Mary Jessup Wilkison MS, OTR/L - Owner & Occupational Therap

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Hi, I'm Mary Wilkison!

It was a 4 year old boy who launched my journey of becoming an occupational therapist. It was like we were asking him to eat an elephant! Every solid food his parents, teachers, and I presented to him seemed like a foreign object. But then, after unwavering persistence with feeding interventions, parent coaching, and at-home sensory strategies, it finally clicked! After 4 years of eating purees, he began to find joy in exploring foods and counting down the minutes until family dinners. This is the moment in time that captivated me and began my pursuit of filling my days with more of these moments. My absolute favorite part of my job is not only seeing children find joy in their own pursuits of success, but to turn and see their parents' and caregivers' faces as they light up with pride and empowerment. 

I received my Master of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy at East Carolina University and was told, upon beginning classes, that I should not have my heart set on working with pediatrics, that I should keep an open mind. I certainly tried to follow that advice, but my intuition always brought me back to my favorite little humans. Since graduating, I have been working in a clinic-based setting building my expertise in play-based sensory integration and feeding interventions while simultaneously providing in-home early intervention. During this time, I have had the great opportunity to learn from some of the masters in the field of pediatric occupational therapy. I am, and always have been, a curious and zealous learner, and am constantly in pursuit of the newest research-based practices, techniques, and ideas to keep my interventions novel, exciting, and effective. 

I am so excited to be back in my hometown, serving the community where I grew up! I bring my passion, excitement, and experience to you and your family to help you grow and find joy in your day-to-day routines. I show up with a bubbly, playful, and engaging energy to each of my sessions, which of course, is necessary when working with children! While I'm climbing over furniture, making silly faces, and singing songs with you and your child, I am constantly assessing and adjusting my techniques as needed to create the "just right challenge" for success. I take a primarily bottom-up approach to treatment as I will work to uncover the root causes of challenges you see and address these for lasting changes in your child's nervous system. 

What a pleasure it is to devote each of my days to foster growth, joy, and connection with those in my community. I cannot wait to meet you and your family! 

Hi, I’m Lizzy Polley! 

I’m originally from South Carolina where I received my Bachelor of Science from Clemson University and my Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from The Medical University of South Carolina. I am a military spouse and have moved all over the world. I have two young, adventurous sons who keep me busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. We love traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time with our friends and family. I’m excited to be back in North Carolina and continue working as an OT.

Hi! I'm Hannah Faulhaber! 

I’m a Texas native, proud military spouse, and mom. My path to becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) was shaped by a deep belief in the power of empathy, adaptability, and genuine connection to create lasting impact. Both motherhood and my love of learning continue to inspire my commitment to helping each child thrive.

I’m passionate about supporting children and families through play, nature, and meaningful relationships. Whether in a clinic, at home, or out in the community, I love creating spaces where kids feel safe to explore, express themselves, and grow in their own unique ways—using tools that help them feel grounded and engaged in the world around them.

Hi! I'm Nicole Kemerling!

I earned my Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Lenoir-Rhyne University. I have over 10 years of experience as an OT working in a variety of settings including home health, outpatient, and school systems. 

I am passionate about supporting children in their natural environments, and love to incorporate the use of nature and animals as a highly motivating and fun intervention to help them learn and grow. I have been an avid equestrian for over 30 years and  I have recently started a journey of incorporating the movement of the horse into OT sessions and participating in training courses through the American Hippotherapy Association to advance my skills. 

I live in Southern Pines on a farm with my husband, our 2 children, 4 horses, a Shetland pony, 3 dogs, and a revolving door of foster and various rescue animals. When I’m not working, I love being outdoors on the farm, riding my horses, exploring the Walter Moss equestrian trails, and I love hot yoga!