OUR MISSION
A Comprehensive Therapy Service
ACTS is here to provide exceptional therapy services by a qualified team of experts. Our staff believes in creating opportunities that encourage patients to participate, communicate and perform in a playful, safe and joy-filled environment.
We are here to serve you!
OUR FOUNDERS
“We are the founders and co-owners of ACTS THERAPY with over 70 years of combined SLP experience. We strive to support our staff so they can do their very best for you. ”
OUR TEAM
Occupational Therapists
JENNIE LEE
Hi there! I am so happy to be here! After graduating from August University in 2017 with my masters in occupational therapy, I moved to charming Greenville, SC and worked at a pediatric outpatient clinic for five years before I moved back home to Fayetteville, GA in the fall of 2022. Working with children and their families to achieve goals and find hope has been my passion and one of my greatest joys. I have worked alongside many children and young adults with autism, down syndrome, sensory processing challenges, severe behavioral challenges, developmental delays, anxiety, trauma, and learning challenges. I consider it a privilege to be trusted to play a part in the life of each patient and family I serve. When I’m out of the office, you will most likely find me spending time with my wild family (they finally convinced me to move home), walking outside with my dog aka “Macky boy”, curled up with a good book, or trying a new coffee shop with a friend. I can’t wait to meet you and your child!
BAILEY BEVIL
KELLY NASTASI
Hello! My name is Kelly. I received my occupational therapy degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2006, and I have worked in pediatrics since that time. Pediatrics has always been my passion, and I cannot imagine working with another population. I love working with children and their families to help them reach their goals and milestones. I have worked for children's hospitals and private clinics in South Carolina and Georgia providing outpatient and inpatient coverage. I have found, though, that I prefer the outpatient setting since it allows me the opportunity to really build relationships with my patients and their families. I love being able to celebrate with everyone when certain goals are met and new skills are gained! As for my personal life, I have been happily married to my wonderful husband since 2002. We have two daughters who keep us busy! We have had the opportunity to live in Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA during our marriage, and I LOVED living at the beach. However, I was born and raised in this area, so it has been nice to live back "home" surrounded by family the past several years. My hobbies include lounging on the beach, reading a good book, singing, baking, and completing jigsaw puzzles. I hate having to go into Atlanta for anything (ha!), most vegetables, and being in large crowds. One day when I "grow up," I'd love to learn gardening, painting, photography, and the violin.
KATIE LEATHERWOOD
My name is Katie Leatherwood. I am an occupational therapist with 12 years of experience in the field of pediatrics. I’m married to my husband of 12 years and we have 3 children together. I have worked part time in occupational therapy for the last 9 years as I raise and homeschool my children. My hobbies include sewing, photography, and crafting of all sorts. After graduating with a Masters from MCG, I began my career with Babies Can’t Wait. After a few years I moved over to CHOA from 2010-2018. I enjoy working with children and watching them grow and make gains toward developmental milestones. I pray that I would be as much of a blessing to them as they are to me.
ELIZABETH LINDSEY
Hey! My name is Elizabeth. I am a pediatric occupational therapist. I live in Fayetteville with my husband, son, ducks, bees, and dog. I graduated from Concordia University in Wisconsin with my master’s degree in occupational therapy in 2015, and I happily moved to the warmer Georgia climate upon graduation. I have worked in inpatient rehab, acute care, pediatric outpatient therapy, school-based therapy, and home health. I also continue to work with Babies Can’t Wait. Growing up with a mom who is a physical therapist, my love for rehab began from a young age. Having personally overcome challenges and obstacles from being a micro-preemie, I have a passion for providing care for patients and families with challenges they are facing - anything from orthopedic, neuro, developmental delays, genetic disorders, coordination deficits, sensory processing disorder, autism, picky eating, behavioral challenges and more. I love seeing the beauty in each child and working with their unique gifts to help them maximize their abilities so they can discover new joys of play in school and home. When I’m not at work, I enjoy exploring the outdoors with my toddler and husband, hiking, kayaking, camping, bee keeping, apple picking, and trips to the beach and mountains (being from the midwest, I now feel a little spoiled having both mountains and beaches in one state). And I always cherish spending time with my family and friends near and far.
DENISE VERMILYA
Physical Therapists
DEBBIE BRIDGEMAN
I have been a physical therapist for nearly 25 years graduating from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga in 1995. I have been fortunate to be able to have worked in a great variety of settings throughout my career, but my true love is working with children! I have spent the better part of the past 10 years working exclusively in pediatrics at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and I am happy now to transfer the skills learned there to ACTs Therapy! Additional areas of specialty for me include casting/splinting, vestibular rehabilitation, cardio-pulmonary, cerebral palsy, and hypotonia. Outside of work I enjoy baking, reading, sewing, and hiking with my husband as well as spending time with my 2 college aged kids and 2 dogs.
MONICA JENKINS
I have been a licensed physical therapist since 1999. I completed my undergraduate degree at Wake Forest University and my Master's degree at UNC-Chapel Hill. From 2001-2003 I worked in Fulton County schools and provided aquatic therapy at Dynamo Swim club. I have worked with Babies Can't Wait. I landed at CHOA from 2004-2019 and continue to provide weekend PT support at CHOA in the CIRU. It has been my pleasure to join the ACTS family working with children in my own community. My heart smiles when I help a child take first steps, learn to crawl, get strong enough to do the things they enjoy, and learn to move with less risk for falling. I see each child as having potential and I find joy in helping to guide them in the direction of their own possibilities. I enjoy bike riding, reading, writing, Netflix binging, and going to the movie theater. I am thankful for every day I can be a blessing to my family, my church, my friends, and the children whose lives I have been given the opportunity to make a difference.
LAURA BALDWIN
Hi! My name is Laura & I graduated with my doctorate degree in physical therapy in 2009 from Georgia State University with a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology. My love for this field has allowed me to work in a variety of settings from inpatient adult rehab to outpatient clinics and a variety of pediatric settings. I love Physical Therapy because it provides both adults & kiddos with an ability to develop and restore their maximum physical function along with improving their quality of life. When I am not at ACTS, I enjoy spending time with my husband and 4 precious boys. We love to spend time outdoors and host friends in our home as much as possible.
Speech Therapists
JEN MUNIZ
I have been a speech language pathologist since 1994. I received my undergraduate degree at Florida State University and my master’s degree from The College of New Jersey. I have worked in many settings over the years including the public schools, sub-acute care rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities, pediatric rehabilitation facilities, and early intervention. Throughout these different experiences, I have gained knowledge and skills across many aspects of speech and language such as early language development, articulation, autism, apraxia, feeding disorders with both infants and children as well as adult rehabilitation. I truly enjoy building relationships with my clients and families and helping to make a positive impact on their lives. I live with my husband and two children in Senoia, GA and try to find time to relax when I am not working by spending time with friends and family, reading, cooking, and exercising.
DEECIE CHAMBLESS
GINA CABRERA-BENSON
PAYTON HOERNER
KYLA MONTGOMERY
JENNY CUTTS
I have been a speech-language pathologist since 2010. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia and my Master’s degree at Auburn University. I worked at CHOA from 2011 to 2019 and I am currently privileged to serve families through ACTS. I am passionate about helping young children find their “voice” and learn to communicate more effectively. I enjoy walking with families through the process and teaching caregivers how to become a speech therapist themselves. I especially enjoy treating children with apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorder, and hearing impairment. When I am away from work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I live in Senoia with my husband, two children, and fur baby. Each day is filled with joy and never a dull moment with littles to care for at work and home.
KATY HOYOS
I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Kennesaw State University in 2007. After teaching for several years, I returned to school to pursue a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of West Georgia in 2014. As a speech pathologist, I have experience working in a variety of settings, but find pediatric therapy most rewarding. I enjoy collaborating with families, caregivers and clients to facilitate communication skill development. In my free time I enjoy attending my children’s sporting events, traveling to the beach or mountains, and spending time outdoors with my husband, our sons and our playful puppy.
BRITTANY SANDLIN
After graduating from Berry College in 2013 with my bachelor’s degree, I attended Georgia State University to pursue a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. I graduated in 2016 and immediately started practicing as a Speech-Language Pathologist. In 2017, I completed my clinical fellowship year at The Howard School in Atlanta, GA. After receiving my Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP), I continued to work at Howard as an SLP serving students of various ages with language-based learning disabilities. I married my best friend in September of 2021, and after realizing that the city life was no longer for us, we relocated to Serenbe. This move resulted in me accepting a new position at Landmark Christian School as an Elementary Learning Specialist/SLP. I learned about ACTS through my job at Landmark and felt a strong calling to journey down the private clinic path. I am so excited to join the ACTS family and grow even more as an SLP! I specifically have a passion for helping children with language and/or articulation disorders communicate more effectively and develop a sense of connection to the world and others. Seeing children feel heard, seen, and understood as a result of speech therapy drives my practice. In my free time, I love hanging out with my family, friends, and my dog Bentley. Although I love to see and experience new places, I’m very much a home body and find joy in the simple things in life. I love being surrounded by nature and soaking in its beauty. I’m also a certified yoga instructor and crave movement! Yoga is my therapy, and I love to incorporate it into my SLP practice when appropriate.
KELSEY CHASE
I completed both my undergraduate and graduate degree at the University of Wyoming in the small town of Laramie, Wyoming. Before I moved to Georgia in 2016, I lived in Colorado for 10 years. I graduated and began practicing as a Speech-Language Pathologist in 2016. I previously worked at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for 3 years. I currently work at ACTS and I am enjoying every moment! I enjoy working at ACTS because we are a family of therapists that have a desire to serve families on the Southside of Atlanta. I thoroughly enjoy working with children and their families to meet communication goals. Working as a Speech-Language Pathologist gives me great joy because I can help enable children and their families to communicate effectively to connect with each other and friends. I also specialize in feeding and voice disorders. In my free me, I enjoy spending me with family and friends. I really like to be outside either working in my yard, hiking, running, or playing with my Goldendoodle, Mr. Darcy. I also love to travel! I have been on multiple mission trips with my church. Newnan is home and I am frequently on the walking paths or in historic downtown.
MICHELE COLE CLARK
I have worked as a speech pathologist for over 33 years with 28 years focused in pediatrics and pediatric feeding concerns. I’ve spent the last 12 years exclusively focusing on the needs and successes of infants, toddlers and children struggling to learn to eat by mouth.
I have also presented and trained speech pathologists across the state of Georgia, regionally, and nationally regarding feeding skill development and feeding disorders in children, as well as contributed extensively to the growing body of research focused on pediatric feeding concerns.
I am so excited to join the ACTS Therapy group, and so happy to be once again in my home community serving the families of Fayette and surrounding counties lending my expertise in behavioral feeding concerns!
BROOKE BARNES
Tutors
JANELLE AKEY
I am honored and privileged to be a part of ACTS wonderful team!! You are surrounded by such a loving and giving staff! As an introduction, I received my undergraduate degree from University of California, Irvine, in Psychology and Social Behavior, while also earning minors in Education, Piano Performance, and Piano Pedagogy. Upon graduating in 2003, I worked with inner-city schools as a counselor and educator, while continuing to teach piano, playing for local churches, and accompanying as a pianist for music majors at the collegiate level before starting a family of my own.
I began homeschooling my children and taught them for over 13 years using state-sponsored charter programs and as a leader and teacher within Classical Conversations. Within my homeschooling technique, I integrated visual arts, music, dance, drama, and technology, to engage my kids in mastering the essential concepts. I have been an educator since college, both in my academia and in running a successful piano studio of over thirty students at its peak, so my heart has always been in finding engaging ways to teach… this proved successful in my journey as a homeschooling parent.
Once my kids got older, I went back to school to earn my Masters of Arts in Elementary Education and Georgia Teaching Certification from Western Governors University in 2019. I currently teach third grade at Trinity Christian School, and I absolutely love inspiring these students to become life-long learners and to sharpen their individual giftings and skill sets. I thrive on finding creative ways to help students master topics that seem “impossible” and to equip them with the tools needed to be successful.
In my spare time, I enjoy sports and travel with my husband and three kids. Our hobbies include playing tennis, going to NBA games and playing/coaching basketball, swimming, bike riding, and supporting my daughter as she practices her gymnastic skills. I continue to teach piano part-time to students because music will always be a special part of my life.
I am a life-long learner with an open heart to learn new things and be the best I can be as a wife, mom, teacher, educator, and coach. I look forward to meeting you!
BETHANY WALTERS
Hello! My name is Bethany Walters, and I am so thrilled to be a part of the ACTS Team. I was born and raised in Southern California, and I attended Biola University for both undergraduate and graduate studies. During graduate school, I was trained and worked at Lindamood-Bell, which equipped me to help teach children with unique learning styles. Shortly after receiving my Masters in Education, I moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where I taught the 4th grade for 5 years. While living in Utah, I met my husband and had my two beautiful daughters, which led me to take pause in teaching. My second daughter needed some special care after her birth, which contributed to my heart’s desire to help children within the hospital setting. I was blessed to have the unique opportunity to teach at Primary Children’s Hospital, where children could continue their academics while receiving care. In 2017, my husband received a position within his company that led us to Peachtree City, GA. We love that we get to call Georgia our home! My two daughters are now in school full time, and I have been desiring to reignite my passion for teaching children. I am so excited to embark on this new journey, where I am able to use my passion to help children succeed in meaningful ways. During my free time, I love traveling with my family, exploring nature, and serving as a middle school youth leader at my church. It’s an honor to have this opportunity to help children reach their goals and see them smile and thrive!
CARMEN HOLLINGSWORTH
My role at ACTS is to serve this wonderful team of therapists and support as needed. My prior experience and educational background includes marketing management , small business ownership and operations and property management.
I am currently enrolled with Liberty University working towards my BS in Marketing Communication.
When I’m not working with ACTS, I enjoy being with my two sons, substitute teaching at Trinity Christian School, cooking and baking, spending time outdoors and sharing life with family and friends!
SUE BOWERS
My name is Sue Bowers and I am a trained Orton-gillingham reading instructor with ACTS THERAPY. I worked in the Fayette County School System for 12 years with elementary age children. For the past 3 years and currently I work with special needs adults at an organization called Adults In Action – a community based day program. I enjoy working with students of all ages and discovering their unique learning styles.
JAMIE HERTHA
Hello! My name is Jamie. I am finishing my tenth year of teaching. The last 8 years have been spent with Fayette County Schools teaching special education-general curriculum. This past year I earned my Dyslexia endorsement and completed my Orton-Gillingham 30 hour training. I am finishing up the LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) professional development course, which is a program accredited by the International Dyslexia Association. I love teaching kids to read!! In my free time I enjoy doing crafts, reading, and hiking.
JIM BRIDGEMAN
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