Our Therapists

Ellisa is a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist who graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Alabama with a B.S. in Health Sciences in 2017 and an M.S. in Occupational Therapy in 2019. As a part of her Master’s program, she completed a 12 week level II rotation at an outpatient pediatric clinic and has experience as an OT in the school setting. She has completed extensive volunteer hours working with youth groups, group homes, special Olympics, etc. in addition to advising and mentoring undergraduate students interested in occupational therapy.

Jenni Boerner is a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She has 11 years of experience providing diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders in the preschool through middle school age population. Her areas of specialty include articulation and phonological disorders, fluency, language delays. She has training in adult foreign accent modification.

Jenni received her undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Communication Science Disorders from the University of Montevallo. Jenni enjoys providing therapy for children of all ages and motivating them to be excellent communicators.

She is committed to engaging the family and other caregivers of her clients to maximize therapy results. She enjoys reading, exercise and old movies. She and her husband, Bob, have 3 boys.

Melanie is a speech-language pathologist who joined Child’sPlay in June of 2020. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Auburn University in 2017 and her master’s degree in speech pathology from the University of Alabama in 2020. Her clinical experience encompasses a diverse population from preschool age to the geriatric population, in a variety of settings including elementary schools, skilled nursing facilities, and university clinic. Her favorite part of her clinical experience was working with the pediatric population to enhance and improve communication skills in creative ways and in a fun, encouraging environment. She loves reading just about anything, spending time with her husband and adorable cat, Oscar.

Taylor is a speech-language pathologist who started at Child'sPlay in June of 2018, and serves as the Clinical Supervisor of Speech-Language Pathology. She graduated from Auburn University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders(War Eagle!) and earned her Master of Science from the University of Montevallo in 2017.

She has clinical experience working with children in various settings including school systems, early intervention, and private practice. She is eager to build relationships with her clients and their families, facilitate communicative success, and encourage each child to reach his or her full potential. Taylor enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, serving in student ministry, and attending music and theatre events.

Laura is the Clinic Director of our Huntsville location. She joined the Child's Play team in November 2016 after her family moved to Huntsville from the Chicago area. She has been a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist since 1994 and has worked with children with a variety of diagnoses and disorders in outpatient pediatric settings as well as in early intervention. She has training in and experience with LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning) and SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory feeding approach), is a certified provider of the Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention Protocol as well as an Early Intervention Specialist in the State of Alabama. Laura also has extensive experience in clinical supervision and clinical management as a pediatric clinic director in the Chicago area.

Hollye Dickey is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist. She graduated from Alabama A&M University with a Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders in 2010. Prior to working at Child’s Play, she worked with the adult and geriatric populations in skilled nursing settings and with children in elementary, middle, and high school settings. She has experience working with articulation disorders, language delays, social skills, fluency, dysphagia, and dementia. She loves traveling and spending time with friends and family. Hollye enjoys working with people of all ages and hopes to have a positive impact on their lives and their ability to communicate effectively.

Heather Dragash is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Master of Arts in Communicative Disorders in 2000. Prior to working at Child’s Play, she worked with children with a variety of diagnoses and disorders in the outpatient, home, and school settings as well as in early intervention. She has training and experience with LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning). Heather enjoys working with the pediatric population and is honored to play a part in helping children progress and achieve their communication goals.

Danielle is a speech-language pathologist who joined Child’sPlay in May of 2021 after graduating with a master’s degree in communicative sciences and disorders from New York University. She completed a clinical field placement at Child’sPlay as a graduate student from August to December of 2020. As a student, Danielle gained experience treating communication disorders in the pediatric population, both in person and via telepractice. Her clinical experience includes treating language delays and disorders, speech sound disorders, and social communication disorders in children with a variety of medical diagnoses. She is passionate about working with families to provide individualized treatment and practical advice for facilitating treatment generalization at home. Danielle’s goal is to continue growing as a speech-language pathologist by staying up-to-date on research relevant to the field. She is always looking for new ideas to make sure her clients are engaged and having FUN!

Ali joined our Huntsville office in September 2018, and currently works PRN to cover vacations/time off. She received her Masters of Occupational Therapy from West Virginia University - School of Medicine in 2011. Her experience includes working with adults in skilled nursing and inpatient settings, and children in private practice and within the school system.

Ali is passionate about working with children and has extensive continuing education training and certifications, including SOS Approach to Feeding, Primitive Reflexes, SPD, and Therapeutic Listening. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and exploring ways to lead a healthier, more natural, wellness-based lifestyle.

Jeannie is a certified and licensed Speech Language Pathologist. She joined the Child’s Play team October 2020 after moving to Huntsville from the Orlando area. She has over 22 years of experience working with children, preschool through high school. She also has prior experience working with the geriatric population in skilled nursing & assisted living facilities. She has experience working with language delays and disorders, articulation disorders, fluency, autism, hearing impaired, children with special needs, dysphagia, dementia, and other cognitive disorders.

As a recent empty nester, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two dogs and cat, in anticipation for the next visit from her son & daughter. Jeannie enjoys hiking, being in the great outdoors, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She also enjoys helping people and giving to others.

Lauren is a licensed and registered occupational therapist. who joined the Child'sPlay team in 2017. She graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies in 2006 and received her Masters of Occupational Therapy from UAB in 2010. Lauren has worked in a variety of settings including: Early Intervention, school system, acute care, pediatric and adult outpatient and geriatrics. Lauren loves the pediatric population and is excited to be a part of helping these children and their families reach their goals. Lauren's interests include all things Auburn, Disney, sewing/embroidering, and spending time with her family/friends.

Casey Hutchings is a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who joined Child’sPlay in October of 2019. She graduated from The University of Alabama in 2018 with a Masters of Science degree in Communication Disorders. She has clinical experience in working for the school system, early intervention, and outpatient rehabilitation. She loves spending time with her growing family and enjoys exploring all that North Alabama has to offer.

Trista is a licensed and registered occupational therapist who joined Child'sPlay in February of 2020. Trista graduated from Saint Ambrose University in Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 2010, and a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy in 2011. She and her family recently relocated to the Huntsville area from Central Illinois, where she worked for 8 years with the pediatric population.

Laura is a licensed and registered occupational therapist who currently provides Early Intervention services for Child'sPlay. She does not provide in-clinic services at this time. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Auburn University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Child Development and earned her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from UAB in 2007. Additionally, she has 20+ hours of PhD coursework.

Alexis is a board certified and licensed physical therapist who joined Child’sPlay Therapy Center in 2021. She and her husband moved to Huntsville, Alabama after she graduated from the Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Atlanta, Georgia. She is originally from Jacksonville, Florida where she was an elementary school teacher for nine years. Although no longer teaching, her passion for working with children has remained and she is excited to continue that journey through rehabilitation.

Her goals include helping children maximize their functional mobility to improve independence as well as building relationships with families to help them reach their goals. She is a dog lover and stepmom of two. She enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring new restaurants, and visiting with family and friends.

Kathryn Williams is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist. She relocated back to her hometown of Huntsville, Alabama from Naples, Florida and joined ChildsPlay in April 2021.

She studied at Auburn University, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in 2016 and Master’s Degree in 2018. Kathryn has worked in various settings, providing skilled therapy from children to adults. Her experience includes an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, a children’s hospital, school settings, and a private practice. She is trained in LindaMoodBell’s Visualizing and Verbalizing program and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).