“Kindergarten proved to be a very challenging year, but [our OT] was our rock. The kid who would skip birthday parties and cancel play dates because he didn’t want to leave the house — or put on clothes — is now happy, playful and balanced. We are so grateful to have him back.”
Mikki Kistler, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Groundplay Therapy Works
Mikki migrated from Colorado to the PNW in 1989 to attend Lewis and Clark and has since made Portland her home. After working with high-risk children in a school setting for five years, she completed the Occupational Therapy graduate program at Pacific University, graduating in 2001. Since that time, she has specialized in pediatrics. After spending over a decade working at various pediatric clinics in Portland, Mikki opened Groundplay Therapy Works in 2013. Mikki specializes in sensory processing, nervous system regulation, and emotional and behavioral development. Mikki believes the relationship is essential to children's growth in therapy and that small steps should be celebrated.
When not at work, Mikki enjoys spending time with her partner and their two teenage children and two dogs. She loves going on a long hike, plunging into an ice-cold lake, and cooking a great meal for her family and friends.
Julie Lelièvre, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Groundplay Therapy Works
Julie graduated from the Université de Montréal (Canada) in 2013 with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy. In 2017, Julie moved to Portland from Montréal, Canada, to follow her desire to live in a different country and perfect her English. Since graduating, Julie has worked in various fields, including outpatient and inpatient adult mental health programs, orthopedic clinics, acute care geriatric hospital units, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric clinics. She found a true passion in working with children and adolescents, where she can utilize her interests and skills in mental health and emotional regulation, along with her love for movement and functional rehabilitation.
Outside of work, Julie loves to rock climb, cross-country ski, bike, hang out with friends, and spend quality time with her wife and elderly Boston terrier/Frenchie mix.
Hannah Schaupp, OTD
Occupational Therapist
Groundplay Therapy Works
Hannah moved from South Dakota to the PNW to attend Reed College in 2010. She fell in love with Portland and decided to stay. Hannah spent five years working in therapeutic recreation with children with complex medical needs. Hannah was inspired to continue that work and pursued her occupational therapy doctorate at MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA. where she graduated in 2023. Hannah loves working with children and their families. She is passionate about providing neurodiversity- and gender-affirming care for her clients. She is learning more every day and is excited to be a new member of the Groundplay team.
Outside of work, Hannah enjoys being an auntie, knitting, singing and hiking and baking with her husband.
Rebecca Peterson, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Play to Learn Occupational Therapy, LLC
Rebecca graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a degree in Occupational Therapy in 2003. Since then she has worked primarily in private practice settings, supporting children with autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing and regulatory challenges, motor planning difficulties, and learning differences. Rebecca has extensive experience in the DIR/Floortime model and sensory integration. Rebecca truly values the concept of working with parents and their children in order to empower them to take strategies learned in therapy into their home, community, and school environments. In addition to working closely with her client’s families, she believes it is key to collaborate with other therapists and professionals on a child’s team in order to help them reach their greatest potential.
Rebecca is the mother of two young boys. She enjoys spending time with her family hiking, building LEGO with her boys and husband, volunteering at her children’s school, and baking.
Rachel Salisbury, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Rachel Salisbury OT LLC
Rachel's clinical interests and experience include working with children with autism spectrum disorder, sensory integrative dysfunction, motor and developmental delays. Prior to her career in occupational therapy, Rachel worked as a Family Advocate and an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) aide in upstate New York. Rachel received her Master's Degree in occupational therapy from Pacific University. She is a prior LEND Fellow from OHSU's Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC), where she received extensive training and mentorship focused on working with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Rachel also has experience working as an OT in a rural school district. She has extensive continuing education in the areas of DIR/ Floortime, therapeutic listening, sensory based feeding therapy, visual and ocularmotor deficits and Handwriting without Tears.
Rachel thoroughly enjoys collaborating with families, teachers and other professionals to provide comprehensive child and family-centered care.