The children's therapy team At Uplift Therapy Center
Talin Yacoubian
OTD, OTR/L, CAS
Our practice was founded by Talin Yacoubian OTD, OTR/L, CAS, a skilled occupational therapist who brings years of advanced training and experience to her work with young individuals and their families.
Dr. Talin attended the University of Southern California (USC) and was committed to the field of occupational therapy from the start. She earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Degrees in Occupational Therapy from USC.
Dr. Talin also has advanced training and holds a Certified Autism Specialist (CAS) certificate from an accredited organization, which attests her competence and commitment to the field of autism.
Dr. Talin is passionate about her field and started Uplift Therapy Center (UTC) to assist young individuals and their families to help excel in their everyday life. She has experience in school-based, in-home and in-clinic pediatric occupational therapy services. She enjoys partnering with her young clients and their parents to make real progress and see lasting, positive changes.
Dr. Talin founded UTC in 2019 providing in-home services to the pediatric population. Due to high demand and a large number of positive referrals, in July 2022 UTC expanded to a clinic space in La Cañada, CA.
Christine Hemelians
MS, OTR/L
Christine graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from California State University, Northridge in 2015. She received her Master of Occupational Therapy from California State University, Dominguez Hills in July 2020.
As part of our children’s therapy team, Christine has a passion for working with kids of all ages and experience working in the pediatric OT setting providing services in-clinic and in-home.
She works with children, with various diagnoses, who have fine motor and gross motor delays, feeding and oral motor difficulties, sensory processing issues, visual motor, and visual perceptual difficulties, and global developmental delays.
In her free time, she enjoys exercising, traveling, and painting.
Madison L. Gwizdalski MS-CCC, SLP
Madison L. Gwizdalski, MS-CCC, SLP has over six years of experience as a licensed and certified speech pathologist, working with local school districts and early intervention programs in California.
She has experience evaluating and working with children age 18 months old through 5 years old with a variety of speech and language delays and disorders.
Madison holds extensive training and experience working in early intervention with students who are late talkers, children with complex communication needs, and those who have articulation and phonological delays.
Madison holds a BA in Psychology with a Minor in Education from UC Davis and an MS in Communication Disorders from the University of Redlands.
Deborah Lee MS, OTR/L
Deborah Lee was born and raised in Los Angeles, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree from UCLA and her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Loma Linda University.
Deborah always had a passion for kids and her affinity towards working with the pediatric population grew since completing her pediatric rotation. She enjoys utilizing her creative, vibrant, and empathetic characteristic traits to its fullest potential to ensure that not only the children but also the parents are meeting their needs through occupational therapy services. And most importantly, she believes in having fun during sessions!
During her free time, Deborah enjoys hanging out with her friends, dancing, and is a huge food connoisseur, as she loves exploring new restaurants and trying new food!
Ani Oganesyan, MA, OTR/L
Ani graduated with a BS in Human Development, alongside a BA in Psychology from University of California, Davis in 2015. She then returned to Los Angeles and received her Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California.
Growing up, Ani always knew she wanted to work with people. As she completed her pediatric rotation, she found great joy working with children and their families to help them achieve independence in activities of daily living. Ani has worked with children of all ages and abilities. She has also has experience in outpatient clinics, early intervention, and both home and telehealth settings.
In her free time, Ani enjoys spending time with her dogs, travelling, exercising, and listening to music/podcasts.
Get in Touch With The Children’s Therapy Team at
Uplift Therapy Center
Uplift Therapy Center provides pediatric occupational therapy and speech & language services. Our licensed and compassionate children’s therapy team members are here to support families and children of all ages. If you are not sure whether your child may benefit from our services, call us to schedule a free consultation. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.