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Lena Thoresen, OTR/LFounder of Women's Center
Owner Occupational Therapist READ BIO
Lena Thoresen, Owner of Children’s Therapy Solutions Inc, and acting Clinic Director was born and raised in Norway. Lena came to the USA as a senior in highschool. Lena’s passion for children, heart for people, and her tenacity to lead a life supporting a community and helping others was what led her to be a founding member of Children’s Therapy Solutions Inc, in 2004. Lena’s deep care for people is what led her on the path to be an Occupational Therapist, graduating from Eastern Kentucky University. She specialized in infants, as well as complex cases where her key focus is providing support to the child’s caregivers and family to motivate them around an individualized treatment program, designed specifically for their loved one. Lena’s strong values of kindness and a non-judgmental approach to individuals from all walks of life are the pillars of what she runs her organization around. Treating patients, caregivers, and employees with respect and fairness is at the heart of Children's Therapy Solutions Inc founding and continued principles. As Children’s Therapy Solutions Inc continues to grow, Lena’s goal is to maintain the spirit of care, kindness, and compassion as a threat throughout the company’s customer service and therapy provision. Along with this spirit, Lena promotes an equal drive to provide therapy services to any and all in the community and surrounding areas that are in need. |
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Megan Halliday, M.S., OTR/LFounder of Women's Center
Owner Occupational Therapist READ BIO
Megan obtained her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University. Her love for children and helping families brought her into this field. Megan has been with CTS since 2008 and has extensive experience in Sensory Processing Disorders, Handwriting Without Tears and academic based therapies, and feeding therapy utilizing the S.O.S. Feeding Approach. She also has training in the Alert Program for self-regulation, FloorTime, and Brain Gym. Megan connects with families and individualizes treatment to meet the family’s needs. One of her specialties is problem solving difficult situations to create practical solutions to apply in the home setting to maximize progress. Megan enjoys anything outdoors, volunteering with Junior League of Manatee County and other non-profits, spending time with family and friends, traveling, music, and watching sports (Go Rays!). |
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Hayley PurdyPatient Relations Coordinator
Marketing READ BIO
Hayley is originally from Tennessee and attended Jackson State where she received a Bachelors degree in Marketing. She began working for CTS six years ago and was quickly realized to be a Superstar. She is the Patient Relations Coordinator, Head of Marketing, Insync Specialist, Insurance Navigator and also the person that everyone goes to when they have any special need or request. She is an integral part of CTS and the Women's Center needless to say. In her free time, she loves hanging out with her husband and traveling to the Keys. |
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Jes Costa, PT, DPT, PCSPhysical Therapist
Pediatric Certified Specialist Prenatal and Postpartum Care Pelvic Health- Pediatric Myofunctional Release- Women and Infant including latch support Torticollis Infant massage for management of GERD/ Reflux Biofeedback READ BIO
Jessica (Jes) Costa is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy. Jes obtained her Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of South Florida in 2008, and her Bachelor of Science Degree in 2004 from Eckerd College, where she was also a collegiate women’s soccer player. Jes has spent the last 14 year specializing in pediatrics with concentrations in fragile infants, torticollis, and myofunctional work. While working in this field, Jes has also published, presented and implemented evidence based evaluations, as well as promoted best practice for infants throughout the CTS system. Jes is also a part of the Women’s Center at CTS where she uses these skills to assist with oral motor feeding, and overall body work on infants post partum. Jes also has strengths in intensive strengthening/frequency of physical therapy to be utilized in the pediatric population. As well as a strong passion for the sports/orthopedic population. Jes is certified in Infant Massage/Myofascial release, Kinesiotaping for the pediatric population, Serial Casting, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, Pelvic Health in the pediatric population, and Thera-suit Intensive Method. In her free time Jes enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys being active and outside. |
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Lauren Geraldson, PT, DPTPhysical Therapist
Prenatal and Postpartum Care Pelvic Health- Women Myofunctional Release- Infant Torticollis Biofeedback READ BIO
Lauren obtained her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in 2017 and prior to that attended the University of Florida for her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology in 2013. Lauren has been employed at Children’s Therapy Solutions for five years and during that time has served a diverse patient population from infants to adolescents, and beyond, with a wide range of diagnoses. Lauren has always had a passion for working with children and is happiest being a part of independent mobility from a young age. Lauren is an integral part of the Women's Center at Children's Therapy Solutions, where she specializes in pelvic health for the pediatric and adult woman population. Outside of CTS Lauren teaches at Nova Southeastern in the pediatric course helping PT students learn how to treat the pediatric population. Lauren is active in her community as a member of The Junior League of Manatee County. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband & son, traveling to new destinations, and cheering on The Gators. |
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Kelly Zaprzal, PT, DPTPhysical Therapist
Prenatal and Postpartum Care Pelvic Health- Women Myofunctional Release- Infant Torticollis Biofeedback Dry Needling READ BIO
Kelly attended The University of Alabama where she received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and obtained her doctorate degree in physical therapy from The University of Florida. Kelly’s main goal is to help support and empower children and families to achieve their goals and have fun while doing it! Outside of the clinic, Kelly loves running, watching Food Network, and cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide! |
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HEATHER LETO, MOT, OTR/L, CLC
Occupational Therapist
Infant feeding Breastfeeding support Myofunctional Release- Infant Torticollis READ BIO
Heather graduated from Adventist University of Health Sciences with her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy in 2016. Heather has been employed for CTS since 2017 and has served a diverse patient population from infants to adolescents with a wide range of diagnoses. Heather works as part of our skilled feeding therapy team specializing in the Beckman Oral Motor protocol which focuses on interventions to increase functional feeding skills for children of all ages. Heather is a Certified Lactation Counselor who works closely on a collaborative team to support mothers and infants breast and bottle feeding. She has a passion for early intervention and has taken a variety of specialized course to meet the needs of this population while incorporating family-centered care into her treatment sessions. Heather was born and raised in Florida, loves spending time with her family, boating, and is a mommy to 2 beautiful little girls. |