Chelsea Therapists

Meet Our Chelsea Therapists Team

Our Child’sPlay therapists have extensive experience in specialized physical, speech, and occupational therapy. Our team of Chelsea therapists is dedicated to helping your child improve their skills and experience a world with greater confidence.

Candace Davis

Candace is a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist of over 10 years. Originating from the Birmingham area she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from Auburn University in 2007 and in 2009 a Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Candace has worked as a pediatric therapist since graduation. Prior to joining the Child’s Play team Candace served children and adolescents with a range of developmental, learning, physical and behavioral differences, as part of an interdisciplinary diagnostic team. During this time, she also served as discipline representative for the UAB Maternal and Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) interdisciplinary training program.

Candace works in both clinic and school-based settings. She has received additional training in the Handwriting Without Tears® curriculum, The Interoception Curriculum®, as well as advanced trauma training and TBRI®-Caregiver Training provided by Rachel Ashcraft, OTR/L, TBRI® Practitioner.

Martha Davis

Martha Davis is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist and is the Clinical Supervisor of the Chelsea office. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Montevallo in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Science and Disorders and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. She received her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Montevallo in 2008. She has worked in pediatric private practice since graduating in 2008.

She enjoys working with children of all ages! Her special interests include developing language skills, encouraging feeding skills, working with children with fluency issues, teaching reading skills, and improving oral motor skills. Martha has special training in the following areas: Talk Tools® Oral Placement Therapy, Orton-Gillingham® reading program, and Integrated Listening Systems®. She is also a Trust-Based Relational Intervention informed therapist and is part of the Trauma Team at Child’sPlay. Martha has completed extensive continuing education in the area of feeding therapy. She received the ASHA Award for Continuing Education (ACE) in 2022. She is passionate about making the learning of new and difficult skills fun while simultaneously supporting families as they help their children walk through challenges.

Martha and her husband have three sons and are licensed foster parents. In her free time, Martha enjoys reading, shopping, Netflixing, and napping! Email Martha

Laura Lee

Laura Lee is a physical therapist who has been with Child’s Play Therapy since 2015.  She has been practicing in the pediatric physical therapy setting since 2005 and was an inpatient rehabilitation therapist prior.  Laura earned a master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2003 and has an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Mississippi.

Laura is currently seeing clients in both the Hoover and Chelsea locations as well as working in a local school system.  Laura enjoys working with children from birth to young adulthood who present with developmental delay, neurological deviations, and orthopedic concerns.  In treating clients, Laura utilizes Neurodevelopmental Treatment techniques learned in continuing education coursework and is also competent with primitive reflex integration, therapeutic taping, vestibular integration therapy, and physical therapy treatment for neuromuscular disorders arising from chronic illness.

Outside of work, Laura has a husband and 3 school-aged children who enjoy traveling and spending time outdoors.  She also gardens, reads, and does lots of laundry. Email Laura

Tia Pendleton

Tia is a licensed and registered occupational therapist from Jacksonville, Alabama. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and Wellness with a minor in Biology from Jacksonville State University in 2019 and earned her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Alabama State University in 2022.
 
Although Tia has experience in a variety of settings, including school systems as well as outpatient with children ranging from 7 months to 20 years with various diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, ODD, Arthrogryposis, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, Perthes’ Disease, feeding difficulties, and many others.
 
Tia loves the pediatric population and hopes to engage with children and their families to reach their goals. She provides a client centered approach to address the areas of concern that limit participation in the childhood experience. When out of the office, Tia enjoys reading, walking trails in the city, and visiting family.

Baily Upton

Bailey is a Clinical Fellow-Speech-Language Pathologist. She graduated from Samford University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She received her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Samford University in April 2023. Bailey completed her clinical fieldwork in preschools, elementary and high schools, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

Bailey has experience working with children with autism spectrum disorder, articulation disorders, language disorders, fluency disorders, dyslexia, and other communicative disorders. Her favorite part of her job is witnessing the confidence and joy that communication can provide children as they grow in their speech and language skills and connect with others.

Bailey spends her free time playing tennis, watching movies, and coaching youth basketball!