Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Meet our OT Team!
Taneal Behm, MS, OTR/L
Taneal Behm, MS, OTR/L
Owner of NoCo Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Licensed Occupational Therapist
Owner of NoCo Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Licensed Occupational Therapist
Taneal is our fantastic leader and owner. She started NoCo Pediatric OT LLC in 2013 as a partner with Sheryl Danamen and she has continued to grow it ever since. She is experienced in the school setting, skilled nursing facilities, pediatric home health, clinic settings, and therapeutic horseback riding. She developed a passion for kids with sensory needs and thus came the dream of IPTA.
Taneal has continued to lead her growing team and see a caseload of patients both in the home and in hippotherapy. Her compassion and leadership have been the driving force of a growing practice.
Ilia Srygley, MS, OTR/L
Ilia Srygley, MS, OTR/L
Ilia is from Texas moving to Colorado in the Fall of 2016. Ilia completed her B.S. in Psychology from Texas Woman's University, continuing to the Master's program for OT graduating in 2007. Ilia's focus is helping children and families with sensory processing needs. She is a certified provider in The Listening Program: InTime, Interactive metronome, and NeurOptimal Neurofeedback. She is trained in the use of the Rhythmic Movement International Training to assist with the integration of primitive reflexes. She also has training in the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol, The Astronaut Training Protocol, and Brain Gym tools. She has also initiated her training in Dyslexia and Craniosacral therapy. Ilia loves spending her spare time with her husband and 2 spirited daughters.
Clinic: Windsor and Home Health
Nicole Summerson, MS, OTR/L
Nicole Summerson, MS, OTR/L
Nicole Summerson graduated from Colorado State University in 2018 with her Master of Occupational Therapy. Nicole is originally from Henderson, Nevada where she completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Nicole loves working in the pediatric field and has many years of experience working with both children and adults with special needs and disabilities. She has specialized training and knowledge in pediatric feeding (including the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol and SOS Feeding Approach), social groups, sensory processing and integration, and equine movement. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with friends and family.
Clinic: Greeley
Katie Kiblen, MS, OTR/L
Katie Kiblen, MS, OTR/L
Katie Kiblen has been practicing OT for 22 years. Katie has spent her entire career in pediatrics with experience in early intervention, home based therapy, school based therapy, and outpatient clinic settings. She enjoys working with children and adolescents, making connections and providing support to all families that she serves. Katie enjoys treating all areas of need including sensory regulation, visual processing, neuro-development treatment, and social-emotional regulation. Katie also has a passion for feeding therapy and assisting families with mealtime struggles.
When not working, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband and four kids aged 18, 15, 12, and 3.
Clinic: Windsor
Nicole Williams, MS, OTR/L, ADHD-RSP
Nicole Williams, MS, OTR/L, ADHD-RSP
Nicole grew up in California and moved to Colorado in 2016 to obtain her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University. After graduating in 2018, Nicole moved to Denver to work in the Early Intervention setting as well as an outpatient pediatric clinic. Nicole is happy to be back in Fort Collins and continuing to work in the pediatric setting.
In addition to being an OT, Nicole is also an ADHD specialist. She had extensive knowledge of the biological underpinnings of the disorder, core symptoms of ADHD, as well as a holistic approach to managing it. Nicole is also working towards her certification of PTS Patent Coaching to assist parents of children with ADHD. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outside, hiking with her husband and dog, and being with family and friends. Nicole is a bright and cheerful spirit that we are glad to have as a part of our team.
Clinic: Windsor
Lindsey Messenger, MS, OTR/L
Lindsey Messenger, MS, OTR/L
Lindsey graduated from Colorado State University with her MS in Occupational Therapy in December of 2020. She received her BS in Psychology and Pre-Occupational Therapy and a minor in American Sign Language. A Las Vegas native, Lindsey grew up with an older sister, Kelli, who has Rett's syndrome. This lifelong experience led Lindsey into the world of pediatric OT, wanting to work with a population that is near and dear to her heart. In her free time, Lindsey can be found snuggling her cat, spending time with friends, and going camping in the great outdoors!
Clinic: Windsor and Farm
Dorothy Kalmbach, MS, OTR/L
Dorothy Kalmbach, MS, OTR/L
Dorothy is from Shreveport, Louisiana. After completing her Bachelors in Psychological and Brain Sciences from Washington University in St. Louis, Dorothy moved to Fort Collins to achieve her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University in. Dorothy completed a thesis on the benefits of hippotherapy for children and their families. She is thrilled to deliver evidence-based occupational therapy with IPTA in the clinic and on the farm. Dorothy lives in Fort Collins with her 100-pound rescue dog, Deja. She enjoys cycling, hiking, skiing, and enjoying all the vibrant community of Fort Collins has to offer.
Clinic: Windsor and Farm
Heather Hiltz, COTA/L
Heather Hiltz, COTA/L
My name is Heather and I am so excited to join the IPTA team! I have spent the last decade teaching developmental gymnastics classes to children both on the West and East coast. After falling in love with the magic that is Occupational Therapy, I switched career paths and graduated as an OTA from Pima Medical Institute earlier this year! I am passionate about helping children learn, grow, and celebrate all of their incredible victories. I have pursued continuing education in sensory processing and am constantly in pursuit of learning and developing in all areas of pediatric OT. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, board games, exploring the outdoors with my 4-year-old son, dancing, and anything involving crafts and baking!
Clinic: Greeley, Windsor, and the Farm
Kristina Ihrig, MOT, OTR/L
Kristina Ihrig, MOT, OTR/L
Kristina was born and raised in the mountains of Colorado. After earning a degree in Human Development, she worked as an Early Childhood Educator for 5 years at CSU’s Lab school. Kristina achieved a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from CSU in 2020 and completed a thesis assessing an instrument measuring teachers’ tolerance for risky play and looked at the developmental benefits of risk taking during play. Kristina joined IPTA in 2021 and has enjoyed supporting children using client-centered approaches to treatment. In her free time, Kristina enjoys paddle-boarding, spending time with family and friends, and cooking.
Clinic: Greeley
Marissa Lopez, MOT, OTR/L
Marissa Lopez, MOT, OTR/L
Marissa was born and raised in Florida but has finally traded in the palm trees for birches! Having graduated from Florida State University with her bachelor’s degree in Family and Child Sciences in 2016, she then went to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and obtained her master’s of science degree in Occupational Therapy in 2019. Since finishing school, she has practiced in a myriad of settings and age groups and is excited to bring her passion of working with children to northern Colorado with her husband and 2 dogs! Some aspects of pediatric OT that she is adept and enthusiastic about are picky eating and creating client-centered interventions to encourage and motivate children's engagement with therapy and promote overall independence! When she is not at work you can find her at the nearby coffee shops trying their latest creations and roasts, spending time outdoors with her husband and dogs, or honing her culinary skills in the kitchen. She is so excited to join the IPTA team!
Clinic: Greeley
Erin Kelly, MOT, OTR/L
Erin Kelly, MOT, OTR/L
Erin graduated from Colorado State University with her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2021! She has always been passionate about working in pediatrics and has specific interests in incorporating animals into her practice. She got undergraduate degrees in both Human Development and Equine Science from CSU, with the hopes of utilizing horses to support kids with disabilities! She also has an interest in using dogs in her practice and has raised a service dog for Canine Companions. On days off, Erin is most often spending time with her dog outdoors or inside baking something!
Clinic : Greeley and Farm
Andrea Gurga, OTD, OTR/L
Andrea Gurga, OTD, OTR/L
Andrea graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with her Master of Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Occupational Therapy. Andrea is a lifelong Chicagoan and graduated from Loyola University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Andrea has a passion for working with children and their families and has experience in pediatrics, participation-based and environmental research and outcomes, and equine movement. She is a research-informed clinician and has training and experience in participation measures and outcomes, environmental modifications, as well as integration of the Intentional Relationship Model (IRM) and DIR/Floortime with children and families. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys exploring new hiking trails, and traveling to National Parks, and aspires to be a Search and Rescue Team Member and solo skydiver.
Clinic: Windsor and Farm
Karlie Forgacs, MS, OTR/L
Karlie Forgacs, MS, OTR/L
Karlie grew up in Michigan and received her BA in Family and Community Services from Michigan State University. She spent several years working as an ABA technician and observing OT sessions where she fell in love with the individualized and holistic approach used. Karlie also worked as a lead technician monitoring biofeedback sessions for clients with a variety of diagnoses, including ADHD and autism.
Karlie attended WInston-Salem State University in North Carolina, earning her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. In the summer of 2022, following her dream, she moved to Colorado to pursue a career working as a pediatric occupational therapist. Karlie is very interested in sensory processing and works to incorporate sensory techniques and strategies in a fun way each day. When she is not working with kids you can find her spending time outside, hiking, listening to music, or playing with dogs!
Clinic: Greley
Want to be a part of our team?
Want to be a part of our team?
Please send your resume and cover letter to NoCoPediatricOT@gmail.com.