Nikki Branch, MOT, OTR

Nikki has been a pediatric occupational therapist since 2002. Prior to joining the STAR team, she was a lead therapist in Austin, Texas. She has specialized in the evaluation and treatment of children with SPD and has experience providing support services to schools for children with language and learning differences as well as development and leadership of groups and summer camps. Nikki received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Baylor University and her Master of Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. She is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT).

Juliana Padilla, MOT, OTR

Juliana graduated from The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio with a bachelor's degree in health care science and a master's degree in Occupational Therapy. Prior to her work at STAR, Juliana worked in private and school based pediatric settings specializing in developmental and sensory processing disorders in Austin, Texas. She has experience implementing a range of programs including: an animal assisted therapy group, an early start play group, a hippotherapy (horse therapy) program, and social groups. Juliana began advanced mentorship at the STAR center several years ago and has advanced training in the DIR/Floortime model. Juliana chose to continue her career at the STAR center because she desired to further her knowledge base while collaborating with a dynamic team. She is most excited about serving families under a holistic model where the whole family is at the center of intervention.

Britt Collins MS, OTR

Britt received her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University in 2005. Britt’s expertise address sensory issues in a wide range of disorders and disability groups including; autism spectrum disorders, SPD, ADHD, feeding issues, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Prior to joining the STAR Center, she practiced in several different settings including school-based, hospital-based pediatric acute care and ICU, rehabilitation centers and private practice clinics. Britt co-wrote her first book Sensory Parenting From Newborns to Toddlers in 2010 and travels the country presenting on various topics related to SPD. Her DVD series serves as a visual learning tool for parents, caregivers and other specialists to enhance their understanding of occupational therapy and sensory integration. Britt enjoys spending time outdoors and integrating her certified therapy dog, Frankie into client treatment sessions.

Bethany Fenhaus, MA, OTR

Bethany received her Master of Arts degree in Occupational Therapy from The College of Saint Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota. She completed her Master's thesis on Autism and feeding challenges using the SOS Approach to Feeding. Prior to her work at STAR Center, Bethany worked as a member on a multidisciplinary team in a day treatment clinic for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, SPD, emotional/behavioral disorders, and feeding problems. Additionally, she has completed the SPD Foundation Intensive Mentorship Program and trained under Kay A. Toomey, PhD using the SOS Approach to Feeding. Bethany joined the STAR Center team because she valued being in a clinical setting with a extraordinary team where she could expand her knowledge, experience, and clinical reasoning skills while working with children with SPD and Feeding Problems.

Jamie L. Schreckler, MA, OTR

An experienced therapist, instructor, and clinical coordinator, Jamie brings a broad background to her clinical work at STAR Center. Certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT), Jamie has taken continuing education in feeding issues, torticollis, and the combined use of occupational therapy and speech-language therapy with a sensory integration approach. Before joining the STAR team, she was a pediatric OT in Cedar Park, Texas, where she also coordinated staff education and supervised OT interns. Jamie has worked as a school-based OT in San Diego and has provided acute, rehabilitation, and home health services to adults. Jamie graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor of science in child development and family relationships and received her master of arts in occupational therapy from the University of Southern California.

Kristen Lovda, MSW, LCSW

Kristen Lovda is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified in Marriage & Family Therapy. With a background in clinical psychotherapy, as well as behavioral work in the school setting, Kristen is enthusiastic about the importance of relationships and helping families who have a child with SPD and behavioral difficulties achieve balance and harmony. Through family, parent, and child coaching, Kristen increases satisfaction across all settings to ensure success & self-confidence. Knowledgeable in special education, her educational consults helps parents in navigating the school system. As group facilitator, Kristen runs parent groups and social skill groups for children & teens. A specialist in family therapy, Kristen assists families in reaching unique goals and optimal satisfaction in all relationships.

Roianne Ahn, Ph.D

Dr. Roianne Ahn is passionate about social success for people with Sensory Processing Disorder and committed to sharing the tools to achieve it! Dr. Ahn, a licensed psychologist who is trained in the DIR/Floortime approach, infuses the DIR relationship-based play model into every aspect of her work with children, teenagers, adults, and families. Whether providing consultation, testing, therapy, or coaching, she focuses on creating positive, joyful relationship experiences that support and facilitate long-term learning. Through consultation, testing, therapy, and coaching, she helps individuals and caregivers understand the neurobiology underlying SPD and how to help those with SPD successfully learn, relate, and grow!

Sessions can be scheduled upon request.

Michael S.B. Frank, MD, FAAP

Dr. Michael Frank is a board-certified pediatrician who has specialized in diagnosing and treating ADHD since 2001. A partner in Southeast Denver Pediatrics and a medical consultant to Dr. Kay Toomey's practice in feeding solutions, Dr. Frank's training and experience have developed expertise in the differential diagnostic methods necessary to distinguish SPD from other conditions with similar-appearing symptoms, such as ADHD. Dr. Frank is a graduate of Stanford University, studied medicine at the University of Texas, and completed his residency at The Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio,

Sarah A. Schoen, Ph.D, OTR

An occupational therapist for more than 20 years, Dr. Schoen joined STAR after serving as the director of occupational therapy at the Rose F. Kennedy Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. She undertook post-doctoral studies with a prestigious Developmental Psychobiology Research Group fellowship at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, where she was mentored by Dr. Lucy Jane Miller. During her fellowship, Dr. Schoen was instrumental in developing and researching the Sensory Processing Disorder Scale with Dr. Miller.

Dr. Schoen is certified in neurodevelopmental treatment and has taught in the graduate program at New York University and in continuing education workshops nationwide. She has undergone advanced training in sensory integration therapy, listening therapy, and assistive technology, and has worked extensively with infants and toddlers with Regulatory Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Dr. Schoen received the Recognition of Achievement Award from the American Occupational Therapy Association in 1997. She is currently an assistant professor at Rocky Mountain University and a clinical research instructor at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center.

Lanie M. Holbrook, M.Ed, CCC-SLP

An experienced therapist, Lanie brings a broad background to her clinical work at STAR Center. Lanie has a background as a certified special education teacher prior to becoming a Speech Language Pathologist. Lanie has taken continuing education in feeding issues, augmentative and assistive technology, and language and play treatment for children with Autism spectrum disorders. Before joining the STAR team, she was a pediatric SLP in Salt Lake City Utah where she gained experience in acute, rehabilitation, and home health services. Lanie has worked as a school-based SLP, contributing to the district augmentative communication team and coached special education teachers in the area of complex communication within the classroom. Lanie graduated from Weber State University with a dual bachelor of science degree in general/special education; Utah State University with a bachelor of science in communication disorders and received her master of education in speech language pathology from the Utah State University.