VISION THERAPISTS
karla, COVT, Vision therapy manager
Karla, our Vision Therapy Manager, earned her COVT (Certified Optometric Vision Therapist) in April 2023. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science. She has over 18 years of teaching experience, including working with students with learning and other disabilities. Her love of reading motivated her to help students who struggled. Her daughter was a struggling reader who benefited from vision therapy at the Center for Vision and Learning. Karla’s connection with the Center for Vision and Learning led her to join the practice as a Vision Therapist in 2012. She is a member of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) and has helped lead visual perceptual labs at the Washington University School of Occupational Therapy. Karla enjoys reading and gardening.
lori
Lori joined the Center of Vision and Learning in 2012 as a Vision Therapist after spending more than 20 years in the world of physical therapy. Lori is a certified Athletic Trainer, a licensed Physical Therapy Assistant and a certified Postural Restoration Therapist. While working as a rehab professional, Lori discovered that many patients who were working with great doctors and rehab professionals, often had limited success because they did not have a balanced, fully functioning and flexible visual system. Dr. Davidson was the only functional optometrist in St. Louis, so she decided to change careers to learn more about the visual system. In her spare time she volunteers at the Humane Society and is a member of the parks and recreation commission in Maryland Heights. Lori enjoys reading, outdoor activities and her two dogs Wally and Thunder.
Tara
Tara has been with the practice since 2012. She is extremely passionate about her career choice because Vision Therapy made such an impact on her life. She was a VT patient as a child and it changed her life! She studied Child Development and Education at the University of Missouri-Columbia and graduated in 2004. She is a proud wife and mother to two amazing children. Tara enjoys being active with her family and spending time with friends!
Stacy
Stacy joined the Center for Vision & Learning in 2022 as a vision therapist. She was able to see firsthand the growth and development possible when her daughter participated in vision therapy at a young age. Stacy has over 20 years of teaching experience in grades kindergarten through second grade. She enjoys hiking, cooking and playing with her dog Sadie, as well as spending time with her husband and two children.
Kourtney
Kourtney has been working as a vision therapist since 2021. She enjoys learning the science on how our eyes work in order to better help her patients. She is continuing her education in Vision Therapy by becoming a member of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, and working towards becoming a Certified Optometric Vision Therapist. Outside of the therapy room, Kourtney enjoys movies, concerts, and Blues and Cardinals games.
Yolanda, OMST Coordinator/vision therapist
Yolanda has been with the practice since 2019, and began coordinating the Optometric Multisensory Training (OMST) program in 2023. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Recreation Therapy from the University of Tennessee, a Master's Degree in Counseling and is Nationally Board Certified Counselor. Yolanda became interested in vision therapy after closely working with children with visual impairments. The interest amplified when her daughter was referred for vision therapy. Yolanda was intrigued when her daughter explained to her that what she was seeing was different from what Yolanda was seeing. When not working, Yolanda enjoys spending time with her young adult twins, friends, her dog, and any adventure that keeps her outside and moving.
BailEY
Bailey joined the center for Vision and Learning in 2023. She has a Masters in Occupational Therapy from Rockhurst University. The first 5 years out of school she worked at SSM Rehabilitation Hospitals with patients who had suffered from stroke or brain injury. She has always had an interest in visual rehabilitation, especially after seeing how much her patients were affected by visual deficits. She spent a lot of her continuing education learning about vision rehab and was in charge of organizing the weekly vision clinic at her hospital. Bailey connected with Dr. Davidson through her church, and jumped at the opportunity to learn more about vision therapy. She loves seeing how improved visual skills and perception can empower people to live their life with more independence and confidence. Outside of work, Bailey likes to go on long walks with her friends, go to the movies and watch baseball