Meet Giselle La Rosa

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Giselle La Rosa. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Giselle below.

Giselle, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

When people ask me where I get my work ethic from, I reflect on the generations before me—those who sacrificed everything to build a better future. My passion for providing speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy to children in Broward County is deeply rooted in the lessons of perseverance and dedication I learned from my family.

I spent my early years in an environment where fear often overshadowed security. My parents’ relationship was far from happy, and as a child, I witnessed things no child should have to see. Despite the struggles, my mother never gave up. She pushed through adversity and fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a police officer, demonstrating that resilience and determination can lead to success, no matter the obstacles.

My grandfather was another pillar of hard work in my life. He never relaxed—his entire existence revolved around creating stability and prosperity for his family. My grandmother, too, worked tirelessly to build a home for us. Her mornings began at 4 a.m. with Cuban coffee, a cigarette, and the radio playing as she prepared for a long day of cooking and cleaning. Their stories of struggle, of working the land in Cuba before leaving behind everything they knew, shaped my understanding of sacrifice and perseverance.

Hard work was all I ever knew. My family never settled—they envisioned a better future and worked relentlessly to achieve it. After my parents divorced when I was young, I saw firsthand the life I didn’t want for myself. My father, who battles mental illness and homelessness, has had his own struggles, yet even he possesses an undeniable work ethic. Though we do not have a relationship, his journey serves as a reminder of the importance of stability, resilience, and the choices I make for my own children’s future.

My grandparents gave up their homeland, their house, and their families—never returning to Cuba—all to offer future generations the opportunities they never had. That sacrifice drives me. It is a responsibility I have chosen to carry, not as a burden, but as an honor and privilege.

Through my business, Happy Play Therapy, I channel that work ethic into something meaningful—helping children and their families access high-quality speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy in Broward County. I believe in chasing dreams, not waiting for them to come to you. That same relentless pursuit of a better future is what I strive to instill in my own children and in the families I serve.

Every day, I wake up knowing that my work is not just a job—it is a testament to the sacrifices of those before me and a commitment to creating a brighter future for the next generation.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am the founder of Happy Play Therapy, a pediatric therapy clinic in Broward County dedicated to providing speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy to children in need. My journey into this field is deeply personal—rooted in a lifelong passion for helping others and shaped by my family’s legacy of resilience and determination.

What excites me most about my work is the ability to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives. Every child is unique, and at Happy Play Therapy, we embrace a neuro-affirming, sensory-friendly, and play-based approach that fosters confidence and communication. We believe in meeting children where they are, celebrating their strengths, and providing therapy in a way that feels natural and engaging.

Since opening our doors in July 2024, we have expanded significantly, growing our team to include multiple therapists specializing in various disciplines. We have even expanded our location to a much larger suite! Looking ahead, we are excited to continue expanding our services, collaborating with local professionals, and hosting community events to raise awareness about pediatric therapy. We are co-hosting an upcoming Autism Sensory Event with Florida International University on Sunday, April 6th, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Tree Tops Park.

In addition to my role as a business owner and clinician, I am also a mother to two wonderful children—a 5-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son. My son has a rare genetic condition called Tatton-Brown-Rahman Syndrome, which affects fewer than 1 in 1 million individuals. This personal experience has deepened my understanding of the challenges families face when seeking specialized support and has reinforced my commitment to providing compassionate, individualized care to every child who walks through our doors.

I am also an author, and my children’s book, Unbroken, shares a message of resilience and self-acceptance. It is available in both Kindle and paperback formats and aligns with my mission of empowering children and families.

At Happy Play Therapy, we are not just providing therapy; we are building a community where children can thrive, parents feel supported, and every child’s voice is heard. I am honored to do this work and look forward to continuing to grow and serve families in our community.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are confidence, resilience, and determination.

First, confidence played a huge role. It wasn’t about having all the answers but learning to let go of the fear of the unknown. Accepting that it’s okay to not know everything but still move forward was key. I had to trust that I would figure things out along the way.

Second, resilience was critical. Failure isn’t the end—mistakes happen, and it’s important to give yourself grace. But resilience means not letting those mistakes derail you. You must want your goal more than anything, even when things don’t go as planned.

Finally, determination. Don’t wait for others to be on board with your ideas. If you believe in something, pursue it with everything you’ve got. People will follow when they see your passion and commitment to your vision. The hard work and belief in yourself are what will drive you forward, even if others don’t initially see it.

For those early in their journey, I’d advise focusing on building confidence by stepping into discomfort, embracing the lessons in setbacks, and staying true to your vision. Be prepared to be your biggest advocate, and trust that with persistence and hard work, everything will start to align.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

Yes, the biggest challenge I’m currently facing is having too much on my plate. I tend to take on a lot, and it’s something I’ve done to myself by constantly adding more. However, I recently came across a quote from Jeff Bezos that really resonated with me: *”Stress primarily comes from not taking action over something that you can have some control over.”* This has been a game-changer for my mindset.

When things get overwhelming, I remind myself that I can either take action or delegate. If I need to stay late or say no to something, I do it without hesitation. I’m able to maintain a high tolerance for stress because I don’t dwell on what I can’t control. Instead, I focus on what I *can* do, and that empowers me to push forward. I’ve learned that stress comes from inaction, and as long as I’m taking steps to move things forward, I don’t let it weigh me down.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.happyplaytherapy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyplaytherapy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happyplaytherapy/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/happyplaytherapy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvdYz3n7XR3yujJxUbG4s0g