The Staff

Rachel

Rachel received her Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. After graduation, she relocated to Northern California, where she worked for a private practice that specialized in early intervention and Auditory Processing Disorders. She has experience across the lifespan in various settings, including private practice, skilled nursing facilities, and schools, but feels her passion lies with toddlers through teens. She specializes in the area of social-pragmatic therapy in group and individual settings. Throughout these years as a therapist, Rachel has spoken at several autism workshops regarding social-skill development and therapy, as well as conducted in-services for college professors regarding social and sensory challenges for students on the spectrum. While working in the Inver Grove Heights school district, she played an integral role on the school’s Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports team, as well as acted as the district’s lead speech therapist for Assistive Communication. Rachel believes strongly in developing skills and progress through a multi-modal approach. She individualizes each treatment session and uses this training as needed. Rachel has a strong desire to continue her education through trainings, reading, and networking. 

When she doesn't have her nose buried in a book, she enjoys spending time with her AMAZING husband (his words), family, friends, and her two dogs, baking (mmmm, monster cookies), exercising, and traveling.  

Christine 

Christine received a bachelor degree in Psychology at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She continued her education at the College of St. Catherine's where she obtained a Masters of Arts degree in Occupational Therapy. She has many years of experience working with children with a variety of needs. She believes in a bottom-up approach with focusing on addressing the sensory integration concerns needed to accomplish the higher level skills. With this approach, she believes every child has great potential and individualizes each treatment session to reach that potential. She enjoys working in the pediatric setting because the children are always full of laughter and surprises.

In her free time, Christine enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being active outside, reading and has a new passion for yoga.

Lola

Lola completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Central Missouri. She received her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy a couple years later from Washington University in St. Louis. Lola has experience working in inpatient acute care with adults and outpatient pediatrics. Before becoming an OT, Lola worked in both center and home based daycare. Play is the occupation of childhood and Lola enjoys being able to work with children and their families through play each day. She uses a play based client-centered approach incorporating a child and family’s interests into sessions to promote progress. She enjoys being part of a multidisciplinary team to help meet the needs of the whole child.

In her spare time, Lola enjoys traveling, running, and spending time with her husband, friends, and cat Sammie.

Jenna

Children have always been a passion of Jenna’s. Her realization of this passion started with the births and time spent with her two nieces and two nephews. She incorporated her passion into her profession after graduation from St. Paul College with a degree in sign language interpreting. After this, Jenna worked at an elementary school in Inver Grove Heights as an Intervener, which is a one-on-one specializing in DeafBlind. During her time at the elementary school, she had the privilege of being a close team member with speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. Working so closely with this team, she became enthralled with all of their practices and felt a connection with occupational therapy. So, Jenna went back to school and graduated with her masters degree in Occupational Therapy. She also has experience as a Personal Care Assistant. After hours from school and work, Jenna loves spending time with her family and friends. Also, being a new home owner, the house projects keep her busy. Recently, she added a new member to her family. Her name is Barrow and she is a Netherlands Dwarf rabbit. She provides Jenna with lots of laughs and really makes the house a home. Jenna looks forward to continuing her journey starting as a team member of Therapy OPS that started as the receptionist and insurance specialist and has since transitioned into an OT.

Heidi

Heidi received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Communication Disorders from Augustana University. She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point where she obtained her Masters of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology. She has a variety of experience working with children in various settings. Prior to joining the team at Therapy OPS, she worked at a private practice specializing in Autism serving children, adolescents, and their families. Heidi is always looking for ways to expand her clinical knowledge and skills. She has completed training within Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), PROMPT, Hanen It Takes Two to Talk, and SCERTS. She enjoys working in the pediatric setting because it allows her to use a play – based approach in turn making therapy fun! The progress the kids make, no matter how big or small, is worth celebrating and rewarding for everyone.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, young son, and cheering on MN sports –big Gopher fans!.

Celia

Celia is an Occupational therapist who received her Master of Arts degree in Occupational Therapy from St. Catherine University. She discovered occupational therapy through volunteer experiences at Gillette Children’s Hospital and an assisted living center which allowed her to work with people across the life span. Through her education and early work experiences, she found her passion working with children and families helping them reach their potential. She believes in a play-based and family focused approach to therapy to help children achieve their goals.

In her spare time, Celia enjoys baking, biking, and reading.

Marissa

Marissa is a local Hastings High School graduate who has worked in the patient care setting for three years. Being a part of a team that helps others improve their quality of life is where her passion lies. Getting to watch her niece and nephews grow and develop brings an excitement to support other families doing the same with their children.

In her free time, she enjoys kayaking, camping, being outdoors, and going for scenic drives. Attending family dinners are a fun weekly highlight as she enjoys spending time and catching up with her family and friends.

Chelsey

Chelsey completed her Masters of Arts in Occupational Therapy at St. Catherine’s University. She has a great deal of experience working with children of all ages in a variety of settings, including preschools, outpatient pediatric clinics, and child care centers. Chelsey utilizes a child-led, play-based approach while working with children. She loves laughing and having fun with kids while they learn and grow. Chelsey also understands the importance of working collaboratively with parents and families in order to provide the best care for kids.

When not at work, Chelsey loves spending time with her family, watching and playing sports, hiking, being outside, reading, crafting, and snuggling with her dog Reggie.

Shannon

Shannon received her undergraduate and her Master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls. Before attending graduate school, Shannon worked as a paraprofessional in the public schools, and as caregiver across various settings (i.e., group homes, assisted living facilities, etc.,). Prior to joining the Therapy OPS team, Shannon spent five years as an Speech Language Pathologist in the public schools, primarily serving  children grades K-6. She enjoys working with children, and believes the most important thing to bring to a therapy session is joy. 

In her spare time she loves spending time with family, especially her daughter and significant other, as well as their many pets; drinking lattes, eating delicious food, gardening, biking, hiking/walking, nature/wildlife, fishing, traveling, exploring, reading, crafting, and listening to music.

Ann

Ann received my bachelor’s degree in exercise science at the University of St. Thomas and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the College of St. Scholastica.  She’s always had a passion for working with children as she was a nanny and worked at summer camps growing up. She loves being around children and helping them grow and develop during such a fundamental part of their life. She strongly believes that each child’s abilities should be celebrated!

In her free time, she loves all things sports related, especially watching college football (Go Gophers!). Ann enjoy being on the lake with her family and friends during the summer, traveling, and going to concerts!

Meagan

Meagan received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from the University of North Dakota after completing a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation and Human Services. She has worked with individuals across the lifespan, most recently working as an OT with adults in a mental health setting. She has experience working with kids and adolescence in their homes, daycares, and as support staff for families. Meagan values letting kids be their authentic selves utilizing play-based and child-lead approaches that target skills and barriers that are most important to the child and family. Meagan has received additional training in integrated reflexes, anxiety, depression, trauma, and sensory-based approaches across the lifespan.

When not at work, Meagan enjoys cooking, hiking, camping, reading, and going thrift shopping with friends and family. She also enjoys watching new shows and going on adventures big and small with her cat and husband.

Hailey

Hailey received her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. She then traveled to Bismarck, North Dakota, to complete her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at University of Mary. Hailey has always loved being around children from spending her summers in middle school at her aunt’s in-home daycare to babysitting and nannying throughout high school and college. During graduate school Hailey quickly learned that pediatrics was the perfect setting for her. She loves being able to show kids what they are capable of and is very passionate about providing quality care to all her patients!

In her free time, Hailey enjoys going for walks with her dog, doing puzzles, rollerblading, playing games, traveling, and spending time at her parents’ lake home in Wisconsin.

Sarah

Sarah received my bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with minors in Early Childhood Studies and Psychology at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. During her time in undergrad, she gained experience working one-on-one with young children and adolescents as a Cognitive Skills Clinician at a therapeutic learning center. Through this, she discovered that she had a passion for helping children learn how to overcome challenges related to communication and literacy. She went on to complete my Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.  

When Sarah am not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and pet cat, Zuko! She also likes to hike, kayak, bake, play videogames, read books, and listen to music or podcasts. One other fun fact about Sarah is that she can get easily excited about Air Shows and Drum Corps International. Apparently, she just loves the sound of loud aircrafts and drums.

Jodi

Jodi has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She later went on to receive her Masters in Occupational Therapy from St. Catherine University, after watching her son’s therapy when he was five years old. She’s worked with all ages across the lifespan in private practice, high school, skilled nursing and various outpatient pediatric clinics. Jodi uses a play-based therapeutic approach and enjoys working with families to bridge the clinic experience with the home environment, to reach goals and to allow kids to feel empowered. She loves to sing with her kiddos and create different way to have fun, while growing, in her therapy sessions. During COVID, Jodi wrote and published her first children’s book “Mag the Mighty Marshmallow.”

Outside of work, Jodi enjoys time with her two (now adult) children Hayden and Emma, friends and her cat, Milo. She is a yoga enthusiast and tries to practice as often as possible. Jodi also loves hiking, traveling, baking, watching movies, attending plays and trying new restaurants.

Olivia

Olivia received her Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. While in graduate school, Olivia gained experience working with a variety of populations ranging from young children to geriatric adults. Olivia’s experience as a student clinician at Therapy OPS solidified her passion for working with children and she looks forward to continuing to learn and grow as a professional. She believes that communication is an essential component to life and strives to ensure that each child she works with is able to overcome their communication challenges and fully express themselves.

When not at work, Olivia enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, camping, being with family and friends, and spending time at her family’s cabin.

Britnee

Britnee received her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in Family Studies from the University of St. Thomas. She completed her Occupational Therapy Assistant degree a few years later from Anoka Technical College. Britnee’s passion of working with children began when she started nannying. She incorporated that passion of working with children while being both an infant and preschool teacher and Personal Care Assistant (PCA) for a young adult with chronic medical conditions for several years. During her time as a PCA, she fell in love with the practice of occupational therapy and went back to school to become an occupational therapy assistant.

When not at work, Britnee enjoys spending time with her significant other and two boys and her sphynx (hairless) cat. She also enjoys being outdoors, weightlifting, baking, reading, and visiting family and friends out of state!

Shannon

Shannon received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and neuroscience from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She holds a variety of youth experiences, such as coaching preschool soccer and t-ball, nannying, and serving as a Lead Preschool Camp Counselor with the YMCA. She feels fulfilled and inspired knowing she is making an impact on our future generation of leaders and enjoys the optimistic perspectives children bring. Shannon is looking forward to connecting with families as the Front Desk/Patient Care Coordinator at the Inver Grove Heights location!

Outside of work, Shannon enjoys spending time with her nephews, friends, and family. She also enjoys playing pickleball, trying new coffee shops, and hot yoga.

Emily

Emily received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at St. Catherine University. She has always wanted to work in the healthcare field with a passion of helping others. Emily has many years of working with children through nannying, volunteering, and her career experiences. She has experience working with neurodivergent children and takes a child-led and client centered approach to support the client and their family. Emily also has experience in early childhood development, specifically following and supporting the development of infants and toddlers born prematurely. Working with children brings so much joy and laughter in Emily’s life.

Outside of work, Emily enjoys traveling, baking, watching movies, reading, taking walks, and spending time with her family.

Ashley

Ashley received her bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders with an interdisciplinary minor from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. A few years later she received her associate degree from St. Catherine University becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Ashley has always had a passion for working with children since she was young. She has experience as a behavioral therapist, preschool teacher, and nanny that have all fueled her passion to continue to work with children in a pediatric environment following school. After her time as an Occupational Therapy Assistant student at Therapy OPS she is eager to continue working with children in her career path.

When not at work, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family and her two dogs. She also enjoys photography, being outdoors, traveling, crafting, and cooking.

Chris

Chris received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Saint John’s University in Minnesota.  After graduating, he spent 15 years working for a large bank where he held roles in various areas including risk/compliance, finance, project management and team manager.  If you made it through that last sentence without yawning, congratulations!  In 2014, Chris joined his wife Rachel in opening Therapy OPS with the intent to provide a safe, comfortable place for families to gain support, training, and the therapy their children need. Rachel’s passion and excitement coupled with his desire to be part of the TOPS family drove his move from the corporate world to Therapy OPS. Chris’ new role will be as a jack-of-all-trades, but will mainly include all of the business management fun that Rachel used to handle. In his spare time, Chris enjoys anything outdoors, the Minnesota Twins, making his kids laugh, Rachel’s reactions to all the hilarious things he says, cooking and time together as a family.