Our Therapists
Patricia “miss trish” Miller MS, OTR/L – Owner
‘Miss Trish’ is an Illinois transplant, growing up in Iowa. She earned her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. She is currently on the OTA Board of Lewis and Clark College, and is a past pediatric course instructor. Her early experience was working with children 3 to 21, and in the Illinois Early Intervention Program as an in home therapy provider.
Trish began Hand to Hand Pediatric Therapy in 1999, and she is proud to be partnered with Sarah Lybarger to bring you Just Imagine Pediatric Therapy. She has never been more excited to offer a positive and complete therapy experience for the children and families that she serves.
She specializes in, but not limited to: prematurity, Infant feeding, lactation, feeding therapy, vision, anxiety, sensory processing, neurodevelopment treatments, and the Listening program. She has presented workshops on many topics over the years, including feeding, lactation, sensory processing disorder, and child motor development.
Trish enjoys bonding with the children and families that she works with, past and present, with those bonds lasting over the years. Her emphasis is on building on every child’s unique abilities and maximizing their potential. Her family-oriented life carries over into every aspect of her life, at home, with her fellow therapists in her clinic, and with her clients and their families.
Trish is married with two grown children, and has 5 amazing grandchildren. She is an animal lover, and has two golden retrievers that she spoils at home. She loves spending time with family, and is being reluctantly led into the ‘Camping Life’ by her husband, using the excuse of the joy it would bring her grandchildren and golden’s. He would appreciate any help anyone can give in making this transition a success.
Sarah Adams MS, PT —Owner
Sarah grew up in Maine. She earned her Masters degree in physical therapy from Springfield College in Springfield Massachusetts in 1996. Sarah and her family have lived in Illinois since 2001. She and Trish have worked closely together since 2001.
After graduation, Sarah quickly learned that her passion in physical therapy was children. She has been providing physical therapy services to children for 23 years. She has vast experience providing physical therapy services to a variety of diagnoses to include but not limited to: cerebral palsy, torticollis, Down syndrome, Autism, developmental delay, premature infants, and various genetic syndromes. Some of her most recent trainings include: kinesiology taping for pediatrics, pediatric yoga, and total motion release.
Sarah is compassionate with her approach to physical therapy and the children and families she has the opportunity to work with. Sarah strives to create an environment that she would be happy to bring her own children too. She believes physical therapy should be fun and has a no tears approach.
Some of Sarah’s favorite things to do outside of her work include spending time with her husband, two children and three dogs. Sarah enjoys exercise, reading, and being outside. Sarah looks forward to learning about you, your child and being part of your journey.
Alyssa Hill, DPT
Alyssa graduated from Maryville University in St. Louis with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2012. She has worked in various settings since graduation and has found a love of working with children and their families. Alyssa has worked with children in the home, school, and outpatient setting. She has experience working with children of varying diagnoses including but not limited to: cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Torticollis, Spina Bifida, Autism, Developmental Delay, and premature infants. Alyssa has also gained personal experience in working with preterm infants after her daughter was born 8 weeks early in 2014. Her daughter was later diagnosed with hip dysplasia and following treatment was seen by Sarah for physical therapy. This is what brought Sarah and Alyssa together, and they have been working alongside one another since.
Alyssa has a particular interest in helping parents to understand typical child development so that they can feel empowered to help their child reach their full potential. She has a gentle no tears approach to therapy and feels that the parents involvement is vital in their child’s success. Outside of the clinic, Alyssa homeschools her 5 year old daughter as well as carrying for her 1 year old son. She enjoys being outside and visiting the Missouri Botanical Gardens, as well as educating herself on health and wellness.
Katie York, COTA/ L
A graduate from Lewis and Clark with a degree in Occupational Therapy Assisting, Katie has been with Trish Miller and the Hand to Hand company since her fieldwork rotation in 2011. Katie has since had extensive training in sensory processing, First Strokes handwriting techniques, behavior management, depression/anxiety, oral motor and feeding strategies, and is a certified Color Me Yoga Instructor. Celebrating each milestone and goal with every kiddo and family, no matter how big or small, is her favorite thing.
Katie considers herself a true movie buff and foodie; and enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and two crazy dogs in their Godfrey home.
Amanda Farris, COTA/ L
Amanda is a compassionate client-centered therapist who graduated from Lewis and Clark Community College in 2012. She completed her fieldwork with Hand to Hand then hired following graduation.
She has worked in Early Intervention and clinic setting. Her experience includes a range of medical diagnosis but not limited to: Autism, Down Syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder , Oculomotor Dysfunction, Dyslexia, Developmental Delay, G-buttons, Oral Defensiveness/Picky Eaters, Non-Verbal Children, Tourettes, Anxiety/Depression, First Strokes Handwriting Program, Delayed Executive Functioning Skills.
She is married with two boys, one who has special needs with intellectual disability due bacterial meningitis as an infant, the other who has ADHD. They keep her busy, in addition to her two fur babies. She enjoys crafting, reading and spending time with my family.
She is passionate about her work and dedicated in supporting her families through whatever journey they may be going through.
Nicole Olson, LPTA
Nicole earned her Associates in Applied Science for Physical Therapy Assistant from Southwestern Illinois College. She has been practicing for more than 20 years and discovered she wanted to spend the rest of her career working with children shortly after it began. She and Sarah have worked together for the past 5 years.
Nicole has provided pediatric physical therapy in a variety of settings including schools, homes, sports camps and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Her pediatric experience includes a variety of diagnoses such as Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum disorder, developmental delay, lung and heart transplant, cardiac, orthopedic and genetic conditions.
Nicole loves working with children and families through a team approach to enhance gross motor development and accomplish their goals. She is both fun and creative with her treatments and believes that therapy is most effective in an environment that is comfortable for children.
Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband and two girls, cycling, gardening, and summer vacations at the beach.
Sarah Link, COTA/ L
Sarah graduated from Lewis and Clark Community College in December 2017 with a degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Once completing a fieldwork rotation within a school district, she knew that her passion is working with pediatrics. Since graduation, she has been working within several school districts in the area. Sarah sees clients during the after-school hours at Just Imagine Pediatric Therapy. She has experience working with children with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Developmental Delay, and Sensory Processing Disorders to name a few.
In her free time, she loves to spend time with family and friends, bake sweets, and read books. Sarah’s goal is to help children reach their full potential.
Lisa Ham, MOT, OTR/L
Lisa earned a Bachelor of Science, with a minor in Psychology, from Western Illinois University; and a Master of Occupational Therapy from Saint Louis University.
She has experience providing therapy to children with a variety of diagnoses and medical histories including, but not limited to: Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Anxiety, Depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Developmental Delay. Lisa has worked in Early Intervention and the clinic setting to provide therapy to children ranging in age from new born to teenagers, and everything in between. Some of her trainings that have shaped her therapeutic approach include First Strokes handwriting techniques, oral motor and feeding strategies, pediatric yoga instructor certification, trainings in sensory processing, and behavioral management.
Some of Lisa’s favorite things to do include spending time with her husband and two daughters, making people smile, and getting her hands dirty with her indoor and outdoor plants. Lisa’s personal goals are to be compassionate and understanding that every child’s journey is unique, while supporting them in any way she can.
Britni Wallach, MOT, OTR/ L
Britni graduated from Saint Louis University with a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy and a Bachelors degree in Occupational Science. Britni grew up traveling the world as a proud military brat and has lived in the Midwest since her father was stationed here in 1996, and has since retired from the Air Force.
After finishing her clinical experiences Britni knew her love was with children, and has been working in the pediatric setting for her 9 years of practice. Britni has experience in both outpatient and school based services, providing care to children with diagnoses including but not limited to: developmental delay, Autism spectrum disorders, cerebal palsy, Down syndrome, various genetic syndromes, premature infants, and those with sensory processing concerns. Britni is a pediatric certified Neuro-Developmental Treatment therapist, and has training in the Integrated Listening System, pediatric kinesiology taping, and pediatric yoga. Britni is additionally trained on administering the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT).
Britni treats the children at the clinic like her own, with her biggest desire to help families reach their goals. Britni is married with two dog children and loves to be outside with her family or inside at a yoga studio.
Dana Werner Billing Specialist
Dana took classes for medical billing and coding at U.S. Career Institute and was then hired by Hand to Hand Pediatric Therapy. For the last three years, she has helped our clients with understanding their insurance as it pertains to therapy and navigating them through the insurance and billing process. She is responsible for billing services to insurance companies and following those through the financial cycle. Dana and her husband Brian have three boys; Ephram, Dane and Caden. They are huge St. Louis Blues fans and love going to the movies and concerts. Dana also loves to read and bake! Dana’s compassion for her job stems from having a special needs child and receiving therapy for Dane with our therapists for the last 11 years.
Crystal Tarin, PTA/L
Crystal is a graduate of Southwestern Illinois College, earning an associate’s degree in physical therapy. She has been working in pediatric therapy with kids from ages 3 – 21 for over 8 years. She has worked with a variety of children with diagnosis from Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and Spina Bifida. Crystal enjoys working with children and their families to encourage strengthening and gaining skills to reach their potential in a safe and fun environment. Crystal is married and has 3 children that she loves spending time with. She enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and going to out to eat with friends.
Karen Wahn, COTA/L
A graduate from University of Southern Indiana in 1996 with a Bachelors in Health Services as well as an Associate Degree in December of 1998 from Sanford Brown in Occupational Therapy Assisting (OTA), Karen has been with Trish Miller and the Hand to Hand Pediatric Therapy company since early 2000. Karen has worked in the school setting for Perandoe Special Education District, an Early Intervention provider as part of Hand to Hand Pediatric Therapy, transitioning to the clinic setting. She has experience providing therapy to children with a variety of diagnoses and medical histories including, but not limited to: Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Anxiety, Depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Developmental Delay. Karen has since had extensive training in, but is not limited to NDT, sensory processing, visual deficits, First Strokes handwriting program, behavior management, Beckman oral motor and feeding strategies, and Sarah Rosenfeld Johnson’s OPT. Karen is married with a daughter and a son, who keep her on her toes with sports and just overall life with a teenager and pre-teen! She is a little bit silly and likes to make others around her smile and laugh, and doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty! She wishes to be a source of comfort and be helpful in a family's journey through a small part of their life.