Our Team

Occupational Therapists

Nicole LaRose, MSR, OTR/L

Nicole completed undergraduate coursework with concentrations in studio art and psychology and then graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina, earning her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy in 2007. Prior to establishing her own private practice, she worked at the Medical University of South Carolina in both inpatient and outpatient clinical settings. With the support and guidance from colleagues, she then set out to create Bloom Children's Therapy with a clear mission and vision in mind for delivering quality therapy services that will have a long-lasting, positive impact on the overall quality of life for children and their families. With over 17 years of experience, she has earned numerous certifications that contribute to the success of her private practice. Nicole is certified in CBIT (Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Tics qualifying her to work with Tourette Syndrome and chronic tic disorders) and has completed continuing education and treatment coursework in the following skill areas: Beckman Oral Motor, Handwriting Without Tears curriculum, Sensory Integration, Self-regulation, Executive Functioning, as well as Casting and Splinting Workshops.

Nicole loves pediatric occupational therapy as it allows her to support and celebrate children and their families during crucial points of development. She truly enjoys working with children from birth to 3 years of age on functional motor development skills. Her favorite treatment activities always incorporate a motor development skill! There is such excitement among the team when a child masters essential life skills and milestones, but Nicole says, "it's the relationships that I get to form and the role I get to play as an educator with each family throughout the therapeutic process that brings me the most joy!" Her values for family-centered care and evidenced-based practice have truly guided Nicole's heart in growing her practice. There's a reason why Bloom Children's Therapy feels like home and invites our therapists and clients alike to grow!

Nicole's favorite hobbies include exercising at the gym, relaxing on the beach, and spending time with family and friends!

Nicole LaRose, MSR, OTR/L
Founder
Director of Operations

Jordan Collins, MS, OTR/L

Jordan graduated from the College of Charleston’s Honors Program in 2017, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and receiving the John Lewis Gervais, Jr. Award and Bishop Robert Smith Award. In 2019, Jordan graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina’s Master’s Degree program in Occupational Therapy and also received an award for professionalism. Jordan has completed professional development courses related to sensory-based feeding, developmental milestones, early intervention techniques, and visual deficits. Jordan is also certified in the Integrated Listening System’s Safe and Sound Protocol.

Jordan joined Bloom’s therapy team in September of 2019. Jordan loves pediatric occupational therapy because, “it’s a true gift to be a part of the process that helps children not only master skills that were once challenging, scary, or thought to be impossible, but also grow in confidence for who they already are and who they aspire to be!” Jordan has a heart for early intervention and feels like family to all she serves. Her favorite treatment activities involve using a child’s favorite toy in a way that brings meaning and play to a non-preferred activity.

Jordan loves all things pineapple and Disney, just ask her twin girls— they are growing up to love them too!

Jordan Collins, MS, OTR/L
Assistant Director of Operations
(York County)

Sara McGee, BA, COTA/L

Sara earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Textile Arts and Psychology from Kent State University. After moving to Charleston, Sara's journey took her in a new direction, and she graduated from Trident Technical College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program in May of 2018. Sara is certified in CBIT (Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Tics qualifying her to work with Tourette Syndrome and chronic tic disorders) and has completed additional continuing education courses related to: sensory processing, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and social emotional learning!

Sara joined Bloom’s therapy team in August of 2019 and now serves as the Assistant Director of Operations-Charleston County. Sara loves pediatric occupational therapy, especially when she gets to connect with a child over a preferred activity. Sara uses a strengths-based approach to help her clients build and learn new skills, all while playing with their favorite toys! She loves seeing the joy in her clients' faces once they meet a goal and gain a new skill! Sara says the best part of her job is "using play as therapy-- this is what creates connection and a safe place for my clients and their families!" Her favorite treatment activities make activities of daily living (like dressing skills, using utensils, and hygiene skills) fun for kids to learn-- these treatment activities always bring out Sara's creative side!

Sara’s favorite food is cheese, and she loves sewing and anything crafty! In her free time, Sara enjoys spending time with her sweet family-- her husband, son, and dog, Luna!

Sara McGee, BA, COTA/L
Assistant Director of Operations (Charleston County)

Elizabeth Williams, BS, COTA/L

Elizabeth graduated from Pitt Community College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program in 2007. In December of 2019, Elizabeth also earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration.

Elizabeth joined Bloom’s therapy team in June of 2018, where she has demonstrated leadership as Bloom’s Referral Coordinator. Elizabeth enjoys seeing children progress with occupational therapy services by making functional gains and becoming more independent with activities of daily living. Elizabeth loves using Play-Doh in treatment sessions to address goals involving fine motor skills, scissor skills, and creativity.

Elizabeth’s favorite color is blue, and her favorite hobby is baking gourmet cupcakes.

Elizabeth Williams, BS, COTA/L
Practice Manager
HIPAA Compliance Officer

Allison Davis, MS, OTR/L

Allison graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina’s Master’s Degree program in Occupational Therapy in July of 2019. Allison has completed continuing education courses related to sensory-based feeding, self-regulation, and the Learn Play Thrive Approach to Autism by Meg Proctor, OTR/L.

Allison joined Bloom’s therapy team in February of 2020, where she enjoys helping children with disabilities achieve their highest potential. Allison loves pediatric occupational therapy because she gets to connect with her clients through play. Her favorite treatment activities always include obstacle courses.

Allison’s favorite foods are pizza and mac and cheese. Her favorite movies are Finding Nemo and Beauty and the Beast.

Allison Davis, MS, OTR/L
Lead Occupational Therapist

Brittany Wellings, MOT, OTR/L, CAS

Brittany graduated from West Virginia University in May of 2019, earning her Master's in Occupational Therapy degree. Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Performance and Health from West Virginia University.

Brittany joined Bloom's therapy team in February of 2021. She recently earned the Certified Autism Specialist (CAS) credential, recognizing her education, experience, and commitment to working with individuals with autism in the healthcare industry. She has also completed continuing education in primitive reflex integration training through PESI. She loves pediatric occupational therapy, because she enjoys being a part of a child's family and working closely with the family! Her passion is to empower the child and the parents/caregivers so that they can all be successful. Brittany’s favorite treatment activity is tactile play, "the messier the better!"

Brittany's favorite artist is Shania Twain and she loves to take her dogs paddle boarding!

Brittany Wellings, MOT, OTR/L, CAS
Lead Occupational Therapist

 

Taylor Gannon, MOT, OTR/L

Taylor graduated from the University of Saint Augustine in 2017, earning her Master’s in Occupational Therapy degree. Prior to graduate school, Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Rhode Island in 2014.

Taylor joined Bloom's therapy team in October of 2021. She loves pediatric occupational therapy, because she enjoys celebrating mastered goals and every victory along the way with her clients and their families. Through OT, she gets to connect with her clients and help them achieve new skills! Taylor’s favorite treatment activities involve therapy swings, because they are so versatile and can incorporate many skills.

Taylor’s favorite color is blue, and she loves to read either at the beach or by the pool!

Taylor Gannon, MOT, OTR/L
Lead Occupational Therapist

Taylor Hunt, MOT, OTR/L

Taylor graduated from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy degree in 2020. Prior to graduate school, Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting at the College of Charleston in 2016. Taylor has also completed the continuing education course, Learn Play Thrive Approach to Autism by Meg Proctor, OTR/L.

Taylor joined Bloom’s therapy team in January of 2022. She loves pediatric occupational therapy, because she enjoys creating a neurodiversity-affirming environment that helps children and their families reach goals and brings smiles to their faces! She loves the creative side of the job where she can use fun treatment activities to reach strength-based goals. Taylor’s favorite treatment activities are obstacle courses and implementing sensory tools to aid with regulation and independence.

Taylor loves the color green and her favorite food is sushi.

Taylor Hunt, MOT, OTR/L
Lead Occupational Therapist

 

Stephanie Campbell, MSOT, OTR/L

Stephanie graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, NC with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science in 2014. In 2017, Stephanie graduated from Jefferson College of Health Sciences with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy.

Stephanie joined Bloom’s therapy team in January of 2019. Stephanie values pediatric occupational therapy because of how children progress with services. She loves seeing children become more independent with their activities of daily living. One of her favorite treatment activities is to incorporate tactile play with the development of fine motor skills.

Stephanie enjoys going to the beach, exercising, and traveling.

Stephanie Campbell, MSOT, OTR/L

Kerri Wells, OTR/LStaff bio coming soon!

Kerri Wells, MS, OTR/L

Kerri graduated from Thomas Jefferson University in 2021, earning her Master’s in Occupational Therapy degree. Prior to graduate school, Kerri earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from the College of Charleston in 2018. Kerri has completed continuing education courses related to the following topic areas: Primitive Reflex Integration, sensory-motor feeding, ADHD, the DIR/Floortime model, and social-emotional learning.

Kerri joined Bloom’s therapy team in November of 2021. She loves pediatric occupational therapy, because she is passionate about helping children grow in skill and maximize their strengths through the therapy process. Her favorite part about being an OT is "seeing a child's face light up when they are having fun and being motivated through the therapeutic process." Kerri truly loves how rewarding it is to work with her clients and their families to achieve goals towards independence in everyday life. Kerri’s favorite treatment activity is creating animal walk scavenger hunts to promote executive function and motor skills!

Kerri loves all things outdoors, including running, boating, and spending time at the beach!

Kerri Wells, MS, OTR/L

Alexa Hanley, OTD, OTR/L

Alexa earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science at the College of Charleston, graduating Magna Cum Laude in May of 2019. Then, she attended the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and graduated with High Honors, earning her Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy in December of 2021.

Alexa joined Bloom’s therapy team in December of 2022. Alexa loves pediatric occupational therapy, because “it is beautiful and inspiring to see children break out of their shells or achieve something once difficult when given the tools to excel!” She learns from her OT clients/families to look and think outside the box and to always persevere when things are hard! Her favorite treatment activities combine obstacle courses in the sensory gym with activities of daily living!

Alexa’s favorite color is teal. She loves tacos, finding new walking trails with her pup, and spending time outdoors!

Alexa Hanley, OTD, OTR/L

Ashley Williams, MSOT, OTR/L

Ashley earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH in May of 2018. She completed her graduate program at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, earning her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy in December of 2022.

Ashley joined Bloom’s therapy team in May of 2023. She loves pediatric occupational therapy and its holistic, collaborative approach! Ashley finds working with children incredibly rewarding, reminding her to “appreciate the simple joys in life!” Ashley is very passionate about the role she gets to play in advocating for her clients and their family members. She loves adapting activities to meet the needs and interests of her clients and always finds the most creative ways to incorporate a child’s favorite things into play-based treatment activities. Messy and food-based play are among her favorite treatment activities.

Ashley loves all things travel, especially when she gets to bring her dog, Posie, along for the adventure! In her spare time, she enjoys going to concerts and watching Disney movies.

Ashley Williams, MSOT, OTR/L

Kelly Schneider, MOT, OTR/L

Kelly earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing at Louisiana State University in May of 2004. In December of 2008, Kelly graduated from Texas Woman’s University, earning her Master’s of Occupational Therapy degree. For over 10 years, Kelly has been working with children ages 0-21 with varying diagnoses in acute care, NICU, PICU, inpatient rehab, and outpatient clinic settings. Kelly has extensive experience treating behavioral feeding concerns as well as sensory feeding issues, including with nippling infants in the NICU. Kelly has further completed professional development courses related to: injury, recovery, and rehabilitation for TBI and spinal cord injuries, the neurological management of sensory processing disorder, and integrated approaches to pediatric feeding disorders.

Kelly joined Bloom’s therapy team in February of 2024. Kelly loves pediatric occupational therapy, because she loves watching children develop skills and confidence during their therapy sessions. According to Kelly, “it’s also a joy and privilege to help parents learn more about the way their children see the world!” Kelly is truly passionate about and enjoys working with picky eaters. To her, it’s a FUN process of becoming comfortable with food on their hands and using food play to work through sensory aversions before they can even begin the process of tasting/eating! Kelly’s favorite treatment activities always involve food play; the messier the play— the better!

Kelly loves all the sweets and enjoys power yoga or reading in her spare time!

Kelly Schneider, MOT, OTR/L

Reagin Hunter, OTD, OTR/L

Staff bio coming soon!

Reagin Hunter, OTD, OTR/L

Emily Bott, OTD, OTR/L

Staff bio coming soon!

Emily Bott, OTD, OTR/L

Elizabeth High, OTD, OTR/L

Staff bio coming soon!

Elizabeth High, OTD, OTR/L

Katherine VanDerStad, MSOT, OTR/L

Staff bio coming soon!

Katherine VanDerStad, MSOT, OTR/L

Jaymie Hughes, OTD, OTR/L

Staff bio coming soon!

Jaymie Hughes, OTD, OTR/L

Jessica Flores, BS, COTA/L

Jessica graduated from Jamestown Community College in 2004 and became board certified as an OTA. She has held licenses in NY, PA, and SC. Prior to becoming an occupational therapy assistant, Jessica was a child care counselor for emotionally disturbed adolescents and worked with developmentally disabled adults. Her background is specifically strong in neurodevelopmental science and pediatrics, as she completed training under Jennifaye Brown, Ph.D, PT. She also works with Amedisys Home Health and at Encompass Rehab Hospital, staying current with all aspects of OT.

Jessica joined Bloom’s therapy team in September of 2017. She enjoys working with Spanish speaking families in home health and developing her Spanish speaking skills. Jessica loves that pediatric occupational therapy targets social skills and social interaction, bringing Jessica back to her counseling roots. Jessica's favorite treatment activity is performing a variety of animal walks with her therapy kiddos to help them develop coordination, speed, and force.

Jessica loves cooking and reading in her free time, as well as spending time with her family, husband, and her shih tzu, Ellie.

Jessica Flores, BS, COTA/L

Jessica Fay, BS, COTA/L

Jessica graduated from Trident Technical College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program in May of 2017.

Jessica joined Bloom’s therapy team in January of 2023. Jessica loves pediatric occupational therapy, because she loves to be a part of the team and therapeutic process that truly changes the lives of her clients. She believes that “it is so rewarding to help my clients understand and navigate the world.” Her favorite treatment activity is constructing obstacle courses with her clients, because they can work on so many different goals and have fun while doing it!

Jessica’s favorite color is pink, and her favorite food is pasta! Jessica enjoys hiking, walking her dog, and sailing!

Jessica Fay, BS, COTA/L

Sarah Way, AAS, COTA/L

Sarah graduated from Trident Technical College in May of 2022 and became board certified as an OTA.

Sarah joined Bloom’s therapy team in February of 2023. She loves pediatric occupational therapy, because she is just a big kid at heart! She also loves to share in all of the celebratory moments with her clients and their families after mastering new skills! Sarah’s favorite treatment activities are sensory-based; the messier the better!

Sarah loves the color green. Her favorite hobby is riding her horse.

Sarah Way, AAS, COTA/L

Physical Therapists

Jennifer Pitassi, PT Jennifer graduated from Boston University in 1992 and has worked in a multitude of pediatric settings including outpatient, inpatient, several interdisciplinary clinics, and pediatric aquatics. She attained her Pediatric Certified Specialist in 1998, recertifying in 2008 and 2017. She has served as team leader at MUSC's inpatient unit and helped develop the DPT program at MUSC.Jennifer joined Bloom's therapy team in February of 2020. She loves pediatric physical therapy and developing relationships with her clients and their family members. She says that her favorite part of her job is seeing the moms smile and sometimes cry as their child does a task for the first time! Her favorite treatment activity is helping kiddos learn to ride a bike/trike. Jennifer loves all animals. She has dogs and chickens, but would love to have a full farm one day!

Jennifer Pitassi, PT, PCS

Jennifer graduated from Boston University in 1992 and has worked in a multitude of pediatric settings including outpatient, inpatient, several interdisciplinary clinics, and pediatric aquatics. She attained her Pediatric Certified Specialist in 1998, recertifying in 2008 and 2017. She has served as team leader at MUSC's inpatient unit and helped develop the DPT program at MUSC.

Jennifer joined Bloom's therapy team in February of 2020. She loves pediatric physical therapy and developing relationships with her clients and their family members. She says that her favorite part of her job is seeing the moms smile and sometimes cry as their child does a task for the first time! Her favorite treatment activity is helping kiddos learn to ride a bike/trike.

Jennifer loves all animals. She has dogs and chickens, but would love to have a full farm one day!

Jennifer Pitassi, PT, PCS
Lead Physical Therapist

Betsy Murphy, PT, MSPT

Betsy completed her undergraduate career at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, earning her Associate Degree in Science in May of 2000 and her Associate Degree in Arts in May of 1999. She then graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in May of 2003, earning her Masters of Health Science in Rehabilitation— Physical Therapy. Betsy has worked in a multitude of pediatric settings including outpatient, aquatics, PICU, home health, early intervention, and telemedicine. Betsy has also completed continuing education courses related to the following specialty areas: splinting, dynamic orthoses, DME funding, taping, and treatment interventions for children with cerebral palsy, CNS disorders, torticollis, spina bifida, posture alignment issues, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, neurological conditions, and many more! Betsy’s qualifications have also led her to multiple opportunities to present at the NC Physical Therapy Association and serve as a clinical instructor for Methodist University, Marymount University, Elon University, and the University of North Carolina.

Betsy joined Bloom’s therapy team in January of 2024. She loves pediatric physical therapy and “the constant challenge of making ‘work’ playful and fun!” Her favorite treatment activities are play-based functional strengthening tasks.

Betsy loves sushi, biking, and spending time with her dog, Lola!

Betsy Murphy, PT, MSPT
Lead Physical Therapist

Emily Murphy, PT, DPT

Staff bio coming soon!

Emily Murphy, PT, DPT

 

Maille Guerin, PT

Staff bio coming soon!

Maille Guerin, PT

Marla Payne, PT, MHS

Staff bio coming soon!

Marla Payne, PT, MHS

 

Support Staff

 

Cristian Mathes

Cristian graduated from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC in May of 2017.

Cristian joined the Administrative Team at Bloom Children’s Therapy in March of 2022 and is excited to serve as our Administrative Support Specialist. Cristian enjoys working with children, because they have such a fun outlook on life. Everything is new to a child, and she loves being able to support children as they learn new skills at Bloom Children’s Therapy!

Cristian’s favorite color is red, and she loves cookies and CrossFit!

 

Cristian Mathes
Administrative Support Specialist

“Bloom’s therapy team members are TOP of the line. Friendly, professional, and eager to help their patients progress. They have treated each of my kids as if they are their own. My family has received the best care. ”
“We have truly enjoyed watching our daughter reach new goals and gain independence during her time at Bloom’s Children’s Therapy. Our therapist works closely with her teachers and therapists to develop the best plan to address our daughter’s individual needs.”