The Story of
Happy Hearts Therapy, LLC was founded in 2019 by a pediatric occupational therapist in Charleston, South Carolina. Our focus is to provide families the support they need to ensure their child is fully developing at their greatest potential. Many families struggle with how to best help their child; Happy Hearts Therapy is here to provide guidance, reassurance, and skilled therapy. With experienced and competent therapists, we work directly with the family and all other integral members of the child's life to create an appropriate and individualized treatment plan.
State-of-the-Art Sensory Gym
A child's sensory system is the backbone of their development. If there is a disconnect in how they process, register, modulate, or discriminate any sensory information, it can interfere with a child's ability to participate in daily life. Happy Hearts Therapy worked directly with Fun Factory Sensory Gym, LLC a leading manufacturer of custom sensory gyms and equipment. Through their collaboration and the knowledgeable sensory background of the owner of Happy Hearts Therapy, we are thrilled to provide a customized sensory gym to specifically meet the needs of children.
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Feature videos about Happy Hearts Therapy
Lindsay Kale, M.S., OTR/L
Founder & Owner of Happy Hearts Therapy
Lindsay is a licensed occupational therapist specializing in pediatrics and sensory processing disorders. Embarking on 12 years of practicing within the profession, it was time to follow her passion and dreams to create a pediatric private therapy practice. Lindsay graduated from Towson University in Maryland after completing her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. She began the first three years of her career as a school-based OT also working within early intervention and the home environment. Lindsay then discovered that the private practice/outpatient setting was her true calling; being able to work directly with the families and children to help the overall daily functioning of the family unit. She completed the University of Southern California Chan Sensory Integration Continuing Education (CE) Certificate Program, which provided extensive training of over 100 hours in sensory integration and related areas (certificate #861). Lindsay has also participated in various courses to enhance her knowledge in feeding disorders, executive functioning and self-regulation, integrating primitive reflexes, ADHD and anxiety-based disorders, ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) and the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum.
Lindsay's journey brought her to Charleston, South Carolina in 2018 from Baltimore, Maryland. She enjoys sharing in life's adventures with her family and friends, and spending time relaxing on the beach and water.
Lindsay is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association (SCOTA). She currently sits on the SCOTA board as the Lowcountry District Chair and also maintains active accreditation with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
Alexandra Wease, M.S., OTR/L
Lead Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Administrative Assistant
Alexandra “Lexie” is a licensed occupational therapist who earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Food and Nutrition at The University of Alabama. She completed her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina. She has experience working with a diverse population of pediatric diagnoses in pediatric outpatient settings. She is looking forward to growing her knowledge and education as a part of the Happy Hearts Therapy team.
Lexie knew she was passionate about the field of Occupational Therapy, specifically with children, when she was able to see the benefits of changing not only children’s lives, but the lives of families and others who were all affected. She has a huge heart for all children and dedicates herself to building strong therapeutic rapport with her families.
Lexie grew up in Columbia, SC. She enjoys spending time with family and exploring all the treasures of Charleston, especially the beaches and restaurants. She also has two mini Australian labradoodles named Floki and Rollo that she maintains hope will someday become therapy dogs.
Lexie maintains active accreditation with the NBCOT and is a member of the SCOTA.
Margaret Bloder, M.S., OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Margaret is a licensed occupational therapist who earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Recreational Therapy at Clemson University. She then completed her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy at the Medical College of Georgia. Margaret's practice area specialty is in pediatrics, including home, daycare, school, and clinic environments.
Margaret discovered more about the field of occupational therapy when her grandmother had a stroke and received OT services to increase independence with her activities of daily living. She has always known that she wanted to work with children as she grew up babysitting, volunteering for various camps, etc. She enjoys providing a calm, safe space for children to be themselves while progressing towards goals in a fun way! Margaret's infectious personality is loved by all those she encounters.
Margaret grew up in Charleston, SC. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, working at a barre studio in her free time, reading, and always exploring new and upcoming spots in Charleston!
Margaret maintains active accreditation with the NBCOT and is a member of the SCOTA.
Susie Erde, M.S., OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Susie graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute. She became interested in occupational therapy after observing many of her son’s OT sessions. She then earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, in 2017 from Mercy College.
Susie loves being a pediatric OT because it allows her to be able to combine her creativity skills with her understanding of science. She believes in a functional play-based approach to enhance her patients and their family’s quality of life, and help children become more confident at their daily occupations.
Susie has received post-graduate education in DIR Floortime and completed training in Handwriting Without Tears. She has clinical experience with a variety of disorders within the pediatric population including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Genetic Disorder, Developmental Delays, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and more.
When Susie is not busy working, she and her family enjoy going to the beach, boating, and spending time outdoors with their dogs, Indy and Millie.
Susie maintains active accreditation with the NBCOT and is a member of the SCOTA.
Emilie Schmidt, MOT, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Emilie is a licensed occupational therapist who received her Bachelor’s of Science in Occupational Sciences with a focus of Interprofessional Education, followed by her Master’s of Occupational Therapy in a condensed 5-year direct-admit program at St. Louis University. She has experience in hand therapy, working with older adults in a skilled nursing facility, and acute care rehab in an ICU. Emilie has ultimately found her passion in pediatrics, working with a variety of ages and diagnoses. She is passionate not only about changing the lives of the children she works with, but their families as well. She is thrilled to be able to continue to grow her clinical knowledge with the help of the Happy Hearts Therapy team.
Emilie has worked/lived in many places including St. Louis, MO, Denver, CO, Asheville, NC, Greenville, SC, and Rockville, MD. She is excited to finally be able to call Charleston her forever home. While Emilie is originally from Montreal, Quebec and grew up in the Chicago suburbs, she is excited to be closer to family who now reside in Columbia, SC. Emilie enjoys spending her time exploring new hiking locations and restaurants with her partner, Cameron and their dog, Juneau. She is also learning how to fly airplanes with some help from Cameron, as he is a pilot.
Emilie has continuing education through the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol and maintains active accreditation with the NBCOT and is a member of the SCOTA.
Amy Seymour, M.S., PT
Pediatric Physical Therapist
Amy is a physical therapist who earned her Master's of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa. She has experience working in outpatient pediatrics, as well as the natural environment.
Amy has especially enjoyed working in pediatrics as her own children prepare to leave the nest. She gets joy out of seeing children and their families lives bettered with improved functional mobility.
Amy grew up in the Chicagoland area. She has lived in Charleston for nearly 15 years. She enjoys all the amenities and beautiful weather that the low country has to offer. She lives locally with her husband, four children, and 2 dogs, and their exchange student.
