MEET OUR TEAM
Larry M. Zier, OTD, OTR/L
Some describe their work as a calling, an unexplainable pull to a particular field of interest, or at the very least, an overwhelming desire to make a difference. For Larry, it happened well into a career in business. Its impact was so great that he changed careers, returning to school to work with children in an area that is little understood and certainly underserved.
Larry Zier, OTD, OTR/L, earned his clinical doctorate degree from Creighton University. He has received training in the areas of sensory integration, the DIR/Floortime approach, and therapeutic listening, and holds a Profectum DIR certification. Larry was inspired to become an occupational therapist to create a more relationship-based option for parents and have an opportunity to offer an alternative to power and control.
His passion is working with children and helping them to achieve their highest potential physically, emotionally, and socially. His approach is to treat each child as an individual, always keeping in mind their unique strengths and differences. He strongly believes in the role of family involvement, as well as collaboration with caregivers, teachers, and other professionals, as integral to a child’s growth and overall success. Larry enjoys work on all aspects of family and child development – motor system, sensory system, emotion system, and then tying them all together in dynamic experiences.
Larry and his wife, Peggy are from Omaha, NE, and have four children. Along with his family, he enjoys running, biking, yoga, boxing, and anything that will get him outside. If he wasn’t an OT, we’d probably find Larry restoring wooden boats in Michigan.
Stephanie Young, OTD, OTR/L
Stephanie received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology and her clinical doctorate in occupational therapy at Creighton University. Stephanie is trained in the areas of Bowen Family Systems, DIR/Floortime, DIR Profectum Level 1 Certification, Adolescent Emotional Development, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
Stephanie, along with the Zier Institute, has developed a program for teenagers for understanding emotional intelligence and its power to transform learning and relationships. This new program called “Compass” helps to transform teens’ lives. Compass equips young adults with the internal tools they need to navigate this essential period in their lives – all in a safe, engaging environment.
Inspired to become an OT by Larry Zier’s work and the importance of social-emotional development. Stephanie is rewarded by how OTs can support this area of human growth. As a lifelong learner, she learns from her clients each day as she builds relationships and connections with families and kids of all ages. She enjoys Zier Institue’s welcoming and laid-back nature. Families are comfortable when they walk in the door and that is important to her as a therapist at Zier Institute. Superhero Stephanie would possess a confidence that never wavers – she has us fooled because all we see is a confident leader and excellent OT!
Stephanie grew up in Minnesota with a large extended family that helped shape her interest in family systems. She spent most of her free time on missions to Guatemala, Mexico, Texas, and rural Minnesota towns. While in college she honed her leadership and relationship skills in Greek life and volunteering time to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Today, she enjoys running, biking, baking, exploring Omaha, and traveling to see family and friends.
Emilee Hunter-Maguire, OTD, OTR/L
Emilee was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and moved to Omaha to attend Creighton University in 2010. Emilee earned her bachelor’s degree of psychology in 2014, worked for Creighton Campus Ministry and towards her Master’s of Theology in 2015, and graduated from Creighton’s Occupational Therapy program in 2018–a true blue jay! She also holds a Profectum DIR/Floortime level 1 certification. Prior to coming to Zier Institute, Emilee worked with Amy Zier + Associates abroad in Italy.
Emilee is (almost) a 300hr certified yoga instructor, certified in Children’s yoga, and has completed seminar I of John Barnes’ myofascial release training. She teaches yoga in the Omaha area. Her specific areas of research include animal-assisted therapy, time management skills, and a case study where yoga was used as the primary intervention in a child with anxiety. Emilee incorporates several principles of yoga into most of her OT sessions with clients at the Zier Institute.
In her work as an OT at Zier Institute, she’s inspired by meeting people where they’re at and joining them in building a better life, whatever that means for them! Emilee thrives in Zier Institute’s clinic environment as it’s a space for everybody–kids and adults alike. She also thinks she has the best co-workers in the world. Right back at you, Emilee
Emilee grew up in Lincoln, NE. She counts among her defining experiences the summers she spent as a camp counselor, supporting children and teens in meeting their personal goals. She was inspired to become a pediatric occupational therapist because of the comprehensive approach to mind, body, and spirit–and loves that there are so many different settings and populations!
Emilee enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, Zeus. She also enjoys reading, cooking, playing games (board games and cards are her favorites!), and soaking up the sun with 50+ SPF!
Emilee Hunter-Maguire, OTD, OTR/L
Theresa Kennelly, OTD, OTR/L
Lainey Russell, OTD, OTR/L
Kayla Peck, OTD, OTR/L
Kayla was born and raised in Omaha, only a few blocks away from Creighton, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science and continued to complete her clinical doctorate of occupational therapy. Kayla grew up familiar with the field of occupational therapy with an occupational therapist mother and physical therapist father. She knew she wanted to go into one of these fields, but it was not until she discovered the DIR/Floortime model of Zier Institute that she settled on occupational therapy.
Kayla spent many years as a competitive gymnast. She found a way to integrate her love of gymnastics with occupational therapy as the director of a program at her gym for kids with special needs. This is where Kayla was able to see the impact of full-body movement on the sensory system, and she realized this was where she wanted to focus her practice. She continues to use the knowledge she gained during this time in her occupational therapy practice as she loves to incorporate gymnastics moves into her sessions to impact the sensory systems.
When she’s not at the clinic, Kayla enjoys reading books, playing chess, going for walks, spending time outside, eating ice cream, and playing with her dog, Luna.
Your Tech Therapist
Michael is the owner of Your Tech Therapist and has been doing technical support for small businesses and individuals since 2010. Michael regularly supports Zier Institute by fixing technical issues, optimizing technical workflow, offering training, and much more.
Due to the way Michael has built Your Tech Therapist he is able to offer support for many others across the Omaha area and is always interested in meeting new clients who may be in need of Michael’s services.
(402) 431-2892
michael@yourtechtherapist.com
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