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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Occupational Therapist

Providing in-home OT services in Glenview, Logan Square, and surrounding neighborhoods, as well as virtual OT services throughout Illinois.

Kate comes to Lakeshore Affirmative with experience in outpatient pediatrics, early intervention, and school-based settings. Her lived experience navigating adult diagnoses of autism, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) also informs her practice and deepens her commitment to supporting neurodivergent individuals across the lifespan.

Kate values a collaborative, strength-based approach and works closely with clients and families to support meaningful participation in daily life. She partners with clients to explore individualized strategies, build self-advocacy skills, and develop the capacity to achieve their personal goals.

Outside of work, Kate enjoys crafting, puzzles, reading, spending time outdoors, and connecting with friends and family.

Occupational Therapist

Providing virtual OT services throughout Illinois

Mariana has experience across the lifespan, including early intervention (birth to age three), inpatient psychiatry with adults, and school-based practice (K–22).

These diverse experiences have shaped Mariana’s therapy philosophy, allowing her to blend a strengths-based approach with creativity and trauma-informed care. She is committed to ensuring services are individualized, enhance accessibility, improve quality of life, and promote meaningful participation in daily life across settings and throughout the lifespan.

In her free time, Mariana enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, photography, and arts and crafts.

Occupational Therapist

Providing virtual OT services throughout Illinois. 

Phoebe has worked with children, adolescents, and young adults in the public school setting since 2013. She specializes in collaborating with families and caregivers to create supportive environments that facilitate occupational participation in meaningful activities. Additionally, Phoebe supports neurodivergent adults by partnering with them to develop self-management routines, understand their sensory needs, and leverage strategies to access joy. Her practice is deeply rooted in empowerment and self-determination, consistently centering felt safety and a trauma-responsive approach to care. 

Outside of her professional life, Phoebe trains in shotokan karate, and also loves to swim, bike, and go to the beach with her family. She loves to collage with sparkly sequins and glitter- and take photographs.

Occupational Therapist

Providing virtual OT services throughout Illinois

Allie is passionate about working with individuals of all ages on increasing their participation and independence with the things they need and want to do in their life including basic ADLs and IADLs such as leisure activities. She has a special interest in working on building emotional regulation skills, meeting clients where they are at every day, creating a space where one can feel safe, and support building self-confidence in their abilities. She has experience working on specialty areas such as sensory processing difficulties, feeding, and emotional regulation. 

Outside of work she loves to read, spend time with friends and family, run or yoga, and bake!