About Us

Why RISE?

Occupational therapists by trade, Beck and Morgan recognized the lack of self-directed and individualized programming for young adults with disabilities in the DC area. As former school based therapists working with transition-aged students ages 18-22, Morgan and Beck strive to provide every young adult in the DMV area with opportunities and skill-based day programming to RISE to their full potential.

RISE also recognizes the need in the DMV area for supportive, innovative, and creative occupational and speech therapy services for clients across the lifespan. At RISE we believe that clients make the most progress when the entire support team works together. We focus on practicing skills in the community as well as integrating individualized visuals, modifications, and accommodations in order to support clients in meaningful daily activities.

Our mission is to Redefine Independence for all clients we serve. We strive to create supportive, strengths-based, and meaningful activities for our programs and aim to ensure that every stakeholder in a client’s life journey is involved and valued. 

We are passionate about fostering independence and self-manifested success for each client we work with - identifying and creating materials, adaptations, modifications, and strategies that ensure lifelong growth and success.

  • Beck Giallella M.S., OTR/L (they/he)

    FOUNDER, PROGRAM MANAGER & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

  • Morgan Smith M.S., OTR/L (they/them)

    FOUNDER, PROGRAM MANAGER & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

  • Samantha Crooks, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP (she/her)

    SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST & ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST

  • Sonika Singh, M.S., CCC-SLP (she/her)

    SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST & AAC SPECIALIST

  • Marissa Barber (she/her)

    DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL & SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

  • Mikia Bassett (she/her)

    DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL & STAFF TEAM LEAD

  • Briona Bennett (she/her)

    DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONA & ATTENDANCE TEAM LEAD

  • Montaya Bruce (she/her)

    DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

  • Hattie Jones (she/her)

    DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

  • Sakelia Perry (she/her)

    DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL & ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM LEAD

  • Diamond Shields (she/her)

    DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL & ACTIVITIES TEAM LEAD

  • Tierra Tate (she/her)

    DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

  • Marlon Zanders (he/him)

    DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

Certifications, Training & Experience

  • National Board Certified in Occupational Therapy and licensed to practice occupational therapy in the District of Columbia and Maryland.

  • Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Certified.

  • Assessment of Motor and Processing Skills (AMPS) Certified - An observational assessment that measures the performance quality of tasks related to activities of daily living (ADL) in a natural environment aimed to determine areas of strengths and needs in occupational therapy services.

  • Pediatric Special Needs Aquatic Therapy Training completed (12 hour course)

  • Over 8 years of combined experience in supporting Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device users.