Joy is a registered occupational therapist, certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. She is also licensed with the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy. Joy grew up in Chicago, Illinois, but obtained her undergraduate degree in Health and Human Physiology with a minor in Spanish at the University of Iowa. Joy has always been passionate about working with children of all abilities. Growing up, her family took in foster children, providing her first-hand experiences with pediatric mental health and the benefits of occupational therapy. She is devoted to treating not only the child, but the entire family unit in order to facilitate a child’s success and opportunity to thrive. Joy volunteered in the neonatal intensive care unit throughout her undergraduate degree as a developmental care volunteer and mentor. She went on to pursue her Master’s degree in occupational therapy at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Throughout graduate school, she worked full time as a respite caregiver to a child with Down Syndrome and young man with Cerebral Palsy. Joy has a pug named Elvis Presley, whom she loves dearly, and enjoys playing tennis, spending time outdoors, and drawing. Joy believes in a holistic and family-centered approach to facilitate a child’s development and independence. She is so excited to work with you and your family!