Chelsea Therapists
Meet Our Chelsea Therapists Team
Anna Claire Cicero
MCD CCC-SLP
Anna Claire is an ASHA-certified and state-licensed Speech-Language Pathologist born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from The University of Alabama and her Masters of Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Mississippi.
Anna Claire has experience working in adult and pediatric outpatient clinics, schools, and inpatient rehabilitation. She has experience treating children diagnosed with phonological disorders, language delays, developmental delays, and swallowing disorders. Anna Claire is passionate about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and encouraging self-advocacy using different communication modalities. She enjoys helping children foster connection with others through the power of communication. In her free time, Anna Claire enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, traveling, and watching Alabama sports.
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!
Candace Davis
MCD CCC-SLP
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.
Jessica VanNest
Jessica graduated from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia in NJ and has been a licensed and registered pediatric Occupational Therapist since 2002.
Her first 7 years, she worked as an OT were in a private school in NJ and then spent 5 years in early intervention when her 3 daughters were little.
In 2015, she began working in one of the elementary schools where her 3 daughters attended and spent almost 10 years as a private contractor in the school. From 2023-2025, she worked for a preschool program.
After seeing how happy my oldest Ava was in Alabama at Auburn University, and another one of her daughters (Reese) expressed her hope to attend as well, Jessica and her husband decided to apply for jobs in the area.
Jessica has 3 daughters: Ava is 19 and is majoring in psychology. She hopes to become an OT or a Physician’s assistant working with children. She also has identical twin 16 year old daughters- Brynn and Reese.
Jessica loves Saint Augustine, Florida, is a member of the Disney Vacation Club, and loves to be outside.
Family is the most important piece in her life! She has learned that home is wherever my family is.
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.
