{"id":759,"date":"2021-06-10T07:06:11","date_gmt":"2021-06-10T14:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/earlybirdonline.com\/?page_id=759"},"modified":"2026-06-11T15:58:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T22:58:57","slug":"physical-therapy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/earlybirdonline.com\/?page_id=759","title":{"rendered":"Physical Therapists"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pediatric physical therapy supports children and families in meeting the needs of their children in relation to gross motor skills, including movement and mobility, strengthening, tone management, balance, and coordination. Physical therapists assist with posture and positioning and assist families with any adaptive equipment that they may need.<\/p>\n

Meet our <\/span>amazing<\/span>\u00a0Physical Therapists who keep Early Bird at it’s very best!<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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AMY MARX<\/span><\/h3>\n

Amy is from Erie, Pennsylvania and has lived in Charlotte for 32 years. She graduated from Indiana University with a BA in Biology and and BS in Physical Therapy from Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis. Amy has been treating the pediatric population for over 30 years especially children with neurological and genetic disorders, torticollis, plagiocephaly, hypotonia, gross motor delays, complex regional pain syndrome and post-concussion syndrome. Amy has been married for 30 years and has 3 children in their 20\u2019s. Her career and life goals are to maintain her career in physical therapy, learn more each day and share her knowledge and happiness with others! Fun fact about Amy is that I am a dog lover and has a puppy named Archie.<\/p>\n

Beth page<\/span><\/h3>\n

BETH WHETSTONE<\/span><\/h3>\n

Beth is a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in high-level care for infants and kids with complex medical needs. Her passion for family-centered care is deeply personal. As an Ohio State graduate ( and big Buckeyes fan), she brings that same vibrant energy to her practice. As a former NICU mama of triplets, she truly understands the complex medical journey and walks alongside families with genuine warmth and empathy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth pairs her lived experience with advanced clinical expertise. She is a Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS) and a Certified Neuro-Developmental Therapist (C\/NDT). Her extensive training includes cardiorespiratory care,\u00a0 pediatric craniosacral therapy, developmental orthopedics,\u00a0 kinesiotape application,\u00a0 trauma-informed care, and advanced manual therapies like myofascial release and Total Motion Release.\u00a0 She is trained in the application of TheraTogs.\u00a0 She has been a teaching assistant for Dr Mary Massery and NDT courses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When she isn’t supporting families, Beth loves spending time outdoors with her husband and kids\u2014and cheering on the Buckeyes!<\/span><\/p>\n

CHRIS PAUL<\/span><\/h3>\n

Chris is\u00a0originally from Stone Mountain, GA which is right outside of Atlanta. He graduated from Wingate University with his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science in 2019. He loved it so much He decided to stay and also get his DPT degree from Wingate in 2023. Chris always knew he wanted to go into pediatrics, so after he finished his time at Early Bird as a student PT, he was thrilled to come on full time after obtaining my license. Chris loves working at Early Bird not only because he gets to work with amazing kiddos from various backgrounds and with varying needs, but he also gets to work and learn from other amazing coworkers!\u00a0 FUN FACT: Chris is a first generation American as his father is from Trinidad and Tobago and his mother is from Jamaica. They moved to the US for college and have instilled in Chris the importance of continuous learning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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JENNIFER GOTTLIEB<\/span><\/h3>\n

Jennifer Gottlieb is originally from Durham, NC. She graduated from East Carolina University in 1993 with a BS degree in physical therapy. She has worked exclusively in pediatrics in a variety of settings including: NICU, pediatric rehab hospital, outpatient clinic, early intervention and home health.
\nJennifer has experience with a multitude of neurodevelopmental disorders including cerebral palsy, Down\u2019s syndrome, spina bifida, Torticollis, and developmental delay. Jennifer has received advanced training in NDT facilitation, premature infants, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, sensory processing disorders, total motion release and aquatic therapy. She has also presented at the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Conference on the topic of physical therapy treatment after selective dorsal rhizotomy in children with cerebral palsy. Jennifer enjoys working with children and their families and assisting the children to achieve their maximal potential regarding their motor development. In her free time, Jennifer loves to spend family time with her husband and three teenage children. She enjoys soccer, hiking and reading.<\/p>\n

KAREN CHARLTON<\/span><\/h3>\n

Karen received her Master of Physical Therapy from Emory University in 1987 and completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Montana in 2019. Karen has been treating children of all ages in the Charlotte area for over 37 years. Her specialized trainings include: Neurodevelopmental Training (NDT), Myofascial Release (MFR), Craniosacral Therapy (CST), Total Motion Release (TMR), TOTS Training, Reflex Integration Certification, Kinesiotaping, Orthotic Management, and Body Work for Babies. Karen served as an adjuct faculty member at Central Piedmant Community College in the PTA program, and she is a Certified Yoga Instructor and Educator.
\nKaren now utilizes her full body approach to evaluate and treat children 0-3 years of age, specializing in babies with Torticollis, Plagiocephaly, Oral Ties, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Hypotonia, and many other genetic and neurological disorders. Karen enjoys working with the babies and their families, providing education and helpful tips to make life easier and to help the baby reach his\/her full potential. Karen hopes to continue to learn new things, and she enjoys teaching and sharing her knowledge with others.
\nKaren spends her time outside of work with her husband, children, grandchildren, and special Shihtzu, Barkley; practicing and teaching yoga, and playing Pickleball.<\/p>\n

KASSI ROSE\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Kassi was born in Vermont but spent most of her childhood in NC. She moved to Charlotte in 2012 and has treated pediatrics for her full career in outpatient and hippotherapy settings. She got her BS degree in Biomedical Engineering at NC State and\u00a0her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at\u00a0East Carolina University. Kassi has done advanced training in Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Level C as well as additional coursework in kinesiology taping, orthotics, and use of focal and whole body vibration. Kassi currently lives in uptown Charlotte with her husband and daughter. In her spare time, Kassi plays board games, reads books, and attends musicals and local sports.<\/p>\n

Kimmie Ayres<\/span><\/h3>\n

MELANIE SEELEY<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dr. Melanie Rae Seeley, PT, DPT, MPT, is a pediatric physical therapist with over 25 years of experience serving children and families across home, community, and outpatient settings. She earned her Master of Physical Therapy degree from Old Dominion University and later completed her clinical doctorate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2024.\u00a0 Melanie grew up in New York City and spent a large portion of her career practicing in Hawaii before moving to the Charlotte area in 2018. She specializes in working with individuals with complex neurological, developmental, cardiopulmonary, genetic, and orthopedic conditions. She has a special interest in the neurological processing of sensory input and how sensory systems impact movement. Her\u00a0 treatment approach integrates Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT), Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), sensory integration, and advanced manual therapy techniques including myofascial release (MFR), craniosacral therapy, and visceral manipulation. Melanie focuses heavily on helping each individual reach personalized meaningful goals within their daily environments. In her spare time, she enjoys being a mom to her two teenage children, biking, hiking, and yoga.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

NATHALIE VanFOSSEN<\/span><\/h3>\n

Nathalie was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada and she moved to the Carolinas at age 4. She graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a BS in Health Promotion and Kinesiology in 1999 and Associates Degree from PT Assistant program at CPCC in 2002. She enjoys working with Children with Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. She and her husband Ty have two boys, Mason and Micah. She enjoys watching her boys play baseball and running.<\/p>\n

SHAWNA CARY-COLEMAN<\/span><\/h3>\n

Shawna graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a BS in Psychology and BS in Exercise and Sports Science to then graduate in 2002 from East Carolina University with a Masters in Physical Therapy. Shawna has provided pediatric physical therapy since graduating and specializes in the birth to 3 years old population. She was born in Pittsburg but was raised in Albermarle North Carolina, 45 minutes outside of Charlotte. Shawna enjoys her time outside of work with her husband, two children, and two dogs. Her family lives on the lake and loves all things swimming, boating, paddle boarding, fishing, and tubing!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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