About the Owner- Meet Ali!
Occupational Therapy
Dr. Ali Temple received her doctorate in occupational therapy from Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences in 2018. Ali has experience providing skilled, therapeutic services in outpatient pediatric clinics, public and private day-school settings, and in-home. Ali has worked with students and children aged 6 months to 21 years old with diagnoses to include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Sensory Processing Disorder, Developmental Delay, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, behavioral difficulties (Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Anxiety, etc.), and feeding difficulties. Ali enjoys building rapport with families all while providing fun, therapeutic activities to meet individualized goals!
Ali founded First Priority Occupational Therapy, LLC in April of 2021 to provide virtual and in-home pediatric therapy services in and around the greater Richmond, Virginia area, and has now expanded to providing services in over 10 private schools in the Richmond area. When not working, Ali enjoys spending time outside and traveling with her husband, Nathan, son, Beckham, and chocolate lab mix, Dany.
Meet Kelsi!
Occupational Therapy- Richmond, VA
Kelsi Olsen graduated from St. Catherine University (Henrietta Schmoll School of Health) during the Spring of 2020. She has worked with both children and adults aged 3-26 with diagnoses including cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory processing disorders, Down Syndrome, feeding difficulties & developmental delays. While learning + understanding different, unique routines of each family and individual child, Kelsi emphasizes play, creativity & the unique abilities of each child. When not working, Kelsi enjoys spending time with family & chasing her two boys around, cooking, yoga & ballet.
Meet Abby!
Occupational Therapy- Richmond, VA
Abby Green graduated from Methodist University with her doctorate in occupational therapy in 2022. She has worked with children ages 2-18 in school and clinic settings. Abby is passionate about aiding children in self-regulation skills, social and emotional skills, and mental health so that they can navigate their world in a safe and confident way. She is also passionate about advocating for the use of trauma-informed care and mental health within the field of occupational therapy. When she is not working, Abby enjoys hiking, kickboxing, and traveling.
Meet Ilyse!
Occupational Therapy- Richmond, VA
Ilyse Canfield has been an Occupational Therapist for 22 years. Throughout her career she has worked with clients of all ages, but the preschool years have always been her favorite. Ilyse is Level 1 certified with Handwriting Without Tears and she has a passion for helping children with writing and pre-writing skills. Ilyse has been invited to lecture at many area preschools and preschool educator conferences on fine motor skill development, pre-writing and handwriting. When she is not working, Ilyse enjoys spending time with her husband, son, daughter and English Lab Georgia.
Meet Sara!
Occupational Therapy- Richmond, VA
Sara Patterson graduated from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 2021 with her doctorate in occupational therapy. Since then she has worked in a variety of settings with a passion for pediatrics. Sara has experience working in sensory - based outpatient clinics, private schools and early intervention. Her goal as an occupational therapist is to use a fun, collaborative approach, while providing evidence-based therapy to help children succeed and thrive in their community. In Sara’s free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, shopping, trying new restaurants and reading.
Meet Kaylin!
Occupational Therapy- Richmond, VA
Kaylin VonCanon graduated from the occupation therapy assistant program at Tidewater Community College in 2017. She has since worked in the greater Richmond area in both geriatric and pediatric settings. She currently works with public and private school students from elementary to high school ages with various diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, behavioral difficulties, and developmental delays. Kaylin also provides in-home therapy sessions within the Richmond area.
Kaylin is passionate about having fun with students while helping overcome barriers to realize their full potential!
Meet Jesse!
Occupational Therapy- Richmond, VA
Jesse Abston graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with his doctorate in Occupational Therapy in 2021. Jesse has experience working with children and their families within an Early Intervention setting as well as clinic based services providing evaluations and treatment to children of various conditions, disorders, and developmental delays. Jesse is joining First Priority to provide client-centered services in the private school settings as well as in-home. Jesse's goal as an occupational therapist is to assist children with developing skills to allow them to be as independent as possible at home, school and within the community. Jesse is a huge advocate for child-led therapy and neurodiverse affirming practice.
Meet Ruthie!
Occupational Therapy- Richmond, VA
Ruthie Rowane graduated from Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences in 2019 with her doctorate. Since then Ruthie has worked in pediatrics and geriatric settings, specifically in the schools and in home therapy. Ruthie has worked with children aged 2+ in both the school setting and outpatient therapy with a wide variety of diagnoses including, but not limited to, ASD, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Developmental Delay, Sensory Processing, and Down Syndrome. Ruthie is passionate about working with children, their families, and teachers to reach their goals!
Meet Joanna!
Occupational Therapy- Richmond, VA
Joanna Chaplin graduated with her doctorate in occupational therapy from Pacific University (Oregon) in August, 2022. Joanna loves being an OT because, "OT allows me to blend my love of working with children with how much I value their individuality and unique strengths." Joanna loves being able to support children and families to realize their full potential and pursue their goals more confidently. Joanna's interests include emotional regulation, sensory processing, family-centered practice, and animal assisted therapy. When not working with children, Joanna enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking with her dog Belcher, and walking shelter dogs at RACC. Joanna considers herself "half OT and half animal rescue enthusiast". Joanna dreams of combining these two passions!
Meet Ali!
Occupational Therapy- Richmond, VA
Ali Salas graduated from Shawnee State University with a Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2017. Ali has experience providing skilled therapeutic services in various settings both pediatric and geriatric including schools, early intervention, home health, inpatient rebab, and outpatient pediatric clinics. She has a passion for collaborating with various professionals to make sure every child receives the best holistic care as well as making sure all families feel empowered to support their child’s progress and success. Ali has experience working with a vast variety of diagnoses including, but not limited to, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Prader-Willi, Down Syndrome, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, ODD, anxiety, CP, sensory processing disorders, dyslexia, and developmental delays. When not working, Ali enjoys spending time with family, soaking in the outdoors, and searching for the best thrift finds.
Meet Shae!
Occupational Therapy- Richmond, VA
Shae McKim graduated with her Master's in Occupational Therapy from Delaware State University (Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences) in 2020. She has spent the past 3 years working in outpatient pediatrics and schools serving children 2-16 y/o. Shae has worked with a variety of conditions including ASD, ADHD, developmental delay and behavioral challenges. Her continuing education course work includes training in Sensory Integration, DIR Floortime, SOS Approach to Feeding, Emotional Regulation and Astronaut Training. In her free time, Shae enjoys working out, being outside, and spending time with her boyfriend, Austin and Mini Goldendoodle, Suzanne.
Meet Rachel!
Occupational Therapy- Richmond, VA
Rachel DeBose graduated from Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences with her doctorate in occupational therapy in 2018. She has worked with individuals ranging from infants to retired individuals with a passion for feeding difficulties, sensory processing disorders, and working with families to meet their individualized goals. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, trying new restaurants and traveling.
Meet Allie!
Occupational Therapy- Yorktown, VA
Allie D’Bene has served as an OT in the Hampton Roads area for 4 years working in both outpatient clinics and school based pediatrics. She graduated from Radford University with her Master’s of Occupational Therapy degree. Allie has served kids with a variety of conditions such as Autism, ADHD, Intellectual/Developmental Delay, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and behavioral challenges. Allie focuses on relationships and incorporating the family and children’s needs and interests in her sessions. In her free time, Allie enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband (Lee) and Labrador Retriever (Riley). She is currently offering a limited number of in-home sessions.
Meet Bekkah!
Lead Physical Therapy- Richmond, VA
Dr. Bekkah Corkey graduated from VCU with her doctor of Physical Therapy in 2015. She has worked with children aged 2 months to 18 years old with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, developmental delay, hypotonia, torticollis, toe walking, coordination difficulties, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
She moved from the mountains of Virginia to the Richmond area and now calls this “home.” She loves spending time with her husband and three kids, baking, and crafting, and hopes she can help your family meet your goals!
Bekkah provides in-home physical therapy evaluations and services in the greater Richmond area.
Meet Michele!
Head of Billing Department