Each child reaches their desired destination through their own JOURNEY. We are here to assist in ensuring that happens with proven therapy practice and techniques on an intentionally individualized platform.

Sara Exsted is a seasoned speech-language pathologist with 20 years of experience and the co-founder of Journey Pediatric Therapy, where she turns evidence-based practice into everyday breakthroughs.
Her approach begins with connection — because when a child feels safe and seen, real progress follows. Whether she’s helping a child discover new words, celebrating a new sound, or making mealtime fun again, Sara partners closely with caregivers to turn therapy into true teamwork. No two sessions ever look the same, because every child’s needs, voices, and tastes are beautifully unique.
A lifelong learner (and proud speech nerd), Sara has earned the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Award for Continuing Education (ACE), reflecting her commitment to staying at the forefront of research and innovation in the field.
Sara’s clinical passions include supporting neurodivergent learners, children with motor speech challenges such as apraxia, those navigating big emotions or behaviors, and the “late talkers” who just need a little extra encouragement to find their words.
Outside the clinic, you’ll find Sara soaking up lake days with her husband, two kids, and their five-pound sidekick, Duke. She’s unapologetically fueled by sunshine, laughter, and a cold Diet Coke for breakfast (don’t knock it till you’ve tried it).

Tiana is one of the brilliant minds (and biggest hearts) behind Journey Pediatric Therapy. As a co-founder and speech therapist, she brings creativity, collaboration, and plenty of coffee-fueled energy to every session.
With years of experience in pediatric speech-language therapy, Tiana believes that every child deserves a therapy experience as unique as they are. She’s passionate about crafting sessions that are both effective and engaging . Often weaving play, laughter, and real-world communication into every goal.
She loves working hand-in-hand with other professionals (OTs, PTs, teachers, audiologists — you name it) to make sure each child’s therapy journey feels seamless and supportive. Her special areas of expertise include children with hearing loss, language delays, behavioral and emotional regulation, and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) for kids with complex communication needs.
When Tiana’s not in the clinic, you’ll find her spending time with friends and family, planning her next travel adventure, or with her 5 pound dog, Pip!

Kelsey brings a wealth of experience to the Journey Pediatric Therapy team, having worked with both pediatric and adult populations throughout her career. For the past nine years, however, her heart has been firmly rooted in pediatrics. She’s known for her calm, creative approach and her ability to help children—and their families—feel understood, supported, and empowered.
As a client-centered occupational therapist, Kelsey believes that meaningful progress happens through collaboration. She partners closely with families to create individualized goals that reflect what matters most to them—whether that’s helping a child regulate their body, build confidence, or find joy in everyday routines.
Kelsey’s areas of special interest include supporting neurodivergent children, particularly those with autism, sensory processing differences, pelvic health and toileting needs, and anxiety or trauma-related challenges. She integrates sensory-based strategies, play, and evidence-based interventions to help each child grow and develop skills in ways that feel fun, engaging, and meaningful.
Outside of the clinic, Kelsey enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, discovering new restaurants, and experimenting with recipes at home. As Journey’s resident foodie, she’s always eager to share her latest culinary find or must-try dish!

Cheryl Adkins, MA CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist
with more than 25 years of pediatric experience, Cheryl brings both expertise and heart to the Journey team. She combines her deep clinical knowledge with warmth and compassion, and she ensures her kids always have fun during therapy sessions!
Cheryl has shared her expertise beyond the clinic, previously guest lecturing for many years at the University of Minnesota and teaching a continuing education course on best practices in diagnosing and treating childhood apraxia of speech. Cheryl has also served as a clinical mentor to the next generation of therapists, demonstrating how to make speech therapy both evidence-based and joy-filled.
As a client-centered clinician, Cheryl believes collaboration is key. She works closely with parents, other therapists, and physicians to ensure cohesive care that is individualized to the needs of each child. Her specialties include motor speech disorders, pediatric feeding and swallowing, early language development, cleft palate and craniofacial syndromes, and support for neurodivergent children, including those with Down syndrome and autism.
When she’s not helping kids find their voices, Cheryl can be found enjoying a good book, a Pilates class, or a great concert. She loves exploring new places with her family, and she never says no to a warm chocolate chip cookie!

Emily Clarkin, MA OTR/L, has experience with both pediatric and adult populations.
Emily has always had a strong passion for working with children of all ages and loves having the opportunity to help clients reach their individual goals. She values collaboration with other therapist and healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive, quality care that is both meaningful and motivating to her clients. Emily's areas of interest include sensory integration, a variety of developmental disorders and challenging behaviors.
When Emily is not working, she enjoys traveling, hiking and spending time with family and friends. She loves exploring new restaurants and is determined to visit all the national parks!

Alissa brings 18 years of physical therapy experience and a whole lot of energy to the Journey team! A proud Marquette University alum, she earned both her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and undergraduate degree in Exercise Science in Milwaukee. Over the years, she’s enjoyed working in settings with both adults and children, however, she discovered she's happiest helping kids move, grow, and find their confidence through play.
Alissa’s professional interests include late milestone development, gait and balance disorders, and supporting neurodivergent children, including those with autism spectrum disorder. Her therapy philosophy is simple- “Meet each child where they are, and help them progress through play. Therapy should be fun!”
When she’s not in the clinic, Alissa is shuffling and chauffeuring her three kids to activities, trying to read more, and dreaming up the next family adventure. She’s an avid soccer fan, loves March Madness, and is always interested in a good nap. Despite an admitted huge fear of snakes, she loves a good hike and is determined to visit every National Park someday.

Kim Gross, MA CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist with more than 25 years of experience helping children find their voices (and their love of food), Kim brings both expertise and heart to the Journey team. She believes that therapy works best when it blends evidence-based practice with genuine care for each child and family.
Kim has extensive training in infant feeding and swallowing, supporting babies who have challenges with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or transitioning to solids. She’s worked in a range of settings — including the NICU, PICU, and outpatient clinics — assessing and treating both muscle-based and sensory-based feeding disorders.
Her specialized training also includes Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) and Tethered Oral Tissues (like tongue and lip ties). Over the years, her dedication to lifelong learning has earned her multiple ASHA Awards for Continuing Education (ACE Awards) proving that she’s always growing her skills to bring families the best care possible.
When she’s not helping little ones master mealtimes or meet communication milestones, Kim loves spending time with her husband, three sons, and their spirited Corgi, Bentley. You might catch her working out with her girlfriends, planning her next travel adventure, or dancing to hip hop — her favorite way to unwind!

Abby Faber, MS CCC-SLP specializes in pediatric speech therapy and finds joy in helping kids and families celebrate every milestone, from first words to confident conversations. She believes progress happens when therapy is personalized, purposeful, and fun!
By truly getting to know each child, Abby designs individualized, evidence-based treatment plans that meet kids where they are and build skills that last. Her professional interests include supporting late talkers, expressive and receptive language disorders, and motor speech disorders all with patience, creativity, and a great sense of humor.
When she’s not in the clinic, Abby loves spending time outdoors hiking, soaking up lake days, or catching up on a good audiobook. She’s also a pop culture enthusiast who never turns down a trivia night (and almost always wins).

Rachel is a compassionate and energetic speech-language pathologist who is a proud Marquette University graduate. She has a strong passion for helping children grow their communication skills and confidence one word, sound, or story at a time.
Rachel’s clinical interests include articulation and phonological disorders, social/pragmatic language skills, and stuttering/fluency disorders. She’s known for her warm, client-centered approach and her ability to turn therapy into a fun, engaging, and empowering experience for every child she works with.
Dedicated to building genuine connections with families, Rachel values collaboration and individualized care, ensuring that each child’s goals are meaningful and achievable.
When she’s not in the clinic, Rachel enjoys exploring new restaurants, spending time on the lake, and making memories with friends and family. She’s always up for a relaxing but adventurous activity whether it’s trying a new meal, discovering a new walking trail, or simply soaking up time outdoors.

Cassie is a dedicated occupational therapist with experience supporting children across a wide range of ages and developmental needs. She’s known for her calm, thoughtful approach and her ability to make therapy sessions both purposeful and fun.
Cassie loves collaborating with families to create consistency and carryover across home, school, and community settings — because real progress happens when everyone’s on the same team. She provides individualized treatment for every client, ensuring goals feel meaningful and achievable.
She’s completed specialized continuing education on pediatric vestibular therapy, primitive reflex integration, handwriting development and progression, as well as sensory approaches to toe walking. Her areas of interest include handwriting, sensory integration, vestibular function, and developmental differences that impact daily life skills.
When she’s not in the clinic, Cassie enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, exploring new coffee shops, and taking her dog for walks.

Mara has experience with both pediatric and adult populations in the outpatient setting. Mara focuses on creating relationships with children of all ages and abilities using play, humor, and creativity in order to help clients meet their goals! She strives to collaborate with client families and other team members to provide holistic, client-centered care. Mara’s areas of interest include anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and developmental disorders.
In her spare time, Mara enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing cribbage (or any game) with her husband, drinking iced coffee, and listening to Taylor Swift! Most of her summer is spent traveling to her husband’s town ball baseball games - Go Bullfrogs!

Becca is a passionate occupational therapist with a deep love for supporting children and families through meaningful, play-based intervention. She’s known for her easygoing, playful presence and her open-minded, collaborative approach to therapy.
Becca believes the best progress happens when everyone works together toward shared goals. She partners closely with families to ensure strategies are consistent across home, school, and community environments - helping children build confidence and independence in ways that feel fun and natural.
She is trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding and has completed additional continuing education in the areas of emotional regulation, trauma-informed care, primitive reflex integration, neurodivergence, sensory processing, and fine motor development. Her areas of special interest include feeding, regulation, and sensory-based skill building that empower children to thrive in daily life.
Outside the clinic, Becca enjoys spending time with family (including her adorable mini schnauzers, Rumi and Frizzie) exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, and getting creative through art classes and crafting.

Rachel Poss, is our Patient and Clinic Coordinator at Journey Pediatric Therapy. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, Rachel brings over five years of experience in children’s mental health to our team. Having worked as a Mental Health Practitioner in Autism day treatment programs and as a Clinical Assistant in a day treatment program for children and families who have experienced significant trauma, Rachel is dedicated to providing compassionate care to children and families of all backgrounds. Outside of work, Rachel loves spending time with friends and family, finding restaurants with the best chicken tenders, and going on road trips with their Great Dane puppy to explore new places. Rachel is excited to continue supporting a positive impact in the lives of children and families at Journey.

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