Our Team
Tara Beck, SLP
Owner|Director
Apraxia Kids Directory
Tara is a Kansas City native who has been working as a clinical director for several years. Before CTS, Tara directed the therapy program at a private separate day school in Kansas City with extensive training in behavioral modification. Tara's director skills have trained her in leadership, billing, and clinic organization and she assists CTS in running all daily activities. You may see her around the clinic or behind the front desk with her dog, Frank. Tara is experienced diagnosing and treating receptive and expressive language delays, autism spectrum disorder, pragmatic language delays, phonological disorders, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), reading/literacy, and feeding/swallowing.
Dana Nagel , OTR
Assistant Director/
Lead OT
Overland Park
Dana is from central Kansas and is happy to be back in KC after moving out of state following graduation from the University of Kansas Medical Center with a Masters in OT. She has spent her whole career in pediatrics, primarily in outpatient clinics. Dana has also worked in the school systems and at a therapeutic preschool. She has treated a variety of diagnoses including Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, and rare generic disorders, ages 6 months to over 21 years. Dana emphases client-centered care and collaboration with family for the best outcomes for each child. In her free time, Dana enjoys spending time with her husband, Jason, and their goldendoodle, Phog.
Ann Kirkland, Lead SLP
Apraxia Specialist
Apraxia Kids Directory
Overland Park
Ann’s experience includes working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, visual impairment, receptive/expressive language delays, and articulation disorders. While Ann enjoys working with children of all ages, her passion is working with children suspected/diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech in the birth-3 population. She has been trained in DTTC. She truly enjoys working with and educating parents/caregivers on strategies to ensure success for their children.
Andrea Onnen, SLP
Overland Park and Mission
Andrea is a Kansas City native who received her undergraduate degree from Kansas State University and her Master's from the University of Kansas. She enjoys treating teens and young adults experiencing Exercise-Induced Vocal Cord Dysfunction. She has experience working with kids with developmental delays, childhood apraxia of speech, is trained in DTTC, language and articulation delays, Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder and dyslexia. She is passionate about early intervention and working with children and their families to achieve their communication goals.
Adriana von Dorpowski, SLP
Bilingual Spanish/English
Overland Park
Adriana is originally from Michigan and new to Kansas. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Andrews University. She is an enthusiastic and flexible bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist that joined our team in 2020. She has experience working with Spanish-and-English speaking preschoolers, receptive and expressive language delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and children with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Adriana enjoys encouraging children and adolescents of all ages in each session while incorporating music, creativity, and visual aids. Her goal is to be a cheerleader and create a positive space for each client to aid in their ability to tell their stories.
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McKenzie Jackson , OTR
Overland Park
Kenzie is a KC native who graduated from Rockhurst University with a B.A. in psychology and her Master's in Occupational therapy. Kenzie has experience working with children of all ages, and worked in child development for several years prior to beginning her career as an OT! Kenzie completed her master's clinical rotation in pediatrics and has experience with children of varying conditions and abilities. Kenzie has experience with Autism Spectrum Disorder, fine motor deficits, sensory processing, and various developmental delays. She enjoys collaborating with children and their families to extend progress made in clinic into the home. In her free time, Kenzie enjoys taking her dog, Harper, on walks, going to the gym, cooking/baking, or doing crafts!
Kelly Stacy, SLP
Overland Park
Kelly earned her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Kansas State University. During her graduate career, she had the opportunity to assist clients across the lifespan with a variety of communication disorders. Her experience includes working with children with developmental delays, expressive and receptive language delays, phonological disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has been trained in DTTC and continues to develop her clinical skills through continued education. Kelly is thrilled to be working with children and their families to help them reach their maximum potential. In her free time, Kelly enjoys spending time with family, exploring Kansas City, and spoiling her puppy, Athena.
Megan Clausen, SLP
Overland Park
Megan is a Nebraska native, but calls Kansas City her home. She earned her graduate degree at Rockhurst University. Megan worked with a variety of communication disorders with clients across the lifespan as a graduate clinician. Her experience working with children includes receptive and expressive language delays, phonological and articulation disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Megan is ecstatic to be a part of this team and continues to expand her skill set through continuing education. She loves being able to work with children alongside their families to achieve their goals. In her free time, she enjoys exploring KC, going on runs, and spending time with friends and family.
Jamie Adams, SLP
Overland Park
Jamie is originally from northern New York and is new to Kansas. She earned her bachelor and masters degrees from Nazareth College of Rochester. She has experience working with children with receptive and expressive language delays, phonological disorders, Alternative and Augmentative Communication, and Autism. She works to expand her skills through continuing education and training. Jamie is looking forward
to working as a team with children and their families to promote success. In her free time she enjoys reading fiction, baking, crafting, and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Arianna Sparks
Clinical Psychologist
Mission
Arianna is returning to her Kansas City roots as a clinical psychologist for CTS after spending 3 years as a psychologist in Sioux Falls, SD. She earned her PhD in School Psychology from Oklahoma State University before completing pre- and post-doctoral fellowships at the Boys Town Center for Behavioral Health in Omaha, NE. Arianna has experience diagnosing and treating a wide variety of presenting concerns including ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and ODD. She enjoys helping children and their families find strategies that allow them to reach their full potential and live a life they enjoy. She loves spending her free time with family and friends
Emma Walker, OTR
Overland Park and Mission
Emma is an Iowa native who moved to Kansas City to complete her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Rockhurst University. She quickly grew to love KC and now calls it home. Emma has worked in an early intervention autism program and held a variety of childhood development roles. She has experience with autism, ADHD, emotional regulation, sensory processing disorder, and various fine and gross motor needs. Emma is passionate about working with each child and family to determine their unique abilities while helping them to reach their goals. In her free time, Emma loves to travel, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time with friends and family.
Sarah Ayers, Lead SLP
Mission
Sarah is a Kansas native and earned her bachelor and masters degrees from The University of Kansas. She previously worked in public schools, which gave her experience in supporting a wide variety of communication needs. She has experience working with phonological and articulation disorders, receptive and expressive language delays, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and Autism. She describes her therapy style as relationship-focused and loves pursuing continuing education to better her therapy practices. Outside of work, you'll find her playing with her twin sons, reading fiction, or watching movies with her husband.
Sarah Pitzer, SLP
Mission
Sarah is originally from Fort Worth, Texas and earned both her bachelor and masters degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Kansas State University. During her graduate career and time working in the school system, she has gained experience working with children with expressive and receptive language delays, articulation and phonology disorders, Autism, traumatic brain injuries, and hard of hearing individuals. Sarah is excited to work with children and their families to grow in their communication skills! In her free time, Sarah loves spending time with family and friends, reading, rock climbing, and continuing to explore the KC area.
Cassie Winter, OTR
Mission
Cassie is a graduate from the University of Kansas Medical Center with a Masters in Occupational Therapy and received a B.A. in Psychology from UMKC. She has a background working with children of a variety of ages and ability levels within the school system. This includes children with Autism, traumatic brain injuries, sensory processing disorder, and cerebral palsy. Cassie has a certification to teach trauma based yoga for kids and is passionate about incorporating her knowledge of both OT and movement-based activities to provide therapy that is interactive, engaging, and fun! In her free time, Cassie loves to spend time outdoors, socializing with family and friends, reading, taking care of her cats, rock climbing, and practicing acrobatic yoga.
Noelle Walker , SLP
Evenings- Overland Park
Noelle is a Kansas native, who was born in Lawrence, KS. She got her undergraduate degree at the University of Kansas and her graduate degree from the University of New Hampshire. Noelle has experience working with Autism, receptive and expressive language delays, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and articulation disorders. Noelle is excited to be part of the Children's Therapy Services team and continue to grow and learn as a clinician. Noelle loves to incorporate play in therapy and help children grow to achieve their goals. In her free time, Noelle loves hanging out with her friends, her cat, Chester, and going to Yoga.
Marisa is originally from Omaha, NE but loves living in the KC area. She has experience working with Augmentative and Alternative Communication, expressive and receptive language, Autism Spectrum Disorder and phonological disorders. She loves advocating for her clients and helping them reach their communication goals in and out of the therapy room. In her free time she likes to hang out with her dog Lola and visit her family back in Nebraska.
Marisa Lenners, SLP
Evenings-Overland Park
Administrative Team
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Sir Francis Alexander
AKA Frank
Frank is a Shihpoo that is excited to welcome you to CTS! He is currently 8 years old! Kids love his fluffy fur and calm demeanor. Frank generally stays in the office, but if kids ask to see him, he will come say hi! In his free time, Frank enjoys taking walks around the park, playing fetch, and getting belly rubs.
