Stories

Physical therapy is amazing. There is nothing like helping people get back to a good level of function.

I’m an Army veteran with 13 years experience as a COTA. I have worked with the geriatric population in home health and skilled nursing facility. I’m highly motivated and eager to join your therapy team to help your patients achieve high levels of independence with all ADLs.

Last year, I applied to a PTA program at South University Novi and was expecting the program to start in the upcoming fall. I received my acceptance letter and to my surprise, the program’s anticipated start was summer 2018. I was training full-time with my own business and suddenly had to drop the majority of my clients due to my intense school schedule. Not only was I training full-time, I was also preparing for my first body building show in August. As if that was enough pressure, my cohort & I received news that the campus was closing due to financial discrepancies and we were unsure if we were able to complete the program.
School was always my number one priority so every chance I got, I was studying which included studying while I was doing my required cardio to prepare for my show. Fast forward to August, the show went well, 4.0 GPA and my goals were still intact. In January, an unexpected incident occurred which involved me fracturing two toes on my right foot. My professor was the first person I contacted even before my mom because attendance was so important with my PTA program. I needed reliable transportation to and from school due to my right foot being injured. In addition to transportation, sitting in class for 8 hour days, along with participating in lab was not the easiest due to pain and utilizing an assistive device. I had to deal with midterms and the practicals which involved treating a patient while I was in a cast. The struggle was real. My first round of outpatient clinicals, I was in a boot the first two weeks and felt very incapable. Thank God I didn’t have to go through that full rotation with a walking boot nor finals or another practical while being injured.
The light at the end of the tunnel, the campus closed but my cohort was the last to finish out the PTA program in full (adjustments were made so we had a location to have class). We had a wonderful graduation ceremony, I passed my board exam and now I’m here; looking to travel and fulfill my PTA duties.

Starting a new chapter in mine and my family’s lives. After not being able to work full time for a bit, while having the pleasure of caring for my elderly mother, whom has recently passed, I am now trying to move forward and adjust to the new normal, part of that being working full time and making up for lost time!

I had an Outpatient who was suffering from long term back pain. I’ll call her Margaret. The pain pills had stopped working, and Margaret wanted to try Physical Therapy as a last resort, since nothing else was working. And the side effects of the pain meds were distressing and uncomfortable.

The first thing I noticed after her antalgic gait was the way she sat: hard! Of Course, she said she had done so for years.

We began working on core and lower extremity strength, as well as body mechanics. Over time, Margaret’s strength and body mechanics improved, as she followed through with her exercise program, especially working on eccentric contractions at the hip, and improving her breathing techniques.

Within weeks, Margaret notices the pain was less, and she was only using pain meds occasionally, mostly to sleep. A few weeks later, Margaret announced she had no pain in her back for the first time in years, and was not using any pain meds. What a relief!

This was one of the most rewarding cases of my career.

Originally from Maryland. Graduated from PT school in 1999. Had to relocate to Florida just to begin my first job due to cutbacks and layoffs when Medicare began placing caps on therapy. Moved back up to Maryland when market improved and worked for awhile but got the bug to start traveling! I made my way out west with my cat and whatever would fit in my VW Jetta. Lived in Texarkana, worked in Texas. Traveled to Laughlin, NV but worked in Bullhead City, AZ. Traveled up to Las Vegas, NV then married and moved back to Maryland again! In 2015 my sister decided she wanted to relocate to Arizona so I got on the horn to the travel company I previously travel with, Reflectx staffing (Maxim Medical) and they got me a job pronto in Scottsdale, AZ home health! Lived there for a spell then traveled across the valley to west Phoenix until I took a permanent position with ATI. Then I decided Arizona was way too hot and dry for me so I transferred with ATI to Charleston, SC and am here since 11/2018. Well now I was laid off by ATI due to downsizing…. my position as a floater was eliminated… So now I’m in a position to do whatever I want…travel again?! We will see!!
Oh and I didn’t mention that before coming to Charleston while still in Arizona and with ATI, I became a below the knee amputee… wow what a story…BUT I was only out on STD for 3 1/2 months! Then back full time and completely highly functional 😀!! I rock heels and constantly workout! Waiting on a running foot, then literally off to the races!🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

I am new on the Therapia block but that didn’t stop the staff from treating me with respect and encouragement along my new path! Yay

I am a new candidate with Therapia Staffing. Andrew is my coordinator & he is super nice and I’m excited about the new opportunity and experience.

I knew nothing about speech pathology going to college. I met my first SLP while she was working with my grandfather after he had a stroke. He had moderate aphasia. After several weeks of therapy, he could communicate with us again! I returned to school inspired and chose my major in Communication Disorders. Six years later I was blessed with my first child and she was diagnosed with Autism. Four years after her birth I had another child with Autism. Who knew that God would bless me with two extraordinary children that I would have to guide through life with special needs. Initially, I knew becoming an SLP was my calling because I wanted to work with people of all ages and help in a way that could be life changing. I still feel that’s part of my purpose. But in addition to that I was blessed with a sense of patience on how to handle what comes with being a mother of children with a diagnosis of Autism. My education and personal experience has truly made me love my purpose and be the therapist I know to be.

Being a Psychotherapist is such a humbling, amazing experience. Being present to listen to people who put their trust in me to open up about their darkest feelings and secrets …to navigate the journey together, of self-insights and realizing they DO have the strength to make tough life decisions- that’s what therapy is all about!
It was easy to be non-judgmental so as to earn their trust; to as i self-disclosed, we ALL have issues, including myself “Do you have 5 hrs I’d ask/reply?” when the frequent statement was made by clients-“Probably in your life everything is normal” “ Not at ALL!”
I discovered in 34 yrs of Private Practice that it was rare for people to have received validation from parents or virtually anyone- so tragic. Now, they needed to self- validate and “put together the puzzle pieces” of a renewed stronger sense of self and begin to live the life they want. No “advice” from myself, merely a facilitator to reflect back to them in the most gentle and accepting way possible.

Working with 1600+ adults and couples, in most cases, the therapeutic relationship seemed to work. Many people returned to therapy when they hit another life crises. People never ceased to amaze me at their resilience, strength, openness..I would’ve loved to have know about Therapia Staffing- and have since referred many colleagues (since I just retired- in my 60’s) Keep succeeding- an awesome venture!

I had enrolled in school online. People state that online is easy and I know that is a myth. But I have 2 years to fight to receive my Medical Administrative Assistant degree. I went through some things, I lost my internet several but I know God was on my side, I was working two jobs, I have 4 kids but my oldest is 22, so didn’t really have to worry about him too much. The other 3 were pretty busy all the times. My 15 does football, my 12 plays basketball, my baby girl dances. Well what’s a mother to do but attend everything. plus hold 2 jobs and school as well. When going through all of that I failed 2 classes but I had to do 2 re-take which slowed the process from finishing school on time But I still ended finishing with my Associates degree in Medical Administrative Assistant.

New Mexico is the place to be
Farm living is the place for me
Desert spreading out so far and wide
Keep Dallas, just give me that countryside

North Texas is where I ‘d rather stay
I get allergic smelling cows and hay
I just adore a downtown skyline view
Darling I love you but give me some retail therapy

The hemp, the stores, fresh air, more stuff

You are my life, goodbye traffic life
New Mexico we are there

From Kayden my Lab mariner and pKauffmann

I have had many careers but speech therapy is the only one I haven’t quit! The challenges are opportunities to improve quality of life and to bring sunshine to a dreary environment.
I met great resistance to some teachers who stated my nonverbal friends would never sign or do anything. I smiled at them and proceeded with the instruction for the student and teacher.
The joy I got from hearing that same teacher squeal that our “friend” signed is worth more than a gold bar from Ft. Knox!
Twenty four years and I am still amazed when my “friends” begin communicating. “Did I do that?” in my Steve Erkel voice. It’s my challenge to stop the tears, peak an interest, impart knowledge, teach that education is fun and communication is power! It’s my challenge to change the “I dont want to go to speech!” to “when can I go to speech?”
Yes! I thank God, He made me speechy! I ♡ speech! Sabrenia West MACCCSLP

Having worked for a major record company doing national promotion along with my husband, I found myself wanting for meaning after we were in an accident and my husband was killed. After 3 years of recovery (I was physically, emotionally & spiritually severely injured) I heard about music Therapy. Being intrigued I procured a degree in music and became a Certified Music Therapist. After 5 years of work in psychiatric hospitals, the state of California began cutting back funds for the mentally impaired and I found myself out of work. I then got a masters degree in education and became a Certified Special Education teacher and taught special day classes in general education middle schools. I used my knowledge of music therapy to work on academic, social skills and functional goals and my students flourished. Now retired from teaching I’m back into working as an independent music therapist seeking work throughout the city of Los Angeles. Finding it difficult to earn enough money to support myself, I reach out for assistance from Therapia Staffing. My years of therapeutic, educational and music experience afford me a wide variety of skills to help others. The most important skill I have is my sincere desire to help others. And Music is the key.

Shannon T. is outstanding in every way! First of all, SHE found me and emailed me about an ASL interpreter job near me. She was always there for me, worked tirelessly to get the salary I needed, then did the same thing again a year later when I requested a raise! She is the best employee I have ever worked with ANYWHERE. I never had any qualms with her. She will be like your new best friend! The credentialing process with the entire Therapia team was very smooth. The company is very professional and respond efficiently.

I like to believe that my journey was filled with divine interventions that helped me find my calling. In 2003, I was a new graduate from my undergrad college with an English degree, just trying to figure out my place in life. My aunt was a nurse, and I’d talk to her a lot about what it is that I was supposed to do in life. One day we were talking and she said, “what about being a Speech Language Pathologist”. I didn’t know what that was, but then I remembered that my brother had been seeing one for his difficulties. I did a little research and got the ball rolling. After visiting my potential school to begin this new career, I taught for a year (2004-2005) to see if that’s where I wanted to be. In the midst of that, I received a letter of admittance to do a year of undergraduate core classes to prepare me for graduate school. Oh how excited I was. I asked them if they would hold my space until I finished my school job, and they said yes! I finished my year of teaching in the Spring of 2005, and in the fall of 2005, off to school I went. I finished up all of my core classes in the spring of 2006, and at the same time, waited for acceptance to graduate school. That same semester, I finally got my acceptance and began my graduate school in the fall of 2006. I finished graduate school Fall of 2008, and I have loved being an SLP for the last 10 years. To me, the way things progressed showed me that being an SLP was my calling! I have met and seen so many people and children that have touched me, and that I feel I have made a difference for, even if it was being that child’s or that stressed out teacher’s listening ear. I would encourage anyone who has a heart for helping people to go into Speech Pathology. It can be challenging, but the rewards of this field are all worth it.

Traveling RN, have worked for Therapia Staffing for over a year.

I was a cna for years. I worked side by side with LPNs and RNs. I watched what they did so much I knew before they did their task what they were going to do. I decided it was time for me to go back to school. I went to MCC for RN. I put everything I had into it and I finally graduated dec 2012. I have worked in medical, cardiac, high observation unit (form of ICU) and clinic since I became an RN.

I love Therapia staffing! This is my first job as a traveling nurse and it’s been a great experience so far. My recruiter is amazing and so is the other staff. Can’t wait for my next assignment.

I have been an employee with Therapia Staffing for 2 years and it has been amazing! The staff is very supportive and has continuous communication with employees. My recruiter is great, she efficiently answers all of my questions and concerns. I highly recommend working for Therapia they are a great company.

So far my experience with Therapia Staffing has been great. Very accommodating and friendly staff. I relocated from Michigan to South Carolina and to quote “America’s favorite fast food chain “I’m lovin it”!

New grad with clinical experience in outpatient and SNF. Within the first two weeks I independently handled a full case load in each setting.

I have been a Registered Nurse since 1981! I have been employed consistently in various areas of Nursing. I truly enjoy Home Health above all fields. Patrice Farley RN BSN CDE

My first experience of working with Therapia Staffing, I’m sure will be very interesting in the following months to come.

Jolyn is a professional and efficient recruiter. She has gone above and beyond to find the best placement suited for my profession and personality. Jolyn took the time necessary to become acquainted with me on a personal and professional level. We have built an awesome professional relationship, and I look forward to our continued success together with the Therapia family.

Therapia is my favorite staffing agency to work with. We receive significantly more and better quality resumes from Therapia than anywhere else!

Holli Frazell
Director, Organizational Leadership & Development