Karen graduated from the University of Toronto in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy.  She worked in the United States for 3 ½ years treating individuals with neurological diagnoses in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.  Karen developed a passion for helping individuals with neurological injuries recover and assisting them to achieve their functional goals. When Karen returned to Canada in 2000, she began working at Grand River Hospital (GRH). Karen worked on a variety of inpatient units at the Freeport Site of GRH, but has worked primarily in the outpatient Neuro Rehabilitation Clinic (NRC) for almost 20 years.  Karen works four days a week in the NRC treating individuals who suffer from a recent stroke, acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury or other neurological diagnoses.  In addition, Karen provides occasional weekend coverage on the inpatient rehabilitation unit.  Once a week, Karen works at Back Works treating individuals who suffer neurological injuries.  These individuals pursue private therapy for a variety of reasons; to continue in their recovery or to address new issues with the aim of improving their functioning. 

Karen has extensive training in Neuro Developmental Treatment (NDT) which is a treatment approach to treat individuals with stroke or acquired brain injury. Karen successfully completed the NDT/Bobath Certificate Course in the Management and Treatment of Adults with Hemiplegia (NDTA™ Approved Course) in 1999, and attended many NDT/Bobath Approved Advanced Courses between 2000-2005.  She began her training to become a NDTA™ Instructor in 2002 and earned the title NDTA™ PT Instructor in 2007.  Karen became a NDTA™ Coordinator Instructor in 2011, and achieved NDTA™ Advanced Course Instructor status in 2014.  Karen is only one of five NDTA™ instructors in Canada.  She has taught courses to registered therapists in Canada, United States and internationally including such countries as Singapore, Estonia, Columbia and Ireland.  Back Works hosts many of Karen’s post-graduate courses both in-person and virtually. More recently, Karen completed her certification in Integrated Dry Needling and finds this treatment to be an important adjunct in her therapy sessions.  Karen is also the co-author of a research case report published in the textbook Neuro-Developmental Treatment: A Guide to NDT Clinical Practice (2016). During her free-time Karen enjoys running, walking their dogs and spending time with her family.