About Us

Nancy Lawton-Shirley is an occupational therapist who has integrated many techniques into her rehabilitation and wellness clinical practice. She has been in private practice serving children and adults for over thirty years in Hudson Wisconsin. She co-founded Special Children Center in 1986. She is the founder of Points of Stillness which was created in 2010 to enhance the integration of traditional and  cutting edge techniques and programs for children and adults. She has specialized in approaches to facilitate sensory processing for clients of all ages. She has had advanced training in a wide variety of techniques and has a passion for the impact of CranioSacral Therapy/Myofascial Release and other energy/body work techniques (AcuEnergetics, Higher Brain Living, etc) on wellness and functioning. She also has experience with her own children’s health brings understanding of how biomedical issues (allergies, digestion, yeast, heavy metals) impact on children’s development including such challenges as poor attention, poor motor control, and an inability to maintain a calm state.She was co-director of Camp Avanti—St. Croix which was a special therapy camp for children with sensory processing challenges.  She continues her support of this camp model now operating as Camp Avanti—Icagowan She speaks nationally and internationally on topics related to sensory processing and craniosacral therapy/ myofascial release.  She is a Berard Auditory Integration Training instructor.  She worked with and served on the non-profit board of Red Thread Charities which worked with orphanages in China, assisting the orphanages rehabilitation program development for their special needs children.

When not working, Nancy loves the outdoors, drumming, meditation and time with family and friends.

Teresa has had the pleasure of following her dream to work with children and families since 1988. She attended Mount Mary University for her BS in Occupational Therapy, graduating with honors in 1988. She feels very fortunate to have found her passion right out of college and pursued a private practice setting where excellent mentorship, client service, expertise, and heart could empower children to overcome challenges. Contract work for the Hudson school district and in-home service with the St. Croix County early intervention program early in her career allowed valuable insight into collaborating with services children receive outside of a private clinic setting. She re-joined Nancy, her career mentor, in 2010 when Points of Stillness was in its infancy. It is her joy in life to connect and partner with children and families and work together to improve daily living, whether that is reducing anxiety, improving diet and sleep, improving behavior and responses to stress and sensation, or gaining valuable strength and motor skills. Teresa also has a passion for traveling with medical service teams to share occupational therapy around the globe. So far, she has been able to travel to China in 2011 and 2013 and Jamaica in 2019. Outside of work Teresa enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 adult children.  

Allison has been a part of the Points of Stillness team since 2016. She is a graduate of St. Catherine University with a Master’s Degree of Occupational Therapy. She has always had a passion for working with children and in particular those who struggle with trauma, anxiety, and sensory processing difficulties. Allison has taken courses in CranioSacral Therapy, Attachment & Trauma, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, Therapeutic Listening, Kineostaping, Dyslexia, and Hydrotherapy. She is a Berard AIT Certified Practitioner and trained in Safe and Sound. Allison enjoys spending time with her husband and her two daughters camping, swimming, reading and traveling when she is away from Points of Stillness. 

Nicole earned her BS in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Minnesota in 2006 and her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Minnesota in 2019. She took a break from horticulture in 2012 and began providing childcare for her adorable niece who became her guide into the wonderful world of OT. Motivated by the higher quality of life occupational therapy brought to her niece, she decided to change careers to assist others in the same way. When her niece was old enough to attend school, Nicole returned to the classroom as well to earn her OT degree. During her training, she attended a class at Points of Stillness and knew then that she wanted to become a part of their team someday. Nicole’s areas of interest include developmental delays, sensory processing, and executive function skills. Nicole and her husband welcomed their daughter into the world in March 2021 and she brings them heaps of joy each day! Outside of OT and her family, Nicole enjoys gardening, spending time outdoors, baking, and animals.  

Sean received his Master’s in Occupational Therapy from St. Catherine University.  He received his BA in History from the University of Minnesota and his Associate in Applied Science (Occupational Therapy Assistant) from WITC.  He has experience in school and outpatient pediatric settings. Sean is the father of three boys. He enjoys spending time with his family, trail running, and being outdoors. Sean also enjoys using his creativity in a wide variety of activities including woodworking and carpentry to assist in creating therapeutic spaces and activities, designing and building many different types of drums, and leading drum-making workshops.  He enjoys utilizing the occupation of drumming within his own life as well as sharing the activity of drumming with others.  Sean has completed additional training in sensory processing, the interactive metronome program, Kinesiotaping, mindfulness, feeding and eating, hydrotherapy, rhythm, and drum circle facilitation.   

Kate graduated summa cum laude from the University of Northwestern St. Paul with a BS in Health Psychology and obtained her doctorate in Occupational Therapy from St. Catherine University. Kate believes that parents, including adoptive and foster parents, are central to the promotion of health and well-being of children. She seeks to empower parents with practical tools to support their children facing developmental challenges in body, mind, or spirit.  Kate is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, the Association of Training on Trauma and Attachment in Children, and the Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association. Kate has received training in trauma-informed care, attachment, feeding, autism, holistic healthcare, mental health, heart rate variability, vagal tone, and neurodevelopment. Outside of work Kate enjoys spending time with her loved ones, traveling, kayaking, hiking, and gardening. Kate is passionate about child development and has partnered with various schools, non-profits and non-governmental organizations in the United States and Africa to promote positive developmental outcomes for underserved children. 

Andrea has had the blessing of pursuing her passion at Points of Stillness by working with individuals with all abilities and disabilities. Here, she is able to fulfill her true calling by empowering individuals to overcome barriers and pursue the precious joys of life. Through years of working with adults and personal experiences with pediatric disabilities, Andrea has cultivated a strength to support her client's needs each and every day. Andrea earned her master's degree in Occupational Therapy at UW- Milwaukee and continues to strive to learn daily. A wise mentor once told her that once you stop learning, you stop growing! Andrea is specially trained for LSVT-Big, Craniosacral /Myofascial Release, and is currently pursuing her certification in Ayres Sensory Integration. In her life she enjoys spending time with her significant other and family, playing with Rudy, her 10-month-old English Springer Spaniel, camping and anything outdoors, as well as exploring all things fitness. 

Becca earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Neuroscience from the University of St. Thomas in 2015 and her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Carroll University in 2018. Becca has experience providing occupational therapy services in non-profit, out-patient pediatric settings, school settings and skilled nursing facilities. She has additional training and experience with primitive reflex integration (MNRI®), and sensory processing. Becca loves working with children of all ages and abilities and the opportunity to help children and families to successfully meet their potential and participate in the world around them more fully. When she is not working, Becca loves spending time with her husband and dog, reading, traveling, baking, decorating cakes and spending time with her family and friends. 

Kelly earned her bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2014 and her master's degree in occupational therapy from Carroll University in 2017. Kelly has experience working in pediatric outpatient settings and skilled nursing facilities. Kelly is passionate about ongoing professional development and stays up-to-date with the latest advancements in pediatric occupational therapy. She has additional training and clinical experience in attachment, trauma informed care, sensory processing, autism, mental health, respiration, reflex integration, and interoception. Kelly loves finding creative ways to approach each child and support them in achieving meaningful goals.  She enjoys working alongside clients and their caregivers to discover individual strengths and skills to support a joyful life. Kelly strives to support connection and family centered care. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children. Playing outdoors, listening to music, watching and playing sports, and supporting the local community.  

Hannah received her Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate of Science degree with honors from WITC in 2017. Hannah has previously loved working with the geriatric population, however, has found a new loving passion for working with pediatrics and adults. Hannah has attended continuing education courses related to sensory processing, neurodevelopment, primitive reflexes, and CranioSacral Therapy/Myofascial Release. When she is not working, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and playing games with her growing family, friends, and pups.

Marjan Schwartz is a certified occupational therapy assistant. She earned a bachelor's of science degree in pre-therapy which provided a solid foundation of knowledge relating to physical dysfunction and rehabilitation. Marjan’s interests and studies expanded to understanding the mind-body connection which led her to the training of CranioSacral therapy and a variety of holistic modalities. Marjan also enjoys active family time, studying the piano and violin, and traveling the world. Marjan is a downhill ski instructor and has worked with the adaptive ski program at a local resort. Devoted to exploring methods that facilitate physical, mental, and spiritual health, Marjan will be a life-long learner. Marjan is committed to empowering her clients of all ages on their journey to wellness. 

Natalie received her Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate of Science degree in 1995.  She worked with the geriatric population for 20+ years.  Natalie is a certified Lymphedema therapist and has a keen sense of light touch.  An MVA in 2011 led her to find her passion for working with head injury clients.  She quickly dove into the area of Craniosacral and became certified in 2013.  She is certified in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) in 2019.  And more recently became certified as an Essential Somatic Movement Teacher (ESMT) in 2022.  She utilizes EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), The Emotion and Body Code, Kinesotaping, meditation, and Gusha techniques in her practice. In her spare time, Natalie enjoys anything having to do with nature, astrology, dreamwork, sound healing, freedom dancing, crystals and personal growth.   

Emma became inspired to change careers and returned to school for Occupational Therapy after the birth of her daughter. Throughout her education Emma worked with the pediatric population providing in-home therapy services for children with autism spectrum disorder and as a youth development specialist in residential adolescent mental health. She received an Associate of Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assisting with honors from WITC and completed her student fieldwork here at Points of Stillness before joining the Points of Stillness Team as a COTA in 2021. Emma has specialized training on Polyvagal Theory, sensory processing, Craniosacral Therapy and Myofascial Release, Kinesiotaping and has experience in hippotherapy. Emma currently volunteers regularly for a therapeutic riding program combining her love for horses and the human connection to facilitate change and growth for people from all walks of life. While not at work Emma enjoys spending time on the lake with her family and two Labradors, kayaking, gardening, and the company of her own horses.

Paige has a Technical Diploma in Leadership Development and received her Associates of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant with honors from WITC in 2021. Paige has always had a passion to work with kids and has experience working with children in a daycare setting. Paige is passionate about helping children feel empowered to be themselves and confident that they can do whatever they put their minds to. Paige’s areas of interest include sensory processing and reflex integration. Some of Paige’s interests include anything outdoors, spending time with family and two dogs, traveling, and craft activities.  

Cat has a Bachelor of Science degree in English with a communication minor from The University of Pikeville and an Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assisting from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. Before pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy, Cat was an Early Childhood Educator for 15 years, as well as an early childhood curriculum coordinator. Cat also has experience as a school-based OT practitioner. Cat enjoys spending time with her three young sons (Garrett, Derek, and Remy) hiking, traveling, cooking, and trying new things.  

Colleen Boissonnault COTA/L

Lynsey is a certified speech language pathologist and member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2005 and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a Master of Science degree in 2008. Lynsey spent the first 13 years of her career providing speech-language assessments and treatment to children 0-3 years of age who were participating in the Minnesota Help Me Grow program. Her passion for working with children and their families blossomed during her final clinical placement in her Graduate program. Since stepping foot off of the stage with her Masters Degree in hand, Lynsey has been deeply invested in working with the pediatric population. Lynsey joined Points of Stillness in August 2021. She is passionate about helping children succeed by working closely with their families. In her free time, Lynsey enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, cheering on the Wisconsin Badgers, traveling, and spending time on the St. Croix River.  

Samantha earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in 2016, and a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Grand Valley State University in 2017. Samantha has experience providing speech-language therapy services to the pediatric population in various non-profit outpatient clinics, as well as in their own homes, and has also spent some time working with adults in an acute rehabilitation clinic. Samantha has a passion for being able to work with a child and their family to determine what their individual speech and/or language needs are and what ways she can best support functional communication in their daily lives. Samantha says that she was once challenged by a professor in graduate school to “find what makes a child smile, and then BE that smile”, and this is something she strives to take with her into every session. She believes a child can be most successful when provided with opportunities that are natural, play-based, highly motivating, fun and engaging. Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending her time with her husband and their dog, playing pickleball and basketball, camping, hiking, and traveling as much as possible. 

Jennifer Einum

Front Desk Associate

Holly Klein

Billing Specialist