Our Story
Express Yourself Therapy specializes in treating children 0-21 with a variety of speech/language, sensory/motor, and developmental disorders such as Autism, PDD, and Sensory Integration Disorder. Our therapy techniques are based on the most current developmental and neurodevelopmental research.
Express Yourself Therapy understands that development is an integrated process. Therefore our therapists have advanced knowledge in the areas of speech/language, sensory/motor, cognition, social/emotional, and visual-spatial development. In this way, programs are individualized by focusing on the foundational origins of speech and language constrictions in each child.
Express Yourself Therapy prides itself on supporting “the whole child.” Focus on the parent-child dyad during therapy sessions allows for the most meaningful and rapid progress possible. Additionally, we encourage ongoing multidisciplinary collaboration with your child’s school support staff and other team members via email, phone conferences, and team meetings.
Although deeply rooted in a Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-based model (DIR®/Floortime); Express Yourself therapists use a wide variety of therapy techniques and hold advanced certifications in an array of treatment approaches. We are confident that you and your child will feel safe, nurtured, and valued during the time you spend with us. We invite you to come and play!
Our Staff
Chicago/Palatine Location:
Melissa Grosvenor PhD, M.S. CCC-SLP, I/ECMH-C, BCS-CL
Melissa is the proud owner and Executive Director of Express Yourself Therapy. Melissa earned her master’s degree from Rush University in Speech-Language Pathology and her doctorate in Infant and Early Childhood Development from Fielding University. Melissa is a board-certified child language specialist and credentialed Infant Mental Health Specialist. Additionally, Melissa is an expert DIR/Floortime provider with over 10 years of experience teaching courses through ICDL, Profectum, and Erickson Institute. According to Melissa, ” I love the ‘family feel’ culture of EYT and believe our nurturing environment drives growth and development across our wonderful therapists, children, and families alike.” Melissa attributes much of her success to her two beautiful children, who have taught her the most important lessons about child development and parenting.
Katie Hinrichs
Katie has been working as an aide with Express Yourself Therapy for four years. Besides supporting a variety of our groups and clubs, she additionally works one on one with children providing developmental based play therapy. Katie is innovative, compassionate, and has a passion for working with children with individual differences. Katie has three children (5, 3, 1) including one with sensory integration challenges.
Katie has a Bachelors Degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Community Health.
Andrea (Andi) Kwasigroch, OTR
Andrea (Andi) Kwasigroch is a certified Occupational Therapist (OTR). She earned her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Maryville University in St. Louis. She has experience in multiple pediatric settings where she treated children who presented with varying diagnoses, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Developmental Delays.
In 2016 Andi was certified in Early Intervention which specializes in promoting the optimal development of children aged zero to three years in their home and natural environments. Andi enjoys working with children to help them experience success in all aspects of daily life.
Kelly Mitchell, MOTR/L
Kelly is an occupational therapist at Express Yourself Therapies. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy after earning her Bachelor of Health Sciences. Kelly has dedicated herself to a skillful approach to children using a client-centered approach with family involvement that provides therapy for children of all ages in a variety of settings. Her therapy methods focus specifically on social interaction, regulation, sensory-motor skills, visual- perception, and fine and gross motor skills.
Her continuous goal is to help children gain independence and promote development in order to function and socialize in their home, play, school, and community environments. In her free time Kelly enjoys exercising, cooking, and dancing. She also loves to travel and spend time with her family and friends.
Allison Riley
Allison is a licensed physical therapist assistant who is located at our Palatine clinic. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Physiology and Family & Consumer Sciences from Eastern Illinois University and later pursued her license in physical therapist assisting in 2014. Allison specializes in pediatrics in the school, home-based and outpatient clinic setting. Previously Allison gained extensive experience at Northwestern University in the hospital setting in ICU, acute care and rehabilitation.
Allison is also a certified DIR Floor-time practitioner at the advanced level with the ICDL organization.
Allison is a proud wife and mother of two amazing sons ages 3 and 6 years old. In her free time she enjoys being outdoor, volunteering for her local animal shelter and women & children’s shelter, and being silly with her children.
Jaclyn Pizzoferrato, M.S. CCC-SLP
Jackie is a Speech-Language Pathologist who is located at our Palatine and Chicago branch. Jackie earned her Master’s degree at Midwestern University and a Bachelor’s degree from Elmhurst College. Jackie has experience working with the pediatric population in clinic, home-based, and school settings.
She has a passion for the littles and loves connecting with parents to foster development across all settings. Jackie believes in engaging children in play-based activities to foster overall language development. Jackie is certified in PROMPT Therapy and is DIRFloortime® Certified. She also has training in Interactive Metronome.
In her free time, Jackie enjoys working out, exploring the city, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.
Meghan Guinane, M.S. CCC-SLP
Meghan is a speech-language pathologist who is located at our Palatine and Chicago locations. Meghan earned her Master’s degree at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL and Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Indiana University-Bloomington.
Meghan has experience in multiple pediatric settings including clinic, home, schools, and daycares. She believes in a client-centered approach with family involvement to maximize engagement and language facilitation in all the child’s environments. Meghan is certified in PROMPT Therapy and is earning her DIRFloortime® Certificate of Proficiency.
In her free time, she loves trying new restaurants and spending time with family and friends!
Maryland Location:
Danielle Leporace, M.S. CCC-SLP
Danielle is a pediatric speech language pathologist at Express Yourself Therapy’s Kensington, MD branch. She earned her Master’s degree at Northwestern University and her Bachelors of Science at Loyola University Maryland.
Danielle practiced in Annapolis, Maryland for two years before relocating to Washington D.C., in 2020 where she began her journey at Express Yourself Therapy. She specializes in pediatric feeding and swallowing and working with children on the spectrum.
Danielle loves to be silly and playful when working with children while also reaching their goals. She believes that in order to connect with a child, you have to be one yourself! Danielle loves creating client-centered activities and discovering new ways to engage in the environment around them! She is currently earning her DIR Floortime Certificate of Proficiency.
In her free time, she loves listening to music, karaoke, traveling, hiking and spending time with friends.
Alexis Montgomery, M.S. CCC-SLP
Alexis is a pediatric speech-language pathologist at Express Yourself Therapy’s Kensington, MD branch. She earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from George Washington University, her Certificate in Early Intervention from Georgetown University and her Bachelor of Arts in Hearing and Speech Sciences from the University of Maryland.
Alexis is a patient, flexible, and energetic clinician. She was driven to pursue Speech-Language Pathology to establish connections with clients and make therapy filled with joy. Alexis loves facilitating client-centered activities to support children in robustly engaging in their natural social environment. She is not afraid to be silly or jump right into any play.
Alexis is working towards earning her DIRFloortime® Certificate of Proficiency and Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist title. She also holds an Introduction to PROMPT Certification.
In her free time, she loves going to the beach, hiking, spending time with her family and playing with her dogs!
Kailey Caceres, M.A. CF-SLP
Kailey is a speech-language pathologist at Express Yourself Therapy’s Kensington, MD branch. She earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from George Washington University and her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the University of Virginia.
Kailey was driven to speech-language pathology as she went to speech therapy for many years growing up. Her SLP always made therapy exciting and motivating, so Kailey strives to have the same effect on all of the kids she works with. She loves bringing out her inner child during sessions and being silly with kids while simultaneously targeting their goals in a meaningful and engaging way.
In her free time, she loves working out, vacationing in Bethany Beach, and spending time with her family and friends.
Lauren Villa, OTR/L
Lauren is a pediatric occupational therapist located at our Kensington, MD clinic. Lauren earned her Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree at Towson University and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Delaware. She fell in love with OT because it empowers each child through creativity, interest exploration, and child-directed learning!
Lauren has a research background focusing on neurodivergent sensory experiences and well-being. She believes everyday playful and creative experiences help a child learn and grow in their functional development. She loves creating meaningful goals and memories with children and their families!
In her free time, Lauren loves rock climbing, hiking trails with her dog, and exploring book stores in Baltimore City.
Chris Fagan, OTD OTR/L
Megan Bell, M.S. CCC-SLP
In her free time, Megan enjoys baking, exploring all the DMV has to offer (especially any and all ice cream shops), and spending time with her two nephews in PA!