Hi! So wonderful to meet you…my name is Thérèse Willis.  I am a pediatric physical therapist and a mother of 2 amazing teenage kids.  I have had the privilege of treating children in the Los Angeles area for 25 years.  I received my Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California in 2000 and prior to that, received my Bachelor of Science in Sport Science, with an emphasis in Pre-Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!).  

I have worked in a variety of settings that have helped mold me into the PT that I am today.  I have worked for a nonprofit clinic, with Regional Centers in early intervention, both in the in-home setting and clinic setting with early intervention programs, California Children Services, private practice settings and more recently privately in patients' homes.  I have worked with a variety of different diagnoses, including, but not limited to, developmental/gross motor delays, torticollis, plagiocephaly, toe walking, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, spina bifida, autism, hypotonia, various pediatric orthopedic injuries, genetic disorders and other neuromuscular conditions. 

I feel so fortunate to do something that I love so much and be able to work with wonderful families and children.  It brings me such joy to be a part of a child's journey and learn how to crawl, take their first steps jump, and importantly, learn how to play!  We will work collaboratively to help your child reach their full potential in a fun, safe, play-based environment. 

My approach is personalized and compassionate, focusing on creating a supportive environment that encourages growth and development. I treat your child as a whole person and look at other areas that may be impacting their development.  If appropriate, we may discuss other therapies or activities that could be beneficial to your child.  Collaboration is key and I work closely with my parents and caregivers, offering guidance and support to ensure that the therapy is effective and beneficial and to optimize carryover from session to session.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and dog, going to the beach to relax and to play, watching my kids play sports (and when they were younger, coaching!), and traveling.