Northeast Recreation Therapists

Shaun graduated from Indiana Institute of Technology in 2003 with a bachelor’s in science degree in Therapeutic Recreation. While attending Indiana Tech, Shaun was a four-year baseball player earning All-American recognition and was featured in Sports Illustrated. Shaun has a leisure focus in his personal time participating in a variety of active sports and feels that leisure participation, at any level, is necessary in forming a healthy lifestyle. He has worked in a variety of settings that include physical rehabilitation, adult transitional care, and adolescent group and psychiatric. Shaun came to Ferraro Behavior Services in July 2010. 

 Blaque graduated from Indiana Tech with a Bachelors Degree in Recreational Therapy in May 2019. He passed his CTRS test in May of 2019 as well and started working with FBS a month later! He has a love for hiking, physical fitness, nature walks, video games, movies, social outings, and spending time with my family. He uses his own experiences and others learned experiences he has read about to be a better therapist and help his clients become more independent, socially inclined, physically active, mentally healthy, and have as high of a quality-of-life measure as he can provide. Blaque is always learning and growing and hope to be a benefit to the greater Indiana community!

Emma graduated in May 2017 from the University of Toledo with a bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy. In addition to the 5 different clinical experiences completed, she also volunteered weekly at the Perceptual Motor Development clinic on campus for children with developmental disabilities. She completed an internship of 560 hours with FBS before being hired on as a CTRS. Her favorite sessions include activities such as community outings, arts and crafts, and animal assisted therapy with her dog Cricket. Emma likes to use as many fun activities as possible in accomplishing client goals.

Kayla received her masters in Recreation Professions with a focus in therapeutic recreation at Southern Illinois University in August of 2020. She’s completed several internships, projects, and volunteer opportunities involving people with disabilities and/or animal assisted therapy. She interned with Ferraro Behavior Services in summer 2020 and then moved from her hometown in Missouri to officially start as a FBS Rec therapist in October of 2020.

“My favorite part of rec therapy is that it’s like therapy in disguise!! Helping clients reach their goals through fun, leisure, and community engagement is truly the best job in the world! When I’m not working with my clients, you can find me watching YouTube videos, thrifting, cooking, or cuddling with one of my animals!”

I am a Certified a Therapeutic Recreational specialist who graduated from the University of Toledo in May 2017 with a Bachelor of science in therapeutic recreation. Over the course of my time at school I had many opportunities to work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While in school I completed 5 different clinicals along with a 560-hour internship. I have also had the privilege of going on multiple mission trips out of the country where I have worked with individuals with developmental disabilities. I have found my true passion during these trips and cannot wait to help others with disabilities along with growing as an individual in this incredible field with Ferraro Behavior Services.

 Morgan graduated in May 2017 from Grand Valley State University in Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy and a minor in Juvenile Justice. She completed her volunteer hours during school at Mary Free Bed’s wheelchair camp, Kids in Motion working with children from boys and girls club, and Young Athletes working with children with developmental disabilities. She did her fieldwork at SpringHill camps in Michigan as a One on One counselor with teens with disabilities. She also completed her internship with FBS of 560 hours before being hired on as a CTRS. Morgan’s favorite activities she especially like to include in sessions are sports, board and card games, holiday activities and outings, animal assisted therapy with her dog Ellie and pretty much anything outdoors.  

Ohlashia is originally from Lubbock, Texas, but she lived in Michigan almost her entire life. Ohlashia graduated Cum Laude from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Therapeutic Recreation December 13th, 2014. She has had 2 internships in Long Term Care. Her first internship was at Masonic Pathways in Alma, Michigan and her second internship was at The Laurels in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. She worked for Meaningful Day Services under the Medicaid Waiver program for 3 years with individuals with Developmental Disabilities. Ohlashia has volunteered for the Special Olympics for 5 years. She has volunteered for Wellsprings Lutheran home in Michigan for years. Ohlashia is a Guardianship Advocate for Mental Health of America NE Indiana. Ohlashia also helps take care of her sister who has a developmental disability. She began working with Ferraro Behavior Services in October 2018. Ohlashia loves working with FBS and is happy to see the positive changes in her clients lives. 

 Payton received a Bachelors Degree in Recreational Therapy from Indiana University Bloomington in May of 2019. She has participated in various projects including volunteer work at Agape Therapeutic Riding Center, Jacobs School of Music adaptive dance program, summer camps for people with disabilities, several event planning projects, and more. She completed an internship with Ferraro Behavior Services in Spring 2019 and began her recreational therapy journey shortly after! In her free time, Payton enjoys dancing, painting, drawing, kayaking, horticulture, and spending time with her animals. She believes that recreation and leisure play an important role in maintaining a high quality-of-life, and is dedicated to providing that opportunity to her clients. 

Stephanie Raymond graduated Cum Laude from Central Michigan University in December of 2016. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Parks and Leisure Administration with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. During her time at Central, Stephanie participated in programs such as Adopt A Grandparent and worked as an activity programmer at summer camps and respite care. Stephanie completed her internship during the summer of 2016 at Pine Rest Behavioral Hospital where she worked in the child and adolescent unit with patients who had diagnosis of depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, ADHD, and some patients who were on the Autism spectrum. Stephanie is excited to instill her "keep moving forward" philosophy with her clients and grow personally and professionally with FBS. 

Tia is a 2003 graduate of Central Michigan University where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy. Currently, Tia is pursuing her Master’s degree in psychology! 

Her take on recreational therapy is to remain fluid, always meeting people where they’re at mentally, physically, and emotionally. Recreational therapy should improve quality of life above anything else. She believes that there is no “one size fits all” approach because we all have different abilities, backgrounds, interests, and needs. She is person-centered and sees everyone in their entirety, allowing her to customize individual care continuously. 

Fun Fact! Tia has the sweetest dog ever, Louie, and he is an Emotional Support Animal! You can look forward to having him available to you or your loved ones in the future during their sessions if you’d like!