Get to know me
Hi, I’m Gayle Vardakis, MS, OTR/L, founder and sole pediatric occupational therapist at Empowering Roots Occupational Therapy. I live in the Seacoast NH area with my husband and two sons.
I earned my Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University and have worked in the field of occupational therapy for over 17 years. My journey into this work began with my youngest sister, Michelle, who was born with unique challenges. As her big sister, I witnessed firsthand the power of compassionate, individualized support. That experience continues to shape the way I approach therapy today, which is grounded in connection, curiosity, and the understanding that growth happens best when therapy feels natural, playful, and meaningful to your child.
While my practice is rooted in play, creativity, and nature, it’s also informed by years of experience and evidence-based practice. I blend my strong foundation in occupational therapy with specialized training in outdoor-based programming. My greatest joy is helping children bloom in their own unique way.
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MS, Occupational Therapy - Tufts University, Boston School of Occupational Therapy
BA, Psychology - University of New Hampshire
Licensed Occupational Therapist in the State of New Hampshire
Certified through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
My Early Roots:
My Sister Michelle
For thirty years, my youngest sister Michelle shared her beautiful light with this world. She was born with medical, physical, neurological, developmental, and sensory challenges that shaped both her life and mine. Michelle didn’t fit into the boxes the world expected her to. I saw her as vibrant, wise, radiant, and whole, and she is who inspired me to be the person I am today.
Walking alongside her as she navigated a world that often tried to “fix” her taught me one of my greatest lessons: the most powerful support comes from truly seeing someone for who they are. Michelle’s journey introduced me to occupational therapy and showed me the impact it can have when rooted in compassion and thinking outside the box.
Becoming an OT:
Searching for Meaningful Practice
Inspired by Michelle, I earned my Master’s in Occupational Therapy in 2008. Throughout my OT career, I have worked in traditional medical and clinical settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation, and home health care. While I gained valuable experience and helped many individuals meet their goals, I often felt something essential was missing. I longed for a more creative, authentic, and individualized approach to support people.
That answer came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when our family’s cherished non-profit preschool and kindergarten transitioned fully outdoors. What began as a temporary solution for children to attend school revealed something powerful: the students became more regulated, resilient, and engaged with their learning and surroundings. The outdoor setting naturally provided just-right challenges, encouraging measured, healthy risks that supported growth. Sensory needs were met naturally, play was boundless, and learning was deeper.
The school ultimately chose to remain primarily outdoor-based, recognizing the profound impact that nature has on children’s development and well-being. Even before the pandemic, the school was among the first to become TimberNook Certified and has continued to be a trailblazer in early childhood education outdoors.
I joined this community first as a parent and board member, helping to design and implement outdoor learning spaces. Over time, I became part of its innovative teaching team, supporting a classroom and working with young children in the school’s woodland campus.
During this journey, I became a certified TimberNook teacher, blending my OT background with child-led, nature-based learning and play. It was in puddles, forts, and under the woodland canopy that I felt moments of clarity. I realized how occupational therapy can be most transformative and meaningful when it happens through child-led play in natural settings. These experiences clarified my approach and vision for therapy, and this is where I truly found my roots.
Finding My Roots in Outdoor Learning
The Turning Point: Nature as Therapy
At the same time, I was seeing similar transformations in my own children through their preschool and elementary-aged nature programming during the pandemic. In the midst of so much uncertainty, being outdoors provided a sense of normalcy and connection. They played freely in the woods with peers, explored their surroundings, and found joy and regulation that anchored them through the chaos. These moments shaped our family’s lifestyle and informed my clinical perspective.
Nature became the space where I saw true healing and growth take place. I came to fully understand: nature is more than a beautiful setting - it is an essential part of therapy.
My Mission
I founded Empowering Roots Occupational Therapy to provide care that is meaningful, individualized, and holistic. My goal is to help each child thrive in their unique way that feels grounding, joyful, and empowering. True progress happens when children feel safe, seen, and supported.
If you are seeking an approach that is child-led, grounded in nature, and authentic to your child, I would be honored to walk this journey with you.
With Warmth,
Gayle Vardakis, MS, OTR/L
Founder, Empowering Roots Occupational Therapy