Meet The Team

Counselors and Coordinators

Samantha Renner
LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Samantha Renner
Samantha received her Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Science from Eastern Washington University in 2011 and 2014. Samantha is a licensed mental health counselor and a Nationally certified counselor. She is also a member of the American Psychological Association and served on the board of directors for the Washington Counseling Association. She works with clients to address both mood and behavioral concerns from a patient centered perspective. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, crafting, and reading.

Carren Axtman
LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Carren Axtman
Carren received her Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Washington University in 2016. She is a licensed mental health counselor and a nationally certified counselor. Carren has experience working with children and families with high needs including behavior, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. In her free time she enjoys spending time on the water with family, friends, and her dog – Sophie.

Krista Branson
Special Education Teacher
Krista Branson
Krista earned her Bachelors degree (1997) and Masters in Early Intervention/ Early Childhood Special Education (1998) from the University of Oregon. She worked for eight years in the Portland area with children from birth to five years of age in a variety of educational settings. She was the lead EI teacher in a county wide Autism program, where she worked directly with children, and provided training to teachers from districts state wide in the implementation of Applied Behavior Analysis teaching strategies. Krista loves working with children and their families, and is excited to now be a part of the amazing team at Stepping Stones. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially her husband, three kids, and two dogs.

Krystal Foree
Family Resource Coordinator
Krystal Foree


Ky Beck-Gmeiner
Family Resource Coordinator

Chelsea Bray
Family Resource Coordinator
Chelsea Bray
Chelsea works as a Family Resource Coordinator here at Stepping Stones. She helps coordinate services for families with children ages birth to 3. As a parent with a child with special health care needs, Chelsea has a passion for working with families navigate the healthcare system and find resources. Prior to Stepping Stones, Chelsea spent the last 12 years working in healthcare. In her free time, she enjoys spending time her family, cooking and being outdoors.

Kaely Santos
Family Resource Coordinator
Kaely Santos
Kaely works as a family resource coordinator at Stepping Stones. She received her Bachelor’s in business administration from Central Washington University while also playing volleyball there. Kaely has a heart for working with families and is passionate about connecting them with the services they need to advocate for their children. In her free time, Kaely enjoys reading, traveling with her husband and coaching club volleyball.

Sarah Herrera
Office Manager
Sarah Herrera
Sarah began working for Stepping Stones Pediatric Therapy in 2010 and enjoys all aspects of managing the office, especially the interaction with the therapists and the families they treat. Prior to SSPT, she spent sixteen years as a stay at home mom, and for seven of those years home-schooled her three children. Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Human Development from Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, and taught at a Montessori school for 5 years after graduation.

Ashley Renner
Office Assistant/Therapy Aide
Ky Beck-Gmeiner


Heath Morphis
Office Assistant
Heath Morphis
Heath has had the pleasure of working, chatting, and occasionally joking around with the SSPT administration team. He also works to keep equipment safe, to help coordinate with the Infant Toddler Network, and to keep Speech Therapy flowing for our wonderful patients. In his words, “I couldn’t find a better group of professionals to work with!” Also, you can’t beat the view from his home office window (Newman Lake, pine trees, deer, and the occasional elk)! He loves learning, watching documentaries, hiking, and spending time with the three rescue cats that are a part of his family.

Johnie Moore
Office Assistant
Johnie Moore
Johnie was born in Salt Lake City, UT and raised in Spokane. She’s the oldest of 3 siblings (and the shortest 😉). Her career in the medical field started at an urgent care clinic, which lead her to Shriner’s Hospital for Children – where her passion of working with children began – and then to Stepping Stones. Outside of work, Johnie loves spending time with her husband and daughter – who happens to rock an extra chromosome. They find their happy place in the sunshine and at a lake place – spending time with family and friends, BBQ, boating and camping.

Duane LaMotte
Office Assistant – Insurance Authorizations
Duane LaMotte
Duane comes to Stepping Stones after years of being a stay at home dad to three crazy girls. He brings a breadth of invaluable skills to Stepping Stones as a former warehouse manager and Deputy Sheriff in Ventura California.

Jodi Chacho-Fay
Office Administrator, Mental Health Offices
Jodi Chacho-Fay
Jodi works as an office administrator in the Mental Health Offices welcoming families and supporting our team. Previously, she worked as a church secretary and administrative assistant at a financial services company. When Jodi isn’t greeting, encouraging, and helping people reach their goals- she can be found in the kitchen trying new recipes! She and her husband enjoy exploring new places, hiking, and photography. Fun facts: actively avoids roller coasters and delights in people with a “punny” sense of humor!