Virginia Spielmann, PhD, OTR/L
Executive Director (she/her)
Courses: Mentorship 1 & 2, ProCert 1&2, Praxis, Game to Grow Level 1-3
Virginia is a well-travelled speaker, coach and educator on topics including sensory integration, DIR/Floortime, child development and infant mental health. She has conducted trainings in Kenya, Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and the USA and leads workshops at international conferences.
Virginia is a founder and former Clinical Director of SPOT (Speech, Physical, and Occupational Therapy) Interdisciplinary Children's Therapy Center in Hong Kong, where she led a large and widely respected inter-disciplinary team.
Virginia obtained her BSc in Occupational Therapy in Oxford England (2002) and her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Mount Mary University, Milwaukee (2018). Virginia obtained her PhD in Infant and Early Childhood Development (with an emphasis on mental health) from Fielding Graduate University in 2021.
Virginia is a DIR/Floortime Training Leader and Expert and clinical consultant for the Interdisciplinary Council for Development and Learning (ICDL). Her extensive pediatric experience includes supporting autistic children and their families, as well as children with Sensory Processing Disorder, infant mental health issues, from adopted families and those who have experienced developmental trauma.
Presenter Disclosures:
- Presenter receives a fee from STAR Institute for presentations of courses.
- There are no other relevant financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
Anna Knox, OTR/L, CEIS
Lead Instructor (she/her)
Courses: Foundations, Mentorship 1, STAR ProCert 1
Anna Knox is a pediatric occupational therapist based in Massachusetts as well as a member of the adjunct faculty of Salem State University’s OT program. She completed her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at Salem State University, where she conducted her graduate research on barriers and supports to co-leisure of young children and their caregivers. Anna has been working closely with children and families for over 10 years with specialty training and certifications in Sensory Processing & Integration, Pediatric Pelvic Dysfunction, Trauma-responsive practices, Early Intervention, Listening Therapies, and DIR/Floortime. She has worked with a diverse pediatric population from birth through age 21 and their families in the home, school, community, and clinic setting. Anna is guided by her professional values to provide affirming client and family-centered care to support her clients in developing joyful engagement throughout all areas of life. She is a proud life-long learner who loves to share in clinical conversation and knowledge sharing to support caregivers, students, and professionals. In her leisure time, Anna loves playing pickleball, skiing, and spending time with her dog Jasper.
Presenter Disclosures:
- Presenter receives a fee from STAR Institute for presentations of courses.
- There are no other relevant financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
Cintia C. Cortez, MS,OT
Instructor (she/her)
Courses: Foundations, Mentorship 1, STAR ProCert 1
Cintia C. Cortez Penso is the founder and current director of 7Sentidos Grupo de Integración Sensorial (7Senses Sensory Integration Group), a private practice based in Mexico City. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Universidad Iberoamericana and a Master's in Occupational Therapy from Instituto de Terapia Ocupacional.
She has advanced training in sensory integration and processing (SIPT training, STAR ProCert Level 2, “MAGO” Model, and Willbarger Protocol beyond others). Cintia is also trained in Integrated Listening Systems (ILs), feeding therapy (SOS), DIR /Floortime (ICDL), and has obtained several certifications on a variety of other models and techniques related to child development.
Throughout her career she has gained experience working in hospitals, schools, and private clinics. She is involved in research and enjoys teaching a variety of courses.
As a person with Sensory Processing Disorder challenges herself, she is passionate about helping others understand sensory processing and its link with emotional regulation, relationships, social skills, and learning. Her goal is to promote more evidence-based practice in Latin America.
Presenter Disclosures:
- Presenter receives a fee from STAR Institute for presentations of courses.
- There are no other relevant financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
Allison Cost, OTR/L
Instructor (she/her)
Courses: Mentorship 1, Praxis
Allison Cost ("Alli") is a pediatric occupational therapist with 15+ years of experience rooted in neuroscience-informed care, blending sensory processing, movement, and relationship-based approaches to help children build regulation, resilience, and confidence in everyday life.
Alli earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from Texas Tech University. Her professional certifications include those from STAR, DIR-Floortime, Dynamic Movement Interventions (DMI), and Dynamic Neuromuscular Rehabilitation (DNS). Alli’s career has encompassed early intervention, integrative medicine, and leadership roles in health and movement education, giving her a holistic perspective on development across the lifespan. Driven by a passion for health equity, Alli has served in Americorps and twice in the Peace Corps, shaping her culturally informed, creative approach to care.
Presenter Disclosures:
- Presenter receives a fee from STAR Institute for presentations of courses.
- There are no other relevant financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
Adam D. Davis, MA Ed
Lead Instructor (he/him)
Courses: Game to Grow Level 1-3
Adam co-founded Game to Grow and is a principle architect of the Game to Grow Method of Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games. With a degree in drama therapy from Antioch University Seattle, he has provided training to hundreds of professionals in TA-RPG and spoken to thousands about applied gaming. Adam is published in the field of geek therapy, with his most recent publication being Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games: The Game to Grow Method. In addition to his work with Game to Grow, Adam also developed the CoRe Gaming program for Seattle’s Atlantic Street Center to teach Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills using video games, served as an educator at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo, and taught fourth-grade literacy.
Presenter Disclosures:
- Presenter receives a fee from STAR Institute for presentations of courses.
- There are no other relevant financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
Tara Rossow, OT
Instructor (she/her)
Australia
Courses: Foundations
Tara is an experienced Senior Occupational Therapist who has worked in Paediatrics since her graduation from James Cook University in 2012. She has considerable experience working with children who present with diverse neuro-developmental, mental health and complex needs and abilities.
Tara is passionate about helping children and families to achieve their individuals goals and aims to do this through empowering families. Her therapy motto is "It's not hard to make it easy" and Tara strives support families to develop their own skills set that enables to meet their individual child's and family needs.
Tara has worked across both Australia and the United Kingdom in a wide range of roles from private practice, national and state health services, secure mental health hospitals and within schools and community.
Since her return to Australia in 2023 with her family, she is working within the National Disability Insurance Scheme as a provider in the community and in schools in North Queensland.
Presenter Disclosures:
- Presenter receives a fee from STAR Institute for presentations of courses.
- There are no other relevant financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.