Professional Bio: Amy is a native of Southern California and received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Sociology from Cal Poly Pomona in 2014. She decided to pursue a different career that helps people and earned her Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree from St. Catherine’s University of Minnesota in 2018. Prior to working in the field of OT, Amy gained experience working with children on the Autism Spectrum at an Applied Behavioral Analyst company as a Registered Behavioral Technician. This experience provided her insight into how different health disciplines contribute to providing quality care for each client. Her OT clinical experiences include working in a variety of school settings prior to joining the team at Stepping Stones.

Education:

Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree – St. Catherine’s University – 2018

Sociology Degree – Cal Poly Pomona – 2014

Interests: In her free time, Amy enjoys exploring the great outdoors, arts and crafts, cooking and gardening.

Professional Bio:  Chris has always been interested in working with and assisting others, spending most of his career in service or support oriented roles of one form or another. He received both his Bachelors (Psychology) and Masters (Occupational Therapy) degrees from the University of Washington. After completing his undergraduate studies he was drawn into the booming local technology sector – he spent 15 subsequent years in IT service management and leadership roles supporting local and national clients.  While leading a team through a transition at a local hospital, Chris was excited by the emphasis on patient-focused care.  He soon opted to shift gears professionally and pursued graduate studies at UW Rehabilitation Medicine, receiving his Masters of Occupational Therapy in 2017.

His OT experience to date includes early intervention, school-based service, and geriatric support in a skilled nursing facility.  Since 2018 he has focused exclusively in outpatient pediatrics.  He is passionate about collaboration and partnering with client families though all stages of the treatment cycle.  Some of his biggest joys come from demonstrating that many of the “can’t do it” challenges kids can be tasked with are indeed attainable with pertinent tools and strategies.

Some of Chris’ specialized training and certification includes:  Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, Polyvagal Theory, Sensory-Based Strategies, Primitive Reflex Integration, PLAY Project, Neurological Approaches for Self-Regulation, Distracted and Disorganized Kids in a Digital Generation, Zones of Regulation, and Handwriting Without Tears curriculum.

Education: 

Masters of Occupational Therapy – University of Washington, Seattle, WA – 2017

Interests:  Chris lives in Bothell with his wife and 2 daughters. He coaches youth sports teams and is a board member with a local softball league. He enjoys playing golf and hosting barbecues with friends and family.

Professional Bio:  Hannah grew up in Bellevue. She graduated from University of Washington’s Occupational Therapy Program and has experience in multiple pediatric settings including clinics, schools, home-based, and community-based therapy. Hannah prioritizes forming a strong partnership with kids and families to work from a strengths-based approach. She particularly enjoys teaching using the CO-OP method for kids that learning about problem-solving and goal-setting for improved self-efficacy. She also has experience with zones of regulation, sensory integration, neuromuscular integration, and vestibular training.

Hannah loves learning and continues to pursue continuing education opportunities and stay up to date with the latest evidenced based practice to benefit her clients. Her most recent projects included a review of infant and toddler feeding practices, and participating in constraint camp. Prior to becoming an Occupational Therapist, Hannah worked for two years as a senior registered behavior technician at an ABA clinic, and collaborated across disciplines with a treatment team.

Hannah additionally worked as a personal trainer, and still maintains her certification as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association as part of her professional development. She also volunteered her time to consult with MoPOP to make their facilities more accessible and friendly to members of the public of all abilities, and is interested in universal design concepts to continue to make our community more accessible for everyone to enjoy.

Education: 

Masters of Occupational Therapy – University of Washington, Seattle, WA – 2021

Bachelor’s of Science, Kinesiology – Westmont College, Santa Barbara – 2016

Interests:  Trying new things one of Hannah’s favorite activities, and she loves feeling a sense of accomplishment when she learns how to do something she couldn’t do before! She also enjoys cooking, being outdoors, and spending time with her husband, friends, family, and dog named Zeke.

Professional Bio:  Jared’s past pediatric occupational therapy experience includes working with wide range of students as a school based occupational therapist.  His occupational therapy lens proved helpful for setting students up for success in the classroom.   Jared’s OT expertise included serving as a resource for teachers by recommending therapeutic strategies to help kids best participate in their least restrictive school environment.   Whether working with children at school or in the clinic, Jared shares, “I believe that my outside the box thinking and creativity, as well as empathy for children with delays and disabilities is how I can best help the clients and families I work with.  I set my mind to not only overcome challenges  but to excel at all I do and take pride in my practice.”

Education:  Jared received his Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA in 2019.  He completed specialty training in pediatrics through both his Level I Fieldwork placement at the Center for Therapeutic Intervention, as well as through hands on experience at the UPS Pediatric Teaching Clinic and Level II Fieldwork Internship within Clover Park School District. This involved experience with a variety of pediatric populations including birth-3, preschoolers, and K-12 and with a variety of diagnoses including ASD, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Developmental Delays, FTR, and Emotional Behavioral Disturbances, among many others. Jared also has generalist training with adult populations in both the inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings, as well as among older adults within skilled nursing facilities. His undergraduate B.A degree in Biological Anthropology was completed at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO in 2015. Jared feels that his unique undergraduate education contributes to his holistic lens and approach as an occupational therapist.

Interests:  In his spare time, Jared tries to remain active and enjoy the outdoors. This includes trail running, hiking, biking, kayaking, SUP boarding, camping, and skiing in the winter months. Jared is open to trying new recreational activities with his friends as well. Jared also enjoys reading, writing, traveling, museums, movies, cooking, and staying up to date on new developments in areas of interest such as history, anthropology, and best practices as an occupational therapist. Jared really enjoys teaching his young clients, and providing them with the optimal tools and strategies to maximize their growth and compliment their strengths.

Professional Bio:  Jill is a Pacific Northwest native and grew up locally in Issaquah, WA.  She graduated from California Lutheran University with dual degrees in Psychology and Biology in 2009.  Her occupational therapy training was completed at the University of Puget Sound’s Occupational Therapy program in 2012.  After graduation, Jill knew she wanted to work in pediatrics.  Jill has over a decade of OT experience working in a variety of settings such as outpatient pediatrics specializing in Autism, Industrial Rehabilitation, and the Lake Washington School District prior to working with children at Stepping Stones.  Jill values being able to collaborate with families while prioritizing each individual family’s needs.   She loves the OT profession because she believes in the power of fun and function! 

Jill’s favorite OT mantra is, “Have fun!”  This is not just for kids but for adults as well!  If you don’t find the fun, you’re not going to do it!  Jill believes you have to find the joy in the activities we do.

Education:  

Masters of Occupational Therapy – University of Puget Sound 2012

Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology – California Lutheran University 2009

Interests:  When not in the clinic, Jill is a Personal Trainer and a group fitness instructor. She also enjoys spending time with her dogs and loves anything Disney!

Professional Bio:  Kate recently moved back to the Pacific Northwest after completing her occupational therapy program at Jefferson University in 2022. Before completing her doctorate, Kate worked as a preschool teacher for five years, gaining experience in play-based, inclusive and Montessori classrooms. Based on these experiences, her overall philosophy on working with children is “Let’s create a joyful life!”

During her studies, Kate learned coaching skills as well as co-authored two papers on working with neurodivergent populations. She appreciates how coaching can help OTs to better learn from the expertise of families, and enjoys collaborating with children and parents. While learning on her fieldwork on Bainbridge Island, Kate learned sensory approaches to therapy to promote wellbeing and encourage sensory modulation. She feels occupational therapy is a powerful tool for teaching skills and empowering individuals to create the life they want.

Education:

Masters of Occupational Therapy – Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA – 2022

Interests:  When not at the clinic, Kate enjoys exploring the local parks, baking seasonal desserts and hanging out with her cat, Mochi.

Professional Bio:  Katherine’s loves to call the Seattle area home. She is an alum of St. Louise in Bellevue and Holy Names in Seattle.  Katherine’s past professional experience includes working with both children and adults.  Her pediatric experience includes serving children in preschool and elementary school with Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and a wide range of developmental delays and sensory processing needs in the Renton and the Seattle Public Schools.

Katherine enjoys working with youth in a variety of settings and had the unique experience of living in Belcourt, North Dakota on the Turtle Mountain Reservation assisting in summer camp and developing after school programming for high school and middle school youth.

Katherine shares, “I believe strongly in the power of occupation and that participation in the things we need and want to do improves our health and happiness in life. I love to help children and their families have fun and succeed in meeting their goals.”

Education:  Katherine received her undergraduate degree at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio in 2011 earning a Bachelors of Science in Mental Health and Human Services and a Bachelors of Arts in Theology. In 2014 Katherine received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Katherine is certified in the Handwriting Without Tears Curriculum and has extensive experience incorporating the program in the classroom setting.

Interests:  In her free time Katherine enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and traveling and volunteering with her church.

Professional Bio:  Lara’s occupational therapy experience includes work in hospitals, outpatient settings, schools, daycares and summer camps while working with individuals across the lifespan, from infants to age 101! Lara loves working collaboratively with families to help their child reach their full potential. She believes in using imaginative play and purposeful activities to facilitate growth and development in children. Lara completed her NYU Pediatric Clinical affiliation with a focus on Neurodevelopmental training techniques, sensory integration/sensory processing, and presented on Evidence Based Manual Therapy Techniques for Pediatric Patients with Musculoskeletal Tightness.

Lara has a background in holistic healthcare and has worked as a licensed massage therapist since 2014. Highlights of her massage therapy career include participation in the International Fascia Research Congress, in Berlin, Germany in 2018. Other international endeavors included teaching high school biology and wellnesses courses at an international school in Beijing, China in 2010.

Education:  Lara received her Master’s of Occupational Therapy from Columbia University in New York City.  She completed specialty training in pediatrics at New York University Langone and Rusk Rehabilitation Center. Lara ‘s clinical education also includes graduating from the National Holistic Institute in CA in 2015 with an Advanced Neuromuscular Massage degree. Her undergraduate B.A degree in Arts and Humanities and Cultural Studies was completed at Evergreen State College in 2006.

Interests: Lara is a native to the Pacific Northwest and she loves spending time outdoors in the mountains hiking and on the water canoeing and sailing. Her other hobbies include cooking, reading, gardening, art projects, learning guitar and spending time with family. Her adventurous spirit has taken her to a number of countries, including India, where she attended the National Outdoor Leadership School and later gained skills as a Wilderness First Responder.

Professional Bio:  Yhali received her Master of Science in OT in Israel where she worked both in schools and families’ homes, delivering a wide range of interventions including sensory and play-based therapy. Yhali has a wide variety of experience working with children with special needs in a variety of clinical environments in both Israel and the United States including school based, outpatient clinic, medical center and pediatric home health.  She has clinical experience working with children to address motor disorders, sensory processing, executive functioning, self-regulation, motor planning and feeding challenges.

Highlights of Yahli’s professional development include: training in Israel with preterm infants, sensory processing, Autism, health management, Learning disabilities and ADHD. Her work with families and children is based on NVC approach (non-violent communication), and incorporates DIR Floortime and Adler’s approach principles.

Yhali believes OT is a superpower!  In her work she sees huge potential for change and improvement in the smallest things and seeks to help her clients in a fun and motivating way.  Yhali loves working with kids as they are genuine, authentic and give her lots of opportunities for play.  She believes that, “Function improves by creating opportunities in day-to-day situations.  My approach prioritizes working in kids’ natural environment and staying family-focused.”

Interests:  Hiking, family time with her husband, a dog and 2 kids, reading books, practicing yoga and mindfulness, baking, crafts  and scrapbooking.

Professional Bio: Jessica has been working exclusively as a pediatric occupational therapist for over a decade. She graduated from the Occupational Therapy Program at the University of Washington in 2000 and earned a dual degree in Spanish in 1998. Her professional experience includes working in a wide variety of settings: Seattle Children’s Hospital, the Kindering Center birth to three neuro-developmental center and school based settings. Jessica’s experience has been positively influenced by her work with children not only within the U.S., but also abroad in Mexico, Guatemala and the Russian Far East. Jessica was a key note speaker at the Khabarovsk, Vladivostock & Seattle Partners Conference in Khabarovsk, Russia in 2005. She presented information about occupational therapy in the U.S. and pediatric treatment strategies. Locally, she has been a presenter at the Department of Services for the Blind Preschool Conference, the Infant and Early Childhood Conference , and a featured podcast guest speaker for national Rehab Management Magazine.

Other highlights include: Selected as 1 of 15 occupational therapists in the nation to participate in the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Leadership Training Program in Washington, DC (2016) Awarded the OT and OT Assistant Partnership Award by Washington OT Association in 2015 for clinical excellence in collaboration.

Certifications include: SIPT certified (2015 certification in sensory integration), Advanced Mentored Clinician in Diagnosis & Treatment of SPD Level 1 www.spdfoundation.net , Comprehensive Course in Sensory Integration (USC/WPS), Integrated Listening Systems www.integratedlistening.com , Sensory based feeding Treatment: S.O.S. Approach to Feeding (Sequential Oral Sensory).

Advanced coursework includes: Dysgraphia and Handwriting Remediation, Attention Deficit Disorders, Learning Disabilities, DIR Training (Developmental Individual-Difference Relationship-Based Model), and ALERT Program for Self-Regulation. Jessica is an active member of local Sensory Integration professional groups. Education: University of Washington – 2000

Interests: In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, traveling, gardening, playing golf and walking her American Eskimo dog named Indy.

Professional Bio: Janell is a native Washingtonian who calls Woodinville home.  She has owned and operated several businesses over the years.  Before coming to us she was part owner/operator of a Bellevue Physical Therapy Clinic. She is a founding member of Rock Out ALS a 501c3 charity for Lou Gehrig’s Disease that advocates for patients and their families. ROALS supports ALSA Evergreen Chapter and ALSTDI in their fundraising and patient advocacy efforts in hopes of finding a cure. She is a Northshore School District Golden Acorn award winner who was recognized for her years of service and advocacy on behalf of her community’s children and families. Janell brings years of organizational management, program development, executive training, communication and community outreach skills to the team.

Interests: She has been married for 28 years and has 3 wonderful adult children. In her off time, she enjoys hiking, soccer (GO SOUNDERS), football (GO HAWKS), helping her friends, traveling, and supporting her local community.