About Us

Veronica Clark, M.A., OTR/L, SIPTC, SLPA

Veronica received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Concordia University in Irvine, CA and her Master’s degree in Occupational Science and Therapy from University of Southern California. She has worked as an occupational therapist in a wide variety of settings including; Early Intervention, School based (all levels) and currently specializes in Sensory Integration Treatment in a private setting. Veronica joined Metro Therapy in 2010 and took ownership of the clinic in 2014. Veronica has special training and experience in; Therapeutic Listening, Sensory Defensiveness, Sensory Integrative Intensive, MNRI Reflex Integration, Rhythmic Movement Training, Picky Eaters versus Problem Feeders S.O.S (Sequential Oral Sequence) Feeding and Beckman Oral Motor. She became SIPT (sensory integration and praxis test) certified in 2010. In 2019 Veronica finished schooling as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. She is pursuing additional certification in the Ayres Sensory Integration and will become CASI certified in November 2020. Veronica enjoys sharing her love and knowledge for pediatric occupational therapy and has taught the pediatrics course for aspiring COTA’s at Herzing University. Additionally, she enjoys speaking with parents and educators at early childhood family education (ECFE) classes and other professional events. Outside of work Veronica enjoys spending time playing games with her family, boating and reading.

Sarah Hetz, M.S., CCC-SLP

Sarah received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Spanish from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Sarah has experience in evaluating and treating communication disorders across the lifespan, with a particular passion for working with children. She joined Metro Therapy in 2011, focusing on treating child language disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, social and narrative language skills, and alternative and augmentative communication (AAC). Sarah has special training and experience in Social Thinking TM , LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning), DIR R /Floortime TM , Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cuing (DTTC), early childhood speech and language intervention, and is an avid self-studier of journals, articles, blogs, and books. Sarah also enjoys supervising speech-language pathology students as they complete their clinical education. Sarah is a certified member of the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA). Outside of work Sarah finds joy in spending time with her family and friends, camping, traveling, and reading.

Brittany Ahlskog, M.S., CCC-SLP

Brittany received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Disorders (Speech- Language Pathology) from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She graduated in 2011 and completed her clinical fellowship year at a private pediatric clinic. Brittany has experience evaluating and treating children and adolescents with a range of communication disorders in school and private pediatric clinic settings. She joined Metro Therapy in April of 2014. Brittany is very passionate about working with children and enjoys the variety each day brings. She has a special interest in working with early childhood language, articulation and phonological disorders and social language skills. Brittany is a certified member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She has special training and experience in early childhood language, ethics, supervision, literacy, Apraxia, feeding, social skills, Down Syndrome and Autism. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, baking, crafting, gardening, traveling, spending time with friends and family and being outdoors.

Monica Wielinski

Monica has over 25 years of experience in the health care field, starting with being a CNA at her hometown nursing home. She then moved to the hospital front desk, which also included being a dispatcher for the local police, fire and rescue. Monica did spend 2 years in a COTA program, until the program closed. Additionally, Monica has worked in a Physical Therapy clinic and spent over 14 years at a chiropractic clinic. Monica loves kids and kids usually take right to her. In her “free” time, she loves spending time with her husband, grandkids, family and friends. She likes to spend time outside camping, kayaking, sledding, etc.

Jessica Paredes, COTA/L

Jessica received her Occupational Therapy Assistant degree from Anoka Technical College in 2013 and has been with Metro Therapy since graduating. She has always had a passion for kids. Jessica loves that every day is different at work and seeing a child accomplish something they have not been able to do before. She has special training and experience in; Therapeutic Listening and Picky Eaters versus Problem Feeders S.O.S (Sequential Oral Sequence) Feeding. When she is not working, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and spending time outdoors.

Kelsey Olson, COTA/L

Kelsey graduated from Anoka Technical College in 2012 with an associate’s degree in occupational therapy. She has been working in pediatric setting since she graduated and loves working with children. She joined Metro Therapy in April 2014. Kelsey has special training and experience in; Sensory Integration Intensive, Picky Eaters versus Problem Feeders S.O.S (Sequential Oral Sequence) Feeding, and Treating Sensory Modulation Disorder. In her down time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and enjoys outdoor activities with her kids, taking her dog on walks, and baking.

Becka Haensel, B.A., COTA/L

Becka graduated from Anoka Technical College in 2015. She has worked at Metro since her graduation. Becka also has a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education, that she acquired in 2005. She loves to work with kids in all their areas of need. Becka has special training and experience in: Hand Writing Without Tears, Self-Regulation in Children, Greenspan Floortime Approach, Sensory Integration Intensive, Complex Feeding Issues, and many more. Becka is enrolled in the Ayres Sensory Integration certification course and will become CASI certified in November 2020. Outside of work Becka enjoys spending time with her family, gardening in the summer, snowshoeing in the winter and anything art related.

Katy Fischer, B.S., COTA/L

Katy received her Occupational Therapy Assistant degree from Anoka Technical College in 2015. She also received her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2012. Katy has always been passionate about helping and teaching children and has many years of experience as a nanny and lead teacher at a daycare center prior to joining Metro Therapy’s team in June of 2015. Katy has special training and experience in Sensory and Motor Processing for Postural Control, Handwriting Without Tears, Sensory vs. Behavior, Mental Health Promotion and Intervention with Children and Youth, Sensory Integrative Intensive and Working with Adolescents with Feeding Challenges. Katy is also currently enrolled in the Ayres Sensory Integration Certificate course and will become certified in November of 2020. Outside of work Katy enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, cooking, baking and being outside.

Lindsey Brown, B.A., COTA/L

Growing up immersed in sports and surrounded by three rowdy brothers, Lindsey has always loved kinesthetics. She continued athletics at the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University, participating in cross country, track, and club volleyball while earning a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition; She continued her education at Herzing University, earning her Associate’s degree in Occupational Therapy. She began working at Metro Therapy in September of 2017 after completing a fieldwork rotation there in the Winter of 2016. Lindsey has special training and experience in: Sensory vs. Behavior, Complex Feeding Issues, Working with Adolescents with Feeding Challenges, and a Sensory Integration Intensive. She is enrolled in the Ayres Sensory Integration certification course and will become CASI certified in November 2020. OT combines her love for teaching, coaching, problem solving, and creativity with a hands-on approach. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys playing beach volleyball, softball, cooking, spending time outside, and exploring with her two little boys and husband. She looks forward to working with you!

Erin Braaten, COTA/L

Erin graduated from Northland Community and Technical College in December 2018. She joined Metro in August 2019. Since joining Metro, Erin has been learning the various treatments that are used, and getting to know everyone. Erin has a long background in working with kids of all abilities. Previously, Erin has been a personal care assistant for a child with Down Syndrome and another child with hydrocephalus and various developmental delays. Erin has always had a passion for kids and has been working in daycare settings for 5 years. In her free time, she enjoys camping, kayaking, golfing, and spending time with her family.