Our Team

We take pride in the extensive training, theoretical knowledge, and exceptionally high standard of care upheld by our clinical team.

Guided by the NeuroGym® methodology, techniques and patented tools developed by our Founder Avi Nativ PhD PT, our therapists are uniquely equipped to enable motor recovery and ensure active, effective strength training. We treat individuals of all ages and can provide services in English, French, & Hebrew.

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Avi Nativ, PhD

Owner, Founder
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Nir Zaltsberg,
MScPT

Clinic Director, Owner,
Physiotherapist

Eric Heiden,
MSc R.Kin

Chief Operating Officer, Owner, Kinesiologist

Sara Seaman, MScPT

Physiotherapist, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

Stéphane Fournier,
BSc HK R.Kin

Kinesiologist

Olivia Fiarchuk, BSc, MAS R.Kin

Kinesiologist

Roxanne Cloutier, PTA/OTA

Physiotherapy Assistant

Vanessa Darlington

Physiotherapy Assistant

Peng Tan, R.M.T., R.Kin

Kinesiologist, Registered Massage Therapist

Radinka Jeyathas RSSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker

Zeinab Garda, MHSc SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Holly Devine

Clinic Administrative Assistant

Janet Nativ, MSc

Owner

Interested in Joining our Team?

At NeuroGym®, we’re proud to employ an exceptional team of clinicians. If you’re interested in joining our team, you can explore our current career opportunities.

Current Job Listings

Zeinab Garda, MHSc SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Zeinab became a Speech-Language Pathologist in order to help patients along on their journey to recovery, striving to help them find quality of life despite any challenges they may be facing. She feels she learns as much about life from them as they learn from her about speech, language, and deglutition.

After obtaining her BA with Honours in Cognitive Sciences of Language at McMaster University and her Masters in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Ottawa, Zeinab began her career as a Speech-Language Pathologist, practicing in Ontario and Québec, in both private and community settings. Using her knowledge and experience, Zeinab has now launched her own practice: Hummingbird Speech Therapy.

Most recently, Zeinab joined the NeuroGym® team to work with our unique clientele. She brings her experience working with Stroke rehabilitation, neurodegenerative conditions, and swallowing disorders as well as her focus on offering engaging and functional patient-centered care based on clients’ interests and research-based best practices. 

When Zeinab isn’t practicing Speech Therapy, she can be found spending time with her dog, cooking and trying new cuisines, or working on digital art and acrylic paint projects.

Qualifications:

  • BA Cognitive Sciences of Language – McMaster University
  • MHS SLP – University of Ottawa
  • Registered Speech-Language Pathologist – College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario and Ordre des orthophonistes et audiologistes du Québec
  • SPEAK OUT!® Certification from the Parkinson Voice Project
  • MoCA Certification

 

Treatment Languages: English, French

Sara Seaman, MScPT

Physiotherapist, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

Sara became a physiotherapist to help people achieve a healthier and more active lifestyle. She has a passion for helping individuals regain abilities they’ve lost and participate in activities they’ve been unable to due to neurological injuries or conditions.

After obtaining her BSc in Human Kinetics at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Sara traveled even further to complete her Master’s of Physical Therapy at the University of Limerick in Ireland. Despite loving to travel, Sara is an Ottawa native and ultimately decided to come back home to begin her career. After joining NeuroGym® in 2021, Sara has thrived in the field of neurorehabilitation, applying her knowledge and skills to a diverse clientele.

Sara’s active approach to therapy and focus on working towards improved abilities and independence aligns itself well with NeuroGym®’s movement enabling methodology. Using her education and experience, Sara develops individualized treatment plans and provides education for each client based on their specific goals and abilities.

Most recently, Sara completed The Physical Therapy Approach to Female Urinary Incontinence course from the Canadian Pelvic Health Academy and is now doing Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for female patients.

When Sara isn’t at the clinic, she can be found travelling, hiking, skiing, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog Maggie.

Qualifications:

  • BSc in Human Kinetics – St. Francis Xavier University (2018)
  • MSc PT – University of Limerick (2021)
  • Registered Physiotherapist – College of Physiotherapist’s of Ontario
  • The Physical Therapy Approach to Female Urinary Incontinence course from the Canadian Pelvic Health Academy

 

Treatment Language: English

Radinka Jeyathas RSSW, RSW

Travailleuse social agréée

Radinka est travailleuse sociale agréée et fondatrice et clinicienne principale de Make a Move Life Counselling. Canadienne d’origine sri-lankaise et tamoule, elle possède plus de 10 ans d’expérience en services thérapeutiques en milieu communautaire et privé partout en Ontario.

L’approche thérapeutique de Radinka consiste à vous reconnecter à votre esprit afin de voir, d’entendre et d’exprimer vos schémas de pensée. Ceci permet de créer des interruptions constructives et de favoriser un développement personnel qui améliorera votre perspective et transformera votre relation à votre corps.

Qualifications: 

  • Social Service Worker Diploma – Seneca Polytechnic (2014)
  • BSW in Social Work – Toronto Metropolitan University (2021)
  • Double Inscription – Travailleuse social et technicienne en travail social – L’ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des techniciens en travail social de l’ontario

 

Langage de traitement: Anglais

Avi Nativ, PhD BScPT

Owner, Founder

The NeuroGym® concept was founded over 30 years ago by Avi Nativ PhD (Kinesiology), BScPT. Avi received his doctoral degree in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo, and was a registered physiotherapist in Ontario for more than 25 years. While doing his doctoral and post-doctoral research work, Avi’s focus was on brain organization, plasticity and rehabilitation.

Avi was intrigued with scientific research findings that indicated the remarkable capacity of the brain to adapt after injury, and envisioned how such plastic changes could be encouraged through inventive ways of enabling more patient-initiated, active movement rather than the more conventional passive therapy approaches. Through rigorous research, he developed a line of custom, patented equipment and an evidence-based, active approach which combined have been providing amazing opportunities for those with neurologic injuries (even years post-acute) to continue to improve their motor skills.