Meet The Team

Kimberly has been an occupational therapist since 2012, earning both her Master’s and Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California. Her clinical background spans adult mental health (in-patient and out-patient), community-based early intervention, and multidisciplinary Sensory Integration clinics.

She is SIPT-certified and has completed extensive training in feeding, eating, and mealtime challenges for infants, toddlers, and children, using a whole-body, neurodevelopmental approach.

Kimberly is passionate about connecting theory to real-life practice, helping caregivers better understand their children and feel more confident in their parenting. She has also consulted with pediatric dental clinics and guest-lectured to dental residents on supporting neurodivergent children.

Her care is family-centred, holistic, and evidence-informed, rooted in trust and attuned, playful connection.

Additional Training:
Tethered oral tissues, infant oral dysfunction, sensorimotor development, USC/WPS Sensory Integration Program, MORE, SOS Approach to Feeding, Get Permissions Approach, Visual Rehabilitation for Pediatrics, Safe & Sound Protocol.

Special Interests:
Ayres Sensory Integration, motor and praxis, feeding and eating challenges, early intervention, and supporting neurodivergent populations across home, school, and clinical settings.

Dr. Grant combines clinical precision with a calm, compassionate approach to support families in the earliest months of life. As a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and graduate of Boston University’s Dental and Pediatric Residency programs, he has advanced training in infant oral restrictions, including tongue- and lip-ties.

With two young children of his own, Dr. Grant understands how tender (and overwhelming) the early days can feel. He partners closely with families, lactation consultants, and feeding therapists to offer individualized care that is thoughtful, gentle, and grounded in evidence. His goal is to help babies feed more comfortably, and parents breathe a little easier.

Suyin is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with over 19 years of experience supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and the early stages of parenthood. Trained in the UK as a Registered Nurse and Midwife, and certified in Canada as a Postpartum Doula with CAPPA, she brings a deep understanding of infant and maternal care to every family she supports.

At The New Years, Suyin provides comprehensive lactation care, helping parents navigate all aspects of infant feeding—from establishing breastfeeding and managing supply or latching challenges, to supporting bottle or combination feeding. Her approach is calm, compassionate, and evidence-based, tailored to meet each family’s unique needs and goals.

Suyin is a part of the Oral Restrictions Journey team, where she works collaboratively to support oral function. Her special interest in tethered oral tissues allows her to provide holistic, family-centered feeding support during the crucial early years.

Suyin is fluent in English and Malay. She can also speak conversational Cantonese and Hokkien.

Tristan is a Registered Nurse (RN), International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and a mother of two amazing breastfed girls. She was born and raised in Toronto and returned from a period away in the US to settle in York Region with her family. Tristan has a BSc in Biology and a BScNursing from UofT but also trained in lactation at the International Breastfeeding Centre. She has continued her education with training into how oral function impacts feeding. With over 17 years of experience in healthcare and 10 years in the community providing feeding support, Tristan has a wealth of knowledge and skills to share with families that she communicates with warmth and understanding. Tristan enjoys spending time with her family outdoors in all seasons including dog walks with her lab, downhill skiing or backcountry camping.

Tristan is a part of the Oral Restrictions Journey team, where she works collaboratively to support oral function by taking her lactation expertise to families in their homes.

Dr. Danielle Essel, ND is a Naturopathic Doctor with specialized training in pregnancy, postpartum care, pediatrics, and neurodivergence (ASD/ADHD). Being a mother and a life-long learner herself, Dr. Danielle recognizes the importance of receiving health care from someone who truly listens, is determined to find answers, and gets efficient, long-lasting results.

Dr. Danielle supports individuals and families through every stage of growth: from general reproductive health, to preparing for pregnancy, through postpartum care, and into the early years of a child’s health and development. She believes that by nurturing good habits early in life, both in pregnancy/postpartum and for children, you set the stage for long-term thriving. Her holistic approach considers gut function, sleep, nutrition, stressors, immune function, mental health, and other key factors that influence health. Using naturopathic approaches, she tailors treatments to each individual’s needs, drawing on holistic nutrition, nutritional supplements, botanicals, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, medicinal cupping, and homeopathy.

In sessions with Dr. Danielle, you can expect a blend of warm listening, a greater understanding of your health condition, and a personalized plan that helps you feel confident in achieving your health goals. For Dr. Danielle, health care is more than fixing symptoms. It’s about equipping you to feel confident in your own body and empowered to make choices that support your wellbeing.