"A child loves his play, not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard." - Benjamin Spock
Lacey Staff
Renae - Occupational Therapist
Renae Lewandowski has provided occupational therapy services to children since 1994, in large and small hospital settings as well as contract OT with school districts and private practice. She is trained in neurodevelopmental treatment and has advanced training in neurodevelopmental treatment for babies. She has extensive experience with feeding therapy as well as sensory integration evaluation and treatment. She is trained in the use of Integrated Listening Systems and The Listening Program, multi-sensory programs used to enhance a child's treatment program. Renae has a special interest in the twice exceptional child, and has successfully been helping this growing population of children reach their full potential! Renae incorporates a variety of treatment approaches in order to meet each individual's needs and firmly believes family involvement in the therapeutic process produces the greatest outcomes for the children she strives to support.
Renae lives in Thurston County with her husband, boys, dog, cat, and horses. In her spare time, you will find her enjoying the outdoors, volunteering at church, horseback riding, and travelling with her family.
Renae lives in Thurston County with her husband, boys, dog, cat, and horses. In her spare time, you will find her enjoying the outdoors, volunteering at church, horseback riding, and travelling with her family.
Christopher - Speech Language Pathologist
Christopher Heistand has been working in the field of speech pathology since 1997, working in a variety of settings including private practice, schools and medical (pediatric outpatient, adult inpatient and NICU). His passion remains working with the pediatric population and their families. He enjoys the vast variety of personalities and speech related challenges that he encounters. His approach to therapy is a total communication approach, customizing therapy sessions to fit the needs of each uniquely opposed child and with providing families the strategies and confidence to integrate therapy into their everyday activities. Christopher lives in the greater Olympia area with his wife and two children where they enjoy year round boating, the outdoors, traveling and family activities that are focused on eating fine cuisine.
Caitlin - Speech Language Pathologist |
Caitlin Dibble, MS, CCC-SLP received her graduate degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Washington State University in 2016. She has presented her research at the 2016 Galactosemia Foundation’s International Convention in Atlanta, GA regarding treatment approaches for Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Caitlin enjoys working with children across the age-span, but has a special interest in working with older students and patients seeking treatment for stuttering, selective mutism, and voice disorders.
Brittany - Occupational Therapy Assistant
Brittany Fox has been a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant since 2014. She has spent most of her professional time up to this point practicing in pediatrics, both in private practice and the school setting. This provides her with a unique bridge to school-based programs and insight into ways we can best coordinate services with providers in the academic setting. Brittany has attended continuing education focusing on sensory processing disorder. She has training in the use of Integrated Listening Systems (iLs), Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT), and Handwriting Without Tears. She is familiar with self-regulation programs such as The Zones of Regulation and The Alert program. Outside of therapy, Brittany loves to spend her time hiking, playing with her dog, traveling, kayaking, reading, and hanging out with friends and family.
Bridget - Occupational Therapist
Bridget Foust has been providing occupational therapy services to children since 2000. She has worked up and down the east coast in a variety of settings including: children's hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home health care, private pediatric centers and the school system. Bridget has a wide range of experience working with children of all ages. She has a special interest in the medically fragile and birth to three population and is certified in Infant Massage.
Bridget re-located to the west coast and enjoys exploring all that the area has to offer with her husband and 2 dachshunds. In her spare time, Bridget enjoys skiing, kayaking, cooking and gardening (really it's just planting deer/bunny food).
Bridget re-located to the west coast and enjoys exploring all that the area has to offer with her husband and 2 dachshunds. In her spare time, Bridget enjoys skiing, kayaking, cooking and gardening (really it's just planting deer/bunny food).
Kate - Speech Language Pathologist
Kaitlin (Kate) Bents comes to us by way of Modesto, California and has been practicing in the field of speech-language pathology for nearly 8 years. Kate enjoys the variety offered in the field of speech and language intervention and has a wide range of experience working with children that present with speech-language issues. She has a special interest working with kids diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum and with the younger preschool aged kids.
Alisha - Occupational Therapy Assistant
Alisha chose a career in occupational therapy after realizing her desire to help children with special needs. Since completing OTA school, she has found a special interest in sensory integration therapy, emotional regulation, visual skills, and cognitive based activities. She believes that a multisensory approach in therapy as well as parents and caregivers support is what assists kids with reaching their greatest potential.
Outside of therapy, Alisha is pursuing her goal of becoming an occupational therapist. She also loves to spend time with her husband and dogs, go hiking, play sports, and every once in a while – just relax.
Outside of therapy, Alisha is pursuing her goal of becoming an occupational therapist. She also loves to spend time with her husband and dogs, go hiking, play sports, and every once in a while – just relax.
Cindy - Speech Language Pathologist
Cindy Knighton has been providing speech and language services to children since 2016. She started her career in Flint, MI within the school setting, and worked as a teletherapist while she resided in Puerto Rico for two years. Cindy really enjoys working with the toddler and school age kiddos, and has a special interest in apraxia and the hearing impaired population. Cindy recently moved to the west coast and enjoys exploring the different hiking trails and big cities the area has to offer (especially Vancouver BC!). In her spare time Cindy loves to hike, run, play her violin, meet new people, attend concerts, and travel with her husband.
Emily - Occupational Therapist
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Emily graduated from OT school in 2015 and has worked in a variety of settings including pediatrics and vestibular rehabilitation. Her true passion lies in working with children and helping them become successful in their everyday life. Emily has experience working with a variety of children including those with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, developmental delays, Down syndrome, and Genetic disorders. She has also taken specialized courses in the areas of sensory processing, pediatric kinesotaping, and cognitive rehabilitation. Emily and her family have recently relocated to the west coast and she is enjoying exploring all that the area has to offer with her husband, her daughter, and their dog!
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Jordan - Administrative Assistant
Jordan joined our team in December 2018. Jordan has over 5 years of office and book keeping experience for a variety of small businesses. She loves her daily Starbucks, enjoys doing DIY projects, watching scary movies, and spending time with her son and puppy. She is originally from Alaska and moved to the area in 2010.
Malissa - Administrative Assistant
Malissa Barnard joined the Therapeutic Beginnings team in August of 2018. She has been employed as an Administrative Assistant in the medical field for over 20 years. She is married to N8 and they have been Lacey residents for over 13 years. Together they have two adult children, who still reside within Lacey. Malissa is a huge Seattle Seahawk fan, enjoys traveling, and loves to walk her 170-pound mastiff, Mr. Bain daily. She loves children and came out of a very short retirement to hang out with your beautiful babies on a part-time basis.
Jennie - Medical Billing and Bookkeeping
Jennie Rapacz has over 15 years experience working with small businesses since obtaining her business degree from Western Washington University. Her work experience includes financing, marketing, bookkeeping and business development. She has been with Therapeutic Beginnings for about 3 years doing medical billing and bookkeeping. Jennie is a soccer mom of two active boys and in her spare time volunteers at school and in the community. She likes to read, cook and play outdoors when it’s not raining…...