About Us

Play Grow Shine was founded by two likeminded professionals in the pediatric therapy world who recognize the need for collaborative, holistic, and child-centered care.

We know that seeking out care can be an overwhelming process, and we wanted to create a place to support both children and their families.

Our main goal is for your child to feel increased confidence, competence, and most importantly joy as a result of their participation in therapy services, and subsequently, their parents and caregivers as well.

Jessica Kent Dowd (OT)

Jess has been practicing in pediatrics for over 10 years, after earning her masters from the University of Southern California in 2015. As the daughter of two psychologists, who went on to babysit and teach kids karate, she learned at a young age the value of combining activity and movement with children’s emotional well-being and overall regulation. This led her to the field of occupational therapy, and it’s been a match made ever since. Following 10 years of experience in well-respected outpatient pediatric clinics with focuses on sensory processing and sensory integration, Jess has even further come to value to the impact that this input can have on a child’s development and engagement with their world. While Jess has extensive experience in clinical supervision, creating trainings, and presenting to staff and paraprofessionals, her true love is in OT sessions, working directly with children and their families.

Personally, Jess has recently returned to central Massachusetts, following moves to the west coast and Greater Boston. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, camping, crafting, and weekends in Cape Cod.

 Jess is certified and/or trained in the following modalities:

  • STAR Institute Advanced Intensive Mentorship

  • SOS Approach to Feeding

  • Treating Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents

  • Mindfulness for Children with ADHD and Sensory Processing Challenges

  • Using Sign Language with Pediatric Patients

  • Food, Nutrition, and Health

  • Visual and Vestibular Assessment and Treatment (From Eyesight to Insight)

  • Pathological Demand Avoidance- Therapists and PDA Masterclass

  • Integrated Listening Systems and Safe & Sound Protocol

  • Therapeutic Listening

  • Rhythmic Movement Therapy- Reflex Integration

Emma (Dowd) Peck (SLP)

Emma has worked as a pediatric speech pathologist for 4 years after first working as a speech language pathology assistant. Emma earned both her undergraduate and masters degrees from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has experience working in private practice, school, and hospital settings. While Emma has had the opportunity to work with clients ages 1-104, the majority of her clinical experience (and passion) lies with the pediatric population. Emma feels strongly about building strong rapport with clients and families to promote speech and language carryover. She provides therapy for children with language delays, speech sound disorders, apraxia, social skills, feeding difficulties, and more.

In her personal life, Emma enjoys workout classes, skiing, hiking, and spending time on Cape Cod with friends and family.

Emma is certified and/or trained in the following modalities:

  • AEIOU Feeding Therapy

  • LSVT Loud for Life

  • Basic Sign Language

  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

  • Gestalt Language Processing