Meet The Team
Maria Dobbertien, MS, OTR/L, BCP, LMT
Owner & Occupational Therapist
Maria is the proud owner and operator of Functional Kids Therapy Center LLC. She started the business in 2014. She has worked in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, pediatric intensive care and adult rehabilitation. She graduated from Western Michigan University with her Master’s degree in science with an emphasis in Occupational Therapy. She is one of the only certified Irlen Screeners and Diagnosticians in the state of Michigan. Maria is certified in Interactive Metronome, IM Home, Advanced Therapeutic Listening programs, Handwriting Without Tears Level 1, Rhythmic Movement Training (levels 1, 2 & 3), and Brain Gym. Maria is trained in John Barnes Myofascial Release techniques (including MFR healing, MFR I, Cervical Thoracic, MFR Rebounding, MFT Unwinding, and Pediatric MFR). She is also a certified Massage Therapist. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, being outdoors, and making delicious food.
Voted "Top Occupational Therapist in SW Michigan" in 2024 by KZOO Kids
Cortney Carlisle, MS, OTR/L
Clinical Director
& Occupational Therapist
Clinical Director/ Occupational Therapist Cortney has been with Functional Kids since the Caledonia location opened in 2018. She graduated from The College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, MN with her undergraduate degree in 2012 and her masters in 2014. She has spent the majority of her career working with the pediatric population in the outpatient setting. She is certified in the SOS Approach to Feeding, Therapeutic Listening, Handwriting Without Tears, Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, RMTI level 1, and Astronaut Training. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and kids, being on the lake, and traveling.
Tammy Pool
Office Coordinator &
Authorization Specialist
Tammy joined Functional Kids in 2019. Tammy has worked extensively within the medical field with a background in insurance authorizations, billing, and office management. She is a creative problem solver that is up for any challenge. She has enjoyed volunteering for the Jaycees for many years. In her free time she likes to enjoy the lake and spending time with her family.
Heather Elley
Office Support Specialist
Heather received her Medical Administrative Certification from Everest Institute in 2007. Heather later returned to school for her CNA certification from Kellogg Community College in 2018. In 2023, she received her Associates degree in Applied Science for Business Management from Kellogg Community College. Heather handles client scheduling, answering phones, keeping client information up to date, referral intake, and assists with insurance verifications. In her free time, Heather likes to dance, karaoke, and is a huge sports fan.
Jen Roelof, BS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Jen started with Functional Kids in 2017 Jen graduated with a BS in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University in 1995. She started her career working in geriatrics, but after having her own children re-focused her career path towards pediatrics. Prior to starting at Functional Kids Jen worked within the school system. She is trained in Handwriting Without Tears, visual processing and academics, Brain and Sensory Foundations and Rhythmic Movement. She also uses Brain Gym and SOS approach to feeding programming and John Barnes MFR. She is certified in Interactive Metronome and Therapeutic Listening. Jen has 2 children, enjoys traveling, and reading in her free time.
Danielle Hackert, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Danielle began working with Functional Kids in 2019 at our Caledonia location. Danielle received her Bachelors in Health Science with concentration in Health Promotion and Behavior Education from Clemson University, Cum Laude. She then went on to receiving her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University, Suma Cum Laude. Danielle is certified in Therapeutic Listening, Interactive Metronome, and SOS Approach to Feeding Therapy. She has additional experience working with a variety of children with sensory processing difficulties, fine motor/gross motor delays, visual impairments, ASD, neuromuscular conditions, and feeding challenges. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and dog, cooking Italian food, and traveling.
Kelly Pixley, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Marketing Coordinator
Kelly joined Functional Kids Therapy in 2021. Kelly received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University in 2018, where she also graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Services with a double minor in Holistic Health and Wellness and Speech and Hearing Processes in 2016. Kelly has experience with a variety of pediatric conditions including ASD, Down Syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder, fine motor delays, and
feeding difficulties. Kelly has experience with SOS Approach to Feeding, Handwriting Without Tears, Zones of Regulation and is certified in Beckman Oral Motor Protocol and Interactive Metronome. In her free time, Kelly enjoys being outdoors, spending time with family and friends, baking, and going on new adventures.
Voted "Top Occupational Therapist in SW Michigan" in 2024 by KZOO Kids
Elvira Kracker, COTA/L
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Hello everyone! Happy to share a little about myself. I have been a pediatric focused therapist since 2007. This Fall I am in my 16th school year as a school-based practitioner which is my full-time job. I have really enjoyed getting to work with some terrific kids! Thank you. I have certification in Interactive Metronome and Therapeutic Listening. My training includes Brain Gym, Bal-A-Vis-X, Handwriting Without Tears, School Moves, and Alert Program. It has been great to work with such a talented team on every level!
Kelsey Nichols, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Kelsey graduated from Western Michigan University in 2014 with a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy. She joined Functional Kids at the Schoolcraft location in 2024. She has extensive experience working with infants and families, especially as it relates to feeding difficulties. She has experience in addressing complications related to breastfeeding, bottle feeding, tethered oral ties, cleft palate, and oral motor dysfunction. She is trained in infant massage and positioning, and is a Certified Lactation Counselor. She is passionate about helping families and providing hope and support through empathetic listening. In her free time, she enjoys baking sweet treats, bike riding, being outside, and enjoying her friends and family’s company around the table.
Alyssa Rohr, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Alysa received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University. Alyssa has experience with a range of pediatric conditions and has worked with Zones of Regulation, Therapeutic LIstening, and Handwriting Without Tears. Alyssa enjoys spending time working out, watching new movies, and playing with her dogs.
Leah Krosschell, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Leah began working with Functional Kids in 2023 at our Caledonia location. Leah received her Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Calvin College in 2018. Leah’s clinical experience includes pediatric and adult acute care and pediatric outpatient therapy. Leah’s clinical experience includes working with children with dysphagia, feeding, fluency, and speech and language disorders including Childhood Apraxia of Speech and patients utilizing low- and high-tech AAC. Leah is trained in pediatric NMES Vital Stim and the SOS Approach to Feeding. In her free time, Leah enjoys spending time with her husband and cat (Harley), reading, and traveling.
Sheryl Dudley, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Sheryl received her Master’s degree from Michigan State University. Her internships included: Outpatient Pediatrics, Public Schools, and Adult Neurorehabilitation. Before joining the team at Functional Kids Therapy, Sheryl worked as a school-based Speech-Language Pathologist. She is trained in DTTC for Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), Natural Language Acquisition (Gestalt Language Processing), and has experience with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)She strives to create individualized and functionally relevant therapy plans for each client. Outside of work Sheryl also enjoys kayaking, gardening, playing the oboe, and spending time with family.
Meagan Stump, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Meagan received her Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Grand Valley State University. She then graduated with her Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology from Calvin University. Meagan's graduate school clinical experiences include pediatric feeding disorders, fluency, speech and language disorders, and low/high tech AAC devices. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, playing pickleball, and spending time with her family.
Caroline Sarbieski, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Caroline graduated from the University of Minnesota and is new to Michigan within the last year. She is completing her clinical fellowship with Functional Kids Therapy Center and Kalamazoo Public Schools working mostly with ages 3 and 4. Caroline is passionate about incorporating evidenced based strategies that support development. Some of these approaches include literacy based intervention, emotional vocabulary and regulation, muti-modal communication and cueing, and the complexity approach.
Stana Kier MA, LPC
Counselor
Stana Kier is a licensed professional mental health counselor in the state of Michigan. Stana received her Master’s degree in Counseling from Spring Arbor University, MI. Stana has over 8 years of clinical experience providing cognitive-behavioral counseling, dialectical behavior therapy, solution-focused interventions, and grief and trauma interventions to individuals, couples and families in a variety of settings. Stana is trained in Brief Strategic Family Therapy approach and has experience in providing brief solution focused counseling, crisis response, coaching, and education. Stana uses a variety treatment approaches that are tailored to the unique needs of each individual. Stana works with a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, self-esteem/self-empowerment, grief and loss, and relationship/family concerns.
Kelsey Klingenberg, LMSW
Counselor
Ms. Kelsey attended Calvin College for her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, then continued onto Western Michigan University to receive a Master’s degree in Social Work. She has experience with youth and family therapy, treating mental health disorders, and facilitating educational/ support groups for teens. Ms. Kelsey continues to grow her knowledge and experience through trainings such as CAFAS Reliability training, Mindfulness in Clinical Practice, ADHD, Anxiety, and Trauma-Informed Play Therapy. In her free time, she loves to run, read, do puzzles, and spend time with her 3 kids and husband. A fun fact about Ms. Kelsey is that Caledonia is her hometown!
Melody Manwell, MA, LLPC, NCC
Counselor
Melody has recently graduated from Liberty University with a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling and is a licensed counselor. Melody has a passion for helping kids and teens overcoming challenges in their lives caused by trauma, anxiety, ADHD, autism, depression and all those other things life throws at us. Play is how children learn and is their first language. Melody uses a play based, cognitive behavioral approach that is family focused to help your child or teen meet their goals. Melody has twenty years of experience working with kids in a variety of educational settings and counseling settings. In her free time she likes to bake, go to the beach, have fun with friends and family, scrapbook and make jewelry.
Allison Stone, LLMSW
Counselor
Allison attended Grand Valley State University for her Bachelor's degree in Social Work, then continued on to the University of Michigan to receive her Master's degree in Social Work. She has experience working with children, adults, and couples in a variety of different settings. Allison has experience in several different clinical areas, including working with survivors of domestic violence, facilitating children's grief support groups, and providing treatment for various mental health needs for children and adults in a private practice setting. Allison uses various treatment approaches in her current work in order to meet each client where they are at. Allison continues to grow and develop her skills through trainings such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Parent-Child Interaction Training. In her free time, Allison enjoys reading, drawing, doing puzzles, going to the beach, and traveling.
Dr. Kaitlyn Sorenson, DC
Doctor of Chiropractic &
Functional Medicine
Dr Kaitlyn attended Palmer College of Chiropractic where she received her Doctor of Chiropractic in February of 2023. Postgraduate, Dr Kaitlyn continues to further pursue her certification in Functional Medicine where she assesses patients' blood labs and makes nutritional and lifestyle recommendations based on their specific needs and health concerns. Dr Kaitlyn is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), is certified in Webster Technique and Sacro-occipital technique (SOT). Outside of the office, Dr Kaitlyn loves to spend her summers at her family cottage, go on hiking adventures and try new restaurants.
BATTLE CREEK LOCATION
777 Goguac St W. Suite B2
Battle Creek, MI. 49015
Phone: ( 2 6 9 ) 2 2 3 - 7 7 8 6
Fax: ( 2 6 9 ) 9 6 2 - 9 5 6 9
CALEDONIA
LOCATION
9809 Cherry Valley SE Suite D
Caledonia, MI. 49315
Phone: ( 6 1 6 ) 5 3 6 - 2 2 1 1
Fax: ( 2 6 9 ) 9 6 2 - 9 5 6 9
SCHOOLCRAFT
LOCATION
403 North Grand Street
Schoolcraft, MI. 49087
Phone: ( 2 6 9 ) 6 7 9 - 7 3 7 2
Fax: ( 2 6 9 ) 2 2 5 - 0 1 0 5