Physical Therapy

Our pediatric physical therapists are health care professionals who are movement specialists addressing medical problems or other health-related conditions that affect a child's ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. Our physical therapists use treatment activities and techniques that promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Our physical therapists also work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles. Pediatric physical therapy uses play and fun activities to entice children to work hard and exercise to promote the highest level of independent function.

Who are your therapists?

Lauren Miller Beeler, PT, DPT, PCS, is the consultant for UCP's Pediatric Therapy Services. She brings a broad experience with many years as a clinician, an educator and an owner of a multi-disciplinary, pediatric out-patient practice. Lauren received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Indiana University and her DPT from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and has more than 30 years of experience practicing in pediatrics and neurological rehabilitation. She is an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS). Lauren with a diverse background in pediatrics working with families with infants and toddlers through Regional Centers/ Early Start Programs; school-aged children through educational model and providing therapy based upon medical/functional models of service delivery. She is a Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association (NDTA) Coordinator Instructor for Neuro-Developmental Treatment/Bobath Certificate Course in the Treatment and Management of Children with Cerebral Palsy and other Neuromotor Disorders. Lauren has been teaching NDT related post-graduate continuing education courses since the early 90's.  She serves as adjunct faculty at Loma Linda University School of Physical Therapy.

Susan Cremeans, Physical Therapist, PCS, attended California State University, Long Beach, where she received her B.S. in Physical Therapy.  She has been working with children from birth to 21, for 34 years.  She is an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS).  Susan has additional training in multiple areas, including Certification in the Neuro-Developmental (NDT) 8-week course in The Treatment and Management of Children with Cerebral Palsy and other Neuromotor Disorders and has completed the NDT 3-week Advanced Baby Course.  She has assisted teaching with NDT instructors, including Lauren Beeler, PT, Lois Bly, PT and Gail Ritchie, OTR.  In addition, she has advanced skills in Kinesiotaping, TheraTogs, SPIO, Cascade Orthotics, Specialized Equipment/Durable Medical Equipment, CPR, MOVE and GiggleYoLates.  Susan has mentored physical and occupational therapy interns, staff physical and occupational therapists, physical therapy students at Chapman University and Cal State Long Beach.  Susan speaks Spanish and is also studying French and Italian.  Susan has a variety of experiences working with infants and children up to age 21, based upon the medical or functional models of physical therapy intervention and through Regional Center's Early Intervention programs.

Emily Frevert completed her undergraduate and PT graduate school at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She knew her passion was working with children, but has treated a few adults along the way. She has enjoyed working in aquatic therapy, hippotherapy, in a clinic, in school systems, and in patient's homes. Emily also had amazing opportunities to be a part of the Therasuit Intensive program and helped coordinate week long multi-disciplinary sessions for children with special needs and their families in Panama City, Florida which included PT, OT, and speech therapy, art therapy, music therapy, myofascial and craniosacral therapy, and encounters with wild dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. Life changed dramatically for her and her husband and our 3 year old daughter when they had triplets in 2005. Her experiences as a parent has allowed her to share a bond with other parents of special needs children, beginning with the fragility and unexpected life of the NICU to now parenting two children with high-functioning autism. In February 2008, they moved across the U.S. from Virginia to California, and joined United Cerebral Palsy in November 2008.

Moira Miller, Physical Therapist, has concentrated the majority of her career on the treatment and assessment of motor dysfunction of the pediatric population.  She brings with her a wide variety of pediatric experiences ranging from group programs, school-based programs, hospital in-patient/out-patient services, in-home treatment session and multi-disciplinary team assessments.  Moira graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a degree in Biology (1984) and then completed her Masters of Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California in 1992.  She furthered her educational experience with certification upon completion of Neuro-Developmental Treatment Certification Course in 2000.  Moira has worked collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams focusing on the area of early intervention in addition to experience working with sensory-integration techniques, orthopedic interventions, equipment recommendations, orthotic recommendations and kinesio-taping techniques.  She is the mother of two teenage girls and also enjoys running and traveling.

Melanie Mintz, Physical Therapist, has a variety of physical therapy experiences that she brings to the pediatric setting ranging from in-center and in-home pediatrics, group programs, neurological rehabilitation, orthopedics and wellness.  She also has experience in NDT based treatment techniques.  Melanie enjoys working with all age ranges, but has always had a passion for working with young children and their families.  Melanie received her Doctorate and Master's degrees in Physical Therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch and her Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Motor Control and a minor in Psychology from Texas A&M University.  In 2009, Melanie joined UCP after making the journey from the beaches of Texas to the beaches of California.  In her free time, Melanie enjoys living next to and spending her days on the beautiful beaches of Southern California as well as traveling to exotic new locations.

Lisa Kerfoot, Physical Therapist, DPT, earned her undergraduate degree at Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Arizona School of Health Sciences-A.T. Still University. The seven years prior to working at UCP, she was the Rehab Manager at an outpatient rehab facility specializing in treating people ages 0-97 having a variety of diagnoses using both aquatic and land therapy techniques. Lisa has experience with infants and children through Regional Center’s Early Intervention Programs, medical and function models of physical therapy. She has taken continuing education classes in Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Strategies for Assessment and Treatment of Balance Deficits. Lisa has mentored physical therapy students from Chapman University and the University of Southern California as well as physical therapy interns from as far away as Germany. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, since 2000. When she is not working she enjoys playing with her son, bike riding with her husband, running and swimming.