About Emily

Emily received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Seton Hall University in June 2000 and began her career in New Jersey, where she specialized in traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and outpatient upper extremity rehabilitation. After relocating to Asheville in 2002, she began expanding her expertise in spinal cord injury, neurologic rehabilitation, burn recovery, manual therapy and hand/upper extremity rehabilitation.

In 2006, Emily earned her certification as a Lymphedema Therapist through the Vodder School International, marking a pivotal point in her career. She was instrumental in establishing outpatient programs in Asheville that offered comprehensive lymphedema management and hand therapy services, helping to expand access to specialized care in the community.

Over the past two decades, Emily’s practice has evolved with a strong emphasis on oncology rehabilitation, particularly in supporting individuals recovering from breast cancer treatment. She integrates advanced manual therapy techniques with evidence-based rehabilitation approaches to address the physical and functional challenges associated with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and cancer-related lymphedema. Her work focuses not only on symptom reduction and functional restoration, but also on empowering patients to regain confidence and quality of life throughout survivorship.
As co-owner of Thrive Therapeutics Asheville, Emily is committed to advancing the field of oncology rehabilitation through personalized, patient-centered care. She collaborates closely with oncologists, surgeons, and other members of the cancer care team to deliver comprehensive rehabilitation services, with a particular focus on oncology rehabilitation, women’s health, breast cancer recovery, and long-term lipedema/ lymphedema management. Emily is dedicated to ensuring that each patient receives innovative, compassionate care tailored to the unique challenges of cancer rehabilitation.

Oncology Expertise

As a certified lymphedema therapist, Emily has extensive experience working with a diverse range of oncological diagnoses, including breast, cervical, uterine, testicular, bladder, colon, endometrial, melanoma, pancreatic, bladder, bone, and various other cancers. She specializes in treating cancer-related secondary lymphedema affecting the upper and lower extremities, trunk, abdomen, genitals, head, and neck.

Emily delivers evidence-based cancer rehabilitation to survivors, emphasizing the enhancement of function and quality of life across the entire continuum of cancer care. With in-depth knowledge of the unique needs of individuals undergoing treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and reconstruction, they provide comprehensive, patient-centered support to address the physical and functional challenges of oncology recovery.

Degrees and Qualifications

Bachelor of Science (B.A.) in Biology from Georgia Southern University
Master of Science (M.S.) in Occupational Therapy from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
National Board-Certified Occupational Therapist (OTR/L)
North Carolina Board Certified Occupational Therapist
Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist (CMLDT) – Doctor Vodder School International
PORi Certified Oncology Rehabilitation Therapist – Physiological Oncology Rehabilitation Institute (PORi)
Saebo Trained Therapist
LSVT BIG Trained Therapist
Graston Technique Level I/ II Certified