Therapy isn’t just about milestones—it’s about progress that feels meaningful for your child and family. Starting early allows us to meet your child where they are, celebrate every win, and help them grow in ways that matter most to you.
We hear this a lot. Here's why:
Kelly received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and her Master of Arts in Behavior Analysis from Western Michigan University. As a Clinical Director at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Kelly oversees the BCBAs and RBTs in the Vernon Hills clinic and provides support to all clients and families in the Vernon Hills location.
From the time she was a child, Kelly always knew she wanted to work with children. After loving her Intro to Psychology course in high school, she wanted to find a way to blend these two passions. As a sophomore psychology student at Notre Dame, she took a practicum course and was assigned to be an ABA therapist for a little boy with autism. She immediately knew she found her calling and never looked back! The most rewarding part of the job for Kelly is helping children achieve milestones and skills that are the most meaningful to their families.
When Kelly is not in the clinic, you are most likely to find her at one of her three children's sporting events or curled up with an historical fiction novel. Unless it's a Saturday during football season when she's cheering on the Fighting Irish!
Kayleen received her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and a Bachelor's in Psychology from St. Leo University. Kayleen previously worked as Clinical Director at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, overseeing the ABA department at Lake Bluff as well as the Diversity, Equity Inclusion and Belonging Committee (DEIB).
For Kayleen, client progress is the most rewarding part of the job. She loves providing mentorship to students and Behavior Therapists to reach their true potential. Kayleen's passion for pediatric therapy can be traced back to 2005, when her baby brother received OT, and SLP services.
Ask her about how to dance - it’s her secret talent! When Kayleen is not keeping busy with her Lake Bluff Team, you can find her on a run, or traveling with her husband and beautiful daughters.
Ryan Emry received his Bachelor of Science from The Illinois Institute of Technology, and his Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
As an Area Director at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Ryan works as a clinician while also supporting a great team of Behavior Therapists, Behavior Analysts, Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists, across multiple centers.
For Ryan, watching our children learn and grow is the most rewarding part of the job.
When Ryan is not keeping busy at the clinic, you can find him spending time with his wife and two amazing daughters.
Liza received her Bachelors of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences with Minor in Psychology from Indiana University, and a Masters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
As Vice President of Clinical Quality & Training at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Liza oversees the clinical operations of the Chicagoland locations, as well as provides internal clinical support to our BCBAs, leads the internal ABA apprenticeship fieldwork study program preparing students pursing their master’s in ABA to become BCBAs, and also serves as our internal ACE coordinator providing internal continuing education events to our team of BCBAs.
In addition to her role at NSPT, Liza also has served as an adjunct professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology teaching master’s courses to future BCBAs. For Liza, expanding the reach of our services to new communities and areas where there are limited options on comprehensive pediatric therapy providers is the most rewarding part of the job, and she loves growing the field through her work with student mentorship.
Angela Gonzales, COTA/L received her associate's degree and certification from Wright College. As a certified occupational therapy assistant at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Angela provides interventions for children to develop physical, cognitive, and sensory skills to help them play, improve school performance, and increase independence in daily living activities.
For Angela, creating a positive experience for the child is the most rewarding part of the job, and loves doing crafts with kiddos. Angela's passion for occupational therapy can be traced back to her childhood, when she observed her little brother's occupational and physical therapy sessions. Ask her about painting - it’s her secret talent. When Angela is not keeping busy with occupational therapy, you can find her going for hikes.
Maggie Goodman holds a Master’s in psychology with an emphasis in ABA from Purdue Global University. As a BCBA at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Maggie oversees a caseload of clients, as well as staff training. Maggie has been in this field for over 5 years - four and a half years had been at our Lake Bluff location and she has been at the Vernon Hills location since Jan 2025. Her favorite thing about this job is building strong relationships with my clients and watching them grow.
Ask her about her dog, he's her whole world! When Maggie is not keeping busy with work, you can find her kicking back and watching the show, Friends.
Christina received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Iowa and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Rush University in Chicago.
As a Speech-Language Pathologist at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Christina provides evaluation and intervention services for kids with a variety of communication disorders. She enjoys supporting not only children, but their whole families in the therapy process. For Christina, the most rewarding part of the job is making meaningful connections with families and supporting their ability to communicate about their shared experiences.
When Christina is not keeping busy finding creative ways to help families meet their communication goals, you will probably find her at the library with her kids. She enjoys listening to audiobooks and podcasts, spending time with her family, baking, and learning how to crochet.
Caitlyn received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Iowa and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
As Lead Assistant Clinical Coordinator at North Shore Pediatric Therapy in Vernon Hills, Caitlyn assists with BCBA client caseloads in updating and creating behavioral interventions, training and supervising new BTs, and collaborates with client families on their child’s progress.
For Caitlyn, seeing her kiddos’ smiles and progress every day, no matter how big or small, is the most rewarding part of the job. When Caitlyn is not keeping busy with updating behavior interactions or skill acquisition programming, you can find her at the gym!
How We Care
From the very first conversation, we get to know your child as a whole person — their strengths, their personality, what makes them light up. Then we build a plan around them and your family's everyday life, because real progress has to fit the people living it.
Every plan starts with the child in front of us, not a standard package of hours. We look at who your child is and what they need right now, and we adjust as they grow.
A plan only works if your family can live it. We weigh your routines, your priorities, and your family's wellbeing so therapy supports your whole household, not just a calendar.
We guide and coach you every step of the way, because the most meaningful progress keeps going at home, long after a session ends.
Your child is never a diagnosis or a number to us. We get to know the person you love, and we measure success by the moments that matter to your family.
Talk with our Vernon Hills team about the right support for your child. After filling out our form, you'll find: free consultations, a complimentary benefits check, and a quick, personal reply from our team.
Contact usEvery service below exists to close a real gap in your child's day — at home, at school, with friends. Here's what we work on, and why it matters.
Our BCBAs build programs around your child's strengths, interests, and what matters most to your family, then adjust constantly as they grow, learn, and surprise everyone. Great ABA is playful, connected, and shaped by your child’s voice, and that’s the standard we’re known for.
Explore ABA Therapy at NSPT →
Our mental health clinicians support children ages 3+ in understanding their emotions, building regulation strategies, and feeling more at home in their own minds, while keeping families informed and connected throughout.
Explore Mental Health and Social Work →Our physical therapists support children who are building gross motor skills, coordination, strength, and balance — because every child deserves to move through the world on their own terms.
Explore Physical Therapy →Our in-house neuropsychologists provide comprehensive autism evaluations for children 18 months and up. No referral maze. No 9-month wait.
A full picture of your child's strengths and support needs, delivered with care and honesty.
Whether your child is building their first words, expanding their language, or exploring new foods and textures, our speech-language pathologists meet them exactly where they are and open doors to richer communication.
Explore Speech and Feeding Therapy →OT builds the daily living skills that shape a child's confidence — getting dressed, holding a pencil, navigating sensory experiences.
Our occupational therapists work alongside your child to make those moments feel more manageable and more theirs.
Our Vernon Hills center sits on Lakeview Parkway, easy to reach for families across town and from neighboring Libertyville, Mundelein, and Lincolnshire. Whether you're coming from Hawthorn Mall, Century Park, or Milwaukee Avenue, getting your child to consistent, weekly therapy shouldn't mean a long drive—and here it doesn't.
We work hand-in-hand with the schools your kids actually attend. That means coordinating with Hawthorn School District 73 and Community High School District 128 on IEP goals, evaluations, and the language that shows up in your child's school day. You'll see support that lines up with what their teachers and therapists are already doing, not generic recommendations.
And because Vernon Hills is built for families—Century Park and its lakes, the shops and dining at Hawthorn, and the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens nearby—we focus on the real-world skills that let your child take part: regulating in a busy playground, joining a team, ordering for themselves on a Saturday outing. Therapy that travels off the mat and into their actual life here.
Yes. Our Vernon Hills clinic at 565 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 150 provides center-based ABA therapy for children with autism, plus autism testing, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and mental health services. We serve families across Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Mundelein, Lincolnshire, and central Lake County.
We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and accept many major plans, including Optum, United Healthcare, Tricare, Multiplan, and NorthShore. We'll run a complimentary benefits check so you know your coverage before your child starts.
We support children from as young as 18 months through the teen years. Early autism testing is available for children 18 months to 4 years, and ABA programs are tailored to each child's age, strengths, and goals.
We work hard to keep wait times short. After you reach out, our team walks you through a benefits check, paperwork, and an assessment, then builds a personalized plan so your child can begin as soon as possible.
Our Vernon Hills location is a spacious, dedicated pediatric therapy center with private one-on-one therapy rooms, sensory and gym space, and our Blossom Prep classroom for school readiness. Care here is center-based; ask our team about the options that best fit your family.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapy that helps children build communication, social, and daily-living skills through individualized, play-based teaching led by a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA).
Yes. We offer early autism testing for young children and can guide your family through the evaluation process and next steps if a diagnosis is identified.
Families come to our Vernon Hills clinic from Libertyville, Mundelein, Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove, Hawthorn Woods, Long Grove, and Grayslake.
North Shore Pediatric Therapy is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and accepts most major plans — including Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Tricare, Multiplan, and NorthShore. Before your child begins, we run a complimentary benefits check on your behalf, so you understand your coverage up front.
Not sure about your plan, or whether you need a referral?
Call us at 877-486-4140 and our team will walk you through every step.
North Shore Pediatric Therapy provides compassionate, neuroaffirming care for children and families. Our expert team offers autism testing, ABA therapy, speech, occupational, and physical therapy. For over 25 years, we’ve partnered with families to help every child grow, learn, and thrive.
Services at North Shore Pediatric Therapy and Gracent Pediatric Therapy centers are provided by affiliated professional corporations.
