about us
Mission Statement:
OUR TEAM
Meet the vibrant professionals that make up the Wordplay Team!
Speech Language Pathologists
Amanda Locke
Amanda’s clinical work focuses on serving Indigenous communities, supporting individuals recovering from concussion or brain injury, and providing expert care for children on the spectrum. She collaborates with daycares, family centers, and schools to provide functional and meaningful solutions. Amanda also conducts training seminars on communication topics for families and professionals seeking further understanding.
Carly Winzinowich
Chelsea Jelic
Chelsea believes that progress happens best when therapy is collaborative, respectful, and grounded in real-life connections. Areas of interest and expertise include speech sound difficulties, language development, literacy, social communication, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Chelsea is a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 15 years of experience supporting children, youth, and young adults in developing meaningful communication. Throughout her career, she has worked in British Columbia in public education, a specialized provincial outreach program for autistic students, and in home therapy settings. She specializes in family-centered, neurodiversity-affirming therapy that honors each individual’s strengths, needs, and unique ways of communicating.
Outside of her professional work, Chelsea is a proud mama to a busy toddler and enjoys reading, cooking, playing board games, spending time with friends and family, and being outdoors.
Janice Tessmann
Originally from Winnipeg, Janice has proudly called Penticton home since 2009. She has been practicing as a Speech-Language Pathologist for over 16 years and brings extensive experience supporting individuals across the lifespan in aspects of feeding and swallowing disorders, neurogenic communication disorders, post-stroke recovery, voice and communication therapy.
Janice is passionate about using a functional, client-centered approach to therapy that connects communication and swallowing goals to meaningful real-life experiences and everyday skills. She believes therapy is most effective when it helps clients build confidence and independence in the activities that matter most to them.
Outside of the clinic, she is a busy mom to three girls and jokes that her second full-time job is serving as the family chauffeur to sports, activities, and events. When she is not working with clients or driving between practices and games, she enjoys spending time outdoors making the most of the beautiful Okanagan lifestyle with her husband and family.
Occupational Therapists
Angel Oliver
Angel has lived across Canada and made British Columbia her home in 2010. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Victoria in 2020, she went on to complete a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at McGill University in 2023. She settled in Penticton in September 2024.
Angel’s professional journey began with years of experience as a nanny, supporting children with diverse abilities. This work ignited her passion for helping children thrive, ultimately leading her to specialize in pediatric occupational therapy. Today, she focuses on supporting children from infancy through their early years, helping them build essential skills for daily life and development.
As a member of an Indigenous community in Ontario, Angel is deeply committed to working with local Indigenous communities to provide culturally sensitive, early intervention services. She strives to create a safe, inclusive, and client-centered practice rooted in a neurodiversity-affirming approach.
Outside of work, Angel embraces the outdoors through activities like hiking, rock climbing, and downhill skiing. She also loves reading, attending concerts, and traveling to explore new destinations.
Ashton Banfield
Ashton was born and raised in Newfoundland and always knew she wanted a career working with children. After earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Memorial University of Newfoundland, she researched career options that were active, hands-on, and functional, and was thrilled to discover the field of occupational therapy. She then earned her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy at McGill University in 2019. Despite her love of the ocean and the East Coast, she was drawn to the Okanagan and has been practicing as an occupational therapist in Penticton since 2020.
Throughout her career, Ashton has worked with children from infancy through to early adulthood, and she enjoys supporting her clients through every stage of life. Ashton’s approach to therapy is fundamentally client-focused and neurodiversity affirming. She values a team-based approach and believes it takes a village to see children thrive.
Ashton’s love of travel pushed her to spend a year in Australia in 2025, where she lived and worked as an occupational therapist. She developed a wealth of knowledge in her role as a clinical lead OT at a pediatric clinic, and was pleasantly surprised to see that OT looks similar even across the world.
Recently back in Penticton, Ashton is excited to re-join the Wordplay team. Outside of work, Ashton explores her interests in photography, painting, reading and baking, and loves nothing more than a leisurely bike ride on the KVR.
Catherine Talastas
Catherine was born and raised in the Philippines, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of the Philippines. During the pandemic, she relocated to Penticton to be with her family during this challenging time. Committed to her professional development, she subsequently completed a master’s degree in occupational science at Dalhousie University. Following her academic pursuits, Catherine shared her expertise by presenting at numerous conferences and publishing a research study in a peer-reviewed journal.
Catherine has been practicing as an occupational therapist in Canada since 2022, where she has gained valuable experience in acute care, neurological rehabilitation, physical rehabilitation, mental health, and working with the geriatric population. She is now eager to transition into the role of pediatric occupational therapist at Wordplay. Catherine is committed to her professional development and has actively sought further education to enhance her skills in sensory integration and to embrace a neurodiversity-affirming approach in her practice.
When she’s not at work, Catherine immerses herself in her passion for baking, often experimenting with new recipes ranging from decadent cakes to artisan bread. She also prioritizes her fitness by committing to a regular workout routine, which includes everything from weight training to yoga sessions. Additionally, Catherine has a genuine wanderlust, eagerly seeking out opportunities to travel. She delights in exploring new places and countries and immersing herself in different cultures.
Behaviour consulting
Jaimy Doroshuk
Jaimy developed a strong interest in supporting individuals with diverse abilities while completing her undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia and working at BC Children’s Hospital. These experiences sparked her passion for working with neurodiverse individuals and ultimately led her back to Penticton, where she supported children, teens, and adults across home, school, and community settings. Witnessing the meaningful impact of individualized behavioural support inspired Jaimy to pursue a career in behaviour analysis.
Jaimy completed her Master’s degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis at the University of Western Ontario.
As a Behaviour Consultant, Jaimy provides evidence-based assessment and intervention grounded in applied behaviour analysis. She focuses on understanding the function of behaviour and designing individualized, practical strategies that support meaningful progress. Jaimy is committed to neurodiversity-affirming, assent-based, and values-driven care. She collaborates closely with families and interdisciplinary teams to support personalized goals aligned with each client’s strengths and priorities.
Jaimy supports clients with behaviour reduction, safety skills, play and social development, functional communication, and caregiver coaching.
Jaimy calls Naramata home and, outside of work, enjoys spending time with her family, hiking with her dog, and working on home improvement projects.
Admin
Kiki Moquin
Kiki brings over a decade of experience in administration, billing, and client services, with a strong background in patient support. At Wordplay, she supports families through scheduling, funding coordination, and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes.
Outside of work, Kiki is a proud mom of two, a nature lover, and a creative soul. She enjoys organizing (yes, even spreadsheets), exploring the outdoors with her kids, and diving into passion projects that keep her inspired and connected.
CAREERS
contact us
wordplay therapy services Inc.
Professional Accreditation
Rest assured, our Speech Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists are licensed with the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (Phone: 604-742-6715). Should you ever encounter concerns that persist, our commitment to your well-being extends to reporting such matters to the corresponding regulatory body.