Hope Therapy Center

Creating Hope for our children with Special Needs-Learning Delays by providing functional therapy that allows children to gain success and confidence.

Hope Therapy Center

At Hope Therapy Center, real relationships are at the heart of everything we do.

From the beginning, our mission has been to make a lasting impact on our community by delivering care that’s rooted in compassion, creativity, and purpose.

We believe that growth happens through grace and that every child deserves to be met exactly where they are. We celebrate their unique strengths, walk alongside them through challenges, and cheer them on every step of the way.

Our therapy goes beyond the walls of the clinic. With hands-on, outside-the-box strategies, we create real-life experiences that are both functional and motivating, helping children build confidence, grow in independence, and find joy in every step forward.

EFA-Approved

We are an approved vendor for the Arkansas Education Freedom Account (EFA), a state program that gives money directly to families for their child’s education. This means our therapy services are now more accessible than ever!

What does that mean for you?
  • Financial Lifesaver: Each approved student receives about $6,864 per year—money families can use to give their child the best support possible.
  • Our Clinic is Approved! Families can use these funds to pay us directly for their child’s therapy.
  • The Copay/Deductible Hack: Even if a family has insurance, they can use their EFA funds to cover those annoying copays and deductibles for our services. This is a HUGE benefit!

— Hope Therapy Center —

Our Values

Transparency

Open communication is key to building trust and fostering positive relationships within our team and with our clients. We are committed to transparency in all aspects of our work, from sharing information about treatment plans and progress to addressing concerns or questions openly and honestly.

Community

At Hope Therapy Center, we recognize the importance of community – both within our organization and in the broader community we serve. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected and connected. By working together collaboratively, we can achieve our shared goals and make a meaningful impact the lives of the children and families we serve.

Education

We believe in the power of continuous learning and growth. As a member of our team, you will have access to ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge. By staying informed about the latest therapies and techniques, we can provide the best possible care to our patients.

Dedication

Our team is driven by a deep sense of dedication and passion for our work. We are committed to going above and beyond to provide compassionate care and support to each and every child who walks through our doors. Through our unwavering dedication, we can help children reach their full potential and empower them to lead fulfilling lives.

Grace

Grace is essential to the work we do each day. Grace allows us to meet each child where they are, to extend patience during challenges, and to support one another as a team with compassion. In a field built on growth, learning, and healing, grace reminds us that progress takes, time and that kindness toward ourselves and others is not just appreciated, it’s necessary.

— Hope Therapy Center —

Meet the Team

— Hope Therapy Center —

Take A Tour

We love Hope Therapy. They have and continue to do so much for our daughter. Best decision I ever made was switching her to hope!!!!
The Schneiders
We love Hope Therapy. They have and continue to do so much for our daughter. Best decision I ever made was switching her to hope!!!!
The Schneiders
The Schneiders
Hope Therapy offers extraordinary therapeutic services in a family oriented environment. You feel like you belong while receiving top notch therapies-what more could you ask for?!
Tiffany Mouada
Hope Therapy offers extraordinary therapeutic services in a family oriented environment. You feel like you belong while receiving top notch therapies-what more could you ask for?!
Tiffany Mouada
Tiffany Mouada
This therapy center has made a huge impact on my daughter's wellness. HTC is caring, professional, quick to answer messages, and has insight into our needs. I have watched my daughter grow immensely in strength and hope as she is taught life skills and adaptations that she will carry with her always. She LIKES going to therapy!
AES
This therapy center has made a huge impact on my daughter's wellness. HTC is caring, professional, quick to answer messages, and has insight into our needs. I have watched my daughter grow immensely in strength and hope as she is taught life skills and adaptations that she will carry with her always. She LIKES going to therapy!
AES
AES
Our son felt lost and was very closed off because of social anxieties. We found Hope Therapy Center. We have all good things to say about Hope, mostly all the wonderful guidance and emotional support they provide and show our family. They are caring and compassionate people, and we are very grateful for what they have done for our family!
The Reynolds
Our son felt lost and was very closed off because of social anxieties. We found Hope Therapy Center. We have all good things to say about Hope, mostly all the wonderful guidance and emotional support they provide and show our family. They are caring and compassionate people, and we are very grateful for what they have done for our family!
The Reynolds
The Reynolds
So happy God has placed these therapist in our lives. Some of the most dedicated in the business.More than anything they truly care!!! Good luck and God bless! Proud of you for taking this journey.
Kym Hamlin-Pope
So happy God has placed these therapist in our lives. Some of the most dedicated in the business.More than anything they truly care!!! Good luck and God bless! Proud of you for taking this journey.
Kym Hamlin-Pope
Kym Hamlin-Pope
I love working at this clinic. There aren't too many places I have worked that offers great services in a true Christian atmosphere. Van Buren is blessed to have this addition to the community.
Patricia Marquis
I love working at this clinic. There aren't too many places I have worked that offers great services in a true Christian atmosphere. Van Buren is blessed to have this addition to the community.
Patricia Marquis
Patricia Marquis
I’m so thankful for Hope Therapy Center. I had been trying to get some testing done for my son for a year and a half through the school, and could not get anywhere. Sara was amazing in helping me navigate through everything and understand my sons strengths and weaknesses and what we could do for him. They did all the insurance work and correspondence to his pediatrician. I have sung their praises to multiple people.
Garthe Khristian Goodwin
I’m so thankful for Hope Therapy Center. I had been trying to get some testing done for my son for a year and a half through the school, and could not get anywhere. Sara was amazing in helping me navigate through everything and understand my sons strengths and weaknesses and what we could do for him. They did all the insurance work and correspondence to his pediatrician. I have sung their praises to multiple people.
Garthe Khristian Goodwin
Garthe Khristian Goodwin
Hope Therapy Center is a great place! The staff are amazing!
Sueli Malheiros Soto
Hope Therapy Center is a great place! The staff are amazing!
Sueli Malheiros Soto
Sueli Malheiros Soto
Everyone is very kind a welcoming and more then willing too work with parents about what's best for their children!!
Kimber Lockaby
Everyone is very kind a welcoming and more then willing too work with parents about what's best for their children!!
Kimber Lockaby
Kimber Lockaby
Sara Adair
CEO
Sara Adair
Susie Spencer
SLP
Susie Spencer

I’ve been a speech-language pathologist for 37 years and an academic language therapist for the last 19 years. I married the love of my life and started my career 37 years ago in Texas, working in Lewisville Independent School District. Nick and I moved back to Arkansas 5 years later to be closer to family. We have 2 sons, Cade and Cole who live in North Carolina and Fayetteville, Arkansas.. I became interested in literacy while working with language impaired children who could not read .This inspired me to increase my knowledge in this area to help these children. I was trained in the Take Flight Dyslexia Program in 2006. This training had a tremendous impact on me. I have been passionate about helping children with dyslexia ever since. Hope Therapy Center has been my home for nearly 10 years and it has given me the opportunity and privilege of equipping these children to become more independent, confident, and productive.

Denise Paxton
SLP
Denise Paxton

With over nine years of experience in pediatrics, Denise has worked as a speech-language pathologist specializing in the areas of infant feeding, augmentative and alternative communication, language, and speech development, She has experience in parent training and treating the whole child through co-treatments with physical and occupational therapists.

Denise earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Central Arkansas in 1999. She worked at the Gregory Kistler Treatment Center for Children from 1999 -2008 and loved working with families and other therapists in a team approach. Afterward, Denise became a stay-at-home mom, homeschool teacher, and coop teacher. She recently joined Hope Therapy and is so thankful to be working in such a sweet family environment.

Outside of her professional life, Denise enjoys time with her family and maltipoo. She also enjoys nature, hiking, camping, the beach, the mountains, dancing, and music (especially the 80’s).

Libby Eoff
SLP
Libby Eoff
Sara Gibson
SLP
Sara Gibson
Kayla Smalley
SLP
Kayla Smalley
Whitney Marcotte
SLP
Whitney Marcotte
Maegan Cox
SLPA
Maegan Cox

I joined Hope in June 2024 as a student and began seeing patients in October. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Maryville University in December 2024. I believe God called me to the field of speech-language pathology because of my compassion for others and my ability to meet people where they are. What I love most about this work is watching children grow and reach milestones. Being on the front line of their progress is an incredible experience, and I’m grateful to play a part in their success.

Greer Taylor
SLPA
Greer Taylor
Jessica Baker
DPT
Jessica Baker
Cullen Delaney
PTA
Cullen Delaney

Cullen brings energy, creativity, and a whole lot of heart to the therapy floor! As a Physical Therapist Assistant with experience in both pediatric and orthopedic settings, Cullen is passionate about helping patients reach their full potential through engaging, goal-driven care. He’s also deeply involved behind the scenes—supporting clinic projects, mentoring new staff, and leading research on tech-enhanced therapy tools like the Nex Playground interactive gaming systems. Whether he’s developing universal exercise programs or turning therapy into playtime, Cullen is always focused on progress, fun, and family-centered care. Outside the clinic, you might find him working toward his biology degree or designing a study to change the future of pediatric PT!

Adam Hackman
PTA
Adam Hackman
Janet Ray
OT
Janet Ray

I am a pediatric OT with 25 years of experience working with kids of all ages. I love what I do and, and I am so grateful that God made the path for me to be at HOPE. Helping the kids become the best versions of themselves is so fun to be a part of. When I am not at the clinic, I like to work in my flower beds, make crafts, and visit with my family and friends.

Gennell Husell
OTR-L
Gennell Husell

Gennell received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from ACU in Conway, AR in 2003. She is licensed in Arkansas and Oklahoma. She maintains a NBCOT certification. She has been an OT for over 20 years working initially in long term care and skilled nursing facilities before moving into pediatrics in the outpatient setting. Gennell has experience treating children and adults with a variety of concerns and diagnoses. She enjoys helping children reach their greatest potential for school readiness and independence with activities of daily living. She is married to a physical therapist assistant, Eric, who enjoys helping others and fishing. They have one child, Jesse, who enjoys playing and being a comedian. The family has 2 wonderful weiner dogs, Baby and Bear. They also have a cat named Chester, that the neighbors moved off and dumped on them. Gennell doesn’t particularly like the cat but he is still there nonetheless. Gennell enjoys learning new things, being outdoors (without mosquitos), summer, boat rides, playing with Jesse, and going to the beach (or anywhere). She has a goal to visit all 50 states.

Lacy Medlin
COTA
Lacy Medlin

Lacy Medlin has been an occupational therapy assistant for 7 years, specializing in sensory processing, behavior, and designing creative, engaging interventions that make therapy both effective and fun. Lacy is married to her husband Alvin and the proud mom to two boys who stay active playing football and baseball. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, swimming, spending time outdoors, and traveling with friends and family

Nickole Shelton
COTA
Nickole Shelton

Hello my name is Nickole Shelton! I have been treating pediatrics in OT for 4 years now. I love being able to help children and families reach their full potential! I went to college right out of high school and obtained my cosmetology license and practiced doing hair for a few years before I had my son and then put that on hold…..lots of years and 2 kids later I decided to chase my dream and go back to school to get my COTA certification, and I’m so happy I did. I love what I do. I have been married to my husband for 14 years and we live in Alma where we raise our 3 boys whom are 16, 12, and 4. I enjoy watching my kids play sports, being with family, shopping and love a good family game night and good food.

Bob Wallis
BCBA
Bob Wallis
Emilia Gudiel
Tech
Courtney Hutain
Front Office Staff
Courtney Hutain

I’m the Front Desk Coordinator at Hope Therapy Center, and I truly enjoy being the first smiling face families see when they arrive. I grew up in the River Valley and earned my associate degree from Arkansas Tech University. Helping children get signed up for therapy and supporting families through the onboarding process is one of my favorite parts of the job. When I’m not at Hope, you can usually find me spending time with my husband and our two daughters, hiking, visiting the lake, or cuddling our furry crew of three cats and two dogs—I’m an animal lover through and through.

Cassidy Carlton
Front Office Staff
Cassidy Carlton
Becke Symonds
Office Manager
Becke Symonds

Hi there! I’m Becke, the Office Manager here at Hope Therapy Center, and it’s truly a joy to be part of such a passionate and dedicated team. I bring over 25 years of experience in the administrative side of the medical field, and every day I feel grateful to combine my professional background with something I care deeply about—helping children and families thrive.

My connection to this clinic runs deeper than just my role. Several years ago, my daughter Dani was struggling with reading throughout elementary school. As a mom, I knew something wasn’t clicking, and after speaking with Sara, our clinic’s amazing founder, we had Dani tested. That’s when we discovered she had Dyslexia. Thanks to two years of specialized speech therapy right here at Hope Therapy Center, Dani is now thriving in high school, earning A’s and B’s—and her confidence has soared. Watching her transformation gave me a firsthand look at how life-changing the right therapy and support can be. That experience is what makes my work here so personal and meaningful.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith—an accomplishment I’m especially proud of, having gone back to finish my degree at the age of 49. Outside the clinic, I’ve been happily married to my husband, Grant, for 21 years. We have three beautiful daughters: Ella, Dani, and Brigette, who is married to our bonus son Casey. I’m also a very proud “Bma” to my three grandchildren—Sophia, Braxton, and Oaklynn—who keep my heart full and my days lively.

At Hope Therapy Center, I do my best to make every family feel seen, heard, and supported. Whether I’m helping you schedule an appointment, navigate paperwork, or simply welcoming you with a smile, I’m here to make your experience a smooth and positive one.