GLOCESTER – A little girl called an “angel” was the impetus that led to the creation of a small business. Those riding by the Route 44 in Glocester and Route 116 in Greenville locations of Extraordinary Kids Therapy are likely unaware of the heartfelt motivation.
“Extraordinary Kids Therapy was born in memory of a former patient who became family – Eliana, who I lovingly refer to as my angel,” said Dr. Ashley Hogan, founder of the business.
Eliana Maria Palacio died at age four.
“She left an imprint on my heart that continues to drive my mission,” said Hogan. “I wanted to create a space that honors her legacy; a place where children are celebrated for their uniqueness, where families feel truly supported, and where therapy is both meaningful and joyful.”
To that end, in 2023 Hogan, a doctor of occupational therapy with a background that includes “extensive experience” in pediatric therapy, opened Extraordinary Kids Therapy, a multidisciplinary pediatric clinic that provides comprehensive therapy services for children.
“Since then, we have rapidly grown, expanding our services to meet the needs of our community,” she said. “We now have two thriving clinics.”
From the look of the interior of the Greenville location, Hogan’s word “joyful” seems an apt description, and “meaningful” might describe therapy itself. The word also seems to describe how Hogan found a business partner.
Hogan met Amy Ferreira, a clinical social work/therapist, as a result of a seemingly random conversation. Ferreira was dining at Giuseppe’s in Greenville when a conversation started with a gentleman she did not know. The man turned out to be Hogan’s father, and he quickly recognized that Ferreira and his daughter’s outlook on children’s mental health was remarkably similar.
“It was serendipity,” says Ferreira.
Soon after the two women got together and began collaborating, and sending each other clients.
“Cheerful” is the adjective that applies to the sunny dispositions of the colleagues, and their evidently optimistic and energetic approach toward helping their child clients – also reflected in the appearance of the business space they share.
In the Greenville office, bright colors, light-filled rooms, and fun-looking playthings convey that the center is a cheerful, fun, and welcoming space for little ones in need.
“The space is setup to allow kids to explore what they’re interested [in],” Ferreira said. There’s also a playroom and swing monkey bars, so the kids can run around.
The place was opened, she notes, because not so long ago youngsters could not run around at school during the “COVID response, when schools went virtual or were closed down,” said Ferreira, who is a member of the Glocester School Committee. Extraordinary Kids today is the opposite of that and “offer(s) kids and family a group focus, to bring kids back together.”
Just like adults, youngsters have support groups for various needs. For example, a social group for age seven to nine year year old boys, and the girls ages nine to twelve have a “self love club.”
Additionally, youthful clients “might do art activities or play games, and relationship building is a part of that,” says Ferreira, the “kids [are] struggling with similar things.”
Art therapy and sand tray play is a form of “nonverbal therapy” where the young ones “don’t have to talk,” explained Ferreira.
The young clients are ages birth to 18-years-old, and the “multidisciplinary approach” to therapy includes occupational therapy, speech therapy, feeding therapy, therapeutic camps, social groups, parent support and education, and more, explained Hogan.
Ferreira opened her mental health practice named Well Played last October, and it’s part of Extraordinary Kids.
“Therapy can be very flexible,” she said, and is “not intimidating.” It is an opportunity to provide support and information “so kids can be their most successful selves and their differences are valuable to the world.”
Ferreira entered the social work profession because of her early career experiences, including work at both Bradley and Hasbro Hospitals.
“I was motivated by the dedicated professionals I met and learned from, while working after my undergraduate degree program,” she said.
She knew that she “wanted to learn more about mental health to help children and families.” Now, her treatment approach “pulls many evidence based interventions such as cognitive behavioral, solution focused therapy, and strengths based perspectives.”
She notes she is learning more mindfulness strategies to bring to clients, and is studying for certification as a yoga instructor. She leads social groups for youngsters, and said she is “looking to expand to host adult groups and psycho-education classes in the near future as well.”
“I have always believed in the power of a team approach. Families deserve a safe, supportive environment where therapists and parents can work together to empower children to live extraordinary lives,” said Hogan. “My goal was to build a clinic where collaboration thrives, where every child is seen, heard, and supported in reaching their full potential.”
Little angel Eliana is still remembered and honored at the business.
“Eliana’s joy and laughter lives on within the walls of Extraordinary Kids Therapy and in the clouds above us as we play, learn, and grow together,” said Hogan. “She was nothing short of extraordinary and is how our unique, heart-forward process came to be. Everything we do, every day we get to play, and every family we get to help is all in loving memory of her.”
The company website also points to the young girl who served as inspiration.
“Shortly after passing, she started to come to Ashley in the clouds, in the waves, and as butterflies and showed her that Extraordinary Kids needed to be founded and that more kids needed her help,” it notes. “You will find beautiful monarch butterflies hidden in each room at Extraordinary Kids to show that Eliana is always with us, laughing with us, and guiding the way.”
Awesome!