Our Team

Helping children in the Chicagoland area since 2005.

Welcome to Kids in Sync Pediatric Occupational Therapy.

Our mission is to provide child and family centered therapy. We use the child’s unique profile and each child’s family dynamics to inform our approach to the therapeutic process. This allows us to create a treatment plan that best supports each child and their family. At Kids in Sync Pediatric Therapy, we specialize in supporting children that struggle to meet the daily demands of their life across settings and relationships. We pride ourselves on specifically understanding the complex needs and limitations for children with sensory processing challenges, behavior management challenges, anxiety and challenges of relating and communicating.

Megan Carrick, MOTR/L

Megan is very passionate about her work with children and their families. She loves finding unique ways and changing settings to support progress in all areas of life. Megan also enjoys engaging in speaking events with teachers, parents and other members of the community to share her knowledge, connect others with her favorite resources and support the development of a more compassionate society. When Megan is not at work she is probably reading or building legos with her son Danny.

Mary Nissen, M.S., OTR/L

Mary received her Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago in Chicago, Illinois . She is dedicated to working in pediatrics and specializes in child and family centered intervention. Mary especially enjoys working with parents and siblings to encourage improved family dynamics and support parent understanding of the intervention process. She also enjoys running peer groups to support improved social emotional development and interactions.

Emily Clysdale, OTD, OTR/L

Emily received her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Creighton University. She has found a special passion for working with children to aid in their development both physically and mentally to reach their fullest potential. She also enjoys partnering with parents, teachers, and siblings to holistically support the growth and maturation of the children she works with. Outside of her time at the clinic, she likes spending time with family and friends, traveling, listening to live music, and enjoying a simple cup of coffee.

Lindsay Trewn, MOTR/L

Lindsay received her degree in Occupational Therapy from the Texas Women's University. She has been passionate about working with children and families from a very young age. Her desire to help has taken her around the world into orphanages, schools and communities in need. Lindsay is committed to working with parents and children in dynamic ways to best support the goals of each individual child and the family as a unit.

Anna Machuga, OTD, OTR/L

Anna received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Rush University. She is passionate about working with children and collaborating with families to see children reach their highest potential. When Anna is not at Kids In Sync, she enjoys volunteering her time on the Board of Managers for GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago, doing yoga, exploring Chicago, and spending time with her family and friends.

Tommy Kim, COTA

Tommy joined Kids In Sync after a rotation here in the summer of 2022. He brings energy and enthusiasm to his work and LOVES his job!

Johanna Hilpuesch, MSOTR/L

Johanna received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. She decided she wanted to be a pediatric occupational therapist at 14, after volunteering at Kids in Sync and falling in love with both the clinic and the profession. She loves working with kids of all ages and looks forward to collaborating with families and teachers to best support children in all settings. She believes being an occupational therapist is the best job on the planet (because it is) and she brings that energy to all of her sessions. When she’s not at Kids in Sync, she likes to hang out with her two golden retrievers, make art, and eat quesadillas.

Halle Berliant, OTD, OTR/L

Halle received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Rush University. She discovered her passion for OT as a teenager and has been a part of the Kids In Sync team for many years while in high school, college and grad school. Halle loves the variety of ways she can support the kids she works with and partnering with parents to promote changes across the board. When Halle is not at work she enjoys travel, music and spending time with her family and friends.

Lauren O’Young, MOTR/L

Lauren received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. She loves the work she is afforded at Kids In Sync because it allows her to explore new and dynamic ways to address goals and support a wide variety of children. When she is not at work Lauren likes to spend time with friends and family and jet off to New York for weekend trips.

Marshal is the clinic dog and a favorite among all the kids. He is funny smart and very welcoming!! When Marshal is not at work he is napping or chasing small animals away from his yard.