Our team is diverse, yet driven by a single focus: the children we serve.
Carol Taylor
MOT OTR/L
Carol is Owner and Clinical Director at PLAYmatters. She founded the clinic in 2001 in Atlanta, GA to consult, support and advocate for children and their families.
Carol tries to strike the ideal balance between Clinician & Compassion. She believes that thoughtful and truly empathetic care can sometimes get lost in traditional occupational therapy practices. Fiercely optimistic, Carol has a heartfelt passion for both the profession and for children and the families Play Matters serves.
"We are a family's biggest cheerleader. We want to instill confidence with parents and teachers and act as a trusted advisor. In the process, we hope to educate families and the school community."
Uncommonly resourceful, Carol continuously finds creative ways to engage children. She is also extremely well connected within the OT community and is known for her ability to make appropriate recommendations to additional resources outside of her practice.
As a pediatric occupational therapist, her areas of expertise include Sensory Integration (SI), visual-motor, ocular motor & visual perceptual development, auditory intervention, as well as being a DIRFloortime Practitioner.
With a degree in Special Education, a Master of Occupational Therapy and experience as a teacher in the public school system, Carol knows the academic environment firsthand. She is an expert in working with teachers and school staff to incorporate sensorimotor activities in the classroom to facilitate learning as well as play development. She continues to consult at many Atlanta area public and private school, child development centers, and preschools and has been featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
She has been a guest lecturer at both local and national conventions and a featured presenter in graduate level courses at several universities. Outside the clinic and school settings, she enjoys spending time with her family and staying current on the needs and challenges of today's families.
Amy Mace
OTR/L
Amy, our Lead Occupational Therapist, comes to us with over 18 years of experience under her belt. Originally from Pennsylvania, by way of South Carolina, Amy has proven to be a perfect fit for our clinic. Due to her easy-going demeanor and quick adaptability, she is able to develop strong, nurturing, and mutually respectful relationships with all her clients.
Amy’s steadfast professionalism is only outmatched by her convivial personality, which is always present and made clear by the laughter that constantly flows from her sessions. She adds creativity and excitement to everything she does, and this makes her a huge hit with her clients and pretty much anyone who crosses her
path. Amy has a knack for turning the mundane into the extraordinary, making even the most boring tasks stimulating and fun.
Amy received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Elizabethtown College in 2000. She also spent two years at the University of Southern California as a working professional while she earned her Certification in Sensory Integration. Amy is trained in several protocols, such as DIR/Floortime, AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers, The Size Matters Handwriting Program, and Sensory Regulation in Children with Autism, ADHD, and Sensory Disorders, just to name a few. She also has experience in Handwriting Without Tears and Astronaut Training. Amy also has an incredibly well-rounded occupational therapy background, having treated adults and children in a multitude of practice settings, including schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities.
Not only is Amy an outstanding therapist, but she is also an experienced public speaker, having been a guest speaker at several conferences in South Carolina and Pennsylvania. Amy’s finely-honed skills and laid-back personality have made her a fan favorite at Play Matters. Her vast knowledge and experience have made her an invaluable resource to our wonderful families, and to us as well. She has been a wonderful mentor to our interns, and is an inspiration to the whole PLAYmatters family.
Dr. Nicole May
OTR/L
Nicole May was born and raised in Atlanta, where her journey into occupational therapy began years ago when she accompanied her brother to his OT sessions. Since then, she always envisioned working in pediatrics and fulfilling her passion of making a difference in the lives of children. Nicole loves finding fun and playful ways to support her patients to engage in therapy. She also likes coming up with creative and practical ways for families to support their children’s goals.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from University of Alabama and her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Georgia State University. Nicole has presented at the Georgia Occupational Therapy Conference on “Kinematic Analysis of Motor Impairments in Stroke Survivors” and has conducted research on “The Development of Sensory and Coregulation Techniques to Improve Self-Regulation for Children Affected by Lockdown During COVID.” Her diverse fieldwork experience includes working in schools, pediatrics, and orthopedics, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of various patient needs.
Hannah Monell
OTR/L
Hannah recently made Atlanta her home in July 2024, relocating from Austin, Texas. Originally from northern Kentucky, she's thrilled to be closer to her family. With a passion for pediatric occupational therapy, Hannah has been dedicated to supporting children since 2019, working across various pediatric settings. She believes in creating a fun, uplifting, and supportive environment that empowers children to be their authentic selves.
Hannah champions neurodiversity, encouraging children to leverage their unique strengths to navigate their world. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Spalding University and a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance from the University of Louisville. Hannah is trained in the MNRI (Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration) Approach, the Handwriting Without Tears program, The Astronaut Training Protocol, the Therapeutic Listening Program, and holds a DIR-Floortime Basic Certificate.
Maria Torres
COTA/L
Maria Torres is an accomplished and compassionate Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant who brings extensive training and professional experience to her work with children and families. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology before advancing her career in occupational therapy, giving her a strong foundation for understanding both the developmental
and emotional needs of children.
Maria is recognized for her ability to build meaningful connections with children and to design therapy that is both engaging and impactful. She leads individualized sessions that support sensory processing, motor development, and self-regulation, always tailoring her approach to help children gain confidence and independence at home, in school, and in their communities. She is also highly skilled in conducting occupational therapy screenings, developing personalized intervention plans, and collaborating effectively with families, teachers, and other professionals to ensure each child’s success.
Her professional development includes training in reflex integration, the Astronaut Training Program, and DIR/Floortime—specialized approaches that enhance her ability to address each child’s unique strengths and challenges. Families consistently value Maria’s expertise, steady presence, and genuine commitment to helping children thrive.
Julia Wesley
OTR/L
Julia brings a strong foundation of clinical experience and a deep, personal connection to the field of occupational therapy. Raised in Augusta, Georgia, by a mother who is a practicing COTA, Julia was introduced early to the impact of therapy on children’s lives. That lifelong connection evolved into a professional calling, leading her to earn a Master of Health Science in Occupational Therapy from Augusta University and a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Georgia, where she graduated cum laude.
Julia has gained hands-on experience in pediatric outpatient clinics, schools, daycares, and medical rehabilitation settings, supporting children with a wide range of needs. She has worked with children diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, Trisomy 21, Cerebral Palsy, brain injuries, and sensory processing challenges, providing interventions that support regulation, sensory integration, motor coordination, feeding, social-emotional development, and school readiness. Julia has also collaborated with speech therapists, educators, and families to ensure meaningful carryover across home and school environments. Her additional work in neurorehabilitation with adult and geriatric clients further deepened her clinical reasoning and strengthened her therapeutic skill set.
Known for her creativity, warmth, and intentionality, Julia meets each child with curiosity and respect—building connection through play and infusing therapy sessions with purpose and fun. She is passionate about designing sessions that reflect a child’s interests and strengths, helping them grow with confidence and joy.
Outside the clinic, Julia enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering with disability-focused organizations, and exploring the outdoors.
Jada Johnson
Client Services Manager
Jada brings a calm, welcoming presence to the front office at PLAYmatters and is often the first friendly face families see when they arrive. With a strong background in healthcare administration and client coordination, Jada is skilled at helping families navigate scheduling, intake, and the many moving parts of a busy pediatric clinic. She has a special interest in pediatric care and is passionate about creating smooth, supportive experiences for our families. Her thoughtful, organized approach ensures that each child and family feels seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.
Outside of work, Jada enjoys spending time with family and friends, discovering new spots around Atlanta, and continuing her professional development in child-centered environments.