About Gayle
Hi, I’m Gayle Vardakis, MS, OTR/L, founder of Empowering Roots Occupational Therapy.
I provide nature-based pediatric occupational therapy for children and families throughout the Seacoast New Hampshire area, supporting regulation, development, and meaningful participation in daily life.
My work is grounded in connection and curiosity, and in the belief that children thrive when therapy is meaningful, relational, and aligned with how they naturally learn and grow.
My why
Growing up, I spent much of my life alongside my youngest sister, Michelle, who was born with complex medical, developmental, sensory, and neurological challenges.
As her older sister, I witnessed both her strengths and the ways the world often misunderstood her needs.
Through my time with Michelle I learned that meaningful support begins with truly seeing a person for who they are and loving them unconditionally. That growth and change happen on each person’s own timeline, and it is so incredibly important to hold space for a person just as they are in that moment.
This perspective is at the heart of my work as a pediatric occupational therapist. It guides how I support children and families today by understanding patterns that may be impacting regulation, development, and daily life, while helping children build greater confidence, connection, and participation through supportive relationships and environments.
Professional background and clinical approach
Early Clinical Experience
I earned my Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University in 2008. My experience spans hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practice, rehabilitation, and home health settings across the lifespan.
I began my career in traditional clinical environments, where I built a strong foundation in evaluation, intervention, and functional skill development.
The Shift Toward Child-Led Practice
Over time, I shifted toward a more individualized, play-based, and child-led approach to therapy — one that aligned more closely with how children naturally learn through movement, play, and connection.
Outdoor Learning and Play
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our family’s non-profit preschool and kindergarten, Acorn School, transitioned fully outdoors.
What began as a temporary shift revealed something lasting — children became more grounded, engaged, and confident in natural environments.
As the program continued outdoors, it became increasingly clear how deeply nature supports regulation, sensory processing, and meaningful play.
I first supported this work as a parent and board member, and later joined the teaching team, becoming a certified TimberNook teacher and integrating my occupational therapy background with outdoor, child-led learning.
What I Observed in Children
When children were given time in nature, movement, and meaningful play, they became more regulated, engaged, and connected.
Sensory needs were better supported. Emotional regulation became more accessible. Children were able to participate in play and learning in ways that felt natural and sustaining.
This reinforced what I continue to see in my work today — that children thrive when their environments support their nervous systems, allow for exploration, and honor how they naturally learn and grow.
Integration Into My Clinical Practice
This foundation allows me to understand child development from both a clinical and real-world perspective, and to support children in ways that are grounded, responsive, and individualized.
What Guides My Work
I believe children thrive when they feel connected, seen, understood, and supported in environments that honor how they naturally learn.
I focus on regulation, confidence, motor skills, social-emotional development, and participation in daily routines through a relationship-based, play-centered approach.
Let’s Connect
If you’re exploring whether this approach is the right fit for your child, I’d be glad to connect.