Meet The Team

Occupational Therapists

Michelle LaMotte
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Michelle LaMotte
Michelle LaMotte OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist and is co-owner of Stepping Stones. She has practiced primarily in pediatrics since graduating from the University of Toronto in 1997. She specializes in the treatment of medically fragile infants and children, feeding and swallowing disorders, sensory integration difficulties and neurological impairments. Michelle has advanced certifications in Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing (SIPT Certified), Neurodevelopmental Therapy, Kinesiotaping, Vital Stim, dysphagia management and restrictive feeding. In her down time, Michelle is a soccer mom to three wild girls, loves cross-fit, cooking and skiing.

Samantha Birrell
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Samantha Birrell
Samantha is a Pacific Northwest native, born and raised in Bremerton, WA. After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Washington, she moved to Spokane to enter Eastern Washington University’s Master of Occupational Therapy program. When she is not working, Sam can be found chasing the sun, exploring the great outdoors, hiking, climbing, and backpacking with her dog, Dahlia.

Brandon Roberson
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Brandon Roberson
Brandon is a military kid who lived all over the world before settling in the PNW. He received his undergraduate degree at EWU and his Masters at Touro University Nevada. In his free time Brandon enjoys attending sporting events, snowboarding and hiking with his two German Shepherds Arya and Zola. He is uncharacteristically terrified of octopus – seriously.

Ashley Agen
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Ashley Agen
Ashley was born and raised in Spokane, receiving her Bachelors in Psychology from Gonzaga University and Masters in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Washington University. Ashley began her career working at Sacred Heart Medical Center with adults and adolescents with various neurological and physical dysfunctions. When not at work, Ashley enjoys traveling, hiking and camping with her husband and yellow lab Gus.

Brett Hoblin
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Brett Hoblin
Brett grew up in Cheney, WA and received both his undergraduate and Masters in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Washington University. He works closely with Spokane ParaSport to adapt toy cars for early childhood mobility and environmental exploration. In his spare time he enjoys building furniture and house projects. For recreation he loves snowmobiling, snowshoeing/hiking, fishing, and boating with his wife and goldendoodle/lab/springer spaniel mix named Thor.

Ben Miller
COTA/L
Certified Occupational Therapist
Ben Miller
After exploring multiple career fields Ben discovered Occupational Therapy and found it fit wonderfully with his passion and life experiences. Graduating from Spokane Falls Community College in 2019 he is excited that he has the opportunity to work cooperatively with children and their families. Finding creative ways to utilize therapeutic play to improve how each child participates in their world has been of the most satisfying aspects of his job.
When not working Ben enjoys spending time with his wife Tami and their dog Samson. Some of his hobbies include tennis, swimming, and reading great books.

Laci Rennaker
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Laci Rennaker
Laci was born and raised in Spokane, and received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at Eastern Washington University. Laci completed her Master of Occupational Therapy at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona. She moved back to the Northwest from the desert to begin her career as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, being outside, CrossFit, and cooking.

Rachel Patton
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Rachel Patton
Rachel has lived in Spokane since she was 5 years old. She received her Associates Degree as an Occupational Therapy Assist from Spokane Falls Community college and her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Washington University. Rachel began her career at Sacred Heart Medical center working with adults with various neurological and physical dysfunctions. She has 8 years’ experience working with homeless women and children in Spokane. In her free time she enjoys rock climbing with her boyfriend, spending time at the lake and hanging out with her dog Goose.

Alison Carriger
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Alison Carriger
Alison Carriger, OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist who was born and raised in the Greater Spokane Area. She has previous experience as a medical assistant, surgery coordinator, life enrichment guide, and freelancer auditing pathology reports. Alison received her Undergraduate and Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Eastern Washington University. When not working, Alison enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, dog, two cats, and chickens. She likes exploring the outdoors, venturing, doing crafts, building things, and volunteering. Alison is active, loves playing sports, and has a slight obsession with water (rain, lakes, river, ocean, etc.).

Emmy Elsom
COTA/L
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Emmy Elsom
Emmy is a Certified Occupational Therapist (COTA) having graduated from the SFCC OTA Program in 2014. Since graduation, Emmy has worked primarily in acute care specializing with neurological and medically fragile patients and diagnoses as well as spending a year doing home health OT. Emmy also completed one of her long-term fieldwork rotations when in school, working with the mental health population using sensory integration strategies. She also stays closely connected with the SFCC OTA program assisting with classes and as a member of the Advisory Board/Admissions Committee. When not working she enjoys spending her time with her husband, toddler daughter, dogs, friends, and garden.

Stephanie Rose
COTA/L
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Stephanie Rose


Katie Kelley
COTA/L
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Katie Kelley


Kristina Volz
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Kristina Volz
Kristina was born and raised in Spokane and graduated from Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. She has experience working with patients of various ages, from early intervention to geriatrics. In her free time Kristina enjoys going to the lake, being outdoors, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Emily Markham
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Emily Markham
Emily grew up in Spokane and studied Psychology in her undergraduate years at the University of Idaho. She completed graduate school for Occupational Therapy at Eastern Washington University. Emily enjoys hiking, going on road trips, working on house projects, finding local coffee shops, and spending time with her husband and cat, Phoebe.

Ty Nelson
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Ty Nelson
Ty grew up in Tacoma, WA, and has lived in the Pacific Northwest most of his life. He served in the United States Air Force Reserve as an aerospace medical technician for six years while accomplishing his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degree from Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA. Following his undergraduate studies, Ty attended the University of Mary in Billings, MT, where he received his Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree. During his graduate studies, he had the opportunity to acquire specialized knowledge of and experience with aquatic-based pediatric therapy and adolescent-based treatment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While not working, he enjoys hiking, trail running, skiing, gaming, watching movies, cooking, and eating at new restaurants.

Krista Baker
COTA/L
Occupational Therapist
Krista Baker
Krista grew up in a military family and has lived in several different states before landing in the PNW. She graduated from Washington State University in 2018 with a degree in Psychology, then went on to graduate from the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Spokane Falls Community College in 2021. Krista has always had a passion for working with kids and strongly believes in the power of play-based interventions. When not working, she spends most of her time procrasti-baking and sharing her baked goods with her neighbors and friends. She also enjoys skiing, spending time at the lake, spontaneous road trips, and goat yoga!