ABOUT
Meet Our Therapists
'Miss Liz'
Elizabeth Rybnicky, MS, OTR/L, ASDCS, ADHD-RSP
Liz brings a whole-person, integrative lens to pediatric care — an approach shaped in part by her own journey with chronic illness, which fueled her pursuit of advanced training to treat patients across the lifespan, from infancy onward. She is a neurodivergent-affirming, child-guided practitioner committed to seeing each child within the context of their whole nervous system and development.
Liz graduated with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and a minor in psychology from the University of Scranton. Her clinical expertise spans orofacial myofunctional therapy, primitive reflex integration, sensory motor-based feeding, and nervous system regulation in complex pediatric populations. She addresses tongue posture, oral motor patterns, and airway function through an occupational and nervous system lens — recognizing that myofunctional patterns reflect and influence overall regulation, sleep quality, and behavior. She works seamlessly within collaborative care teams, providing assessment and rehabilitation protocols that honor both the structural and neurological dimensions of airway development.
Certifications & Credentials:
• National Board-Certified Occupational Therapist
• Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS)
• Credentialed ADHD Rehabilitation Service Provider (ADHD-RSP)
• Rezzimax Certified Ambassador
• Myomunchee Certified Practitioner
• Licensed in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Utah with Texas, Florida, and Virginia.
Trainings & Courses Completed:
• Airway Circle’s advanced practice program (Myo Circle)
• Unlocking Jaw Secrets® with Myofunctional Therapy and Beyond
• Beckman’s oral motor assessment and intervention training
• Lincoln Institute of Psychology’s workshops to administer all modules of the ADOS-2
• Upledger Institute International's CranioSacral Therapy 1 (CS1): Assessment of Central Nervous System and Fascia for Full Body Treatment Protocol
•Upledger Institute International's CranioSacral Therapy 2 (CS2): Moving Beyond the Dura for Assessing Acute and Chronic Conditions
'Miss Sam'
Samantha Lancia, BA, COTA/L, CPRCS, PAM
“Miss Sam” is a licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L) in both New York and New Jersey with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rutgers University and an Associate’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Eastwick College. She is Beckman Oral Motor trained and is also a Certified Primitive Reflex Specialist (CPRCS), bringing a unique lens to her work with children who experience developmental, postural, or sensory challenges.
Her therapeutic style is neurodivergent-affirming, child-led, and relationship-centered. Sam believes in meeting each child exactly where they are, supporting progress through connection, trust, and play. Families appreciate her gentle demeanor, creativity, and ability to make therapy feel safe and empowering.
Sam has completed The Myo Approach’s education and coursework and is continuing her education in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy to deepen her understanding of oral motor development, breathing, and functional feeding—building on her passion for whole-child wellness.
'Miss Andria'
Andria Procopio, M.S. OTR/L, CHHC
Andria is a pediatric occupational therapist with over a decade of experience helping children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, developmental delays, and learning challenges. She earned her bachelor’s in Health and Exercise Science from The College of New Jersey and a master’s in Occupational Therapy from Seton Hall University.
Driven by her personal journey with autoimmune issues and food sensitivities, Andria deepened her practice to include holistic wellness. In 2015, she became a certified health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She brings specialized training in the SOS Approach to Feeding and the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol to her work with children facing feeding challenges and oral motor difficulties.
Andria blends evidence-based tools like Handwriting Without Tears and The Zones of Regulation with integrative approaches that support emotional, motor, and sensory development. Her sessions are playful, personalized, and rooted in collaboration with families to support the whole child. She is also the creator of Rainbow Food Explorers, a play-based feeding program for selective eaters ages 3 and up, offered at multiple locations across Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
