THERABILITIES - Key Persons
Ali Krieger, M.S., OTR/L, attended Messiah College where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Education. Ali went on to complete a Master's degree in Occupational Sciences and Therapy at Grand Valley State University. Prior to becoming an occupational therapist, Ali worked as a registered behavior technician (RBT) providing behavior support (ABA services) to elementary-aged children in their homes. Ali has practiced in the early intervention setting where her interventions focused on sensory processing, fine motor, and feeding. Ali is passionate about children and their support systems, and utilizing children's strengths to overcome barriers to participation!
Andrea Crum, COTA/L, graduated from Penn State Mont Alto, earning her associate's degree in occupational therapy in 2001. Her clinical experience includes skilled nursing care, early intervention, home health, and school systems. Andrea has family members with special needs who inspire her to pursue excellence in pediatric service delivery.
Andrea Merlo, B.A., OTR/L, is a 1991 graduate of Elizabethtown College with a B.A. in English (concentration in professional writing). She completed coursework and certification in Occupational Therapy in 1996 at Elizabethtown. Andrea has specialized in school based pediatric practice for 18 years. She holds a certification in Sensory Integration from WPS. Having provided occupational therapy services in rural, suburban, and urban districts, her career path has allowed her to develop an extensive background in autism, sensory processing/self regulation, social skills acquisition, pre-vocational / transition preparation, and inclusive practices.
Anna Pantalone, OTR/L, graduated from Alvernia University in 2015 with a M.S. in occupational therapy. After gaining clinical experience in outpatient rehabilitation and home health, Anna joined the TherAbilities team in 2016. She provides both school-based and clinical therapy services for TherAbilities. Anna enjoys working with children and is specializing in visual impairments for the TherAbilities team. She is currently seeking her Low Vision Rehabilitation Graduate Certificate from the University of Alabama Birmingham.
Ashley Edson, M.S., OTR/L, graduated from McDaniel College in 2019 with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology. In 2023, Ashley graduated with her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Messiah University. Ashley completed her first level II rotation with TherAbilities, falling in love with school-based practice, and joined the TherAbilities team shortly after the completion of her studies. She enjoys creating evidenced-based interventions that address each student's unique goals so they succeed both in and out of the classroom!
Bonnie Kleinhans, COTA/L, is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant providing school-based services. She has a bachelor's degree in biology and an associate's degree in occupational therapy from Penn State University in 2010. She joined TherAbilties staff in that same year and currently works primarily with elementary age students. Bonnie has also worked in Early Intervention and summer camp settings with children and adolescents with disabilities.
Brandon Siller, RBT, graduated from Liberty University in 2018 with his Bachelor's Degree in Religion: Counseling. Brandon joined TherAbilities in the summer of 2019, following two years of teaching. As a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Brandon spends most of his time in the Big Spring School District. Brandon has a particular interest in how applied behavior analysis (ABA) can help people when it comes to health, fitness, and sports.
Brenda Beitzel, M.S., OTR/L, graduated from James Madison University with a bachelors of Science degree in health sciences and completed her masters of Science degree in occupational therapy at Towson University. Brenda started her career with TherAbilities as a new graduate and has continued her career as a pediatric occupational therapist, both in school systems and in early intervention, as well as private clinical practice. She has worked in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Charlottesville, returning to TherAbilities in 2011. She finds the challenge of using her problem solving skills and creativity during therapy sessions very rewarding. She loves the holistic approach of occupational therapy and focuses on using children's individual strengths to reach their potential.
Carson Houtz, M.S., OTR/L, graduated from Susquehanna University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Health Care Studies and Spanish minors. In 2022, she graduated from Messiah University with a Master of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy. Carson completed Level II Fieldwork experiences in both outpatient rehabilitation and outpatient pediatric settings, joining the TherAbilities team immediately following graduation in 2022. She loves the functional outcome of occupational therapy services and working with children and their support systems to reach independence at home, school, and in their communities!
Casey Farley, M.A., CCC-SLP, graduated from the University of Louisville with a B.A. in Psychology in 2004, and earned her master's degree in Communicative Disorders from West Chester University in 2007. Her pediatric experience includes work in outpatient, home-based, and school-based settings. She began her career with TherAbilities in 2010, providing speech/language services to children in both the outpatient clinic and school settings, as well as TherAbilities' Friendship Group and Summer Camp programs. She has worked with children ranging in age from infant to teenager, with a variety of diagnoses. Casey is passionate about early language development and acquisition, childhood apraxia of speech, and articulation disorders. She prides herself on her ability to communicate effectively and work as a team member with children, their families, other professionals.
Clarissa O'Donnell, MPT, graduated in 1998 from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science with a Bachelors Degree in Health Science and a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy. The majority of her career has been working with children and adults with developmental disabilities at Woods Services, a residential facility with associated private school and adult day programs. She has also practiced in outpatient, early intervention, aquatic, and hippo-therapy settings with children living with cerebral palsy, autistic spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and idiopathic toe walking. She has a special interest in adaptive equipment and is passionate about helping children to become as functional and independent as possible as they grow.
Denisha Roberts, M.S., PT, graduated from Arcadia University in Glenside, PA with a Masters in Physical Therapy. She has worked as a pediatric physical therapist for 20 years. Her work experiences include a pediatric outpatient rehabilitation center as both a manager and as a staff physical therapist and home and school based settings. Denisha started working with TherAbilities in 2008. Her favorite thing about being a pediatric therapist is helping children and their families achieve their goals.
Diana Mitchell, B.S., OTR/L, graduated from Elizabethtown College in 1991 with a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy. She has worked as an Occupational Therapist in the schools for over 23 years. Her career began in Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland, where she worked for 14 years before moving to the west coast. There, she spent 6 years working in multiple small school systems in Washington State, while also working part time in a hospital setting. She moved back to the east coast in 2012, settling in Central Pennsylvania, providing Occupational Therapy services in schools, skilled nursing, and acute rehabilitation. Diana recently joined Therabilities and is excited to have the opportunity to share her years of experience with area school districts.
Elizabeth Vanderhorst, COTA/L, is a 2014 graduate of Penn State Mont Alto where she earned an Associate's Degree of Science in Occupational Therapy. While there, she was awarded "The Academic Excellence in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program" award. She began her occupational therapy career by doing short term travel placements in a variety of settings- psychiatric and mental health, skilled nursing, school-based, and rehabilitation. She enjoys collaborating in an interdisciplinary setting to assist children in reaching their full potential.
Erin Mitrenko, M.S OTR/L, holds a Bachelors Degree in Health and Occupation and a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from Elizabethtown College. Erin began her career at TherAbilities in 2009 and is now re-joining the TherAbilities team after 3 years of working in Eastern PA. Erin has specialized in pediatrics for the last 5 years. She has worked in a variety of settings including school systems, early intervention, and outpatient pediatric therapy through MossRehab. Professional interests and strengths include sensory integration, self regulation, visual perception, fine motor skills and assistive technology.
Erin Potteiger, COTA/L, graduated in 2014 from Penn State Mont Alto with an Associate's Degree of Science in Occupational Therapy(OT). She joined TherAbilities in February 2019 and provides occupational therapy to elementary students. She has more than two years of experience working in an outpatient pediatric therapy facility, with certifications in the Interactive Metronome, pediatric massage, and Social Thinking training. Erin is dedicated to helping each of the children she serves reach their full potential and learn at their highest ability.
Hannah Brown, COTA/L, is a 2020 graduate of Central Penn College where she earned her associates degree in occupational therapy. After graduation, Hannah worked as a caregiver for HomeInstead Senior Care as well as an Instructional Aide for Mechanicsburg School District. After spending months with her students both remotely and in the classroom, Hannah found her passion for OT within the school setting. She is very excited to begin her career with TherAbilities and continue to grow professionally as she starts this new chapter of her life."
Heidi Sowers, COTA/L, graduated with an associates degree in Occupational Therapy from Pennsylvania State University - Mont Alto in 1997. Her career began working with the geriatric population in the Carlisle area. She specialized in rehabilitating patients recovering from cerebral vascular accidents, orthopedic surgeries and traumatic brain injuries. Heidi joined our TherAbilities team in January 2009 and is committed to providing effective school based therapy for her students. Her strengths include her strong organizational and communication skills. Heidi is a member of TherAbilities' Assistive Technology Team.
Job Titles:
- Business Manager
- Early Childhood Educator, Registered Behavior Technician
- TherAbilities' Office Manager
Jessica Emes is TherAbilities' Office Manager and Early Childhood Educator. She is a 1998 graduate of Harrisburg Area Community College, earning her associate's degree in Early Childhood Education. She has educated and worked with children in various settings including home daycares and accredited childcare centers. She began her career at TherAbilities in 2006 and quickly assumed leadership roles in our popular Friendship Group and TherAbilities Summer Day Camp programs. Jessica's strengths include her playful instructional and behavioral approach with children, as well as her excellent communication skills with parents, children and professionals.
Jessica Wilson, COTA/L, graduated from Penn State, Mount Alto, earning her associate's degree in occupational therapy in 2001. She has worked in various settings including acute care, long term acute care, and skilled nursing facilities, along with public and private schools. She has mentored OT students in both pediatrics and adult settings. She began at TherAbilities in 2008 and she found her niche working with the children in the school systems.
Kathrin Marti, COTA/L, graduated from Penn State University in 2010 with an Associates of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy. She has been working with school aged children since and has blended her background as a former teacher and her first hand experience of a mother of two children with special needs to bring a unique perspective to the students she serves. Born in England, she trained as a teacher at the University of Liverpool and was a classroom teacher for two years near Cambridge, England. She also spent three years in Berlin, Germany where she taught military dependents in the years surrounding the fall of the Berlin Wall. Kathrin currently treats children in three school districts and loves every minute of it!
Laura Kosak, DPT, PT, graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Slippery Rock University in 2007 and her Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Dickinson College. She has been practicing physical therapy at TherAbilities since 2008. Laura has school and clinical experience working with children with Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Spina bifida, Autism spectrum disorders, Developmental delays, Neuromuscular impairments and Orthopedic disorders. Laura also enjoys managing orthotics, adaptive equipment, and wheelchair needs. She believes that nothing compares to helping a child gain a new skill to be more interactive and independent with their world.
Lauren Walter, M.Ed., SLP, earned a B.S. Degree in Psychology from Millersville in 2002 and began her career at The Vista School as behavior support staff. Her experiences there sparked an interest in supporting communication skills, and led her to pursue a Master's Degree in Speech & Language Pathology. She has worked with individuals with autism for 15 years, in both private and public school settings as well as programs for adults.
Marybeth Hummel, B.S., PT, graduated from University of Delaware, earning a Bachelor of Science and a Certificate in Physical Therapy. She enjoys a variety of areas of practice including acute care, rehab and outpatient services, settling in school based practice 10 years ago. Currently, she is interested in learning more about how physical therapy services can enhance the quality of education for students with autism, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, and other developmental disabilities. Her strengths include strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as a passion for practice in the educational setting.
Samantha Dougherty, COTA/L, graduated from Central Penn College in 2020. Prior to becoming a certified occupational therapy assistant, Sam earned her bachelor's degree in 1993 in Psychology from UMASS Boston, and spent 11 years serving our country as a helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army. Samantha is dedicated to helping children build their confidence and achieve their goals.
Sarah Brandt, M.S., OTR/L, graduated from Philadelphia University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Design and a Psychology Minor. In 2012 she graduated with her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy also from Philadelphia University. Sarah joined the TherAbilities team after working 4 years in acute care. Her NDT training supports her neurological "lens" as she views each child she serves. She brings a unique perspective to pediatrics often asking "why can we not change the thing that is not working?"
Sarah Elkin, OTR/L, graduated with her M.S. from Elizabethtown College and is a licensed occupational therapist. She has worked in a variety of pediatric settings including outpatient therapy, elementary and high schools, the Vista School, and Maryland School for the Blind. She has experience treating children with developmental delay, ADHD, sensory processing concerns, autism, visual impairments, Down syndrome, feeding, and behavior concerns. Sarah has trained with the Autism Treatment Center of America and is a strong proponent of play therapy and family centered treatment. She values the use of technology as a therapeutic tool.
Job Titles:
- Behavior Analyst and Special Educator
Shontay Sanders, COTA/L, graduated from Penn State Mont Alto's OTA program in 2014. Her career has included work in school settings, long term care, and outpatient pediatric services. In her free time, Shontay enjoys spending time with her family, dog, her son's baseball games, and hiking!
Job Titles:
- Director, OTD
- Technical Support
Tessa Beck, OTR/L, graduated from Alvernia University with a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy and a Bachelor of Science with a minor in Psychology in 2021. She grew up in South Jersey and recently joined the TherAbilities team. She is thrilled to work with the students in the area and promote their independence through fun and creative interventions.