About RISE
Discover the story, mission, and experienced team behind RISE Pediatric Intensive Therapy.
Our story
RISE began with one simple belief: every child deserves real progress—without waiting years for it.
Founded by two pediatric therapists, Aliza Sackin and Nicole Readie, RISE was created to offer a better path forward for families navigating developmental delays, disabilities, and neurodivergence. After witnessing the incredible impact of intensive therapy, and seeing too many children plateau in traditional weekly therapy, they set out to design a therapy practice using a model that accelerates outcomes—and honors the urgency families feel.
Today, RISE is one of the only providers in Northern New Jersey offering integrated Occupational and Physical Therapy in a high-frequency intensive format. Our approach is rooted in research, powered by experienced hands, and designed around one goal: helping children gain meaningful independence faster.
Mission, Vision, and Purpose
Our Mission
To provide effective, specialized therapy in an intensive format that empowers children and their families to rise to their potential.
A world where families can enjoy their children more fully—celebrating who they are, while building skills for greater independence, connection, and joy.
Our Vision
Our Purpose
We exist to help children thrive—by delivering breakthrough therapy that’s faster, smarter, and designed to change the trajectory of their development.
What Makes Us Different + Why Parents Choose RISE
Dual OT +
PT Integration
RISE is one of the only pediatric therapy programs in Northern NJ where Occupational and Physical Therapy are fully integrated, not siloed. That means stronger results in less time.
We offer PT, OT and Speech and Feeding all in one place with experienced health professionals that have a multitude of certifications and credentials.
Interdisciplinary Care
Our intensive model (2–3 hours/day, 5 days/week) is designed to help your child make months of progress in just a few weeks.
Faster, Measurable Progress
Small Practice,
Big Heart
Unlike large health systems, we’re a small, focused team that treats every child like our own. Families often tell us: “We’ve never felt this seen, heard, or supported before.”
Advanced, Evidence-Based Techniques
We’re trained in cutting-edge approaches like DMI, TASES, Whole Body Vibration, and sensory integration—and we tailor each plan to your child’s specific goals.
Continuation of Care
We provide weekly DMI, PT, OT, and SLT sessions to support and build upon the progress your child achieved during their intensive program. Once our patient, ALWAYS our patient. We will always be there to offer our support in any capacity even when your intensive has ended.
Our Approach to Pediatric Therapy
At RISE, therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all—and it shouldn’t move at a one-pace-fits-all speed.
Our main service model here at Rise are intensive programs; a neuroplasticity-based approach to pediatric therapy. By concentrating therapy into a short window—2 to 3 weeks of multiple daily sessions—we’re able to help children make faster gains during crucial developmental windows.
Custom-Tailored
Every child gets a plan built around their strengths, differences, and family life, where therapist and caregivers collaborate to make a bespoke, cohesive therapy plan.
Dual-Discipline
OT and PT work in tandem, so there’s no disconnect between skills like movement, balance, sensory processing and function.
Play-Based and Engaging
We turn hard work into meaningful play that motivates kids to keep trying. We prioritize regulation and making sure your child feels seen and heard.
Parent-Inclusive
We coach and collaborate with caregivers every step of the way, so progress doesn’t end when the session does.
Meet the Founders + Experts
Dr. Aliza Sackin PT, DPT — Physical Therapist & Co-Founder
Aliza (pronounced: UH-lee-zah) (she/her) has been a practicing pediatric physical therapist since 2014. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the New York Institute of Technology and her undergraduate degree in Biobehavioral Studies from the University of Vermont. Her diverse clinical background includes experience in adult and pediatric orthopedics, inpatient and sub-acute hospital settings, and eight years of early intervention work in New Jersey. Aliza has also trained under an NDT-certified therapist, which continues to inform her therapeutic approach alongside Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI).
Aliza is Intermediate Level A certified in DMI (1 of 5 in New Jersey) and holds training and certifications in TASES, NISE, and will soon be certified in Pediatric Gait Analysis & Orthotic Management (OSKAR). Aliza first discovered the power of DMI after one her early intervention patients completed a three week DMI intensive and immediately signed up for her first course. She was one of the first physical therapists to become certified in DMI back in 2021.
As a fellow NICU mom, Aliza is especially mindful of the emotional journey families experience. She prioritizes caregiver support and emphasizes the importance of setting functional, meaningful goals for each child. She believes in celebrating individuality, focusing on each child’s unique strengths, and looking beyond a diagnosis to help them reach their fullest potential.
Outside of her professional work, Aliza enjoys spending time with her husband and their two energetic young boys.
Nicole (she/her) has been practicing as a pediatric Occupational Therapist since 2016. She earned her Master’s in Occupational Science from Ithaca College in 2015 and has worked in NYC, London, and throughout New Jersey. Her career spans schools, community services, Early Intervention, outpatient hospitals, and private practice.
She is Intermediate A certified in DMI (1 of 5 in New Jersey) and also holds training and certifications in TASES, NISE, Neurodevelopmental Treatment, DIR/Floortime, and Strengths-Based Approach to Autism. Nicole knew from a younger age that she wanted to work with children, and discovered the career of OT when she was just a teenager. She quickly realized that OT was what she was meant to do and has been building her therapeutic tool box ever since! Nicole is passionate about inclusion, creating a more accessible world for those with disabilities and neurodiversity-affirming care that fosters belonging and dignity for all. Nicole is driven by a commitment to supporting families from a holistic, empowering perspective and focusing on each child’s strengths and joy.
In her downtime, she enjoys nature, travel, music and cozy evenings with her husband, dog Beacon and two cats.
Nicole Readie, MS, OTR/L — Occupational Therapist & Co-Founder
Caitlin is an Occupational Therapist with over a decade of experience. She earned her Master's Degree in Health and Medical Sciences, specializing in Occupational Therapy, from Seton Hall University in 2012. She began her career working in adult rehab, but her true passion for pediatrics emerged as she transitioned to early intervention, private practice, & school-based settings.
Throughout her career, Caitlin has pursued advanced training to enhance her expertise in working with children, particularly those with medical complexities. She is deeply committed to helping children develop essential skills in feeding, earning specialized certifications in Nutritional Science and the S.O.S. Approach to Feeding. She is also passionate about making leisure and play accessible to children with a wide range of needs. She is constantly innovating and adapting toys and environments to ensure that every child can engage in meaningful, accessible play experiences.
Outside of her professional life, Caitlin is an enthusiastic advocate for children with differing needs and enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters on their farmette. At the Junio family farm, she and her family care for goats, chickens, dogs, and cats, embodying her love of family and nature.
Caitlin Junio, OTR/L — Occupational Therapist
Tiffany Landazabal, PT, DPT — Physical Therapist
Tiffany (she/her) is a pediatric physical therapist who has been practicing since 2023 after earning her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Seton Hall University. Her background experience includes emergency medicine, adult orthopedics, acute care hospitals, aquatic therapy, as well as pediatric inpatient and outpatient facilities. Tiffany is also bilingual in English and Spanish.
Tiffany is currently level B certified in DMI and excitingly awaits the level C course. She is trained and certified in NISE-Stim (non-invasive spinal electrical stimulation). Tiffany recently participated in the first ever DMI mission trip to the Philippines and is dedicated to giving back to the community whenever she can. She has seen how DMI positively impacts gross motor development in her patients, and is committed to continuously learning new techniques to help children reach their potential and empower them to overcome the challenges they face.
When she is not working, Tiffany loves to take walks along the boardwalk and beach, travel to new places, take naps with her dog, and chase her cat around the house.
Jessica Janocha M.S. CCC-SLP, IBCLC, QOM — Speech-Language Pathologist
Jessica is a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 12 years of experience supporting children and families. She earned her undergraduate degree from Northeastern University and her graduate degree from New York University. With a background in award-winning hospital systems, Jessica brings clinical expertise to even the most medically complex cases. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Qualified Orofacial Myologist (QOM), and holds certifications in VitalStim, PROMPT, and Myofascial Release.
Jessica specializes in pediatric feeding, focusing on medically complex infants and children with feeding difficulties, tethered oral tissues, and delayed progression to solids. She also supports early communication and AAC users. As a Neurodiversity-Affirming practitioner, she honors each child’s unique communication style and developmental path. Jessica's passion deepened when her son was born prematurely: “Being a mother to a fighter lit a fire underneath me to provide the best care for all of my patients—I see my son in all of them.”
Outside of work, Jessica loves spending time with her husband and son—exploring new towns, finding hidden gems, and being outdoors. She’s passionate about travel, a book lover, and always on the hunt for the perfect coffee shop.
Aileen is our amazing therapy aide and is currently pursuing her degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant. She has been assisting Aliza and Nicole with DMI exercises since 2021 and brings years of experience in childcare, including four years as a nanny for a child with disabilities, which has given her extensive insight into supporting children with diverse needs.
Aileen has a natural ability to connect with and motivate our patients while maintaining a calm, nurturing environment. Aileen is also bilingual in English and Spanish. Her versatility, dedication, and compassionate approach make her an integral part of Team Rise. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as our aide extraordinaire and jack-of-all-trades.
When she is not working she enjoy traveling, playing video games, spending time with family and trying new hobbies like rollerskating!
Aileen Borja — Clinic Aide
Beacon is Nicole’s 1 year old husky-hound mix who was rescued from North Carolina. Nicole had been looking to adopt a dog for a very long time, but wanted to find the right one who had the perfect personality to be trained to work with children. She found him after connecting with Strong Paw Rescue who is run by a pediatric OT, so she knew exactly the kind of dog who would fit in with Nicole’s lifestyle and career! This handsome fur baby loves all people (especially kids), has mastered basic training and is on his way to become a certified therapy dog by 2026.
His hobbies include going for long walks, playing with other dogs at the park, sneaking nibbles of post-it notes and really any kind of paper, and snoozing in the Rise office. We promise you’ll fall in love with his sweet personality and baby blue eyes!
Beacon — aspiring therapy dog
Certifications & Credentials
We stay at the forefront of pediatric therapy because your child deserves care that’s not only compassionate—but cutting-edge. We’re constantly learning, innovating, and refining—so your child can keep rising.
For example, in April 2025, we studied, trained and became DMI Intermediate A Certified.
We are 2 of 5 Therapists in New Jersey to have this advanced certification.
Less than 100 do globally.
Our Other Certifications
