Our Occupational Therapy Team

Our team of Occupational Therapists are dedicated to delivering Occupational Therapy that focuses on individual strengths. Each member of our team has pursued further education to truly understand the most effective methods for assisting neurodivergent children and adults in achieving their goals, all within a framework that embraces and celebrates neurodiversity.

  • Christy Schmidt, OTR/L (she/her)

    Owner & Occupational Therapist

    Providing in-home OT services in Des Plaines and the surrounding areas and Virtual OT services throughout Illinois

    Lakeshore Affirmative Therapy has been the result of continued education, training, and the desire for a more empathetic and progressive OT approach. I'm passionate about providing neuro-affirming OT that helps clients see their own strengths and enjoy collaborating with clients as we address challenges together.

    Outside of work, I enjoy spending time reading, backpacking, and traveling

  • Erin Ross, OTR/L (she/her)

    Occupational Therapist

    Serving the Lakeview Neighborhood and surrounding areas

    Erin is passionate about working with individuals to promote independence and help cultivate a sense of success and self-accomplishment within their daily lives.

    She enjoys spending time with family and friends often. When she is not relaxing at home with a good book or TV show, she loves to rollerblade by the lakefront or travel to a nearby mountain to snowboard.

  • Sevia Raelson, OTR/L (she/her)

    Occupational Therapist

    Providing in-home OT services in the Southwest Suburbs and Virtual OT services throughout Illinois

    Sevia strives to use coaching and exploratory based methods to support her clients in understanding and appreciating their neurodiverse neurology and determining supports and building self-determined skills needed to participate in meaningful daily activities.

    When not working, Sevia is often found attending ballet classes, travelling, or spending time hiking and exploring with her husband and two dogs.

  • Stephanie Arias, OTR/L (she/her)

    Occupational Therapist

    Providing Virtual OT services throughout Illinois

    Stephanie is of LatinX background, and is passionate about using her bilingual skills to promote access to therapy services in her community. She has worked in several areas of pediatrics, including NICU, PICU, outpatient clinics and schools.

    When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Mosa, friends and family. She loves to garden and watch documentaries.

  • Rachel Tokarski OTR/L (she/her)

    Occupational Therapist

    Providing in-home OT services in Evanston and Virtual OT services throughout Illinois

    Rachel is passionate about helping families find strategies that work for everyone in the home! She has a strong interest in working on responsive feeding strategies.

    Outside of work, Rachel loves reading, crafting, and spending time with her fiance. She loves to have a cup of hot tea and crochet or make something with her cricut.

  • Abby Willinger, OTR/L (she/her)

    Occupational Therapist

    Providing in-home OT services in West Loop and the surrounding neighborhoods and Virtual OT services throughout Illinois

    Abby is passionate about working with individuals across the lifespan by facilitating client centered interventions to build skills they need to reach their greatest potential. Building rapport, collaborating with clients and caregivers and providing neuro-affirming care are the most rewarding moments for Abby.

    Outside of work, she enjoys walking on the lakefront trail, trying different restaurants around Chicago and spending time with friends and family.

  • Sara Kopera OTR/L (she/her)

    Occupational Therapist

    Providing in-home OT services in Old Town and surrounding neighborhoods and Virtual OT Services throughout Illinois

    Sara has experience in school-based and community-based practice with pediatrics and young adults. Sara worked in a therapeutic day school with autistic children where she was passionate about supporting kids through co-regulation and creating a safe space through sensory exploration, self-regulation strategies and advocating for accommodations to support the individual feel comfortable in their learning environment.

    In her free time Sara enjoys practicing yoga, making macrame and weaving projects, and seeing live music around the city.

  • Chelsea Wallaert, OTR/L (she/her)

    Occupational Therapist

    Providing in-home OT services in Avondale and the surrounding neighborhoods and Virtual OT services throughout Illinois

    Chelsea values creating a therapeutic relationship where her clients feel they can be their authentic selves. As an neurodivergent OT, she understands the importance in finding strategies and supports that are uniquely tailored for each individual and their needs and goals. She is passionate in utilizing a collaborative approach to identify those strategies through sensory exploration, self-advocacy building, and strength-based approaches.

    In her free time, Chelsea enjoys going for long walks with her rescue pup, watching movies, and trying out new recipes.

  • Stefanie Irmen, OTR/L (she/her)

    Occupational Therapist

    Providing Virtual OT services throughout Illinois.

    Stefanie is a dedicated and experienced occupational therapist specializing in neuro-affirming care for clients of all ages. As a neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ therapist, Stefanie is committed to empowering individuals through tailored therapeutic interventions. Her approach centers on understanding and celebrating each client’s unique experiences, ensuring that therapy is not only effective but also affirming and respectful.

    Stefanie enjoys spending time cooking, exploring new places and seeing live music.

  • Elnaz Alimi OTR/L (she/her)

    Occupational Therapist

    Providing Virtual OT services throughout Illinois. 

    Elnaz has experience working across outpatient, inpatient, and community-based settings, supporting both pediatric and adult clients in mental health care. She is passionate about creating an inclusive, welcoming, and safe therapeutic space and is deeply committed to client-centered and neuro-affirming care. Elnaz values working collaboratively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and takes a strength-based, empowering approach that emphasizes shared decision-making and ensures clients are truly at the center of their therapy journey. 

    Outside of work, Elnaz enjoys spending time with her cat and friends, exploring new foods, practicing self-care, and pursuing her love of fashion design.

  • Kelsie Moosmann OTR/L (she/her)

    Occupational Therapist

    Providing in-home OT services in West Loop and the surrounding neighborhoods and Virtual OT services throughout Illinois. 

    Kelsie has occupational therapy experience working with both pediatric and adult clients. She is deeply passionate about providing neuro-affirming care for individuals of all ages. Her work is grounded in respect, empathy, and a commitment to honoring each person’s unique way of experiencing the world. Kelsie has a strong interest in sensory regulation and helping clients identify strategies to improve their quality of life. 

    In her free time, Kelsie enjoys exploring Chicago, spending time with her cat, and listening to live music.

  • Emily Skaletski, OTR/L (she/her)

    Occupational Therapist

    Providing Virtual OT services throughout Illinois

    Emily has experience in school-based, outpatient pediatric, and inpatient and outpatient adult rehabilitation settings. In addition to her occupational therapy clinical training, Emily recently completed her PhD, where she studied participation, environmental supports, and quality of life in autistic children. As a neurodivergent clinician-scientist, she is passionate about meeting clients where they are while working together to move toward where they want to be.

    In her free time, Emily enjoys reading and spending time outside.

  • Orli Maya, OTR/L (she/her)

    Occupational Therapist

    Providing Virtual OT services throughout Illinois

    Orli is passionate about OT. Her OT experience includes working in inpatient psychiatry. Providing affirming care to those with mental health disorders has allowed her to build a skill set in trauma-informed care while also addressing occupational deprivation in this population. Orli enjoys working with people of all ages and backgrounds to help support quality of life and fulfillment. 

    In her free time, Orli loves to spend time with her cat, work on craft projects, explore nature, and attempt to find the best latte and pastry pairing in all of Chicago.

  • Faith Brown, OTRL/L (she/her)

    Occupational Therapist

    Providing Virtual OT Services throughout Illinois

    Faith has a passion for mental health, creative expression, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is skilled in creating a neuroaffirming therapeutic space to ensure all clients receive care that meets their individual needs. She has experience in inpatient mental health and community-based therapy settings. In addition to mental health, Faith enjoys working on digital decluttering, daily routine prep, and school/career planning.

    For leisure, Faith explores restaurants and museums around Chicago, takes walks with her dog, bakes treats for her book club, and searches for new travel destinations.

  • Kim George, OTR/L (she/her)

    Occupational Therapist

    Providing virtual OT services throughout Illinois.

    Kim has experience working in a variety of settings including hospitals, therapeutic schools and clinics, supporting both adult and pediatric clients in mental health care.

    She is passionate about working collaboratively with clients and using a strengths based approach to explore individually tailored strategies to support success. Kim enjoys working with clients to support routine planning, identify sensory based strategies and accommodations to improve quality of life and support the development of self care routines. Kim is committed to providing a safe and therapeutic space where clients feel motivated and empowered to be the most authentic version of themselves.

    In her free time, Kim enjoys cooking and enjoying a good cup of tea, biking or walking by the lake, reading and crafting, and traveling whenever possible.