Our Philosophy
I started Connected Therapy LLC with a mission to meet families where they are—literally and figuratively. We offer relationship-centered, neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy services at home, at school, and in the community. Our clinical approach is grounded in relational neuroscience, sensory integration, and trauma-responsive care. We aren't in the business of fixing kids: Kids aren’t broken! We collaborate with care-givers to support regulation, resilience, and real-life growth where it matters most.
Meet our team
Holly Timberline, OTR/L, IMH-E
Infant Mental Health Specialist (IMHS)
Holly is a child-centered, trauma-responsive occupational therapist whose work is grounded in attachment theory, polyvagal theory, and neuroscience. A parent of four, she brings lived experience and empathy to her practice, along with advanced training or certification in pediatric trauma, sensory integration, AAC, autism, Early Intervention, craniosacral therapy, and Therapeutic Listening. She is a Safe and Sound Protocol provider, an endorsed Infant Mental Health Specialist, and a graduate of Robyn Gobbel’s year-long training for professionals, which teaches relational, neuroscience-informed strategies to support parents of children with challenging behaviors.
Before becoming an OT, Holly spent 20 years as a writer/editor, performing arts teacher, and birth/postpartum doula – roles that continue to inform her relational, play-based approach and strong communication with families. She served six years on the board of the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association and is the editor of two books: Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors by Robyn Gobbel and The Connected Therapist by Marti Smith. Holly founded Connected Therapy to offer in-home OT and parent coaching that centers connection, co-regulation, and joy.
Christa Kurbel, OTR/L
Christa is a compassionate and insightful pediatric occupational therapist who brings deep knowledge of nervous system regulation and a patient, playful presence to her work with children and families. She has a special interest in feeding and mealtime dynamics and is trained in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding, the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, and a wide range of additional approaches to feeding challenges.
Christa’s clinical training includes reflex integration, infant massage, Therapeutic Listening, visual perception assessment and intervention, and the Powerfully You self-regulation framework. She has also completed Mary Massery’s courses, which explore the relationship between breathing, core stability, and postural control—foundational skills that impact a child’s ability to move, attend, and regulate.
A mother of two spirited young daughters, Christa brings lived experience to her work with parents and is often practicing the very same strategies she teaches. She is a passionate advocate for neurodiversity and inclusion, offering grounded, strengths-based support to help children thrive in their own unique ways.
Dora Coakley, OTR/L
Dora (she/her/hers) a licensed Occupational Therapist in Virginia with over 18 years of experience supporting children and families. She began her career in NYC working with children with developmental delays, autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, fine motor challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, and other developmental needs. Over the past three years in Virginia, she has expanded her experience in mental health.
She believes every child is unique and thrives when their strengths, interests, and individual needs are recognized. Dora's approach is fun, encouraging, and family-centered, with a focus on building confidence, independence, and skills that carry over into everyday life at home, school, and in the community. She enjoys partnering with families to develop practical strategies that support meaningful progress.
Outside of work, Dora enjoys spending time with her husband and their two teenagers, cooking, exploring holistic wellness, and enjoying the outdoors. Her faith and family are important parts of who she is and inspire her to approach her work with compassion, gratitude, and purpose.
Community Partners
Sarah Bostaph
AuDHD Educator, Advocate, and Mentor
Sarah is an Autistic and ADHD (AuDHD) family advocate, educator, and parent coach based in Richmond, Virginia. A Virginia native, they bring over 13 years of experience in child development, family advocacy, and individualized service coordination, with a professional background spanning child welfare, early childhood education, and mental health systems. Sarah also has lived experience as a late-identified neurodivergent adult and is the parent of a neurodivergent child.
Sarah specializes in neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed support for autistic and ADHD individuals and their families. Their work focuses on helping people understand their nervous systems and build individualized routines and environments that support regulation, connection, and daily life.
Sarah has extensive experience with IEP advocacy and enjoys empowering caregivers to be active participants in their child’s education. Through coaching, advocacy, and education, Sarah champions accommodation and collaboration—supporting families and systems in creating more inclusive, accessible spaces where neurodivergent people can thrive.
Join our team
Connected Therapy LLC seeks a part-time contract occupational therapist to join our small, highly relational pediatric practice. We specialize in neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-responsive care for children and families in their homes, schools, and community settings. Our work emphasizes sensory processing, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and social connection. We partner closely with parents and caregivers to support each child's adaptive functioning and foster the well-being of the whole family.
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Contract position; part-time with potential to grow.
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You manage your schedule and caseload with the (optional) support of Connected Therapy’s systems.
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Competitive per-session pay.
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Mentorship and collaboration available.
If you’re committed to supporting children in a way that honors their nervous systems, builds connection, and gently helps them build skills, we’d love to hear from you. Send a resume and short note about why this approach resonates with you to: office@connectedtherapyrva.com
Student opportunities
We occasionally welcome aspiring or current OT students to shadow or volunteer with our small, relational pediatric practice. We specialize in neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-responsive care in homes, schools, community settings, and through our nature-based OT groups. These groups offer a unique opportunity to observe how sensory experiences and outdoor play support regulation, social connection, and emotional growth.
Students can observe group sessions, learn about sensory processing and regulation, and assist with non-clinical tasks. There are a small number of opportunities to observe individual client sessions and see firsthand how we partner with parents and caregivers.
To inquire: Email office@connectedtherapyrva.com with a short note about your interest and availability.
