The Thrive n Play Difference
Get to Know Us
Our people and how we approach therapeutic care make all the difference at Thrive n Play. The level of impact, care, and connection is a visceral experience, truly best described by our families. Read on to learn a little bit about what goes into making the special moments that happen while we Thrive n Play.
How We Think
We believe that educating and empowering caregivers is the most important part of our job. Research shows that adults learn best when they are active learners (hands-on). We don’t want you sitting in a waiting room while we take your child for 1 to 2 hours per week.
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Afterall, YOU are the expert on your child. We want moms, dads, grandparents and any other caregiver to be active participants in our therapy sessions.
We want you to ask questions, practice, and help your child in the ways that are most meaningful to you!
We don’t believe in giving worksheets that will go in your trash can or homework that will take you hours. Instead, we want you to learn with us!
Get messy, laugh, cry…it’s all part of the process. We want to get to know your family story and help you live a great life!
Meet The Team!
Jessica Johnson, OTR/L,CIMI
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Certified Infant Massage Instructor
Jessica received her Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) from Texas Woman’s University and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of North Texas. She began her career in private practice alongside talented therapists with strong backgrounds in sensory integration and child development. After a couple years, she transitioned into working with more medically complex infants and children within the Children’s Health system in Dallas. Jessica spent 7 years at Children’s working in the acute hospital setting, inpatient feeding and pulmonary programs, and intensive outpatient feeding program. As a senior level clinician, she served as a subject matter expert in pediatric feeding disorders. As a feeding specialist, she has mentored local clinicians, presented at state and national conferences, and hosted clinical interns from around the country. Jessica has been invited to guest lecture at TWU, UNT, St. Augustine, LSU, Texas Tech University, and the Dominican Republic. In 2022, she became a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) through the International Loving Touch Foundation.
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Katelyn C., OTR/L, BCP
Board Certified in Pediatrics
Senior Occupational Therapist
Originally from Central Florida, Katelyn pursued her passion for healthcare at the University of Florida, earning both a Bachelor of Health Science and a Master of Occupational Therapy. After completing her education, Katelyn began her career in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she spent four years working in a large hospital system, expanding access to pediatric care in an underserved region. In 2023, Katelyn earned her Board Certification in Pediatrics from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). In 2024, she relocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth area with her husband, Liam, and their dog, Macy. Katelyn is thrilled to bring her skills and knowledge to serve the families in her new community. She has experience working with children across a wide range of diagnoses, including autism, ADHD, feeding difficulties, cerebral palsy, and sensory processing disorders. Katelyn is passionate about family-centered, child-led care, believing it leads to the best therapeutic outcomes.
Katie Z.
Katie received her Bachelor of Science in Health Studies from Texas Woman's University. Since her graduation, she works both as a therapy technician and private music instructor. Prior to these professional pursuits, she spent a summer serving the Treasured Vessels Foundation which seeks to provide safe communities to the young survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. All of these experiences have exposed her to serving families and individuals of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. We are proud to announce that Katie was recently accepted into the Occupational Therapy program at Texas Woman's University!
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Her favorite thing about working at Thrive n Play is being able to interact and connect with the special families that come to learn and play!
From Our Family To Yours
Jessica resides in Flower Mound with her husband, Nick and son, DJ. She is well connected to local providers and educational programs throughout the metroplex. As a mom and healthcare professional, Jessica understands that family time is precious.
Thank you for letting us be a part of your family time!