OUR TEAM
Owners
Lisa Cooseman, OTR/L, MS
Lisa received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Maryville University in St. Louis. She is a guest lecturer for several local universities. Some of the coursework Lisa has previously taught includes pediatric neuro-rehabilitation, sensory processing, handwriting, and child development. Lisa enjoys doing seminars for parents, teachers and other professionals. She also is involved with the board at the Cottleville Weldon Spring Chamber of Commerce and enjoys networking in the community.
Lisa has extensive training in handwriting, as well as, CranioSacral Therapy, Therapeutic Listening®, oral motor treatment, feeding difficulties, visual processing concerns, and treating children with sensory processing concerns. Lisa has also completed training in the S.O.S. Approach to Feeding and is SIPT certified.
Carrie received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. Throughout her career, Carrie has had the opportunity to provide services to children of all ages, as well as adults who exhibit sensory processing challenges. She has provided therapy services in school, home and community settings.
Carrie has extensive training in treating children with sensory processing disorder and other challenges. She has had the fortune of completing advanced training with world-renowned therapists at both Camp Avanti in Wisconsin and the STAR center in Colorado. Carrie has additional training in handwriting, visual-vestibular treatment, and oral motor skill development. She also has advanced training in reflex integration, trauma, and holistic wellness & nutrition. She is certified in Therapeutic Listening®, The Listening Program®, Integrated Listening Systems (iLS)©, The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and Interactive Metronome®. Carrie is also certified in Sensory Integration Therapy and is SIPT certified through USC/WPS. She is a Level One Core in Training with the MNRI® Method.
Carrie Salyer, MS, OTR/L
Rob Salyer, BSBA
Rob earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Washington University in St. Louis. As Director, he oversees and manages all daily operations of the practice. Rob brings a wealth of business and practical experience to the team. He is passionate about helping children and families who are struggling with developmental concerns.
He has continued his education and training, focusing on business leadership, management, healthcare regulations, billing, coding, and multiple computer applications and systems. He also has training in conflict resolution, Trust-Based Relational Intervention®, positive behavior management, and sensory integration.
Matt Cooseman, OTR/L
Matt earned his Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Maryville University in St. Louis. Matt has over 12 years of experience of being an occupational therapist in an early childhood school setting, though he enjoys working with children of all ages. He serves as the fieldwork coordinator for Leaps and Bounds, coordinating both Level 1 and Level 2 internships with colleges and universities across the country.
Matt has received training in a variety of areas including oral motor treatment, feeding difficulties, visual processing. handwriting, and sensory processing concerns. He has also completed training in the S.O.S. Approach to Feeding.
Occupational Therapists
Erin Wilhite, MOT, OTR/L
Erin received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Maryville University in St. Louis. Erin has worked in a variety of settings, including homes, outpatient, schools, and rehabilitation. She loves working with children one-on-one, though she has exceptional skills in leading groups, as well. Erin oversees all of the occupational therapy groups and learning enrichment camps for Leaps and Bounds.
Erin also serves as a supervisor to occupational therapy interns completing their fieldwork at Leaps and Bounds. She has received continuing education training in the areas of sensory processing, handwriting, oral motor/feeding techniques, and Brain Gym®.
Julie Johnson, OTD, OTR/L
Julie received her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from Saint Louis University while researching OT's role in primary care within a pediatrician office. She was first introduced to pediatric occupational therapy while working with her younger cousins who are on the autism spectrum. Julie has received continuing education in many areas including sensory processing, oral motor assessment and intervention (Talk Tools® program, Beckman Oral Motor), feeding therapy with the SOS® Approach to Feeding and the Get Permission Approach, and executive function. She enjoys working with children of all ages and all abilities!
Julie leads therapy groups as well as provides individual therapy at Leaps and Bounds. She also serves as a supervisor to occupational therapy interns completing their final fieldwork rotations at Leaps and Bounds. Our garden bed is one of Julie's favorite pieces of "equipment" at Leaps and Bounds, because there are many therapy goals and practical skills that can addressed through gardening with the children.
Erica Haarmann, MOT, OTR/L
Erica received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Saint Louis University. Erica has always had a love for working with children in a variety of settings. She has received continuing education in sensory processing, visual perception, and Social Thinking®. Erica has also attended the Handwriting Without Tears™ course for ages Pre-K and K-5.
Erica also serves as a supervisor to occupational therapy interns completing their fieldwork at Leaps and Bounds.
Nicole Dempsey, MOT, OTR/L
Nicole earned her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. She has worked with children with a variety of diagnoses and of all ages. She has experience in a school setting that compliments her therapy in our clinic. Nicole has a passion for social skills and leads our ABCs to Social Skills group. Nicole also serves as a supervisor to occupational therapy interns completing their fieldwork at Leaps and Bounds. She has received continuing education in sensory processing, visual motor skills, and emotional regulation.
Amy Heffernan, MOT, OTR/L
Amy received her Bachelor of Psychology with a minor in Deaf Studies and Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Maryville University in St. Louis. She was first introduced to pediatric occupational therapy from her brother who is on the autism spectrum. She has always had a passion to help children grow and enjoys working with children of all ages and abilities. Amy has received continuing education in sensory processing, reflex integration, and feeding techniques.
Amy leads therapy groups as well as provides individual therapy at Leaps and Bounds.
Chloe Young, COTA/L
Chloe graduated from Jefferson College and received her degree as an Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. She has experience with all ages and diagnoses, Aquatic therapy, and a variety of settings and environments like inpatient and outpatient therapy. Chloe is currently leading a variety of group therapy sessions: executive functioning and boy's squad.
Chloe is passionate about helping and watching her clients grow and achieve their goals. She is very outgoing, creative, and passionate in everything she does!
Kim Lorenz, MS, OTR/L
Kim earned her Master of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Washington University. She has provided therapy for the entire lifespan, from infant to 104 years. Her work has taken her into a variety of settings, including the home, school, skilled nursing facility, hospital, and community. Kim has received training through a variety of conferences on topics including nutrition, interventions for children with autism, oral motor/feeding techniques, and a variety of sensory integration therapy interventions. She has also gained invaluable training through working with the Disabled Athlete Sports Association, which provides sports opportunities to children with physical disabilities and visual impairments.
Kali Perry, MOT, OTR/L
Kali earned her Master Degree in Occupational Therapy from University of Missouri-Columbia. She also received a Minor in Nutrition. Kali is currently back in school for her Doctor of Occupational Therapy through the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is pursuing a graduate certification in positive youth development.
Kali values strength–based approaches in practice. She has experience with adults and pediatrics, but has a passion for pediatrics due it being more fun, playful, and creative. Kali loves the freedom and versatility for working in outpatient pediatrics.
Speech & Language Therapists
Carissa Speelman, MA, CCC-SLP
Carissa received her Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Louis University. She has provided therapy in a variety of settings, including school-based, outpatient clinic, home-based, hospital, and skilled nursing facilities. Carissa has experience working with children of all ages with a variety of diagnoses including articulation and phonological disorders, language impairment and delay, apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorders, literacy disorders, and fluency disorders. She has received specific continuing education in the areas of articulation and phonological disorders, augmentative and alternative communication, literacy, social communication/pragmatics (Social Thinking ®, More Than Words ®), apraxia of speech (TalkTools ®), and supervision. She loves helping kids communicate and find their voices!
Carissa also serves as a supervisor to speech-language pathology interns completing clinical rotations at Leaps and Bounds.
Sarah Metz, M.S., CCC-SLP
Sarah earned her degrees from Maryville University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, a Minor in Psychology and Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology. She has enjoyed working with individuals of all ages and diagnoses in both the outpatient and school settings. She has had experience with running groups and individualized sessions in both of these settings. Sarah gained valuable experience by working as an ABA Implementer in graduate school, which furthered her knowledge of how sensory processing plays a role in language learning.
Her passions are Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), teaching about self-advocacy, and working with autistic students and young adults. She has continued to gain knowledge by learning about Gestalt Language Processing and participating in training on Neurodiversity. Sarah recently completed training and is now certified in Lively Letters, a multi-sensory reading program.
Alexa Lasam, M.A., CCC–SLP
Denise “Alexa” Lasam is a Missouri native, born and raised. She earned her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Saint Louis University and her Masters of Arts Degree for Speech-Language Pathology from St. John's University in Queens, New York. She has experience working with children and adults of all-ages in educational settings (early childhood), clinic settings, and hospital settings. Alexa has worked with children with a variety of diagnoses like articulation and phonological disorders, expressive and receptive language impairment and delay, autism spectrum disorder, and fluency disorders.
Alexa has a passion for working with the littles and making creative, fun, and interactive therapy activities to target your child’s goals. She’s excited to be a part of the journey in empowering your kiddo to find their voice to help connect them with others through communication.
Administration
Lori Cannon, OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
Lori earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri. Lori has years of experience in administration working for a tax service and in retail. She is an expert in navigating the ever-changing world of health insurance and helps families determine their benefits and how to access them effectively.
Having children of her own, one with a learning disability, has given Lori the compassion to help families with children who experience similar challenges.
Emily Galvan, BILLING SPECIALIST
Emily has been with Leaps & Bounds since 2014. She has over 18 years of experience in office administration in a wide variety of settings. She, her husband, and their two daughters moved back to Missouri in 2014 after living in Anchorage, Alaska for 10 years prior. Emily is excited to be using all of her office experience to benefit the families at Leaps and Bounds.
Shawnee Haas, OFFICE STAFF
Shawnee began working at Leaps and Bounds during the fall of 2021. She earned an Associate's degree in Elementary Education from St. Charles Community College. Currently, she is focused on earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Maryville University in St. Louis. Shawnee has a heart for working with children and helping them learn and grow.
Lilly Menne, OFFICE STAFF
Lilly is a fourth-year student at Maryville University, graduating with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in December. She will be entering the online Child Life Master's program through Missouri State University in August of 2024. She loves being around kiddos and seeing them learn and grow. This is why she also works at a daycare part-time! At Leaps and Bounds, she uses her time to answer phone calls, schedule evaluations, assist with scheduling, and keep our building clean!