April Christopherson, OTR/L, Founder & Owner

April has been an occupational therapist for over 25 years and has worked with diverse populations in a variety of settings.

She grew up in and graduated from Olathe High School in Olathe, CO in 1987.  She is excited to be the founder and owner of Exploration Kids Therapy in Gunnison, Colorado.  April worked as the director of OT and director of training and development for over 10 years for The Shandy Clinic in Colorado Springs, CO where she developed a neuro-intensive program for children focusing on neuropathway repetition and motor learning. April believes in a team approach to treating children - often working closely with Physicians, Functional Neurologists, Dieticians, Optometrists, Chiropractors and Naturopaths. 

She sits on the clinical advisory board for Interactive Metronome Corporation and has written several articles and webinars focused on treating pediatrics with a brain training approach. She is a member of both the Advanced Brain Technologies and Interactive Metronome adjunct faculty where she teaches introductory and advanced continuing education courses to professionals. She has traveled around the USA and the world teaching therapists and medical providers on Neuroplasticity and Development.  She now travels and speaks for the Professional Continuing Education company, PESI. 

In her spare time April enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, skiing, and spending time at her family cabin in Little Cimarron.  She has been married to Reid for 27 years and they have 4 children.  April was granted her degrees in Occupational Therapy and Psychology from St Ambrose University in Davenport, IA in 1991.

Tessa Helmle, OTD, OTR/L

Tessa was born and raised in rural Northeastern Iowa and moved to Gunnison, CO in April of 2021 to work as an occupational therapist at Exploration Kids Therapy. She graduated with a BA in Biology from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. She began her career in pediatrics and has loved every bit of it. Tessa is also a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and shares a love for the outdoors and equine-assisted activities and therapies. Tessa has focused her doctoral work on this subject and hopes to one day incorporate the outdoors and equine movement into her treatment.

She enjoys spending much of her free time in the outdoors- riding horses, hiking, camping, and is always looking to try new things. She is very excited to be here and to be a part of the Exploration Kids family!

Marilyn lalande OTD, OTR/L

Marilyn is an Occupational Therapist for Exploration Kids Therapy. Marilyn is proud to be a Colorado native as she grew up in Longmont, CO. She has two bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Psychology from Concordia University-Portland and Colorado State University. She graduated with a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University, specializing in pediatrics, feeding, and ARFID diagnoses.

She has experience working with all ages, ranging from home health to acute care and ICU hospital settings, yet her passion is for pediatrics. This passion was expanded internationally as she provided therapeutic care to children at an orphanage in Cambodia. Her work experience has also focused on autism, therapy in vocational settings, and teenagers to young adults. Her favorite part of Occupational Therapy is using the therapeutic value of working through play.

Marilyn has lived in Gunnison since 2020 with her husband, toddler, and coonhound. When she is not at the clinic, she loves reading, spending time with her family, gardening, traveling, crafting of all types, making and drinking coffee, and being outdoors.

 

daniela spohr, Manager of clinic operations

Daniela is a Gunnison local who appreciates all this valley has to offer. She moved to Fort Collins to study at Colorado State University and made her way back after graduating. She earned a degree in Hospitality Management and Business Administration. This education compliments Daniela's skill sets and passions. She loves to interact with people and make their day brighter. She has a great background in customer service and is looking forward to learning more administrative duties.

In her free time, Daniela loves to hang out with her loved ones and animals. Some of her favorite hobbies include making macrame, cooking, rafting, horse riding, hunting, snowmobiling and skiing.

mELINA FOTENOS, CLINIC COORDINATOR

MELINA WAS BORN AND RAISED IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO. SHE MOVED TO GUNNISON PURSUING AN EDUCATION FROM WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY AND GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PRE-LAW. THIS EDUCATION IS BENEFICAL IN HER GOALS AND PASSION IN LIFE. SHE HAS A GREAT BACKGROUND IN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION WORK. MELINA LOVES MAKING CONNECTIONS WITH PEOPLE AND BRINGING POSITIVITY INTO EVERY SITUATION. SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THE THERAPISTS AND LEARNING MORE ABOUT ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES.

IN HER FREE TIME, MELINA LOVES TO BE AROUND HER LOVED ONES. SHE LOVES HAVING GAME NIGHTS WITH FRIENDS AND ENJOYS HAVING NIGHTS IN TO WATCH MOVIES. SHE IS THRILLED TO BE PART OF THE EXPLORATION TEAM!

 

Rachel Spirito, PT, DPT

Rachel was born and raised in Rhode Island and graduated from Ithaca College with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2015. She began her career at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital before moving to Denver in 2017. For the past 5.5 years, she has been working in pediatric home care and early intervention providing physical therapy to children birth to 21 years of age in Denver and Aurora. Rachel’s clinical work and continuing education has focused on early childhood development, neurological conditions, gait abnormalities, and coordination and movement disorders. She is passionate about helping children reach their full potential, supporting their families, and helping children find joy in movement. 

In her spare time, Rachel enjoys trail running, skiing, hiking, camping, and spending time with her husband and their cat, Pebbles. She is thrilled to be joining the Exploration Kids Therapy team.

 

SARAH GRAHAM, SLP

Sarah was born and raised in rural nebraska. she graduated with a master’s in speech-language pathology from the university of nebraska-kearney. she has experience working with kids, ages 3 through middle school. She worked with the schools for 8 years and via telepractice for 7 years. sarah moved to gunnison in 2022. she loves to work with children to increase their communication skills and support families.

in her SPARE time, sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and four kids. A few of her faviorate activites include hiking, camping and reading. she is excited to be working with exploration kids therapy!

Virtual Office Tour!