Outside of the office, Demian is either outdoors enjoying the good life, or instilling that love in his children. He is an avid mountain biker, is active in our local cycling community, and has a long history as an athlete – even as a member of the National Nordic Combined Ski team (don’t worry, nobody else knows what Nordic Combined is either) – and then as a coach for the same team. His love of sport naturally translated into a career in physiotherapy.

Demian’s unique and extensive sports background combines continuous education with real-world experience. He is able to accurately assess functioning and develop a plan to help you feel your best. His approach consists of hands-on therapy and exercise prescription (yes, you will have homework), and his treatments are always tailored to the needs of the patient on a case-by-case basis.

Demian has extensive knowledge and experience related to pediatric physiotherapy that includes:

• Experience with in-patient and out-patient services at children’s hospitals and rehab hospitals, including:
  • • rheumatoid arthritis
    • at-risk infant follow-up (premature infants)
    • neurological conditions
• Experience working for many years at a child development centre
• Developing screening and treatment protocols for plagiocephaly and torticollis
• Training in neurodevelopmental theory
• Training in neurodiversity-affirming therapy (he is Vernon’s only Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP) physiotherapist)

Always smiling, if Aimee isn’t out riding trails with friends or volunteering in the community, she is with her two beautiful children, and the three of them together raise Demian. Her natural instinct is to help, and this shows in spades with everyone she comes in contact with. The career she chose is as much for her as it is for her clients, feeling genuine joy when she sees them making progress. Her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology lays the perfect foundation for her Masters in Speech Pathology, and elevates her natural empathy to a level of understanding that puts all of her patients – kids as well as adults – at ease. She is an expert at reading what is working for one client and not for another and will refine the therapy, pulling from her vast repertoire of skills. Aimee’s games-based approach sneaks therapy into a fun and interactive setting through the use of games, toys, and crafts, so kids have so much fun in therapy that they don’t realize they’re learning at the same time! 

Aimee has a particular interest in treating stuttering, literacy concerns and disorders (including dyslexia), and speech-sound disorders. She is trained in the following:

• Lidcombe Program for Early Stuttering
• Comprehensive Stuttering Program for teens and adults (through the Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research -ISTAR)
• Ascend SMARTER Intervention (research-based reading & literacy intervention)
• PROMPT, ReST, and DTTC treatments for apraxia and motor speech disorders
• Neurodiversity affirming therapeutic practice

When a new team member tells us that their dog is on the same cognitive plane as a human, we know they’ll fit right in. To that effect, we’re not sure if we should be introducing Alissa, our newest Speech Language Pathologist, or her dog Hugo! Well, here goes…

Hugo is a one-year-old Golden Retriever, and he’s proud of all that his human, Alissa, has accomplished. Having just relocated to Kelowna, Alissa accompanied Hugo on the long drive to B.C., and she is now adding her talents to the Carson Therapy family. With a heart of gold and a kibble bowl full of compassion, Alissa’s approach to therapy encompasses a deep understanding of the communication challenges her patients might be experiencing. She’s a thoughtful listener with a skill base wide enough to adapt to almost anything, ensuring client-centred care.

In her downtime, Alissa manages my (Hugo’s) Instagram account, continues her learning, enjoys an active lifestyle, and if you’re looking for her outside of the office this winter you’ll find her snowboarding on the mountain.

Meet Paris, our fabulous Speech-Language Pathologist, who’s skilled in treating literacy disorders, supporting early language development, and working with gestalt language processors. But don’t be fooled by her serious-sounding description; she brings the fun wherever she goes!

Paris has mastered the art of using a play-based approach in her therapy sessions. It may look like all fun and games but there’s plenty of hard work going on to help her clients reach their goals. With her neuro-diversity-affirming, strengths-based approach, she creates a safe space for clients to grow. Her secret superpower? Building amazing relationships with her clients through a fun and functional approach to therapy. It’s a guaranteed recipe for smiles and progress!

When she’s not unleashing her therapeutic prowess, you’ll find Paris cracking jokes and keeping the team in stitches. Laughter is her fuel, and she spreads it generously, making the office a fun and positive place to be. She’s also our resident artist, adding thoughtful artistic touches to our office space.

With Paris around, there’s never a dull moment. She infuses her sessions with enthusiasm and warmth, leaving a trail of laughter and growth in her wake. Her passion for helping others, combined with her humorous spirit and artistic flair, makes her a shining star on our team.

So, if you’re ever in need of a dose of laughter, creativity, and expert care, Paris is the one to call. We’re lucky to have her on board, making the world a brighter place!

Megan is a speech-language pathologist who originally hails from Surrey, B.C. She spent a number of years studying Cognitive Systems and Speech-Language Pathology in Vancouver, and has escaped the bustle of big city life and has now called Vernon home for a number of years. She’s fallen for the community feel of our little town, and has been having fun exploring all that the Okanagan has to offer.

Being a natural caregiver, her concern for her clients works in unison with her education in cognition – how people learn and adapt, and importantly, relearn – and allows her to perfectly tailor her treatments to the needs of each of her clients. While Megan has the skills and personality to help those of all ages, she has a particular focus on adults having communication challenges due to events such as a stroke or brain injury. It’s that personalized touch that she really enjoys, having the opportunity to build relationships with her clients, and to watch them grow and succeed.

Mother, educator, caretaker. To say that Amy’s values align strongly with those of Carson Therapy isn’t saying enough. After a stint helping children with complex needs in rural Alberta, she is excited to be returning to her hometown of Vernon and joining our clinic family. Her experience in home and clinical care is expansive, through which she has developed a creative practice that she tailors to each of her clients. Amy is also a certified teacher, which makes her uniquely qualified to support academic and school-based goals for her clients, whether it be fine motor skills, regulation, sensory needs or otherwise! She is truly driven to help children succeed however it is uniquely defined, and is continuously learning and growing in order to help those successes continue.

Hailing from the land of sun, surf, and kangaroos, Rachael is a seasoned Occupational Therapist with a passion for supporting children and young people on their journey to wellness and achieving their goals. From the golden beaches of Australia to the bustling cities of the United Kingdom and now to the majestic mountains of British Columbia, she has left a trail of positive outcomes across hospitals, communities, and schools.

Rachael’s most recent adventures prior to arriving in Canada have led her to focus on providing essential support to children and young people facing mental health challenges in her homeland. With a holistic approach that nurtures the mind, body, and soul, she creates a safe haven where young ones and their families can flourish. Rachael forges strong connections with young people and their families, making them feel valued, understood, and supported throughout their therapeutic journey. Her presence (and vibrant wardrobe!) brightens the day of those around her.

Beyond her therapeutic expertise, Rachael has an uncanny knack for recalling an astonishing number of country flags – try and stump her! Not stopping there, she possesses the mysterious art of wiggling her ears – a trick that is certain to bring giggles and amazement to her young clients. Rachael’s adventurous spirit once led her to believe she was a skilled skier back home; however, her journey to Canada uncovered a different truth. Undeterred, she’s now set on conquering the slopes with a snowboard under her feet – ready for a whole new world of winter thrills (and chills)! Her two loyal canine companions also flew all the way from Australia and ensure she stays active and has plenty of four-legged fun off the ski hill. 

If you’re seeking a skilled Occupational Therapist with a desire to create lasting connections, look no further than Rachael. Together, you’ll set off on a wonderful adventure, discovering the magic of growth, resilience, and development.

With a Rehabilitation Assistant Diploma from Capilano University, specializing in occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech-language pathology, Priscilla’s credentials speak volumes. But her story doesn’t end there! Did you know her first language was French? Oui, oui! She even spent three years as a French nanny, reveling in the joy of witnessing little ones hit those precious milestones.

When she’s not busy assisting in therapy sessions, Priscilla’s camera roll tells a tale of her mischievous husky, capturing every goofy moment. And speaking of adventures, strap on your hiking boots because Priscilla’s idea of a good time involves dragging her husband on overnight backpacking escapades that would make even the most seasoned outdoorsman pause for breath.

But wait, there’s more! In her downtime, Priscilla is a snow bunny on the slopes, a trailblazer on the mountain bike (okay, she’s still learning, but we all start somewhere!), and a fitness fanatic in her very own garage gym. And if you heard her whisper of dreams about the Okanagan Valley, you’re not mistaken. Priscilla’s heart was set on trading the hustle and bustle of the city for the tranquil charm of the Okanagan Valley and now she’s made those dreams a reality!

To call Niki our office manager is an understatement. She’s the smile you see when you open the front door and the person helping kids with their boots after their appointments. She’s the welcoming front face of the team and keeps all the bits of the business running smoothly.

Like many of us, Niki relocated with her family to the Okanagan for the climate. Also like many of us, she has a love/hate (Let’s be honest, it’s all love) relationship with her rambunctious pooch. She loves renovating almost as much as she loves watching her husband renovate, who appreciates neither.

When this fitness buff isn’t in the office, you’ll find her spending time with her extended family or enjoying some friendly competition playing volleyball and softball.