Chelsea Therapists

Candace is a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist of over 10 years. Originating from the Birmingham area she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from Auburn University in 2007 and in 2009 a Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Candace has worked as a pediatric therapist since graduation. Prior to joining the Child’s Play team Candace served children and adolescents with a range of developmental, learning, physical and behavioral differences, as part of an interdisciplinary diagnostic team. During this time, she also served as discipline representative for the UAB Maternal and Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) interdisciplinary training program. 

Candace works in both clinic and school-based settings. She has received additional training in the Handwriting Without Tears® curriculum, The Interoception Curriculum®, as well as advanced trauma training and TBRI®-Caregiver Training provided by Rachel Ashcraft, OTR/L, TBRI® Practitioner. 

Martha Davis is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist and is the Clinical Supervisor of the Chelsea office. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Montevallo in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Science and Disorders and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. She received her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Montevallo in 2008. She has worked in pediatric private practice since graduating in 2008.

She enjoys working with children of all ages! Her special interests include developing language skills, encouraging feeding skills, working with children with fluency issues, teaching reading skills, and improving oral motor skills. Martha has special training in the following areas: Talk Tools® Oral Placement Therapy, Orton-Gillingham® reading program, and Integrated Listening Systems®. She is also a Trust-Based Relational Intervention informed therapist and is part of the Trauma Team at Child’sPlay. Martha has completed extensive continuing education in the area of feeding therapy. She received the ASHA Award for Continuing Education (ACE) in 2022. She is passionate about making the learning of new and difficult skills fun while simultaneously supporting families as they help their children walk through challenges.

Martha and her husband have three sons and are licensed foster parents. In her free time, Martha enjoys reading, shopping, Netflixing, and napping! Email Martha

Sarah is a licensed and registered occupational therapist from Birmingham, Alabama. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from Samford University in 2020 and earned her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Belmont University in 2023. 

Sarah has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and developmental delay. During her Doctoral Capstone, Sarah focused on elopement prevention by  developing tools to improve the experience of caregivers and children who elope. 

Sarah has always had a passion for working with children with disabilities and is looking forward to continuing to collaborate with children and their families throughout her career. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys reading, painting, baking, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Nicole is a licensed and registered occupational therapist. She is originally from Decatur, AL, and moved to Birmingham to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham. There, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and a Master’s of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy. 

Nicole has experience working with children of all ages and is currently serving a local school system. She is passionate about helping children reach their full potential so they can thrive while in the classroom. 

In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband and son, reading, hiking, and playing games. 

Kelli is a licensed and registered occupational therapist. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from Troy University in 2019, and later attended Alabama State University, where she received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2022. Kelli completed her clinical fieldwork in outpatient pediatrics and adult inpatient mental health.

Kelli currently provides school-based occupational therapy in a local school setting as well as therapy in the clinic. She loves working with children of all ages and has a passion for serving children to maximize their independence at school and at home.

In her free time, she enjoys going on walks outside, spending time with loved ones, and playing with her cat, Gerald.

Laura Lee is a physical therapist who has been with Child’s Play Therapy since 2015.  She has been practicing in the pediatric physical therapy setting since 2005 and was an inpatient rehabilitation therapist prior.  Laura earned a master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2003 and has an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Mississippi. 

Laura is currently seeing clients in both the Hoover and Chelsea locations as well as working in a local school system.  Laura enjoys working with children from birth to young adulthood who present with developmental delay, neurological deviations, and orthopedic concerns.  In treating clients, Laura utilizes Neurodevelopmental Treatment techniques learned in continuing education coursework and is also competent with primitive reflex integration, therapeutic taping, vestibular integration therapy, and physical therapy treatment for neuromuscular disorders arising from chronic illness.

Outside of work, Laura has a husband and 3 school-aged children who enjoy traveling and spending time outdoors.  She also gardens, reads, and does lots of laundry. Email Laura

Larkin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in our Hoover and Chelsea locations. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Alabama (Roll Tide). Throughout her career, Larkin has developed her practice working with a diverse clientele, including children, teens, and families experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. She enjoys working with individuals and providing space for their growth and empowerment within themselves. She has witnessed how the power of play therapy can provide children with the skills to process their feelings and experiences in healthy ways and promote healthy attachment and communication skills within their families. 

Larkin specializes in working with children and teens who find it difficult to recognize and understand their emotions, those who feel lost and hopeless or overwhelmed by what life has placed before them. She believes that her clients have strength and power within themselves even if it can’t always be felt or seen. Larkin’s therapy style is open, interactive, positive, and client-centered in order to allow the client to build healthy and effective interpersonal skills.

When she is not working with clients, you can likely find Larkin outside. She enjoys spending time with her family which includes her husband, two dogs, and a horse. She also enjoys reading, cooking, and being active!

Cindy is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Mississippi and her Master of Science degree in Communication and Science Disorders from the University of Montevallo. 

Prior to joining the Child’sPlay Chelsea therapists team, she worked in the public school setting with children from preschool through high school. Most of her experience is with preschool and elementary-aged children. She has experience working with articulation and phonological disorders, language delays, autism, and a variety of other developmental disorders.

Areas of special interest include articulation disorders, phonological disorders, and early language development. Outside of work, Cindy enjoys traveling, reading, family time, and cheering for the Ole Miss Rebels!

Danielle is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in working with children, teens, and their families. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies and her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy From
The University of Alabama. She completed clinic hours at Sprayberry Education Center, DCH Employee Assistance Program, and the Capstone Family Therapy Clinic. She has also worked in private practice for 2 years with children and families.

Danielle has experience working with issues ranging from anxiety and depression to behavioral issues and complex trauma. Working with children is different from working with adults because they do not have the language to express what they are experiencing internally. Danielle utilizes play therapy techniques to help them explore and process what is going on for them internally and in life.

When she’s not working with kids, she likes to spend time with her friends, family, and pets. Email Danielle

Shyanne Thompkins is an ASHA-certified and state-licensed speech-language pathologist with Child’sPlay Therapy Center providing early intervention services in the Birmingham area. Before transitioning to early intervention, Shyanne served students ages 3 to 21 in a local public school system for two years.

Shyanne completed her Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Montevallo. Since graduating in 2020, Shyanne and her husband relocated to Helena, Alabama, with their two children (7 years old and 4 months old) and two dogs (Kilo and Cypher). Shyanne enjoys reading, coloring, serving her community, and collecting coffee cups from places she travels in her spare time.

Bailey is a Clinical Fellow-Speech-Language Pathologist. She graduated from Samford University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She received her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Samford University in April 2023. Bailey completed her clinical fieldwork in preschools, elementary and high schools, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

Bailey has experience working with children with autism spectrum disorder, articulation disorders, language disorders, fluency disorders, dyslexia, and other communicative disorders. Her favorite part of her job is witnessing the confidence and joy that communication can provide children as they grow in their speech and language skills and connect with others.

Bailey spends her free time playing tennis, watching movies, and coaching youth basketball!

Anna is an ASHA-certified and state-licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2014 and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Montevallo in 2018.

During graduate school, Anna gained experience working with preschool-aged children diagnosed with articulation and phonological disorders, as well as completed a portion of her final clinical externship in a local public school.

Since graduation, Anna has worked in a Skilled Nursing Facility serving the adult/geriatric population. Anna is excited to work with children and is currently contracted through Child’sPlay to work in a public school. Anna is married to Lee, and they live in Birmingham, AL.

During her free time, Anna enjoys playing with their Boston Terrier puppy named Peanut, going on walks, reading, shopping, and spending time with friends and family. Email Anna