Meet Our Staff
Trina Arling, MS CCC/SLP
Speech & Language Pathologist 
Trina Arling was born and raised in Lander, Wyoming and moved to the East coast to pursue her schooling. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders as well as her Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of New Hampshire.Trina has passion and experience working with individuals of all ages with varying challenges and communication needs. She has hands-on involvement with the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) across the age span of her clients. In her free time, she particularly loves singing, cooking, stacking wood with her husband, and playing with her two Jack Russell’s.
Gabrielle Smith, MS OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Gabrielle received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire. Gaby was born and raised in New York, but after coming to New Hampshire to attend school, she decided she loved it too much to leave. Gaby has had experience working with children in various settings, including at a sleep away camp in Michigan, a residential school in Northern New Hampshire, as well as a sub-acute children’s hospital in Washington D.C. Gaby is also one of the local area providers who is certified in the Therapeutic Listening program. She is passionate about sensory integration and loves working in her socks.
Lisa Wess
Owner & Managing Director
Lisa graduated from Merrimack College with her degree in Business Management. She has twenty years experience in the medical billing and insurance industry. Lisa has also completed a variety of Advocacy training programs. Lisa has personal experience as a parent trying access quality services for her child and is passionate about helping parents maneuver the system and educate themselves on their options. Lisa opened Milestones Pediatric Therapy Center, LLC because she felt there was a significant need for families to have a local resource where they can obtain services for their children and feel supported.
Michelle LaCroix MS CCC/SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
After growing up in Massachusetts, Michelle attended the University of New Hampshire where she received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders. During graduate school, Michelle worked with children ranging from infants to teenagers through her clinical experiences in outpatient therapy and school settings. Additionally, Michelle completed coursework for a concentration in early childhood (infant – early elementary) communication disorders and worked as a research assistant in a lab focusing on social communication assessment/intervention. Michelle is currently a clinical fellow with a passion for helping children successfully communicate and reach their full potential. In her free time, Michelle enjoys cooking, singing and spending time with her friends and family.
Shannon Coughlin MS CCC/SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Shannon grew up in Massachusetts before receiving her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of New Hampshire. She then moved to Seattle where she received her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Washington. During her time on the west coast, she gained experience working with children and adults with a variety of communication needs in clinic and school-based settings. She is passionate about supporting children of all ages, and their families, reach their communication goals. In her free time, Shannon enjoys cooking and spending time with her family and her cat, Mack.
Abigail Aveni, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
After growing up in Eastern Massachusetts, Abby attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where she received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communication Disorders. She continued her education at UMass and earned her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology. During graduate school, Abby gained experience working with individuals across all ages with a variety of communication needs. Abby has a passion for helping children find their voice through their interests and uniqueness. In her free time, Abby enjoys hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, and nature walks with her fiancé and shih-tzu, Poptart.
Emily Reagan, MS CCC/SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Emily was born and raised in New Hampshire and after moving to Boston to earn her Bachelor’s of Science from Emerson College, she moved back to her home state to earn a Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of New Hampshire. Emily has experience working with individuals across the age-span in hospital and outpatient settings and finds her passion in helping children, and their families, reach their full potential and communicate successfully. In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, Maya.
Ashley Williston, MS OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
After growing up in New Hampshire, Ashley received her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from MCPHS University. During her studies Ashley gained clinical experience working with individuals of all ages, including children ranging from infants to teens, in acute care, outpatient and school settings. She is passionate about supporting children to feel successful in their home, school and community environments through play. In her free time, Ashley enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with friends and family.
Brianna Worcester, MS OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Brie received her Bachelor’s in Exercise and Sports Science from Fitchburg State University and her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Salem State University. A lover of all things New England, Brie and her husband moved to New Hampshire with their two dogs in 2020. In her free time Brie enjoys running, being outside, and completing endless house renovations. She has experience in several pediatric settings (both school-based and outpatient) and loves to incorporate exercise into her treatment sessions as a method of sensory integration to help kids feel strong, empowered, and to help them to reach their highest potential!
Trisha Hetko, M.Ed. CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Trisha grew up in Upstate New York, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from SUNY Cortland and her Master of Education in Speech-Language Pathology from The College of Saint Rose. She then moved to Tucson, Arizona and worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in elementary school and pre-school settings. Trisha is passionate about supporting communication skills by working closely with children and their families. In her free time, Trisha enjoys hiking and spending time with her friends and family.
Alie Thomas, DPT
Physical Therapist
Alie grew up in New Hampshire and received her bachelor’s degree from Merrimack College and her doctorate degree in physical therapy from Elon University in North Carolina. Alie has always focused her studies and careers on the pediatric population. She started her career as a physical therapist in schools before transitioning to the outpatient clinic setting where she has years of experience. This includes extensive involvement working with children of all ages (starting at birth) and various challenges and diagnoses. Alie is also one of the local area providers certified in multiple levels of Dynamic Movement Intervention.
Stephanie Wetherbee, MS OTR/L
Speech Language Pathologist
Stephanie grew up in New Hampshire and due to her passion in occupational therapy, she created her own Bachelor of Science degree called Pre-Professional Occupational Therapy from Plymouth State University. Stephanie then received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire, where she took advanced courses in sensory integration and was a research assistant for the development of a new sensory assessment. From the beginning of college, Stephanie knew she wanted to focus on a pediatric setting, as she has had many experiences working with children ages 0 to 21. Throughout the years, Stephanie gained experiences working in a pediatric outpatient clinic, at an outdoor pediatric group therapy program called TimberNook and volunteered her time at Loon Mountain as an adaptive snowboard instructor. Stephanie has a passion for anything outdoors (hiking, kayaking, snowboarding, camping, etc.) and hopes to promote her outdoorsy passion to both parents and children, as the outdoors provides full body sensory and motor experience!
Victoria Plourde, MS OTR/L
Physical Therapist
Victoria grew up in New Hampshire and received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rivier University and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from MCPHS University. Victoria has had a variety of experiences working with children in settings including elementary schools, summer camps, dance programs, inpatient mental health hospitals, and volunteer work with local youth organizations. She is passionate about supporting children in reaching their full potentials and achieving a level of independence in daily activities. In her free time, Victoria enjoys arts and crafts, dance, and inspiring future occupational therapists.