families with children with special needs. Tim has a passion for the Floortime model and enjoys seeing the growth the children and parents make using this wonderful approach.
Head Administrator, Greenspan Floortime Specialist, Academic Program Lead
Marissa Scott
Marissa joined the team as a Greenspan Floortime Specialist with specialization in academic skills in April 2022, and took on the additional role of Head Administrator a year later. Marissa has always been passionate about youth advocacy and empowerment, especially within vulnerable and underserved populations. Prior to joining the team, they taught 5th grade English-language arts for 3 years, and have almost ten years of experience total working with various age groups from early childhood to high school through various program coordination, curriculum design, and teaching roles in Louisiana, DC, and New York.
Marissa was drawn to The Greenspan Floortime Approach after witnessing the impact distance and lack of connection had on their students’ development during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for their special education students. Floortime Therapy provided the perfect model to foster development in a more flexible and child-led setting than was possible in a traditional classroom. Marissa is dedicated to building connections and a safe space through Greenspan Floortime Therapy and creating a solid administrative framework for program execution and implementation at The Floortime Center
Greenspan FLOORTIME SPECIALIST & Center Manager
MARC TOUREILLE
Marc Toureille has been working at The Floortime Center since 2013 and is certified in The Greenspan Floortime Approach. In 2022 he stepped into the role of Floortime Manager to assist with day to day operations. Marc is currently getting his Occupational Therapy Assistant degree from CCBC as well as his Visual Rehabilitation Certificate from PESI. Marc has worked with children and young adults, varying in diagnosis and developmental levels, in social groups, one on one Floortime sessions, and home-based Floortime sessions. Marc is also familiar with Music Therapy as he is a musician and has worked as a Music Therapist at The Spot Children’s Center.
Marc has been in the field since 2008 when started out working at The Sheppard Pratt run programs, The Oakmont School and The Frost School. Marc became passionate about Floortime Therapy while working with a family whose child attended the center and quickly showed a natural talent for developing a child’s skills through the approach. Marc is dedicated to unlocking every child’s full potential and putting them on a path to be successful.
MSOT, OTR
Shannon Scott
Shannon Scott is an Occupational Therapist who completed her undergraduate studies at University of Kentucky & Towson University. She received her Masters in Occupational Therapy & Occupational Science from Towson University. Throughout her life she has had many opportunities to work with a wide variety of individuals with many different abilities. This includes volunteering with therapeutic riding programs & working as a 1:1 support in a school setting. Her clinical experience in graduate school solidified her passion for inclusion as well as working with kids. She has two years experience working at a pediatric outpatient setting where she advocated for a play-based approach to help support each child’s OT goals. During this time she continued growing her knowledge & experience about sensory processing and the importance of integrating sensory opportunities in all sessions. She places so much value in providing patient-centered interventions that are motivating & enjoyable for each child she has the opportunity to work with.
She’s found that these values were an integral part of the Floortime model, therefore she immediately wanted to learn more. She is excited to be a part of the team at The Floortime Center and continue to learn and grow with each child. “I think the approach offered at The Floortime Center is so unique. I enjoy being a part of helping each child reach their full potential! Outside of being a therapist I enjoy spending time with my dog & other pets, painting, horseback riding, paddle boarding, & spending lots of time outside.”
CCC-SLP
Katie Hundertmark
Katie completed her Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Adelphi University and has been practicing as a Speech-Language and Feeding Therapist since 2015. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the International Association of Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing (IAPFS). She is trained in the following therapeutic approaches: PROMPT Level II, Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention, Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants (SOFFI), and SOS Approach to Feeding Therapy, and more. Katie is passionate about her career and about working with children with communication and feeding challenges. Outside of work, Katie loves to run, garden, and travel.
ODT, OTR/L
Ella Tyler
Ella Tyler is an Occupational Therapist originally from Somerville, Massachusetts. She graduated with a doctorate degree in OT from MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston and attended Union College for her undergraduate degree in Psychology. Before graduate school she worked as an instructional aide in a school for kids with various behavioral differences. She worked closely with the OT there and loved everything about the profession and how it helps kids succeed in their everyday activities whether it be at school, home, or their communities. She has experience working with adult mental health patients as well as stroke patients in outpatient settings, but she has always enjoyed working in pediatric settings the most. “Kids are truly a joy to be around and they are incredibly funny. I also just love to play sports and games and kids tend to like doing that as well.”
During her most recent clinical placement at the Lab School of Washington, she focused on sensory integration, Specifically how interoception (one of the senses that relates to knowing when we are hungry/thirsty body-related functioning) can affect a child’s emotional regulation. One of the reasons she chose to work at the Floortime Center is because it incorporates play and sensory integration to improve a child’s social/emotional health. Ella is passionate about helping kids who have more needs/differences than others and am constantly trying to learn more about pediatric health. “I look forward to potentially working with your family!”.
CCC-SLP
Erin Cosgrove
Erin is a speech-language pathologist who joined the Floortime Center in April of 2024. She graduated from Duquesne University with both undergraduate and graduate degrees, then moved to the area where she has been working for the past 5 years. Erin has worked in pediatric SLP in that time, specializing in orofacial myofunctional disorders, feeding, and language acquisition. She has worked with kids with varied diagnoses and levels of need.
When Erin first heard of the Floortime Approach, it resonated with her personal intervention style and she is excited to continue to learn and grow in this position as well as connect with your families!
MSOT, OTR/L
Jennifer Barnes
Patrick McHale is from Fairfax, Virginia and got his BS in Health Sciences with a minor in Pre-Occupational Therapy from James Madison University. He is currently in school at Shenandoah University working towards his Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. He is passionate about working with kids, specifically those with developmental delays. Working at Floortime allows the child to be in charge, and is what he believes to be the best approach for facilitating engagement and progression along milestones as the child develops. In his free time he loves being active (gym and sports) but he currently spends a large chunk of his free time doing some extra studying for school!
Greenspan Floortime Specialist
Regina May Suarez
Regina May H. Suarez is an enthusiastic Floortime therapist who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the Philippines. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree to practice OT in the USA. Working with children is a joy for Regina; she loves the unpredictability and fun each day brings.
Regina is drawn to the Floortime approach because it is so interesting and different from other methods—child-led with a special emphasis on relationships and interactions. She believes that children learn best when they are enjoying themselves, which is what the Floortime approach is all about. Additionally, Regina appreciates how Floortime encourages creativity and flexibility in therapy sessions, allowing her to tailor activities to each child’s unique interests and needs. The approach’s focus on emotional connection and developmental progress resonates deeply with her therapeutic philosophy.
Outside of work, Regina enjoys dancing and spending time with her dog. She often incorporates these interests into her sessions, to which kids enjoy so much. These activities bring an added layer of fun and enjoyment, helping to create a positive and enriching environment for the kids. She is passionate about helping children reach their full potential and is excited to bring her expertise and enthusiasm to the Floortime Center.
Greenspan Floortime Specialist
Patrick McHale
Patrick McHale is from Fairfax, Virginia and got his BS in Health Sciences with a minor in Pre-Occupational Therapy from James Madison University. He is currently in school at Shenandoah University working towards his Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. He is passionate about working with kids, specifically those with developmental delays. Working at Floortime allows the child to be in charge, and is what he believes to be the best approach for facilitating engagement and progression along milestones as the child develops. In his free time he loves being active (gym and sports) but he currently spends a large chunk of his free time doing some extra studying for school!
Greenspan Floortime Specialist
Ari Bliss-Pryor
With a deep passion for supporting children with special needs, Ariana has been a dedicated Floortime Therapist at the Center since 2023. In this role, Ariana works closely with clients providing individualized support and fostering their developmental growth. Ariana holds a B.A. in Psychology from CUNY and is currently pursuing a Clinical MSW at The Catholic University of America. This academic background compliments her practical experience and fuels her commitment to enhancing the lives of her clients. Ariana is focused on furthering her expertise to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with an emphasis on integrating a developmental perspective into her clinical practice. Through her work and studies, Ariana is dedicated to creating meaningful, supportive environments that help children thrive. In her free time, Ariana enjoys baking and taking her five-year-old chocolate lab Penny for walks on the canal.
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calm, Communicative, and Flexible™: A behavior and social-emotional health program