"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 has provided occupational therapy services to children 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. Renae 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. In her spare time, you will find her enjoying the outdoors, horseback riding, and travelling with her family.
Christopher - Speech Language Pathologist and Owner
Christopher 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. She prides herself in advocating for each child and is committed to providing individualized care for you and your family. Emily has special interests in feeding therapy, early intervention, and sensory integration therapy.
Outside of work, Emily, her husband, and their two kids enjoy traveling, exploring the PNW, trying new foods, and making memories together.
Outside of work, Emily, her husband, and their two kids enjoy traveling, exploring the PNW, trying new foods, and making memories together.
Lexie-Occupational Therapist
Lexie joined the Therapeutic Beginnings team in 2021. She earned her Bachelors degree in Psychology from Central Washington University in 2017 and her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Washington University in 2020 . Lexie has experience with all ages as a hippotherapy volunteer, personal trainer, recreation therapist, and in-home direct support professional. She is passionate about working with children and has special interests in working with those with motor delays and executive functioning challenges. Her goal is to provide client-centered and creative care to inspire confidence in her families to achieve their goals. In her spare time, Lexie loves weightlifting, dancing, spending time with her animals, crafting, and anything musical.
Robin-Occupational Therapist
Robin joined Therapeutic Beginning team as an Occupational Therapist in 2021. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2010 from Oregon State University (GO BEAVS!) and her Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2012 from Colorado State University. She has worked with a diverse setting as an Army OT before returning back to civilian life and finding her passion working with children. She has experience working with a variety of children across diagnoses and developmental delays. She holds a basic certification in Floortime intervention and has a special interest in sensory integration. In her free time, Robin enjoys both cooking and eating foods, sports, outdoor activities and spending time her with husband and 2 children.
Gwen-Occupational Therapist
Gwen is an Occupational Therapist that joined the TB team May of 2022! She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from Western Washington University in 2017 and completed her Master's in Occupational Therapy at the University of Puget Sound last year in 2021. Gwen gained experience working with ages across the lifespan through her fieldwork placements in both skilled nursing and public school settings. As a clinician, she advocates passionately for her clients and is committed to providing holistic, personalized care to help meet your family's goals. Gwen grew up in Washington state and spends much of her free time outdoors. Gwen enjoys backpacking, mountain biking, gardening, and taking care of her three new goats!
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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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.
Hannah-Speech Language Pathologist
Jane-Patient Care Coordinator
- Jane was born and raised in Maui, Hawaii. She had moved back and forth between Oahu and Vegas for 20 years. She moved to WA in March of 2022 to start a new life with my husband and our pitbull Imua.
- She has worked as a camp counselor, administrative assistant and preschool teacher for parks and recreation in Vegas. She then worked as a medical assistant for 2.5 years for internal medicine.
- In the near future, Jane has a goal to open up a bakery, alongside dessert table set ups and backdrop services for any event.
- Her free time is spent with family especially doing game nights, cooking, baking and shopping.
Molly-Authorizations 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.
Malissa - Billing Coordinator
Malissa joined the Therapeutic Beginnings team in August of 2018. She has been employed as an Administrative Assistant in the medical field since 1998. She is married to N8 and they have been Lacey residents since 2005. Together they have two adult children, who still reside close by and are now embarking on the adventure of Grandparents. Malissa is a huge Seattle Seahawk fan, enjoys traveling, and loves to walk her 170-pound mastiff, Bain daily. She has a passion for children and is an ambassador for all persons be seen and heard!
Rachel - Marketing Coordinator
Rachel joined the TB Team in September 2019. 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. Jennie joined TB in 2010 and has served in many administrative capacities including billing, bookkeeping and overall administration. Jennie is the proud mom of two young adults and enjoys reading, cooking, outdoor activities and hanging out with friends and family.