To provide pediatric therapy services in a play environment that will enable a child to maximize their potential.

Children learn and develop best through play experiences; therefore, Theraplay, Inc. provides all therapy services in a play environment.  This philosophy helps children develop to their fullest potential. Family members are encouraged to participate in therapy sessions to make them active facilitators in their child's rehabilitation. Home programs are developed with family members to ensure the program's success in each unique family environment.

Theraplay's staff consists of highly skilled, pediatric experienced and licensed physical, occupational, and speech/language therapists, assistants and special educators. Every child is evaluated to identify their needs, and an individualized therapy program developed specific to that child.

Our highly qualified therapists are dedicated to assisting children in developing to their fullest potential in a play environment. Theraplay therapists work together in a team environment communicating closely with the referring physician, specialists and family members to develop individualized therapy programs in order to meet the unique needs of each child and family.

Our intervention strategies include:

Theraplay, Inc. was founded in November of 1991 by Lisa Mackell, PT, a pediatric physical therapist. Theraplay initially provided physical, occupational, speech and feeding therapies to children in their homes, schools, and early intervention centers. Theraplay has also added special education and social work intervention to the services provided.

In October of 1996, Theraplay opened its first pediatric outpatient rehabilitation center in Malvern, Chester County. This office provided physical, occupational, and speech therapies to children.

In July of 2000, Theraplay opened its second outpatient office in Horsham, Montgomery County, providing the same services as our Malvern office.

In May of 2002, Theraplay moved its Malvern office to West Chester, Chester County.  This office serves as a pediatric outpatient therapy office, as well as the corporate office for Theraplay, Inc.

In April of 2004, Theraplay opened its third outpatient office in Drexel Hill, Delaware County.

In July of 2006, Theraplay became direct early intervention providers for Berks and Lancaster counties.

In January of 2007, Theraplay opened its fourth outpatient office in Limerick, Montgomery County.

Theraplay, Inc. continues to analyze the market to grow its business in areas where pediatric therapy services are needed.  Look for Theraplay to continue to expand and meet the pediatric therapy needs of the community at large.

By Susan L. Serbin
Times Correspondent

Lisa Mackell plays all day at work. That's what she says. Even though it looks like fun, Theraplay is serious business.

Mackell is a physical therapist who knew from the beginning of her training she was headed into pediatric work. In November 1991, she began a business as a provider of therapy services which was home-based, both in the sense of running it from her home and furnishing therapists for home care. Last October, Mackell opened a facility in Malvern, still offering home care, but expanding to a cheerful, primary-colored office for kids to spend an hour or so in all play-related therapy.

"I realized there were not enough places doing what we do," said Mackell, whose trusted office manager is her mom, Marcy Moyer, of Upper Darby, where the family was raised.

Speech, physical and occupational therapies may be offered at a number of fine facilities, but, Mackell indicated, the environments of rehabilitation centers or hospitals may be far less appealing to her population of kids from birth to 21 years of age. Theraplay has a staff which includes Mackell, six part-time therapists in the various specialties, and a pool of 150 other professionals who do home care across the region. In choosing the Malvern site, a former school just off Paoli Pike, Mackell said she wanted a location no more than half-hour drive from most of Delaware and Montgomery counties.

The children seen at Theraplay receiving PT, OT, ST or a combination of treatment, have a wide range of conditions among which may be developmental delays, neuromuscular disorders, orthopedic rehabilitation, genetic syndromes, sensory dysfunction and language disorders. While some children may need short-term therapy, to rehabilitate a broken bone, for example, others require long-range treatment. Mackell and staff appear adept at sorting through the maze of insurance coverage, even suggesting alternatives for using amounts of approved coverage.

Generally parents and children come to Theraplay as a result of conditions discovered from examinations. A physician's referral is needed, although physician, parent or insurance provider can contact Theraplay.

Chris Stellman, of Primos, has just started bringing daughter Sara for physical therapy. Stellman said Sara's needs were identified after seeing a pediatric neurologist last summer. While Mackell works with Sara, 4-1/2, mom sits by, offering encouragement. Even after only five visits, which Stellman said Sara seems to enjoy, there are improvements in daily activities like holding silverware and coloring.

Parent involvement varies, but Mackell said the staff is always happy to recommend and demonstrate ways children can be further helped at home, even if as seemingly simple as the way a baby is held during feeding.

Theraplay has just introduced two new therapeutic play groups, Move and Play and Talk and Play. The eight-week program of 45-minute classes costs $100. The programs have been developed for toddlers who do not fit into typical play groups available in the community, and meet various financial, social and physical needs for children and families.

"Families intrigue me," said Mackell, the mother of two children under 3. "You have to consider the medical condition, but the social condition as well, and use a common sense approach. I understand that a single mother might not have that 15 minutes some days to do exercises with a child, or the extra money for a toy that might be useful."

Watching Mackell work, one understands there is more to pediatric therapy than opening an office, buying equipment and scheduling appointments. Imagine trying to engage your child in an activity at a specific time in a specific way. Mackell and colleagues have a wealth of patience and many bags of tricks to go with their expertise.

"Kids won't work for anything, but they will play for everything," Mackell says.

Theraplay is located at 638 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, PA and can be contacted at (610) 436-3600.