Marie Marant, M.S., SLP, CMT®
Speech-Language Pathologist, Owner of USpeak, LLC
Marie has practiced in the field of Speech and Language Pathology for 30 years. Over the span of her rewarding career, she has worked in all possible settings, providing services for speech articulation delays/disorders, motor speech disorders, language delays, feeding difficulties, auditory processing difficulties, and social skills groups. She started delving into the world of myofunctional therapy a few years ago when she became concerned about the number of children who were referred for either being “picky eaters” or who were in long term articulation therapy due to a lack of progress. Realizing that these problems were not being solved with traditional therapy techniques, she pursued additional training in muscle-based therapy such as Talk Tools; and more recently, myofunctional therapy—both which were demonstrably more successful with these clients. Now being certified in myofunctional therapy, she is returning to private practice to fill a much-needed void. When Marie is not working, she can be found spending time with her husband of 31 years and her two grown sons or enjoying quality time with her friends or her fur baby, Scout. Marie loves family time in the mountains, game nights with friends, curling up with a good book, and travel/adventure.
Our Occupational therapy branch:
Our Roots:
Michelle Allen, OT/L
Occupational Therapist
Michelle is a licensed occupational therapist with over 20 years of pediatric experience in school-based, early intervention, and private practice settings. Michelle has advanced training in play development, sensory processing, self-regulation, developmental hand skills, assistive technology/augmentative communication, Interactive Metronome, and executive functioning skills. She also has attended an international study group on preschool education in Reggio Emilia, Italy. A passionate promoter of inclusion, Michelle is particularly skilled at consulting and collaborating with teams to help improve the fit between the child and his/her environment.
Melissa Kates, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Melissa Kates comes to Treehouse pediatrics with 24 years of experience in a variety of settings including Children's Hospital of Richmond, outpatient therapy, early intervention, private and public schools, and a center for children who have autism. She has received specialized training to provide oral motor assessment and intervention and therapy for children who stutter. In addition to providing speech and language therapy for a variety of disorders, she has focused on providing services for children who have autism and/or complex communication needs. Melissa has developed a unique approach to help children who are primarily nonverbal communicators express themselves effectively and independently. She believes that every child can talk, regardless of their different abilities, and some may need different tools to do so. She can help your child explore and learn to use tools (an augmentative communication system) that work best for them and submit the paperwork required for your insurance to pay for the tool. Melissa believes that collaboration is essential to helping your child communicate successfully and she will provide the training that families need to support their child to use their voice at home, school and in their community. She is excited to join the team at Treehouse!
Our Physical Therapy Branch
isabel Lawrence, Ms CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Isabel Lawrence is a pediatric speech language pathologist with 25 years of experience in the field. Her undergraduate degree in biology and love of languages led her to pursue a career in speech pathology. She holds a Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from James Madison University and completed post graduate work at Columbia University at Teacher’s College for certification as a bilingual speech pathologist. Isabel is a native speaker of both English and Spanish. Throughout the years, she has worked in medical, educational, early intervention, and private practice settings. She specializes in working with children who have feeding difficulties as well as those who have sensory and motor planning issues. Isabel co-developed a communication and movement program called, “Walk Talk and Wiggle”. She is trained in NDT (neurodevelopmental treatment) and Sensory Integration techniques. She is also a yoga instructor and enjoys incorporating movement into her therapy sessions to assist children with motor planning and development. Isabel is trained in Talk Tools techniques for feeding and speech. She has also trained in Beckman Oral Motor theories. Additionally, she has experience working in the area of Augmentative Communication. Isabel uses her diverse experiences to evaluate and treat children from a whole child perspective. She is gifted in establishing deep connections with her clients and helping them toward reaching their highest potentials.
Van Scherer Ruffner, M.ED. CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Van has over 15 years of experience as a Speech Language Pathologist. She received a Masters of Education in Communication Science Disorders from The University of Virginia, and has worked in various settings including school systems in numerous Virginia counties, inpatient rehab at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, outpatient therapy services at Children’s hospital and in private practice. Van has a passion for language development and working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. A parent of a former client of Treehouse, she feels specifically passionate about collaborating with other allied health professionals such as OTs to provide comprehensive care tailored to each of her clients’ needs. When Van is not working at Treehouse, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children and visiting America’s national parks.
Ashley Dunbar, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Ashley graduated from West Virginia University in 2014 where she received her Bachelor of Arts- Human Performance and Health degree and minored in communication studies. She then continued at West Virginia University to receive her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy in 2015. Ashley has experience working with children of various diagnosis and ages and has a great interest in sensory processing. She has advanced training in MNRI- Tactile integration, Neuro-Developmental Treatment of the baby, and Beckman Oral Motor Protocol. Ashley is certified as an Early Intervention Professional. She also has experience working in a local school system, as well as years of experience working in pediatric clinics. Ashley loves working closely with kids and their families, and feels very blessed to be a part of their lives. In her free time she enjoys exploring Richmond with her husband, reading, and going on adventures with their labradoodle, Luna.
Cathy George, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Cathy has been practicing OT in the Richmond area for over 10 years. After earning her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010, she has worked in several different settings including schools, inpatient rehab, assisted living facilities and private practice treating both adults and children. Cathy, a registered yoga teacher, approaches occupational therapy interventions from a holistic and integrative perspective. Learning to improve integration of mind, emotions and body can result in positive benefits in gross motor skills, social interaction, impulse control, and self-regulation as well as decreasing anxiety and stress. All of which can assist in finding peace and joy while learning and growing. Cathy enjoys hiking in the woods, star-gazing in the mountains and spending time with her two grown daughters.
Our water, soil, and sunlight that help us thrive:
Treehouse Pediatric Therapy
Janet Williams, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Janet Williams received her B.S. in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She subsequently worked on an interdisciplinary team in the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Ft. Worth, Texas treating a wide variety of physical disabilities with an emphasis on traumatic hand injuries. Janet is SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing) certified, and has a Handwriting Without Tears Level 01 Certification. Janet has just recently returned to practice after working overseas for 27 years with a large humanitarian aid organization. During that time, she homeschooled her three children for 12 years, teaching grades K-7, and served as an unofficial mentor/coach to younger families trying to homeschool by organizing field trips, special art activities, music and field days for the homeschool community. She loves helping children explore their interests. Janet has three grown children and a rescued Beagle puppy named Sawyer. Janet enjoys gardening, reading, and all kinds of needlework. She loves juried craft shows and garage sales!
Laurie Lanning, MPH, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist , Co-Owner
Laurie received her degree in occupational therapy from Tufts University, her Master’s in public health from University of North Carolina and has over 30 years of experience in pediatric occupational therapy. She has worked at The Kennedy Krieger Institute at Johns Hopkins, in early intervention for the state of North Carolina, at Lenox Baker Children’s Hospital at Duke University Medical Center, Children’s Hospital in Richmond, and 13 years at Integrated Therapy Services. Laurie has certification or advanced training in the following programs/areas: SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Test) certification, SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Approach To Feeding, Certification in early intervention, Therapeutic Listening, DIR/Floor Time, The Alert Program For Self-Regulation, The Wilbarger Deep Pressure Protocol, MNRI (Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration), and the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading. Laurie loves working with children and their families and feels fortunate to be working alongside such a talented group of therapists and in a profession that she truly loves. Laurie and her husband have an adult daughter, two cats, and two dogs.
Dr. Rebecca Finch, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Becca graduated from University of Virginia with a degree in psychology and went on to complete her doctoral degree in occupational therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2021. She is licensed and registered as an occupational therapist in the state of Virginia and has always had her heart set on pediatrics. She completed a 12-week Level II Fieldwork at Treehouse as part of her doctoral requirements and is thrilled to be back as part of the Treehouse family. While she may be a relatively new therapist, Becca is no stranger to the tiny humans. She has extensive experience in fostering the growth and development of children from birth to age 10 through years of nannying and has loved using her skills and training from graduate school to more effectively support the developmental progression and functional independence of her young clients. Becca highly values the relationship and collaboration between therapist and family and works hard to connect all the pieces to support the child across all environments and contexts. When she’s not treating, you can find her on a phone call with a teacher, emailing a parent, or touching base with another professional on a child’s team. Becca lives in Henrico with her husband and their new puppy and loves traveling, finding all the best coffee spots in RVA, and spending time with family and friends. Her clients call her “Becca”, “Miss Becca”, “Becca OT!” and “Cool Girl Miss Becca."
Theresa Fink
Billing Specialist
Coming soon!
Our speech therapy branch:
New Client Registration Form
(Come play with us!)
Allie Hayes
Treehouse Office Assistant
Allie is thrilled to be a part of the Treehouse team! She is a graduate of Monacan High School and participated in the Project Search Program at St. Francis Hospital. Allie spends her spare time reading, doing word searches, swimming and writing cards of encouragement. She loves going out for Mexican food and spending time with her two brothers, sister in law, and two adorable nephews.
Providing pediatric occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, physical therapy, augmentative and alternative communication, and feeding therapy in the greater Richmond area
Give us a call!
804-794-PEDS
Mary Searls, Med, BCBA, LBA, ADOS-2 examiner
Owner of Spectrum Support Services
Mary has an undergraduate degree in elementary education and a masters degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. She holds a post-masters certification in Applied Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, licensed through the VA Department of Health. Mary has over ten years working with individuals with Autism and other special needs in the home, clinic, and school settings. Mary is also an ADOS-2 examiner. The ADOS-2 is considered the “gold standard” of observational Autism diagnostic assessments. Mary created Spectrum Support Services, L.L.C. to provide access to proper and timely detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder and to aid parents and caregivers in being a key component to successful behavioral and developmental treatment.
Ashley Amey Alrich-Altman, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Ashley received a B.S. in Biology from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. She received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy and a certificate in autism spectrum disorders from VCU. She is SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing) certified. Ashley has experience working for several years in a local school system before transitioning full time to a clinic-based setting. She enjoys participating in philanthropic organizations outside of work to support her clients and her community. When Ashley is not at the Treehouse, her free time is spent with her husband and twin boys, playing tennis, sewing, and supporting the Richmond dining scene.
Kathy Seymour, PT
Physical Therapist, Owner of Enhance Physical Therapy
Kathy received her degree in Physical Therapy from West Virginia University and has over 27 years of experience in the field. She has worked in acute care, sports medicine, pediatrics, home health, and rehab settings. As a traveling therapist in the late 1990’s, she discovered her love for helping babies and children achieve their goals. She has training and experience in many areas with a love for neurology. She is an early intervention practitioner and certified in infant massage. Other areas of additional experience/expertise include reflex integration, myofacial release, seating/assistive technology, PNF, KT taping, and muscle energy techniques. In addition to her love for babies and young children, Kathy also sees young athletes and teens. When not working, she coaches soccer and volunteers at her church. She and her husband love spending time with their four kids, three dogs, two cats, and two rabbits.
12201 Gayton Road | Richmond, VA 23238
Marti Flanagan, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist, Co-Owner
Marti graduated from VCU in 1990 with her Bachelor of Science in Rehab Services and a minor in Psychology. She then went on to complete her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy with a specialization in Pediatrics, from Towson State University in 1994. Previous work experiences include: Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital in Baltimore MD, Early Intervention in Maryland and Virginia, and Integrated Therapy Services in Richmond VA. Marti has been a co-owner of Treehouse Pediatric Therapy since it began in July of 2014. She loves working in a multi-disciplinary setting where she can collaborate with families and other professionals while treating the whole child. She has certification or advanced training in the following areas: SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Test) Certification, Neuro-Developmental Treatment of the baby, Certification in Early Intervention, MNRI (Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration), Cranial Sacral Therapy, Therapeutic Listening, Talk Tools, and the Alert Program for Self Regulation. Marti loves working with children of all ages and supporting their familes throughout the therapy process. She feels very blessed to have found a career that is so fulfilling and fun!! When Marti is not playing at the Treehouse, she enjoys gardening, cooking, exercising, dining out with friends, and spending time with her family. Marti has been married to her husband Dan since 1994, and they have three grown children, Connor, Jake, and Lindsay.
Angela Reamy, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Coming soon!