For Providers
At The Therapy Collaborative, we partner with healthcare and school-based providers to support children, teens, and young adults (birth through 21) who need more than a quick, one-size-fits-all approach. Our team of occupational and speech therapists specializes in complex cases, including functional neurological disorder (FND), pediatric chronic pain and fatigue, complex feeding and dysphagia, autism-related communication and sensory needs, and pediatric brain injury.
We’re also a good fit for patients who are just getting started with therapy or who have less complex developmental, sensory, feeding, or communication concerns but would benefit from a thorough, individualized evaluation and treatment plan.
We aim to be a trusted regional hub in Central Illinois—for both early referrals and more complex “next-step” cases—especially when families need a more coordinated, research-informed approach or when progress has stalled elsewhere. Our research roots and ongoing scholarly work help us bring structured, up-to-date approaches into everyday outpatient care. Read more about our research program.
How to refer
You can refer in the way that best fits your workflow:
Fax (referrals and records)
Fax: (309) 204-0146
Please fax:
A referral/order (especially for speech therapy, if required by insurance)
Relevant medical records, recent notes, and any prior evaluation or therapy reports
Phone
Phone: (309) 300-8737
Call to discuss a case, confirm fit, or provide a warm handoff for a family.
Email is best for logistics and questions. For protected health information, we’re happy to coordinate a secure method if your system requires it.
Families can also contact us directly
Families may schedule an occupational therapy or sensory-based feeding evaluation directly through our website or by phone. For speech therapy, if their insurance requires a referral, we’ll work with your office to help them obtain one.
When to refer to The Therapy Collaborative
You can refer patients to us as a starting point for therapy or when you’re looking for a next-step option after initial services. Consider referring when your patient:
Has emerging developmental, sensory, motor, feeding, or communication concerns and would benefit from a thorough, individualized evaluation
Has functional neurological symptoms (FND), such as gait changes, weakness, tremors, or non-epileptic events
Is experiencing pediatric or teen chronic pain or fatigue that is affecting school, sports, sleep, or daily life
Has complex feeding or swallowing issues, including pediatric dysphagia, extreme picky eating, or mealtime anxiety
Is recovering from a pediatric brain injury or has another neurologic condition with ongoing functional challenges
Has autism-related communication and sensory needs that have not responded well to standard approaches
Shows persistent sensory processing, motor, or self-regulation difficulties despite prior therapy
Has developmental delays where families report “we’ve tried therapy before and haven’t seen the progress we expected”
We are also glad to support families while they are waiting for Early Intervention or as a supplement to state-funded services.
Who we see
Age range: Children, teens, and young adults from birth through 21
Disciplines: Occupational therapy and speech-language pathology
Location: In-person care in Uptown Normal, IL, serving families across Central Illinois; teletherapy is available for Illinois residents when appropriate
Access:
No referral required for occupational therapy or sensory-based feeding services
Many insurers require a referral/order for speech therapy; we’re happy to coordinate with your office to obtain one when needed
Insurance:
Currently in network with Aetna, Cigna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield
Families with other plans may use out-of-network benefits or private pay options; we provide Superbills upon request for families who want to seek reimbursement
What your patients can expect
When you refer to The Therapy Collaborative, patients and families can expect:
Timely access
Evaluations are typically available within 1–2 weeks of contact.
An active, hands-on evaluation
The initial visit is more than observation—we use purposeful activities, movement, and communication tasks to understand what’s hard, what helps, and what’s already been tried. For many of the children, teens, and young adults we see, this includes reviewing prior therapy so we aren’t repeating the same approach.
Standardized testing when helpful
Formal standardized assessments are completed as a separate visit when needed to clarify diagnosis, guide treatment planning, or provide scores for schools, medical providers, and programs. We use these results to determine both what to focus on and how to structure therapy so patients respond best.
Individualized, function-focused therapy
Treatment is built around meaningful activities—home routines, school or campus life, sports, work, and community participation. Family education and practical strategies for daily life are integrated into sessions so progress can carry over outside the clinic.
How we communicate with you
We know your inbox is full, so we aim for communication that is clear and useful, not overwhelming. As part of our collaboration, we can:
Provide a summary of evaluation findings and recommendations
Share updates on progress at key points in care or upon request
Coordinate with medical providers, school or campus teams, and other therapists to support continuity of care
If you or your team prefer a particular format or cadence (e.g., brief letters, periodic emails, or updates tied to IEP/504 timelines), you can note that on the referral or contact us directly.
Questions or case to discuss?
Whether your patient is just getting started with therapy or has a more complex history, we’re glad to be a thought partner in planning next steps. If you’d like to review a case, clarify whether we’re the right fit, or coordinate a referral, please reach out. Our goal is to make it easy for you to connect patients with the level of care they need—right here in Central Illinois.