"A child loves his play, not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard." - Benjamin Spock
Lacey Staff
Renae - Occupational Therapist and Owner
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.
Christopher - Speech Language Pathologist and Owner
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.
Emily - Occupational Therapist
Emily graduated from Occupational Therapy 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!
Tiffany - Occupational Therapist
COMING SOON!
Stephanie-Occupational Therapist
Stephanie joined the Therapeutic Beginnings team as an Occupational Therapist in 2020. She received her bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Washington State University (GO COUGS!) and attended Alvernia University in Pennsylvania to obtain her master’s in OT. She greatly enjoyed her experience on the East Coast but is happy to be back home in Washington State with her husband and family. Before returning to the PNW, Stephanie had the opportunity to work with adults with autism and intellectual disabilities. She recognized the various needs of adults on the autism spectrum and has a strong passion for helping children with ASD on their journey to be successful throughout their lifespan. In her spare time Stephanie loves to be outdoors. She participates in anything active, but she enjoys hiking, golfing and snowboarding the most. When she’s not outside, you’ll catch her cheering on her favorite sports teams (Seahawks and Cougars!) while eating the many foods she loves to cook.
Tina-Occupational Therapist
Tina joined the Therapeutic Beginnings team in 2020, after graduating with her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Creighton University. She was raised in Honolulu, HI and has enjoyed returning to the west coast with her husband and golden retriever, Bear. Her passion for the pediatric population started when she witnessed the impact of Occupational Therapy in her own family’s lives. Tina recognizes the importance of providing fun, client-centered, and individualized treatment to help children and their families achieve their goals. She has previous experience working with children in the hospital and outpatient setting, as well as volunteering in the school system for handwriting camps. In her free time, she loves traveling, reading, trying new foods, and any activity involving the ocean!
Lexie-Occupational Therapist
Lexie joined the Therapeutic Beginnings team in 2021 after obtaining her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Washington University. Lexie has experience with ages across the lifespan as a therapeutic horseback riding volunteer, personal trainer, recreation therapist, and in-home direct support professional. It was during her time volunteering and as a direct support professional that she became passionate about the role of OT in pediatrics. Her goal is to provide client-centered, creative, and holistic services to promote her clients’ success through life. In her spare time, Lexie loves spending time with her family and two dogs, Dutch and Eddie, weightlifting, and participating in musical endeavors.
Rachel - Speech Language Pathologist
Rachel has been a speech-language pathologist since 2013. She has worked in both private practice and public school settings and is experienced in addressing a wide range of pediatric communication needs. Rachel is passionate about giving a voice to children with significantly impaired intelligibility and is skilled in treating speech sound disorders and implementing augmentative and alternative communication methods. Rachel knows that being able to communicate changes everything and is grateful to work with children and families in a field she loves. Rachel enjoys reading aloud to her two small children and adventuring around the Pacific Northwest. She appreciates the beautiful trails in the greater Olympia area and is currently perfecting the art of going for a run while pushing a double jogging stroller and handing out snacks.
Sarah - Speech Language Pathologist
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Sarah Swanberg graduated from the University of Washington in 2019 and has experience in a variety of treatment clinics, autism diagnostics and home health. While she enjoys working with people of all ages, her passion lies with the pediatric population. She has special interest in outreach to older children and is looking forward to working with as many populations as she can. While she is a Washington native, she is new to the Lacey area and is enjoying spending her spare time exploring the beautiful wildlife. Her other interests include hiking, photography, baking and crafting anything she can get her hands on.
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Claire - Speech Language Pathologist
Claire joined the Therapeutic Beginnings Team in 2020. She received her Bachelors Degree at Washington State University, and her Masters Degree at Hampton University. Before receiving her Masters, she worked as a speech language pathology assistant at a local school district here in Washington. Claire's decision to become a speech therapist began with her love for teaching children. She is passionate about early language intervention and working with Augmentative and
Alternative Communication (AAC). In her free time, Claire enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, hanging out with friends and family, and watching cougar football. GO COUGS!
Alternative Communication (AAC). In her free time, Claire enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, hanging out with friends and family, and watching cougar football. GO COUGS!
Leora -Speech Language Pathologist
Leora joined the Therapeutic Beginnings team as a Speech and Language Pathologist in 2020. She received her Bachelors in Speech and Hearing Sciences at the University of South Alabama and her Master's in Speech and Language Pathology at the University of Montevallo. She has experience working in nursing homes, schools, and behavioral hospitals and has had training in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC.) She has always had a passion for the language development process and loves finding unique ways to help children enjoy communicating with the world around them.
Leora moved to Washington in 2019 and has fallen in love with the community, weather, sights, and hiking opportunities here. She enjoys trying new things, and is currently attempting beginner-level quilting, bonsaiing, and woodworking.
Leora moved to Washington in 2019 and has fallen in love with the community, weather, sights, and hiking opportunities here. She enjoys trying new things, and is currently attempting beginner-level quilting, bonsaiing, and woodworking.
Hilary-Front desk and Patient Care Coordinator
Hilary spent most of her life in Vegas, but escaped several years ago with her husband and three kids in tow. She has filled administrative positions in oncology, cardiology, and physical therapy practices, though a pernicious creative streak has provided a variety of side hustles: she spent several years as a professional food and lifestyle photographer, is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, and has published four novels. While she loves to hang out with family and friends—Rummikub, anyone?—most of her free hours are spent in the kitchen or with a sheaf of pages spread out across her desk. The Great American Novel is not going to write itself...
Malissa - Billing Coordinator
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.
Molly-Referral and Authorization Coordinator
Molly Burger joined the TB team in June 2020 after she relocated back to her native PNW from Virginia. Molly holds a degree in exercise and sport science, and has a background in office administration as well as fitness and wellness. She is excited to be a part of the TB team at the front desk helping to support families and therapy staff. Molly and her husband have experienced living in 10 different states as part of her husband’s support of the U.S. military. She enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, cross country skiing, shark tooth hunting, history, and is active in her church.
Rachel - Marketing Coordinator
Rachel Bamer joined the TB Team in September 2019 after being a stay-at-home mom for the last 3 years. She has 3 children with her husband, Eric. Her background includes years of healthcare work, as well as work with preschoolers. Her hobbies include yoga, music, dance, traveling and spending time with her family. They enjoy hiking, trips to the beach, and exploring the PNW. Rachel has also been involved with the special needs community for years, as her son has Down Syndrome.
Jennie - Administrative Director
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.