Joelle is an Occupational Therapist who discovered the joy of working in Pediatric Occupational Therapy after working with adults in psychiatric setting, skilled nursing home, adult daycare centers, and home health. 

Joelle received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California and a Master of Arts in French Literature from California State University Long Beach.  

Joelle enjoys working with children because each child is unique! 

When Joelle isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and traveling.

Clinic Location: Madrona and Salem clinic

Tami has been an Occupational Therapist for 27 years and has mostly served the pediatric population & their families.

Tami graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and received a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Tufts University.  

Tami has a specific love for working with children with sensory integration issues and has completed extra training in this area. Tami is certified to perform the Sensory Integration & Praxis Tests (SIPT) and has extensive training in sensory integration, feeding, and handwriting. 

When she’s not working, Tami enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cheering on the OSU Beavers. 

Clinic Location: Salem Madrona & Fairview

Emily is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. She has worked with children in multiple settings for over 12 years.

She had initially worked as an aide in a pediatric outpatient clinic where she fell in love with the profession and decided to pursue a career as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Emily graduated from Linn-Benton Community College with an Associate’s of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy.

In her spare time, Emily enjoys spending time with family and friends, particularly if that time is spent outdoors while hiking, camping, or exploring new places.

Clinic Location: Salem Madrona & Fairview

Christina is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant whose love for children and desire to build on their individual strengths led her to pursue a position at Creating Pathways Therapy in 2020. Christina’s clinical specialty and passion is working with children who are diagnosed with ADHD and she enjoys supporting and teaching children and their families to advocate for themselves in the community setting.

Christina received an Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy in at Linn-Benton Community College and has been certified as an ADHD-rehabilitation service provider since March of 2023.

Christina has the ability to cultivate true partnerships with the families she serves and uses a child-centered and play-based approach to her therapy sessions. In her education and experience, she has worked with children in both home health and clinical pediatric settings.

When she’s not working with children, Christina loves spending her free time with her husband and two children exploring the outdoors, BBQing, boating, and being a sports mom.

Clinic Location: Salem Madrona & Fairview

Stephanie is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant whose passion for working with children provided new purpose and direction in her life after a long career in customer service. 

Stephanie’s clinical specialty is helping school-aged children thrive in their community and home life and assisting them with meeting their full potential through their main occupation, play!

Stephanie received an Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy at Linn-Benton Community College in June of 2021, and was fortunate enough to find her way to Creating Pathways in March of 2022.

Stephanie thrives on meeting children where they’re at and engaging them in activities that interest them through a fun and play-based approach.  She is a kid at heart and enjoys the creativity that Occupational therapy provides to the treatment of children.  She has experience with Sensory Integration, Self-regulation strategies and the Wilbarger Deep Pressure Protocol.

When not working with the children, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her own family, gardening, crafting, and doing yoga. 

Clinic Location: Albany

Maria is a certified occupational therapy assistant who seeks to work collaboratively with families to help children achieve their goals and discover tools that will provide lifelong benefits.

Maria graduated from Linn-Benton Community College earning her associates in applied science of occupational therapy assisting. She enjoyed fieldwork placements within the program in inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facility, and pediatric settings, gaining valuable knowledge and experience from each.

Maria’s previous experience working with infants in a pre-school setting and toddlers as a nanny sparked her interest in pursuing pediatric occupational therapy; She witnessed the powerful impact of learning through play on developmental outcomes, as well as the influence of the child’s environment on these outcomes. Occupational therapy presented itself as a prime opportunity for Maria to focus on these factors in order to support growth and development in functional independence.

Outside of work, Maria finds fulfillment surfing, dancing, hiking, and spending time with her loved ones. 

Clinic Location: Salem Fairview

Carolyn is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant who has transitioned within the last several years from working with adults and seniors to children.  She finds the change challenging and refreshing.  Most recently, Carolyn completed a year working at a school in CA. and looks forward to further work in the clinic setting. 

Carolyn received an Associate Degree in OT at Loma Linda University in 1997 and is also a National Board Certified Health Coach. With many years in the field Carolyn has seen how the field has changed and evolved through the years and can bring some of the old wisdom as well as the new as she never wishes to stop learning. 

Carolyn spent a year in a school in CA working with all ages of youth and about 9 months in an outpatient clinic in CA as well.  This leaves a grand total of 28 years completed in skilled nursing and home health!  

When she’s not working with children, Carolyn loves spending her free time hiking with her dog, friends, and family, using her camper or van to see new places in OR, playing pickleball, cooking healthy food and swimming! 

Clinic Location: Salem Fairview

Jolene is a certified Occupational Therapist Assistant whose passion for serving others brought her to switch careers after managing Jamba Juices for 15 years.  Jolene’s clinical specialty and passion is working with children of all ages on emotional regulation, developing gross motor skills and exploring sensory strategies while enriching the lives of children through play.

Jolene received an Associates of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy from Linn Benton Community College. Jolene has experience teaching English to students in Thailand, as a swim instructor for all ages and is continuing her education in sensory integration.

Jolene loves engaging families through play-based therapy and assisting children to learn and grow in a fun and supportive environment. Throughout her education and experience, Jolene has worked with children and adolescents in educational and clinical settings as well as working with children with Dyslexia.

When she’s not working with children, Jolene enjoys swimming, camping, and exploring the natural world with her husband and son. 

Clinic Location: Salem Fairview Clinic

Susan is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant who loves working with children and their families. Susan is passionate about helping children reach their full potential and loves watching them learn, grow, and thrive. Susan is truly a “people person” and enjoys connecting with people and building relationships.

Susan received an Associates Degree in Applied Science from Linn Benton Community College. She also holds certifications in Basic Lifesaving, CPR, and First Aid. She is excited to put her knowledge to work for the communities of Albany, Salem, Corvallis, and beyond.

Susan is new to the clinical world but has been working with children in various settings for 7 years. She has worked in preschools, special education classrooms, after school programs, and has been teaching children to swim for the past 5 years. Her fieldwork experience includes working with the diagnostic team at CDRC in Eugene, OR, and the Occupational Therapy team at Springfield School District.

When she’s not working with children, Susan enjoys spending time with her own kiddo, Sage, and their dog, Emmett. They love to adventure, explore, and discover.

Clinic Location: Albany & Salem Fairview

Amelia is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant whose passion for nurturing the whole child fueled her pursuit of a career in occupational therapy. Amelia received an Associates of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assisting from Linn-Benton Community College.

Amelia loves furthering the progression of a child’s development and meeting their goals, including coaching the adults in the child’s life as partners in the therapy process. In her education and experience, Amelia has worked with children across pediatric settings including equine assisted therapeutic services, and in the clinical and school settings.

Outside of work, Amelia enjoys crafting, spending time with her pets, and playing games with family and friends.

Clinic Location: Salem Fairview & Albany

Adam is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant whose passion for working with children provided new purpose and direction in his life, bringing him to Creating Pathways.  Adam’s clinical specialty is helping school-aged children thrive in their community and home life, while helping them advocate for their needs to better play, interact, and develop.

Adam received an Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy at Linn-Benton Community College. In the last two years as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, Adam has worked with many children in the Willamette Valley through Mighty Oaks, Old Mill Center, and finally Creating Pathways.

Adam thrives on engaging and challenging children through a fun and play-based approach, always seeking to test their limits and provide support and encouragement.  His time in school and pediatric clinical settings fortified his ability to connect with children on a personal and emotional level to reassure and promote successful interactions with family and peers.  He has training in SOS approach to feeding, Handwriting Without Tears, reflex integration, and the Wilbarger Deep Pressure Protocol.

When not working with the children of his community, Adam enjoys spending time with his own family, hiking, and watching sports.

Clinic Location: Albany