Specializing in Pediatric Physical Therapy
Meet the Therapists
RACHEL NOVAKOVICH
Pediatric DPT
Rachel is the founder of New Moon Therapy Services and has been serving children and families in the Charleston area since 2017. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, she earned both her Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Slippery Rock University before making Charleston her home.
Rachel is passionate about helping children reach their fullest potential through play-based, family-centered physical therapy. She has advanced training in Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI), TMR Tots, NISE-Stim, and TASES. She has experience working with children with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, developmental delays, Down syndrome, Spina Bifida, torticollis, genetic disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, and more.
In 2022, Rachel founded New Moon Therapy Services with the goal of providing compassionate, individualized care while making the therapy process easier for families to navigate—from treatment to insurance and billing. She also loves mentoring the incredible therapists on our team and building a practice centered on collaboration, kindness, and excellence.
📍 Rachel primarily serves families in West Ashley, Park Circle, and Summerville, bringing play-based, family-centered therapy directly to children in their natural environments.
When she's not working in the community with kiddos and their families, you'll likely find her at the beach, practicing yoga, traveling, or enjoying live music.
SYDNEY CARTER
Pediatric PTA
Originally from Florence, SC, Sydney graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Horry Georgetown Technical College in 2019. After moving to Charleston in 2020, she began her career in outpatient orthopedics before discovering her true passion for pediatrics. She's been helping little ones reach their milestones with New Moon Therapy since 2023.
Sydney has advanced training in Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI), TASES, and TMR Tots. She works with children from infancy through early childhood with a wide variety of diagnoses, including developmental delays, prematurity, torticollis, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome.
📍 Sydney primarily serves families in the Summerville area, bringing play-based, family-centered therapy directly to children in their natural environments.
When she's not working, you'll find her spending time with her husband, their two pups, Middie and Marley, traveling, staying active, trying out Charleston's newest restaurants, and soaking up every moment with her new baby girl.
HOPE JAMES
Pediatric DPT
Hope earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina and has a special passion for helping infants and young children reach meaningful developmental milestones. She has advanced training in infant development, Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI), plagiocephaly and torticollis treatment, and bodywork for infants and children.
Hope enjoys working with children of all abilities, including those with developmental delays, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism, torticollis, and rare genetic conditions. Her favorite part of therapy is helping families discover fun, creative ways to encourage movement and development using everyday activities at home and in the community.
📍 Hope primarily serves families in the James Island area, bringing play-based, family-centered therapy directly to children in their natural environments.
When she's not treating patients, you'll likely find Hope chasing her toddler at a local playground, soaking up the sunshine at Folly Beach, or baking fresh sourdough.
ABBY MACDONALD
Pediatric DPT
Originally from Columbia, Maryland, Abby earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2023. After beginning her pediatric PT career in Maryland, she made the move to Charleston in 2024 and joined the New Moon Therapy family.
Abby has advanced training in Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) and TASES and loves helping children build strength, confidence, and independence through movement and play. She works with infants through school-aged children and has experience treating a wide range of diagnoses, including torticollis, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, spina bifida, and rare genetic disorders.
📍 Abby primarily serves families in Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island, Downtown Charleston, Park Circle, and Goose Creek, bringing pediatric physical therapy directly to children in their natural environments.
When she's not treating kiddos, you'll probably find Abby soaking up the sunshine at the beach, taking long walks with her dog, or searching for Charleston's best seafood spots.