Therapy Solutions for Kids


	Our Team As a therapist owned clinic, we provide the highest quality of services to our children and their families. It is our dream to build and maintain a team of professionals to support and carry out our mission each and every day. Loretta Gimse, OTR Occupational Therapist With 28 years experience, Loretta is an expert in sensory integration/processing and motor planning impairments. Over the years she has implemented a trans-disciplinary approach incorporating speech goals and some physical therapy into her sessions. With a family-focused approach, she works with children and teaches caregivers how to implement these therapies at home. She helps them work together to maximize their child's independence and improve functions during daily activities such as self-care, play, leisure and work. Loretta helps with fine motor development, hand-eye coordination, body awareness, visual motor skills, self-care (e.g. grooming), balance and mid-line body development. "My goal is to build on a child's individual strengths and to develop skills to make them function as confidently as possible." Deedra Weill Occupational Therapist Deedra has been an occupational therapist for 8 years. Her background combines experience across a variety of settings, including acute care, school-based therapy, and outpatient therapy. Her work with children of all ages has lead to a tremendous appreciation of the parental role in a child’s development. She focuses on a family approach to treatment and home programs whenever possible. Deedra is skilled in and has particular interest in the areas of feeding, infant and child development, sensory integration, fine motor skill building, visual motor skills, play skill building, body awareness and coordination, and self-care activity adaptation. Her love for children and desire to help them be more independent and functional in their daily lives has led Deedra to the fulfilling profession of occupational therapy. At Therapy Solutions for Kids, she has found an environment where collaboration and learning are fostered and a family approach to care is valued-plus it’s fun!! Deedra has spent time in Peru providing therapy to underserved children. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, biking, camping, snowboarding, cooking, traveling, live music, and spending time with friends and family. Stephanie Wagers, OTR Occupational Therapist, Eugene Clinic Manager Stephanie now provides occupational therapy services from our Eugene/Springfield location. "Parents are the number one teachers, therefore my approach is to coach them through therapy with their child so that they are not sidelined," says Stephanie. "This, coupled with the environment at Therapy Solutions for Kids, makes the experience for the child very positive. The free-flowing communication between therapists enables us to build on the therapy that children are getting from all of therapists in the clinic. It is really different here." As an occupational therapist with eight years experience, Stephanie is trained in visual/vestibular issues, kinesiotaping and sensory integration (e.g. sensitivity to touch or noise). She also helps children with handwriting, feeding issues, dyspraxia, visual and perceptual skills, fine motor skills and behavior issues. Her hands-on approach enables her to connect with the kids she treats and to meet their individual needs. Eliesha M. Lovell MS, OTR/L Occupational Therapist Eliesha's goal is to connect with children and families and to provide knowledge and support in a relaxed setting. She studied at Ithaca College in upstate NY, where she specialized in pediatrics and early intervention. Eliesha has been trained in Developmental Therapeautic Yoga and Yoga/Pilates for children with special needs, and works with each child to enhance mind-body-spirit wellness. She co-coordinated a program for the siblings of children with special needs in Ithaca, and implements a similar program at Therapy Solutions. Eliesha has also completed a fellowship at Children's Development and Rehabilitation Center at Oregon Health and Science University, where she participated in the autism, child development, neurodevelopmental, and feeding clinics, and conducted research on the use of yoga intervention with children with motor dyspraxia. Eliesha has been trained in the "Handwriting Without Tears" program, and is responsible for the summer handwriting camp offered at TSFK. She is trained in supporting fine motor, gross motor, visual motor, body awareness, coordination and sensory processing skills. Eliesha truly believes in family centered care that focuses on each child's individual gifts, abilities, and needs. Renee Currier, MOT, OTR/L Occupational Therapist Renee also provides occupational therapy services from our Eugene/Springfield location. She has six years experience as an occupational therapist. Prior to her work in Eugene, she worked at Children's Village in Yakima, WA. She takes a family centered approach allowing families to guide her in the individual needs of each child. Renee is skilled in the areas of feeding, sensory integration, self-care, fine motor skill development, and behavior management. She is also trained in Brain Gym. Her interactive style allows her to relate well with children and their families to provide them with the skills/education to meet their goals. Camille Castaneda, OTR/L Occupational Therapist Camille studied exercise physiology as an undergrad at Northern Arizona University. Afterwards she joined the Peace Corps in Mali, West Africa working in the areas of natural resource management and village health. She enjoyed travels throughout Guatemala, Ireland, and France before returning to the states. Camille graduated from The University of Washington School of Occupational Therapy in 2004. Melding her career with her personal passions, Camille scheduled her internships far north in Fairbanks, Alaska in a hospital setting; in Moldova, Eastern Europe as part of a newly formed rehab team establishing connections and providing therapeutic equipment and techniques in several facilities in that country; and finally in Eugene, Oregon working with children across many community and school-based settings. She worked in Anchorage, Alaska for three school years as a school-based therapist gaining a first-hand understanding of the relationship between school and clinic-based therapists and the importance of everyone on a child’s support team working together. Additionally, Camille provided therapy for adults recovering from significant injury or illness during her year working in a hospital neurorehabilitation unit in Alaska. Her goal at Therapy Solutions for Kids is to help each child and his or her family to work together to understand and support each other so that the child can be successful in what he or she would like to do. Camille believes that when a child feels confident and in control of his or her body and its actions, he or she is at a place to learn and grow. Therapy Solutions is a safe and inviting place for this transformation to occur! Jamie Smith Occupational Therapist Jamie has worked with children as a pediatric occupational therapist for over 13 years. Among her work experiences, she spent 5 years working for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and 2 years working in Germany with the U.S. military’s early intervention program. Prior to relocating to Portland in 2007, Jamie started a private practice in Atlanta, where she enjoyed working with children in the home, school and clinic settings. Jamie has done extensive continuing education coursework on many topics, including sensory processing disorders, fine motor dysfunction and handwriting. She is certified in Therapeutic Listening. Jamie enjoys working with children of all ages with a variety of exceptionalities. She believes in educating parents and giving children the tools they need to be successful in their everyday lives. Lorna Day Occupational Therapist Lorna has nine years of experience as an occupational therapist, working primarily with children ages birth to 5. She worked for several years at Clackamas County ESD and, most recently, at NW Regional ESD in their early childhood programs. This experience has taught her that a family centered approach not only enhances a child’s developmental progress, but can also encourage a more meaningful and fulfilling family life. Lorna is also an instructor of infant massage and has enjoyed teaching private, in-home classes for several years. Her love of the profession and desire to serve underprivileged communities has led her to serve orphan children with special needs in Vietnam and Kazakhstan. Lorna has experience and interest in areas of sensory integration, feeding, infant development, motor planning and control, fine motor skills and handwriting. Molly Pierce Occupational Therapist Molly has 22 years of experience as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. Her specialties include diagnosing and treating neurologic and sensory disorders in children of all ages. Molly has completed advanced coursework in all areas of pediatrics with a special interest in pediatric feeding disorders. Lesley E. Freeling, PT, PCS Physical Therapist Pediatric Certified Specialist (American Physical Therapy Association) Lesley has been involved with children's physical therapy for over 30 years. She is familiar with a broad range of acute and chronic conditions across the growth spectrum from infancy to the teenage years. Lesley's philosophy is to focus on the whole child, to make therapy fun and to empower the family to provide follow through at home. Lesley has been privileged to follow some young patients from tiny babies to college students. Annette Sabater, P.T. Physical Therapist Annette is a physical therapist with 17 of her 20 years experience working with children. Eight of those 17 years were at OHSU where she gained experience working with children with chronic disease, prematurity, torticollis, orthopedic injury, neurological dysfunction and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Following her hospital experience, she worked seven years with the school district in early intervention and early child development. She has been at Therapy Solutions for Kids for two years now as a part-time therapist. She enjoys returning to the clinical approach in therapy and strives to implement a team approach with her therapy. She integrates each individual child's therapy goals with their dya to day routine and family style. She blends this approach to achieve steady and consistent progress. Beth Lough, MS, CCC-SLP Speech Pathologist Beth is a speech pathologist with eight years experience working exclusively with children. She comes to Therapy Solutions for Kids after working five years at Providence Hospital. She has also worked in private practice and in the early intervention program in Clackamas County. She was drawn to Therapy Solutions for Kids mostly because of the management. "There are no surprises here making it easy for families to transition. We put families and children first." Beth's approach to therapy is family and child centered. "I try to make therapy as enjoyable and productive as possible and to train parents so they are able to implement therapy at home." A specialist in oral motor skills, feeding and dyspraxia, she has the ability to recognize even subtle issues that makes her more efficient in treating the whole child. Beth Nesser, MS, CCC-SLP Speech Language Pathologist Beth is a speech language pathologist with expertise in stuttering and dyspraxia (a motor planning problem that is evident through speech and articulation errors). Beth has been in practice for four years and previously was a practitioner serving both adults and children at Providence Portland Medical Center. Beth's approach to therapy is family-centered in that she believes it is important for the family to be comfortable implementing therapy in the home. "This environment enables me to assist parents in forming a fun and real-time remediation of their child's speech and language difficulties, which is essential for success." Phaedra Urban Speech Language Pathologist Phaedra has enjoyed working with children in a variety of settings in the Portland Area including public schools, outpatient clinics, and family homes. Previous to joining Therapy Solutions for Kids, she was a clinician at the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center at OHSU where she gained experience in several interdisciplinary diagnostic clinics such as those related to autism, neurodevelopment, feeding, and craniofacial disorders. "Communication is a dynamic process that occurs between individuals and their community. Communication allows us to effectively interact with others, express wishes, share emotions, and relate our experiences," says Phaedra. Treatment, she believes, should emphasize functional outcomes such as these. Brienna Maier Physical Therapy Assistant Bri has been a volunteer with Therapy Solutions for Kids and is now our assistant. She received her undergraduate in therapeutic recreation and is now working towards her doctorate degree in physical therapy. Previously, Bri worked with the Karen Gaffney Foundation, traveling around the world advocating for people with Down Syndrome and other disabilities. She is very excited to be part of our team and gain valuable experience on her road to becoming a therapist! Liz Shillingburg Physical Therapy Assistant Liz recently graduated from Oregon State University with an undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sports Science, with a focus in Pre-Therapy. Liz is applying for physical therapy school which she hope to start in the Fall of 2011. For the previous two summers while still in school, Liz worked as an inclusion specialist at Portland Parks and Recreation. She has spent a number of hours volunteering at Shriner's Children's hospital, for the Multnomah Educational Sschool District, and in an outpatient physical therapy clinic down in Corvallis. Allison Matthews Office Manager Allie came to Therapy Solutions for Kids after working for five years in Multnomah County's early intervention program. She brings with her the experience of working as educational assistant in various Special Education programs as well as her vast knowledge in computer and organizational office skills. She handles the insurance billing, patient billing, new referrals, scheduling and multiple other office tasks. If you have any questions regarding your statement she can help. Please call her at 503-224-1998 or email her at amatthews@therapysolutionsforkids.com with any questions. Kyle Ulinger Receptionist / Scheduling Originally from Florida, Kyle is a fine arts major with emphases in sculpture and printmaking. She is looking to pursue a master’s degree in art therapy at Marylhurst University. She has worked with children both as an arts and a recreation teacher for her hometown, Mount Dora, Florida. She has worked as a member of the arts literacy team of Waluga Elementary in Lake Oswego, as well as being involved with an at-risk youth home for adolescent males in Portland. She is quite excited to join the team at Therapy Solutions for Kids as scheduler and receptionist. Kayla Swingle Receptionist / Scheduling in Eugene Kayla is a Human Physiology major at the University of Oregon and is interested in pursuing a career in Physical Therapy. She recently transferred from Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, OR where she worked as a receptionist in a salon and as a secretary for a local farming company, while running cross country and track and field as an Owl. She is excited to be joining the team in Eugene as a scheduler/receptionist and getting some work experience in a therapy clinic setting before applying for physical therapy school next fall.	Staff Directory Loretta Gimse Deedra Weill Stephanie Wagers Eliesha Lovell Renee Currier Camille Castaneda Jamie Smith Lorna Day Molly Pierce Lesley E. Freeling Annette Sabater Beth Lough Beth Nesser Phaedra Urban Brienna Maier Liz Shillingburg Allison Matthews Kyle Ulinger Kayla Swingle