THERAPISTS
Ashley Eichler, DPT, Physical Therapist
Ashley graduated from the University of South Carolina with her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences. Ashley has been a physical therapist since 2013 in various settings including outpatient pediatrics, school based and acute care. She, her husband Brandon and their dog Rex moved back to Columbia from NE Florida and now reside in Forest Acres. She enjoys traveling and cheering on the Gamecocks!
Jackie Griffo, MSP, CCC/SLP; Speech Language Pathologist
Jackie graduated from College of Charleston with a Bachelors degree in Physical Education, and received a Master of Speech Pathology from the University of South Carolina in 2015. She gained clinical experience at The Therapy Place while earning her Masters degree. In her spare time, Jackie enjoys traveling, kayaking, and reading.
Kristen James, MS, OTR/L – Occupational Therapist
Kristen graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She received her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Howard University in Washington, D.C. As a student, Kristen gained additional clinical experience with The Therapy Place during her Master level II fieldwork rotation. She currently lives in Columbia, SC with her twin sister Katrina and puppy Rondo. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys shopping, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Erin Maltba, MS, OTR/L – Occupational Therapist
Erin graduated from the College of Charleston with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, Exercise Science. She attended the Medical University of South Carolina to receive her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. Erin lives in Columbia with her husband, daughter Quinn, and dogs Gunnar and Mack. She has been a pediatric Occupational Therapist since 2005 and has received training and continuing education including: infant/child feeding, SOS feeding approach, NDT for infant/toddler, Kinesiotaping and Interactive Metronome. In her spare time Erin enjoys hanging out with family and friends, hiking and traveling.
Mandy Martin, MSR,OTR/L – Occupational Therapist
Mandy graduated from Presbyterian College with her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She received her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina. Mandy has been a pediatric occupational therapist since 2009 and loves working with children and their families. She and her husband Brad enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and cheering on the Gamecocks!
Ashley Reames, MA, CCC-SLP; Speech Language Pathologist
Ashley graduated from the University of South Carolina with her Bachelors in Mass Communications, Public Relations as well as a minor in Communication Science Disorders. Ashley has tons of experience with children and loves more than anything to be around kids. In 2016, she completed her masters program at South Carolina State and earned her degree in Speech Language Pathology. Soon after the completion of her masters program, Ashley joined The Therapy Place team as an SLP. She is so excited to begin her career where it all once started 3 years ago as a Bridges Assistant. Ashley likes to spend her time going out to eat and being around her family and friends. She especially enjoys spending time with her nephew.
Mandi 
Stoner, DPT, Physical Therapist/TheraSuit
Mandi is a native of Alabama. She received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Eastern Washington University in Spokane, WA. Mandi has been a physical therapist since 2007; in 2008, she began working in pediatrics. Her training/continuing education includes: Theratogs, kinesiotaping, Yoga for Special Needs Children, Sensory Integration, Total Motion Release (TMR), Rhythmic Movement Training and Reflex Integration, and Interactive Metronome. Mandi lives in Lexington. She enjoys spending time with her two boys (Kaden and Maverick), traveling, exploring the outdoors, and playing sports.
BRIDGES STAFF
Caroline Strauss, Bridges Director/Co-Teacher
Caroline graduated from Presbyterian College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and from University of South Carolina with a Master of Social Work. She has experience working with children with special needs in a variety of ways, including applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy. Additionally, Caroline holds a teaching license in special education and brings 3 years of experience teaching in the public school system. Caroline lives in Columbia with her husband, Matt, and their dog, Cooper. She loves to spend time with family and friends at Edisto Island, what she considers to be a little piece of heaven on earth.
Lindsey Duerr, Bridges Co-Teacher
Lindsey graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a minor in Service Learning. She holds a teaching license in special education and brings 4 years of experience teaching in the public school system. Lindsey lives in Columbia with her husband, Stephen, and their dog, Leia. She loves to travel and visit new cities with her family and friends.
Taylor Endicott, Bridges Aide
Taylor is a Florida native. She graduated from Columbia International University with a Bachelors of Science degree in General Studies and Bible with a minor in Psychology. Taylor has a passion for working with children and has a love for coaching and sports ministry. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing soccer, and traveling.
Austin was raised in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. He is currently a student at the University of South Carolina studying Public Health with a minor in Psychology. He plans to pursue a career in OT after graduation. This position is great for him because he has a passion for helping people and loves children. He enjoys philanthropy and CrossFit in his free time.
Leighton Higgins, Bridges Aide
Ellie Hoffman, Bridges Aide
FAMILY SERVICES
Joye Lee, MPH; Family Services Coordinator
Joye received her Masters of Public Health from the University of South Carolina and her Bachelors of Science, in Biology, from Charleston Southern University. Before starting her Master’s program, Joye worked in Indonesia for two years teaching English. She has experience with special needs children all over the world. She worked with DHEC’s children and youth with special health care needs program and Camp Burnt Gin. In her free time, you can find Joye at any Gamecock game with her family or spending time with her friends.
Romy Diaz -Rodriguez; Family Engagement Specialist
Romy was born in Cuba, in a little town called the old Havana, graduated from the very prestigious School of art of Cuba E.N.A, as a professional Ballet Dancer and teacher. During tours all over the world, she had the amazing privilege share her love of dance while embracing and learning from other Latinos cultures.
As a mother of two, she is very familiar with the special need world and excited for the opportunity to assist our Latinos families in many ways. Please feel free to come by and say Hola !
ADMIN STAFF
Dawn Darby, MPA; Co-Founder and Executive Director 
Dawn holds a Masters of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina, with an emphasis in Non-Profits and Grants and an undergraduate in media arts, also from USC. She has work experience as the Grants Manager of Richland County, Ready to Learn Coordinator for SC Educational Television and also served as a Grants Writer/Special Events Coordinator for the Indian Waters Council/Boy Scouts of America. Dawn lives in Columbia with her husband, James and two children, Cooper and Laura, and their dog Sophie. Dawn enjoys spending time with family and friends, being at TTP, traveling to the beach, her church – TRUMC, reading and golf.
Teresa Fleming, Billing Manager
Teresa comes to us with nearly 30 years of billing and medical clinic experience. Teresa lives in Gilbert with her husband Eric, their daughters Marisa & Eliana, their spoiled black lab Penny, and 5 bunnies. In her free time, Teresa enjoys spending time with her family, music, reading, hula hooping and gardening.
Terry Reid, Associate Director 
Terry studied Early Childhood Education at the University of South Carolina but landed in business management for the past twenty years. She and her husband, Rob, have been active in The Therapy Place since its inception in 2008 from cooking for the TTP golf tournaments to performing the original renovations to our building. This Gamecock girl and her Tiger husband live in Irmo with their 4 legged children Albert and Cocoa.
