Kate Ungaro, M.S., OTR/L, CPRCS, CGP

Rooted Regulation
Coming Fall 2025

Hi, I'm Kate - occupational therapist, certified GAPS practitioner, and mom. I created Rooted Regulation to offer something many families are craving: a space to reconnect with nature, nurture nervous system health, and support child development through rhythm, play, and real food.Rooted Regulation weaves together developmental enrichment, outdoor play therapy, nervous system support and GAPS nutritional education - where nature meets nurture for the whole family.You will also meet Keith, my husband and our Rooted Explorers Guide. Keith brings a love for the outdoors and years of experience in aquatics and animal care. He supports our older group with outdoor rhythm, nature-based curiosity, and sensory-rich exploration.As part of our closing week, each Rooted Regulation family is offered a complimentary lifestyle photography session - capturing the joy, connection, and growth experienced throughout the program. Before becoming an OT, I worked as a wedding photographer assistant in NYC and continue to find deep meaning in documenting family rhythms through the lens of natural light and story-rich settings.Follow along on social media: @rootedregulation
Questions or early interest: [email protected]

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Rooted Beginners
Tuesday’s 9am-10am
9/2/25-11/4/25

A Nature-Based Therapy Group for babies ~6-15 Months old
Developmentally appropriate, not rigidly age-basedA gentle enrichment group open to babies roughly 6 to 15 months of age, with all activities tailored to your child's unique stage of development. Whether your little one is working on tummy time, just starting to sit, crawling, or beginning to stand and explore - we'll meet them right where they are while also nurturing the nervous system, emotional wellbeing, and rhythm of the mother alongside them.This group offers space for moms to reconnect with their intuition, share their journey, and learn simple regulation and nourishment tools that support both them and their baby through this foundational window of growth.Supporting:
- Sensory development
- Foundational movement patterns
- Gut-brain health (GAPS aligned)
- Early co-regulation and vagus nerve rhythm
- Emerging emotional regulation

Each session includes caregiver coaching
Leave with tools and insights around:
- Sensory play and rhythm
- Nervous system support
- Primitive reflex integration
- Early gut nourishment using GAPS principles
- How to nurture interoception - the awareness of internal body signals like hunger, fullness, or the need to rest - which supports digestion, emotional expression, and co-regulation between parent and childNature provides the ideal setting offering inclusive opportunities for exploration, curiosity, and regulation.Mixed-age interaction supports shared learning, builds emotional bonds, and strengthens foundational social-emotional development.This is a non-clinical group. It is designed to enrich - not replace - occupational therapy services. Caregivers receive optional education around nutrition and home rhythm tools.

Rooted Explorers
Thursday’s 9am-10:30am
9/4/25-11/6/25

A Nature-Based Therapy Group for toddlers ~2.5-4 years old
Developmentally appropriate, not rigidly age-basedThis group is open to toddlers roughly 2.5 to 4 years of age, who are ready to engage in nature based play with peers. Whether your child is just beginning parallel play, navigating big emotions, or exploring cooperative games - we'll meet them with the right mix of structure, creativity, and regulation-building rhythm.Groups are drop-off style and capped at 6 children, with a 1:3 adult-to-child ratio to support attuned, individualized care.Supporting:
- Emotional awareness and co-regulation
- Nervous system support through interoception and outdoor movement
- Sensory integration and primitive reflex development
- Play-based social skills and peer interaction
- Foundational cognitive, language, and fine motor growth

Each session includes caregiver education
Leave with tools and insights related to:
- Vagus nerve rhythm and play based sensory regulation
- Gut-brain health foundations using GAPS principles
- Social-emotional development through story, nature and routine
- Support for transitions, behavior, and emotional expression
- How to nurture interoception - the awareness of internal body signals - which supports digestion, emotional expression, and co-regulation between parent and child.Nature provides the ideal setting for toddlers to move their bodies, process emotion, and grow in confidenceMixed age play offers gentle peer modeling and opportunities for regulation through connection, movement, and rhythm.This is an enrichment-based group. It is not a replacement for clinical OT. Families may request private OT services separately.

Pricing

Rooted Beginners: $400 for the full 10-week program
A weekly 60-minute outdoor therapy group with caregiver participationIncludes:
- Developmentally appropriate play and sensory activities
- Foundational movement + nervous system rhythm support
- Caregiver coaching on regulation, GAPS nourishment, and primitive reflexesBonus: In week 10, enjoy a photography enrichment session to celebrate your Rooted Regulation journey.
Include's a rotational 10 minute photo slot + 5 edited digital images - capturing you and your baby in a sensory-rich, playful moment of connection.Rooted Explorers: $550 for the full 10-week program
Weekly 90-minute nature based therapy group with drop-offIncludes:
- Developmentally appropriate play and sensory activities
- Movement + social-emotional rhythms to support sensory regulation and peer connection
- Weekly caregiver insights to support co-regulation, behavior & transitions
- GAPS education to support gut-brain healing
- Weekly videos of your child engaging within the session with brief reviewBonus:  Week 10 features a photography enrichment session as a thank-you and keepsake.
Includes a 20 minute individual photo slot + 5 edited digital images - capturing your child in a joyful moment of play and regulation in nature.

1:1 GAPS support: Ideal for families already enrolled in the 10-week OT group or GAPS-only clients seeking targeted support.
This service weaves gut-healing into your child's rhythm. With a focus on sensory nutrition, gut-brain foundations, and nervous system regulation.Rooted Regulation OT Families
Initial consultation: $95 (75 min)
GAPS Only Clients
Initial consultation: $145 (75 min)
Includes:
- Full intake
- Symptom mapping
- Personalized GAPS plan.Follow-up support upon request: $95/hour
Includes:
- Shared Google Doc for troubleshooting & rhythm guidance with messaging access (Wednesdays only)
- Progress mapping and gentle adjustment of food or detox plans
- Parent coaching around co-regulation and nutrition-based supportCOMING SOON: The Rooted Nourishment Membership
Stay connected with seasonal tools, recipes and rhythm support, including:
- Nutritional rhythm toolkit PDF
- Gentle detox and sensory-aware food layering
- Symptom decoding + poop + behavior maps
- Co-regulation check-ins and community care

Kate Ungaro, M.S., OTR/L, is a licensed occupational therapist providing services through Rooted Regulation in accordance with applicable state licensure laws. Some services - such as GAPS nutrition support, rhythm coaching, and wellness education are offered as non-clinical educational services and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace medical or therapeutic care. These services are provided outside the scope of occupational therapy and will be clearly identified as such.