Chris Miller, MA, CCC-SLP

Chris is a certified and licensed Speech Language Pathologist who received her Master’s Degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Portland State University (PSU). Chris is an experienced, creative, and enthusiastic therapist dedicated to the progress and overall success of the children and adults she serves. She has a wide range of interests including language development, augmentative communication, assistive technology, social skills development, and educational and vocational success. Chris’s overall goal with each and every client is to work collaboratively with family and caregivers in order to help individuals participate fully in their lives. Chris values collaboration and believes optimal results are achieved when she joins families and other professionals in creating solution based therapies.

Laurel began working with children with autism spectrum disorders in 2003. She received her Master’s Degree in Special Education from the City University of New York. Since returning to the West Coast, Laurel has been working with students and school teams to provide education based services for students with special needs in local schools. Although her main focus has been working with children and families on the autism spectrum, Laurel is knowledgeable and competent working with many disabilities.

Laurel will use disability specific strategies, along with input from other disciplines, to help develop effective programs for children and families affected by autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities. The use of TEACCH, PECS, ABA, and a variety of other techniques and methodology have contributed to Laurel’s strategies when working with children with special needs. A focus on visual supports, social thinking, relationship building and behavior as communication is the core of Laurel’s ideology.

Email me: laurel.creativetherapy@gmail.com

                                      

                         

                                    

                                       Lisa Porter, MOT, OTR/L

                                         Occupational Therapist

Lisa graduated from Rockhurst College in 1994 with a Masters degree in occupational therapy.  Her specialty is sensory-based pediatric therapy and she has a passion for building therapeutic relationships with each client and family.  Lisa helped to start Creative Therapy Connections because she believes strongly in working with other clinicians who value family-centered therapy and multi-disciplinary intervention that is grounded in research.

Lisa has been mentored by Lucy Miller at the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation in Denver, Colorado.  She is a certified Yoga Calm®® instructor and a Qigong trainer.  Lisa is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Autism Society of America, and the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation.

Email me: OT.lisaporter@gmail.com   Click here for more info

                                                    

                                                       Gunner

                                 Autism Service Dog in Training

Gunner is a friendly one year-old Labrador Retriever who is learning how to be an assistance animal for a child with Autism. He is being trained through Autism Service Dogs of America and is currently working in local schools as well as at CTC. He loves children, and waits by the door each morning excited to go meet new friends. Gunner is a great help with the teaching of a variety of social skills, as he provides a non-judgmental audience. He loves to have stories read to him, and especially likes practicing skills out in the community. He looks forward to meeting you, too!