Occupational Therapists
All of our occupational therapists are board certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and licensed within the state of Texas.
Our entire OT team is skilled in treating the following areas of concern: sensory processing disorder/differences, dysgraphia and handwriting, motor coordination difficulties, developmental delays, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorders, fine and visual motor skills, and neurological impairments.
Additionally, several of our therapists specialize in treating the following: sensory feeding, oral motor feeding, bottle and breastfeeding difficulties, adaptive equipment, and functional vision difficulties.
Our entire OT team is skilled in treating the following areas of concern: sensory processing disorder/differences, dysgraphia and handwriting, motor coordination difficulties, developmental delays, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorders, fine and visual motor skills, and neurological impairments.
Additionally, several of our therapists specialize in treating the following: sensory feeding, oral motor feeding, bottle and breastfeeding difficulties, adaptive equipment, and functional vision difficulties.
Caren Arnold, OTR, OTD
Occupational Therapist, Owner
Caren received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee in Exercise Science and her Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Belmont University, Nashville. Caren has worked in private practice as well as inpatient and outpatient pediatric hospitals. Caren has also developed a cursive writing protocol, a curriculum for intensive print and cursive handwriting camps, and is skilled in conducting wheelchair and equipment evaluations.
Specialty Certifications: The ALERT program, Interactive Metronome, Debra Beckman's Oral Motor Skills, and Mary Benbow's foundational hand skills
Occupational Therapist, Owner
Caren received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee in Exercise Science and her Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Belmont University, Nashville. Caren has worked in private practice as well as inpatient and outpatient pediatric hospitals. Caren has also developed a cursive writing protocol, a curriculum for intensive print and cursive handwriting camps, and is skilled in conducting wheelchair and equipment evaluations.
Specialty Certifications: The ALERT program, Interactive Metronome, Debra Beckman's Oral Motor Skills, and Mary Benbow's foundational hand skills
Brooke Weber, OTR, M.S.
Occupational Therapist
Brooke received both her B.A. in child development and M.S. in occupational therapy from Tufts University in Boston. She completed her fieldwork rotations in early intervention, hospital, school, and community-based settings throughout the Boston area. A Virginia native, Brooke has volunteered her time working with children with severe burn injuries in central Virginia. She is passionate about family-based care and is excited to be part of the Big Sky team! In her time off, Brooke enjoys swimming, reading, and spending time with her family.
Occupational Therapist
Brooke received both her B.A. in child development and M.S. in occupational therapy from Tufts University in Boston. She completed her fieldwork rotations in early intervention, hospital, school, and community-based settings throughout the Boston area. A Virginia native, Brooke has volunteered her time working with children with severe burn injuries in central Virginia. She is passionate about family-based care and is excited to be part of the Big Sky team! In her time off, Brooke enjoys swimming, reading, and spending time with her family.
Callah Kimble, OTR, M.S.
Occupational Therapist
Callah received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Human Development from California State University-Long Beach and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from New York University. She completed her clinical rotations in hospital, outpatient, school and community settings throughout New York and New Jersey working with clients with various physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional disabilities. Callah has experience working with children in both educational and outpatient settings. Prior to graduate school, Callah spent over a year volunteering in California with the Pediatric Therapy Network where she gained experience with sensory integration techniques for children in the Early Intervention Program. As an occupational therapy student, she spent time at the Imagine Academy for Autism in Brooklyn, New York, where she gained experience providing therapy to improve students' abilities to participate optimally in their school, home, and community environments. Callah is passionate about providing holistic, quality care that is individually catered to meet the goals of her clients and their families. Callah is new to Austin and is proud to be a member of the Big Sky Pediatric Therapy team. She looks forward to getting to know the children, their families, and all that Austin has to offer!
Specialty Certifications: iLS trained
Occupational Therapist
Callah received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Human Development from California State University-Long Beach and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from New York University. She completed her clinical rotations in hospital, outpatient, school and community settings throughout New York and New Jersey working with clients with various physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional disabilities. Callah has experience working with children in both educational and outpatient settings. Prior to graduate school, Callah spent over a year volunteering in California with the Pediatric Therapy Network where she gained experience with sensory integration techniques for children in the Early Intervention Program. As an occupational therapy student, she spent time at the Imagine Academy for Autism in Brooklyn, New York, where she gained experience providing therapy to improve students' abilities to participate optimally in their school, home, and community environments. Callah is passionate about providing holistic, quality care that is individually catered to meet the goals of her clients and their families. Callah is new to Austin and is proud to be a member of the Big Sky Pediatric Therapy team. She looks forward to getting to know the children, their families, and all that Austin has to offer!
Specialty Certifications: iLS trained
Carolyn King, OTR, M.S.
Occupational Therapist, Clinic Manager
Carolyn received both her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She completed her clinical rotation at Big Sky Pediatric Therapy under the supervision of Caren Arnold and joined the Big Sky team upon her completion of school. Carolyn is passionate about collaborating with the families in her care to achieve the highest level of results possible for each child. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, going out on the lake and walking her dogs.
Specialty Certifications: Astronaut Training
Occupational Therapist, Clinic Manager
Carolyn received both her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She completed her clinical rotation at Big Sky Pediatric Therapy under the supervision of Caren Arnold and joined the Big Sky team upon her completion of school. Carolyn is passionate about collaborating with the families in her care to achieve the highest level of results possible for each child. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, going out on the lake and walking her dogs.
Specialty Certifications: Astronaut Training
Jeanne "Miss J" Cunningham, OTR, M.S.
Occupational Therapist
Jeanne graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from The University of South Alabama. She completed one of her fieldwork rotations in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the V.A. and another at Big Sky Pediatric Therapy under the supervision of Carolyn King and Joan "Joni" Scaparra. She enjoys working with children and their families to enhance their quality of life. She enjoys being outside, going on the boat, cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She is excited to become a part of the Big Sky team.
Occupational Therapist
Jeanne graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from The University of South Alabama. She completed one of her fieldwork rotations in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the V.A. and another at Big Sky Pediatric Therapy under the supervision of Carolyn King and Joan "Joni" Scaparra. She enjoys working with children and their families to enhance their quality of life. She enjoys being outside, going on the boat, cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She is excited to become a part of the Big Sky team.
Joan "Joni" Scaparra, OTR, MOT
Occupational Therapist
Joni graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology with a Minor in Genetics and a Master of Biotechnology with a certificate in business. She then attended Alabama State University where she received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has worked as an applied behavioral analysis therapist for children with autism and related disorders. Throughout her time at Texas A&M, she was a part of Project Sunshine, an organization that works with children with disabilities and long term illnesses. When Joni is not working she enjoys being out doors, swimming, and hanging out with friends and family.
Occupational Therapist
Joni graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology with a Minor in Genetics and a Master of Biotechnology with a certificate in business. She then attended Alabama State University where she received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has worked as an applied behavioral analysis therapist for children with autism and related disorders. Throughout her time at Texas A&M, she was a part of Project Sunshine, an organization that works with children with disabilities and long term illnesses. When Joni is not working she enjoys being out doors, swimming, and hanging out with friends and family.
Jody Ritter, OTR, MOT
Occupational Therapist
Jody received a bachelor's degree in fine art from the University of North Texas, and a master's degree in occupational therapy from Texas Woman's University, Houston. She began her career in adult physical rehabilitation and developed an interest in neurological functioning while working with individuals with brain injury. Neurology continued to be an area of interest as she transitioned to working with children in 1997. After teaching occupational therapy at the graduate level for several years, Jody returned to pediatric clinical work in the school setting. She is passionate about developing therapeutic relationships with her clients and their families. When she is not engaged in the therapeutic process, you can find Jody enjoying her family, working on mosaics, or exploring her new home-city of Austin.
Occupational Therapist
Jody received a bachelor's degree in fine art from the University of North Texas, and a master's degree in occupational therapy from Texas Woman's University, Houston. She began her career in adult physical rehabilitation and developed an interest in neurological functioning while working with individuals with brain injury. Neurology continued to be an area of interest as she transitioned to working with children in 1997. After teaching occupational therapy at the graduate level for several years, Jody returned to pediatric clinical work in the school setting. She is passionate about developing therapeutic relationships with her clients and their families. When she is not engaged in the therapeutic process, you can find Jody enjoying her family, working on mosaics, or exploring her new home-city of Austin.
Kim Strickland, OTR, ATP, M.S.
Occupational Therapist
Kim received her BA in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992 and her MS in occupational therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1994. She has worked in a variety of hospital settings including inpatient, outpatient, rehabilitation, mental health and a hospital for medically fragile children. She also has extensive experience as a school based therapist including Eanes ISD. She has a particular passion for using low tech and high tech strategies to assist those children who struggle with the writing process or who are emerging writers. In her non-professional life she finds fulfillment in the joys of parenting two sons, traveling with her husband, reading, attending the theater and volunteering as a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for children who have been abused or neglected. She also has a fondness for silly puns and Broadway show tunes.
Specialty Certifications: ATP (Assitive Technology Professional) issued by the Rehabilitation Engineering Society of America (RESNA)
Occupational Therapist
Kim received her BA in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992 and her MS in occupational therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1994. She has worked in a variety of hospital settings including inpatient, outpatient, rehabilitation, mental health and a hospital for medically fragile children. She also has extensive experience as a school based therapist including Eanes ISD. She has a particular passion for using low tech and high tech strategies to assist those children who struggle with the writing process or who are emerging writers. In her non-professional life she finds fulfillment in the joys of parenting two sons, traveling with her husband, reading, attending the theater and volunteering as a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for children who have been abused or neglected. She also has a fondness for silly puns and Broadway show tunes.
Specialty Certifications: ATP (Assitive Technology Professional) issued by the Rehabilitation Engineering Society of America (RESNA)
Laurie Hebert, OTR, B.S.
Occupational Therapist
Laurie graduated from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has worked with both adults and children in home health, school and outpatient pediatric clinic settings. Laurie has a special interest in mindfulness and yoga for children and has completed the Level 1 Aerial Yoga and Mindfulness for Kids certification through Yogapeutics. In her spare time she enjoys writing, hiking and soaking up the Austin music scene.
Occupational Therapist
Laurie graduated from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has worked with both adults and children in home health, school and outpatient pediatric clinic settings. Laurie has a special interest in mindfulness and yoga for children and has completed the Level 1 Aerial Yoga and Mindfulness for Kids certification through Yogapeutics. In her spare time she enjoys writing, hiking and soaking up the Austin music scene.
Marissa Crouse, OTR, M.A.
Occupational Therapist
Marissa received her B.A. in Psychology at The University of South Carolina and her Masters of Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California. She completed her fieldwork rotations in sub-acute care, pediatric acute care, inpatient psychiatric care, and the intensive care unit at Durham VA Medical Center in North Carolina, and at Big Sky Pediatric Therapy under the supervision of Carolyn King and Callah Kimble. Marissa is passionate about providing holistic care unique to the individual's and family’s needs. She enjoys running with her dog, being outside, painting and exploring Austin with friends.
Occupational Therapist
Marissa received her B.A. in Psychology at The University of South Carolina and her Masters of Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California. She completed her fieldwork rotations in sub-acute care, pediatric acute care, inpatient psychiatric care, and the intensive care unit at Durham VA Medical Center in North Carolina, and at Big Sky Pediatric Therapy under the supervision of Carolyn King and Callah Kimble. Marissa is passionate about providing holistic care unique to the individual's and family’s needs. She enjoys running with her dog, being outside, painting and exploring Austin with friends.