Meet Destyni, an Occupational Therapist with the McKibben & Monte team in Detroit who is passionate about helping children build meaningful skills that support independence and confidence. Destyni earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Medicine from Saginaw Valley State University, where she developed a strong foundation in pediatric care and functional development.

Destyni’s favorite part of being an occupational therapist is witnessing the moment a child masters a skill for the very first time. She was inspired to pursue occupational therapy by her mother, an educator and special education paraprofessional, and always knew she wanted a career centered on helping young people develop skills that truly matter in everyday life.

When Destyni begins working with a child, her priority is to meet them exactly where they are. She focuses on discovering what brings each child joy and excitement, knowing that fun and connection are key to building trust and supporting meaningful progress. This relationship-first approach allows her to create engaging, motivating therapy sessions that promote growth across feeding, motor, and executive functioning skills.

Destyni’s favorite children’s book is Broken Crayons Still Color by Toni Collier, and as a child she loved reading One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss. Outside of work, she is happiest spending time with friends and family and enjoys expressing her creativity through crafting. With her warm, thoughtful approach, Destyni brings encouragement, playfulness, and purpose to every child and family she serves.