Meet Our Occupational Therapists
Nickie Meyer
OTR
Nicolette (Nickie) Meyer, MS, OTR is a licensed Occupational Therapist who received her Master’s of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Mary in 2013. She also graduated with a minor in Psychology. During her graduate year within the Occupational Therapy program she traveled with a group of OT students to complete medical based missions within Guatemala. Nickie’s pediatric experience includes a variety of settings such as private outpatient clinic, preschool- middle school, home-based Early Intervention, and aquatic therapy.
Nickie has always had a passion for working with children which started with a job completing family support and respite care for children from ages 3 to 18 years old within the home. She enjoys working with children of all ages and ability levels and has experience treating many diagnoses including, but not limited to, developmental delays, prematurity, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Inrauterine Stroke, a variety of genetic disorders, torticollis, sensory processing disorders, ADHD, and Autism.
Her professional interests currently include early intervention, neuro-developmental treatment (NDT), feeding, aquatic therapy and sensory integration therapy. Post-graduate education has included sensory integration in aquatic therapy and baby treatment based on NDT principles.
Raised in Mandan, ND but currently lives with her husband in Denver, CO. Her interests include spending time with family and friends, snowboarding, enjoying the outdoors and traveling.
Brynne Dunning
OTR
Brynne is an Occupational Therapist from Austin, TX. She graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch with her master’s in Occupational Therapy in 2015 and received her bachelor’s degree from Texas State University. Brynne has worked with children in a variety of therapeutic settings including private practice clinics, early intervention, and within the preschool environment. Over the past few years, she has gained valuable experience working with children with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, Dysgraphia and other handwriting challenges, learning disorders, various genetic abnormalities, and general developmental delay. She has also worked with children and other therapists in a group setting focusing on areas such as social skills, handwriting, and sensory aspects of eating. Brynne recently completed all of the Handwriting Without Tears courses, and is in the process of gaining her Level 1 certificate as a Handwriting Specialist. In her free time, Brynne enjoys hiking, camping, skiing, and spending time with her husband and 2 pups.
Emma Flanagan
OTR
Emma Flanagan, OTR was born and raised in Western NY. She received her Bachelors degree in Physical Education and Health from Slippery Rock University in PA, where she also played lacrosse all 4 years and was voted Co-team Captain her junior and senior year. Emma went on to earn her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University, graduating in December 2015. She completed her fieldwork in an outpatient pediatric facility in Florida and at a skilled nursing facility in Aurora. Emma enjoys working in a variety of settings and is currently working in Early Intervention, at a school with grades K-5 and PRN at a skilled nursing facility. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and playing/watching any sports.
Michelle Strade-Notz
OTR/L
"Chelle" has 22 years of experience and has recently relocated from California to Colorado. She has worked both in the clinic setting and in the early intervention setting. Chelle has experience with fine motor, sensory, feeding, visual impairments, infant massage and aquatic therapy. She has taken the Baby NDT course and a NICU Baby Feeding course. In her free time, Chelle enjoys kickboxing and spending time with her two dogs.
Kendra Vander Wal
OTR/L
Nicole Richards
OTR/L
Kristen Brainard
OTR
My name is Kristen Brainard. I have been an OT since 2000. I started in a small private school setting called G.E.M.S. where I was the OT in the preschool and kindergarten rooms. It was a great first experience because I had 2 more seasoned OT’s who mentored me and answered my million questions everyday. In the summer of 2002, I decided to try something new and began to work in EI as an in-home therapist. That is where I have stayed ever since. I feel like I have found my home with this population. I love being so involved with the families and I think early intervention is just so important to setting a strong foundation for our kiddos. I have seen a wide variety of diagnosis in my almost 17 years in EI but have a definite extra soft spot in my heart for kids with Down Syndrome. I would say a few traits of my therapy style is to see the whole kiddo, not just my discipline, and to think outside of the box! What works for one kiddo might not work for another one. And have fun-we get to play with kids for a living and we know they learn best when they are having fun! Personally, I have been married 20 years to my husband Mike. We have a 16 year old son named Jack and a 13 year old daughter named Sydney. We also have 2 dogs, Maci and Lola
