Occupational and Speech Therapy
Baby & Kids Shop
at the Avenue Viera
Serving Brevard since 2011
Avenue Viera
2261 Town Center Ave #109
Melbourne, FL 32940
​
321-255-7779
​
7sensestherapy@gmail.com
​
7 Senses Therapy
Was developed by husband and wife Occupational Therapists, Lauren and Alex Flores. They both graduated from the University of Florida (Go Gators!) with a Master's in Occupational Therapy. They wanted to create an outstanding therapy studio that would be known for individualized therapy, an exceptional Animal-Assisted Therapy program, and a baby and kids shop so parents can purchase educational and sensory items to use with their children at home!
​
Lauren Flores, MOT, OTR/L is the co-owner of 7 Senses Kids located in Melbourne, FL. 7 Senses Kids is a pediatric occupational therapy and speech therapy studio. Lauren is a pediatric occupational therapist and graduated with her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from the University of Florida in 2008. Lauren has 15 years of experience working with children and families, including in early intervention, school-based, and outpatient settings. She also has a very strong passion for Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) and learned many skills during a specialty internship in San Antonio, Texas at Warm Springs Rehab. Here, they have a long-standing AAT program. She has a heart for children. In 2011, she and her husband decided to create an OT studio where children can receive evidence-based therapy with an emphasis in animal-assisted therapy and sensory integration. She currently has a Facility Dog from Canine Companions (specially trained assistance dog) which can be incorporated into the goal-directed therapy sessions with the children. Each day, the amazing benefits of the human-animal connection and the progress achieved by the clients are evident. It’s a true joy seeing clients gain skills for life!
Alex Flores, MOT,OTR (owner/occupational therapist)
completed various internships in the fields of orthopedic rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. He thoroughly enjoyed the time spent at the National Rehab Hospital in Washington, D.C. and the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, FL. Here, he was trained in working with children with visual and hearing impairments as well as aquatic therapy. Alexis has used his knowledge regarding Occupational Therapy to affect the lives of people and improve their ability to enjoy their life. "I want to take away the limitations people set, and reveal their amazing abilities." He has always wanted to open an innovative therapy clinic that brings the latest evidenced based therapy to the community. He feels it is very important for children to gain functional life skills so they can be more independent! He is currently focusing on executive functionin

Tinder Flores (retired) is a Golden Retriever/Black Labrador Mix who was born in California on August, 2009. When he was only a puppy, he was sent to a correctional facility in Florida, where he was raised by dedicated puppy raisers. When he turned one, Tinder transferred to Canine Companions for Independence in Orlando. There he received one year of extensive training and learned about 40 different commands. After a long process, he finally became part of our team! All the children will tell you that he is the smartest, nicest and funniest dog they have ever MET!
​
Aloha Flores (successor facility dog) is a Canine Companions for Independence Yellow Lab who was born in California in March of 2018. When she was a puppy she was sent to amazing puppy raisers in Orlando, FL who trained her everyday for a year and half. Then they turned her in to the Orlando CCI training center for advanced training. After about a year of advanced training Aloha was matched with Lauren to be a CCI Facility Dog at 7 Senses Therapy. Aloha is 2.5 years old and enjoys cuddling and giving lots of love to the clients. She know lots of helpful commands to help the children gain skills for life. Lauren and Aloha became a certified team in July of 2020.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Employees
Lindsey Johnson, COTA/L
Lindsey Johnson graduated from Keiser University in 2013 with high
honors and previously worked at an early intervention center for 5
years. She has been a therapist at 7 Senses Kids since 2015 and
working with children and their families is her passion. Lindsey enjoys
researching new sensory activities and using evidence-based therapy
techniques while providing fun and motivating sessions. She has
recently completed the Autism Informed Professional Certification
and has experience providing therapy at schools, client homes, and
teletherapy sessions. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys spending time
with her family and spoiling her two puppies Athena & Apollo.
Michelle Carpenter, OTR/L
Michelle Carpenter is a nationally certified and Florida licensed Occupational Therapist.
Michelle graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Health
Science in Occupational Therapy with Honors in December 1999. Michelle has had
experience working as an Occupational Therapist in many different settings. She has
worked in a Sub-acute hospital in NC, a Pediatric Outpatient facility in NC, Wuesthoff
Hospital in Rockledge, nursing home in Merritt Island, and another Pediatric Outpatient
facility here locally. Michelle enjoys working with all different ages, but truly loves
watching the change she can make with the pediatric population. Michelle specialized
in Sensory Integration during her internship back in 1999 and loves working with the
sensory population. Michelle has been married for over 20 years and has 3 wonderful
children, 2 girls and 1 boy, and her precious Rhodesian Ridgeback dog. She loves
spending much quality time with her family especially outdoors and at the beach.
Alyssa Stumpf, M.A. CCC-SLP, is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist. Originally from Indialantic, she has been serving the Brevard County area as a pediatric SLP since 2017, when she received her masters degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida. Driven by a passion for building connection through communication, Alyssa takes pride in providing individualized, strengths-based speech and language services. Alyssa is licensed by the State of Florida and has a Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.
Alyssa currently lives in Melbourne Beach with her husband. On the weekends she can be found at the beach with a book or sharing good food with friends and family.
Jenny Potanos, M.A., CCC/SLP -L
Jenny is a state licensed and nationally certified speech/language pathologist who recently relocated to the “sunshine state” from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Jenny brings many years of varied experiences in different settings including a private practice where she ran a clinic and provided speech/language/communication/ play therapy for children and their families with different communication needs and learning styles, specializing in ASD. She also provided training and consultation to agencies, school districts and families throughout the Midwest for over 30 years. Jenny was a faculty member at Elmhurst University and taught classes on autism and other communication differences. Jenny was a core Trainer/Consultant for the Illinois Autism/PDD Training and Technical Assistance Project. Jenny also worked as a therapist and a consultant to many schools in the Midwest. Her commitment to play as an invaluable context for learning is a core component of her therapy. Jenny strongly believes that the best way to learn and communicate is when everyone is having fun! In addition to having fun with her “kids in her practice,” Jenny and her husband have 3 grown/married children and 4 grandchildren ranging in age from 4-10 years, who fondly call her “Yiayia” (Greek Grandma). Jenny loves to swim every day, root for her Chicago White Sox baseball team, and enjoys learning from all the “kids” in her life.
Kasey Furniss M.S, CCC-SLP, is a nationally certified and Florida licensed speech language pathologist (SLP). She graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Communication Disorders and Audiology. She went on to earn a Masters of Science Degree in Speech Language Pathology in 2012. For over ten years she has worked side by side with parents, caregivers and grandparents, to empower them with more research-based information and functional strategies that can be implemented into daily routines. She helps increase the moments of communication, connection and confidence for her clients as they meet their goals and are able to engage more and be understood better by others around them. She has worked extensively with children in the areas of childhood apraxia of speech, stuttering, speech sound disorders, language development, and augmentative alternative communication (AAC). She currently lives in Viera with her husband and three children: ages 8, 5 and 3. She enjoys sunny beach days and delicious food with good company.
Kaitlyn Wuest, OTR/L is a nationally certified and Florida licensed Occupational Therapist. Kaitlyn graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Community Health in 2018 from Florida Gulf Coast University, and then went on to graduate with her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2021 from Florida International University. Kaitlyn has much experience working with individuals of all abilities through the various roles she has taken on throughout her life, including special needs cheer coach, adaptive summer camp counselor, physical education buddy, and partner in Special Olympics. Kaitlyn additionally has experience working with individuals of all abilities through her time as an occupational therapy student where she spent her clinical hours working with pediatric and orthopedic populations. During her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time outside, going to the beach, doing anything Disney, and playing with her Dalmatian fur baby, Maely. Kaitlyn is excited to be working with us and is eager to help her clients lead a functional and meaningful life.
Rachel Homza, M.A. CCC-SLP, After graduating with her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida, Rachel completed her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology at University of South Florida in 2015. She has specialized in pediatric speech-language services since becoming a fully licensed SLP and has provided therapy in a variety of settings and care models, which includes: outpatient care, private practice, daycares, pediatric extended care facilities for medically fragile children, in the home, and teletherapy. Rachel has a special interest in augmentative and alternative communication, and enjoys working with children who are complex communicators, but also has extensive experience in the areas of speech sound disorders, language disorders, and literacy intervention. Rachel strives to help her clients meet their communication goals and measures success from functional outcomes. Rachel lives in Indialantic with her cats, Duncan and Daphne, and enjoys volunteering and spending time outside in her “free” time.
Erin Alexander, M.S. CCC-SLP is a Florida state licensed and nationally certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2017 with her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology and in 2019 with her Master’s of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Erin has worked in a number of settings with both adults and children including acute care, subacute care, and outpatient therapy. She has a particular interest in early language emergence, voice therapy, and swallowing disorders (also called dysphagia). Erin moved to the Space Coast in November of 2020, however previously lived in Vermont, among many other places she has had the opportunity to call “home”. Erin grew up in an Army family (affectionately referred to as an “Army Brat”) and traveled the world as a child. In her new home here on the Space Coast, she enjoys going on long walks and runs or trips to the dog park with her German Shepherd, Kali and spending time with her Calico Cat, Ella. You also may see her sailing a refurbished Hobie Catamaran on the Intracoastal - look out for the brightly colored “sunrise” sail! Erin looks forward to serving children and families of the Melbourne and surrounding areas at 7 Senses Kids!
Lauren Barbato, OTR/L is a nationally certified and Florida licensed Occupational Therapist. She graduated from Gannon University in 2008 with her Bachelors in Science in Occupational Therapy and Masters of Science in Occupation Therapy in 2009. In her 14 year career, Lauren has worked in a variety of settings including acute care, home health, skilled nursing, and inpatient rehabilitation specializing in neurological conditions, trauma, orthopedics, and cardiovascular rehab. Most recently she has been working in Assisted Living Facilities aiding in keeping our geriatric population as independent as possible. Lauren’s interest in pediatrics began during pediatric lab while in undergrad and continued over the course of her career. While working in the level 1 trauma Hospital, Lauren was always assigned the pediatric floor, performing evaluations and tx during the course of their Hospital stay. She is continually doing continuing education to learn new concepts and treatments for pediatric therapy. Lauren and her family relocated to Florida in 2021 in search for sunshine. Originally from Erie, PA aka dreary Erie. She is married and has two sons Troy (7) and Dominic (6). In her spare time she loves hanging by the pool, watching her boys play sports, the beach, and going out to eat!
Hello! My name is Karolina Wojdacz (Office Clerk) and I am a college student attending the University of Central Florida majoring in Health Sciences. I hope to graduate with my Bachelors in Health Sciences in 2024, and then pursue a graduate degree in pediatric occupational therapy. While working in a daycare as well as nannying, I love to spend time with kids and teaching them new everyday life skills that will benefit their lives. During my free time, I love to spend time with family and friends and go to the beach!
Elizabeth Lee, SLPA/L graduated from the University of Florida in May 2022, with a Bachelors of Health Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She also obtained a minor in Disabilities in Society. During her time at the University of Florida, she was a research volunteer in the Speech Perception Laboratory. Her research focused both on Native Spanish speakers and Spanish Heritage speakers as participants. She studied the correlation between early exposure to Spanish and proficiency in the language. Elizabeth’s goal is to start her graduate degree in the spring, in order to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She loves to work with the pediatric population and, after graduate school, hopes to work in different settings with children. In her free time she loves to babysit, work out, and go to the beach.
