Our Team

Emilie Straka McLeod, MS CCC-SLP

Emilie S. McLeod opened Straka Pediatric Therapies Castle Rock in 2014. She received her B.S. from CU-Boulder and her M.S. from Towson University in Maryland. Emilie has received specialized training in P.R.O.M.P.T; Beckman Oral Motor Therapy; Talk Tools: A Sensory Motor Approach to Apraxia and Motor Speech Disorders, DIR/Floortime; Hanen “It Takes Two to Talk”; SOS Approach to Feeding; Melanie Potock’s Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Masterclass; and Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cuing; as well as the incalculable knowledge she’s gained working alongside many other fabulous speech language pathologists, occupational therapists and early childhood special educators. Emilie’s therapy style is motivating and fun, and she loves to hear she’s made therapy a positive experience for her patients. Emilie lives in Castle Rock with her husband, Tripp, their son, Bode, and a sweet and wild wheaten terrier named Finley. It is a true joy in her life to make speech and occupational therapy an easy, happy experience for Straka Pediatric Therapies families.

To contact Emilie, email emilie@strakatherapies.com.

Amber Rea, MA CCC-SLP

Amber Rea joined the Straka Pediatric Therapies family in 2015. She earned her B.S. and M.A. degrees from the University of Northern Colorado and has built her clinical experience working with children with Autism, Down syndrome, stuttering difficulties, receptive/expressive language disorders, articulation impairments and social communication delays. She enjoys providing early intervention for infants and toddlers and has received specialized training in The Social Thinking Methodology and Fun with Fluency. Amber has developed a passion for working with children and adults who stutter and has co-presented at several conferences on topics related to assessment and treatment of preschool and school-age stuttering. She is the President of the Colorado-Speech-Language-Hearing-Association and co-founder of Hunter’s Hope Soaps, a local organization that employs young adults with developmental disabilities. In her free time, Amber loves curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee, exploring and traveling with her husband, Dalton, and their rescue pups, June and Sage.

To contact Amber, email amber@strakatherapies.com.

Jenny Muehsam, MA CCC-SLP

Jenny is originally from Harlan, Iowa, and moved to Colorado in 2016. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree, with an endorsement in Talented and Gifted Education from Drake University. She earned her post-baccalaureate certificate in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and her M.A. degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Colorado-Boulder. Prior to pursuing her career in speech-language pathology, Jenny taught Kindergarten-5th grade music at a local elementary school for several years. Jenny has experience working with children and adults in various clinical settings, including in a public school, hospital, and outpatient clinic. She especially enjoys working with children on articulation/phonology, receptive/expressive language, voice, and early intervention. In her free time, she loves to sing, paint, read, and enjoy time outside with her puppy, Wailea!

To contact Jenny, email jenny@strakatherapies.com.

Maddie Mandese, MS CCC-SLP

Maddie is originally from Orlando, Florida and moved to Colorado at the beginning of 2022. She earned her Master’s of Science in Speech Language Pathology at Jacksonville University. She has had experience with children and adults in various clinical settings as well as the school setting. She has a passion to work with the pediatric population and specifically enjoys working with Autism Spectrum Disorder, articulation disorders, receptive/expressive language disorders/delay, early intervention and fluency disorders. In her free time, Maddie loves to spend time with her dog going to the dog park, hiking, camping, and watching soccer and football.

To contact Maddie, email maddie@strakatherapies.com

Lauren Mason Sagendorph, MA CCC-SLP

Lauren earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Kansas. She has experience working with children and adults in a variety of clinical settings, including preschool, elementary school, ENT, and outpatient rehabilitation. She enjoys working with children on articulation/phonology, apraxia of speech, receptive/expressive language, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). In her free time, She loves hanging out with her husband, playing with her dogs (Mylo and Kona), hiking, skiing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Lauren is very excited to be a part of the Straka Pediatric Therapies Therapy team!

To contact Lauren, email lauren@strakatherapies.com

Coral Viernow, MS CF-SLP

Coral is from St. Louis, Missouri, and moved to Colorado in 2023. She earned her Master’s of Science in Speech Language Pathology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She has experience working with populations across the lifespan in various clinical settings, including an elementary school, pediatric hospital, and an outpatient rehabilitation center. She has a passion for working with the pediatric population, specifically with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), articulation disorders, early intervention, and receptive/expressive language disorders! In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her fiancé and cat (Nala), hiking, thrifting, reading, and traveling. Coral is so happy to be a part of the Straka Pediatric Therapies team!

To contact Coral, email coral@strakatherapies.com

Taylor Schwartz, MS CF-SLP

 Taylor is originally from Milwaukee, WI, and moved to Colorado in July 2023. Taylor earned her Master’s of Science in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has had experience working with both the pediatric and adult populations in various clinical settings, including a preschool, elementary school, university clinic, and outpatient clinic. Taylor adores working with children and she specifically enjoys working with children on articulation/phonology, feeding, receptive/expressive language, social communication, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). In her free time, Taylor enjoys taking long walks, hanging out with friends and family, trying out new coffee shops, and spending time in the mountains hiking, camping, and skiing. 

To contact Taylor, email Tschwartz@strakatherapies.com

Stephanie Cormier, MS OTR/L

Stephanie Cormier received her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Austin, Texas. Stephanie began her pediatric OT career in the school setting, serving elementary and middle schools. There, she had the opportunity to work with a variety of children, both in general education and those in specialized classrooms. She has received formal training in Handwriting Without Tears and Ready Bodies, Learning Minds. Stephanie's passion for pediatrics began after her younger sister with autism started receiving occupational therapy to help reach developmental milestones and increase her participation in everyday life. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors with her husband, David, and her energetic Husky/Malamute puppy named Maya.

To contact Stephanie, email stephanie@strakatherapies.com.

Jamie Warner, COTA

Jamie Warner graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 2009 with a degree in Psychology and Sociology. She spent several years working with children of all ages while working for Celebrity Cruises as a Youth Program Manager. Jamie went back to school at Pima Medical Institute and earned her degree and certification as an Occupational Therapy Assistant and has been working in pediatric settings since 2015. Her continuing education has included coursework on NDT, Sensory Integration, Early Development and Intervention, motor learning, and sensory-based feeding intervention. Jamie worked as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Children's Hospital Colorado working in the inpatient rehabilitation unit, NICU, Oncology, and Developmental Therapy teams for 4.5 years prior to joining the Straka Pediatric Therapies team. She loves working with patients of all ages and has a special interest in medically complex children and babies. Her favorite part of working with children is helping them master new skills and explore, learn and grow! Jamie is a Colorado native who loves hanging out with her husband, daughters, and huge dog Hank. She also enjoys baking, reading, and eating desserts in her free time. 

To contact Jamie, email Jamie@strakatherapies.com.

Ashley Collins, MOT OTR/L

Ashley received her Bachelor of Science in 2022 and Master of Occupational Therapy in 2024 from Quinnipiac University. Ashley’s passion for OT began as a teenager, when she began working with adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) through an integrative dance program. She has experience with populations across the lifespan in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She believes in using each child’s unique strengths and interests to promote progress toward their individual goals. Ashley is originally from Maryland and moved to Colorado in 2024. In her free time, she loves to hike, crochet, read, and explore Colorado with friends!

To contact Ashley, email Ashley@strakatherapies.com.

Nikkia Wheeler, MS OTR/L

Nikkia received her Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation at Central Michigan University and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Saginaw Valley State University. Since graduating in 2022, she has gained experience working with primarily pediatric populations in both school and outpatient clinic settings. Prior to becoming an OT, Nikkia found her passion for helping children while working as a Registered Behavior Technician and Preschool Teacher.  It was in those roles that she developed a desire to work with children and their families to help foster growth, independence, and confidence in their daily lives and routines. As a child’s primary occupation is play, Nikkia believes in learning and growing through fun and engaging interventions that are meaningful and relevant to a child’s life and goals. Prior to moving to Colorado in 2023, Nikkia lived in Michigan and spent several summers working in Big Sky, Montana. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, camping, and swimming and loves to explore local coffee shops and bookstores on her days off!

To contact Nikkia, email Nikkia@strakatherapies.com

Jaclyn Horchen, PT-DPT

Jaclyn received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and then continued on to earn my Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. She began working in pediatrics right out of school. She's had the privilege of working with children of all ages and with various diagnoses including developmental delays, torticollis, idiopathic toe-walking, cerebral palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, orthopedic injuries, and many genetic disorders. She has a special interest in working with infants with torticollis and gross motor delays, with her continuing education coursework focusing on these areas. Jaclyn loves coming up with creative and fun interventions to keep kids engaged and to help them achieve their goals. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, spending time with friends and family, and running with her German Shepherd Arlo.

To contact Jaclyn, email jaclyn@strakatherapies.com.

Amanda Gallagher, MS LPC

Amanda Gallagher moved to Colorado in 2020 from Nebraska. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Art and Coaching from Nebraska Wesleyan University and her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling at The University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has a background in various settings to include: residential treatment facilities, private practice, outpatient clinics, schools, crisis/brief treatment, and as a behavioral health consultant at a pediatric clinic.  She is trained in Active Parenting, TF-CBT, Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), and Healthy Steps. Amanda has experience with group work across ages and facilitating parenting classes. Her approach to therapy is eclectic. She uses her training to work together to assist you in building your tool box to promote positive mental and behavioral health. She has experience working with clients across the age spectrum, but her passion is working with children. Her primary areas of focus include: Parenting Support/coaching, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Emotional Disturbance, Adjustments, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Anger, Trauma, Depression, Developmental disorders, Social skills, Peer relationships, Fear/phobias, Anxiety, Oppositional behavior, Family conflict/stress, Self-esteem, Sleep disturbance, and Stress management. In addition to her professional work, she enjoys spending time with family, playing volleyball, doing arts/crafts, traveling, and exploring the great outdoors. Amanda resides in Castle Rock with her husband, daughter, and dog named Axel.

To contact Amanda, email amanda@strakatherapies.com

Britinni Rodrigues, Intake Coordinator

Britinni loves helping with any front desk needs and client questions. She has worked at Straka since August 2021 and adores the families she works with. She is the mother of two wonderful boys, including a special needs toddler. She has been a client at Straka since October of 2020 since moving here from Utah. Her hobbies include exercising, playing with her St. Bernard, and spending time with her family.

To contact Britinni, email intake@strakatherapies.com.

Ellie Muniz, Receptionist

Ellie just moved to Colorado from Texas; she is originally from Houston. Ellie moved here with her fiancé and beloved cat to be closer to family and experience a new state to live in. She is very excited to work with and get to know all of our families. You will see Ellie at the front desk mostly in the afternoons. Ellie has about 3 years of experience working with kids in the special needs community. Children with special needs have a special place in her heart. At the moment, she is working towards a Bachelors of Psychology. Ellie's favorite things to do are spend time with her family and explore her new state.