At Shining Stars Therapy, we take pride in providing the best Pediatric Therapy Services for your child. With experienced, enthusiastic occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech therapists, our team is here to serve you. Please scroll down the page to learn more about our team members!
Dawn received her degree in Occupational Therapy in 1997 from Downstate Health Science Center in Brooklyn, NY. She is currently pursuing a Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Salus University and has recently obtained her certification in Remedial Vision and Rehabilitation. Dawn also has additional certifications in Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing (SIPT), Handwriting Without Tears, Interactive Metronome (IM), the Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT), Therapeutic Listening, Astronaut Training, the SOS feeding approach, and CAN-Eat. Dawn founded Shining Stars Therapy in 2009 after seeing a need for family and patient-centered therapy services for children in our community.
After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2003, Julie moved to North Carolina where she worked with young children with Fragile X syndrome and their families for three years while pursuing a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from East Carolina University. She has been working in pediatrics since 2010, and has gained specialized training in Therapeutic Listening, Interactive Metronome, functional vision, Beckman Oral/Motor assessment, CAN-EAT approach, sensory integration, Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique, NDT handling, and CIMT.
Taylor grew up in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina. She graduated in June 2014 from Harnett Central High School, then attended Johnston Community College for two years. Taylor currently lives in the Harnett County area with her husband. She loves fishing, going to the mountains, going to the beach and everything outdoors. Taylor also loves to spend time with family and friends. Taylor has been with Shining Stars Therapy since 2014. She began as a front desk receptionist and has transitioned now to our billing department. Taylor helps with insurance authorizations for all patients, checking benefits, processing copays, and providing billing statements. Any questions regarding insurance and billing are directed to Taylor.
Kay is an administrative assistant who earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Western Governors University in 2012. She assists the owner with marketing, special projects, and general office tasks. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, sewing, reading, and spending time with her family.
Shannon is returning to Shining Stars as a Patient Care Coordinator after her time spent as a Pre-K teacher. Her background is in education where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. In her free time Shannon enjoys spending time outdoors by hiking, running, playing soccer and all the adventures of farm life.
Megan is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist who received her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Parks Management with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University in 2021. Megan has experience in working with ages birth to 18 with a range of diagnoses including feeding difficulties, autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, anxiety, emotional disorders, and trauma. She has received specialized training in Therapeutic Listening, Sensory Integration through Therapeeds, and various feeding approaches through Talk Tools and the Lactation OT. Megan is currently working to specialize in infant and toddler feeding as well as earning her Certified Lactation Counselor. Megan loves working with children and their families to build a therapeutic relationship to help maximize their full potential. Outside of work Megan likes to take her dog for walks, spend time with family and friends, traveling, and thrift shopping.
Katie is a pediatric occupational therapist who earned her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of South Alabama in 2018. Katie has experience with patients of all ages and enjoys treating patients with autism, sensory processing disorders, and down syndrome. She has received certification in CAN-Eat approach to feeding. Katie enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family and dogs.
Emily is a pediatric Occupational Therapist who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreational Therapy in 2005 and her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy in 2008, both from East Carolina University. She enjoys working with children of all ages with a variety of needs including cerebral palsy, autism and ADHD, sensory processing needs, as well as genetic and orthopedic conditions. Emily is certified in the CAN-Eat feeding approach as well as in the Integrated Listening System (Focus) and Safe and Sound Protocol. Outside of work, Emily enjoys just about anything outside and spending time with her family.
Maddie is a pediatric occupational Therapist who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina At Charlotte and her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Lenoir Rhyne University in 2023. She completed her fieldwork rotations in inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, and pediatric outpatient clinic. Maddie has been working in outpatient pediatrics ever since her graduation. She has worked with children Birth to 15 with a variety of needs including autism, ADHD, sensory processing needs, developmental delay, and learning disabilities. In her free time, Maddie enjoys being outside, watching tv/movies, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog.
Abby’s area of interest includes the infant population, including those with torticollis and developmental delay, but she enjoys working with children of all ages and abilities! She also has unique clinical experience working with pediatric burn survivors. In her free time, Abby enjoys spending her time cheering on the Florida Gators and being outside with her two labrador retrievers, Brady and Woody.
Felicia received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Ithaca College in 2009. She completed a Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Bay Path College in Massachusetts in 2014. Since graduating, she has worked in early intervention and outpatient pediatric clinics with children having a wide variety of diagnoses including ASD, ADHD, cerebral palsy, agenesis of the corpus callosum, spinocerebellar ataxia, muscular dystrophy, brachial plexus, epilepsy, learning disabilities, sensory processing deficits, and visual perceptual deficits. She is certified in Therapeutic Listening and Quickshift music. She is also educated and experienced in Sensory Processing, Handwriting Without Tears, and Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive technique.
Soriah is a pediatric Occupational Therapist from Florida, who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida and her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Florida in 2023. She has experience with children from 10 months to 16 years old and in treating patients across a variety of populations, including, autism, sensory processing disorders, fine motor deficits and delays in self-care. Soriah has always had a passion for pediatrics and before becoming an occupational therapist, she worked as a lead teacher in an inclusive preschool classroom. She enjoys hiking, listening to music and spending time with her family and dog.
Deanna is a pediatric physical therapist who received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Deanna is originally from the DC area and received her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science from Towson University.
Deanna has experience with children of all ages from infants to teenagers with a variety of diagnoses. Deanna also has experience working with neurodiverse populations and strives to work with a neurodiversity-affirming approach. Deanna’s areas of interest include chronic physical disability, adaptive sports/exercises, transition into adulthood/independence, infants, childhood obesity, foot and ankle limitation, and sports related injuries, however she enjoys working with any and all pediatric patients! Deanna has a passion for working with children with chronic disabilities and complex needs and Hispanic population.
Deanna enjoys working closely with her patient’s families and collaborating with the child’s other related services to provide a holistic approach to her treatment. Deanna strives to have fun and meaningful treatment sessions that encourage the child and their family to have an active part in achieving their goals. Deanna is also certified as a Barbell Rehab Provider and loves encouraging healthy lifestyles, including exercises and wellness for all children and families. In her free time, Deanna enjoys being outside, hiking, being at the beach, working out, crafting, caring for her 50+ plants, and traveling.
Kristen is a pediatric Physical Therapist who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from East Carolina University in 2017 and 2020. Kristen has worked with children and adults of all ages, but enjoys working with school aged children the most. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and dog.
Abby is a pediatric Physical Therapist who earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Indiana University in Indianapolis. Abby is originally from Orlando, Florida and received her Bachelor of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology from University of Florida.
Abby’s area of interest includes the infant population, including those with torticollis and developmental delay, but she enjoys working with children of all ages and abilities! She also has unique clinical experience working with pediatric burn survivors. In her free time, Abby enjoys spending her time cheering on the Florida Gators and being outside with her two labrador retrievers, Brady and Woody.
Liisa is a pediatric Physical Therapist with her doctoral degree from Campbell University in 2022. She has two bachelor’s degrees in Exercise Science from Hope College in Holland, MI, and Adapted Physical Education and Kinesiotherapy from Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. She is also a certified Exercise Physiologist with credentials from the American College of Sports Medicine. Liisa loves working with patients of all ages, from a few days old to their teens; treating anything from torticollis and gross motor delays to developmental coordination disorders to post-concussive syndrome. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and dog in nature and playing with photography!
Abby’s area of interest includes the infant population, including those with torticollis and developmental delay, but she enjoys working with children of all ages and abilities! She also has unique clinical experience working with pediatric burn survivors. In her free time, Abby enjoys spending her time cheering on the Florida Gators and being outside with her two labrador retrievers, Brady and Woody.
Brittany is a Speech-Language Pathologist who received her undergraduate degree in Health Services Management from East Carolina University in 2012. She received her Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a concentration in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) from North Carolina Central University in 2016. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, Brittany has worked with pediatrics in a variety of settings including; schools, preschools, and outpatient clinics. She has experience in treating a wide range of disorders and diagnoses including articulation delays/disorders, neurological/developmental disorders, expressive language, receptive language, pragmatic language, childhood apraxia of speech, fluency, autism, auditory processing, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, and augmentative and alternative communication. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, yoga, and history podcasts.
Jessica is a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development and Family Studies and began working with children in the preschool setting, where she was for ten years. She then pursued a Masters of Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a focus on pediatrics. Jessica worked with preschool and school aged students in the public school setting before transitioning to outpatient therapy. Specific speech and language areas of interest include: articulation disorders, fluency disorders, early language development and AAC use. Jessica has completed training with PRC-Saltillo in AAC implementation, FRIENDS Who Stutter, Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, and CAN-EAT Approach. She has extensive experience treating children with Autism, as well as articulation, fluency, receptive and expressive language disorders. Jessica enjoys getting crafty and creative with DIY projects, watching sports and movies, going to the beach, and spending time with her family.
Jess is a pediatric Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellow. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a concentration in Language, Speech and Hearing from the University of South Florida. She then received her Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2024. Jess has experience working with children in multidisciplinary medical clinics, school settings and private practices. Jess has completed specialized training in pediatric feeding, and loves helping children develop their feeding and oral motor skills. She also has clinical interests working with early language learners and gestalt language processors. Outside of work, Jess enjoys reading, basketball, going to concerts, and spending time with her family and dog.