1304 Azalea Ct. Unit A, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Tel: 1-(843)-839-9494
Our Team
Lisa Bellavia, M.Ed., MCD, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist
Lisa holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed in the state of South Carolina. She received a Master of Education degree from Rutgers University and was a certified elementary school teacher for several years before going back to school to earn a Master of Communication Disorders degree from the University of South Carolina and pursuing a career in speech language pathology.
​
Lisa understands that communication only occurs when there is motivation to communicate. She creates a relationship and an environment where each child feels respected, safe, and happy. She enters each child’s world, follows their lead, and makes therapy fun and rewarding. She specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of a variety of communication deficits including receptive/expressive language delays and disorders, phonological disorders, articulation disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, auditory processing disorder, and social/pragmatic language disorders. She is adept at treating children with concomitant disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, genetic disorders, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, hearing impairment, sensory integration dysfunction, and developmental delays.
​
In her free time Lisa enjoys being with her daughter, spending time with family and friends, shopping, crafting, and exploring new places.
Bianca LaSpada, SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
Bianca is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of South Carolina and she is certified through the American Speech Hearing Association (ASHA). She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Science & Disorders from the University of South Florida in 2022. She continued her studies at Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina and earned her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology in 2024.
Bianca became motivated to help others find their voice to communicate from helping her brother Tyler who has autism spectrum disorder. She understands that every child is unique and has their own specific wants and needs. Her motto is to look at the ability, not the disability. Bianca believes that every child holds the ability to accomplish their goals. She follows the child’s lead because she believes that is the most beneficial way to help guide a child to reach their fullest potential and to build a bond and relationship with the child. She has experience working in private practices, schools, and rehabilitation centers with children of all abilities, including autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, receptive/expressive language disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, auditory processing disorders,and social pragmatic disorders.
In her free time, Bianca loves spending time with her mom and dad, watching Rugrat movies with her brother Tyler, and playing with her two dogs Ziva and Eevee. She also enjoys baking, cooking, jogging, yoga, and spending time with her friends.
Ashley C. Sousa, MOT, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Ashley is a registered occupational therapist, certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and licensed in the state of South Carolina. She graduated in 2012 from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC with her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She continued her studies at The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in St. Augustine, FL where she received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree in 2015.
She has experience working in both the clinic and home-based settings where she has worked with children with fine motor and gross motor delays, visual perceptual deficits, sensory integration disorder, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, genetic disorders, and developmental delays. With continuing education in feeding, sensory integration approaches, and treating children with severe physical disabilities, Ashley enjoys treating kids of all ages and skill levels. She believes in building and fostering relationships with her clients and their families to develop and implement therapy goals and practice. She has a passion for changing lives, improving quality of life, and helping families find freedom to enjoy time together in spite of adversity.
In her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband Jonathan, two daughters Mila and Emersyn, and a dog named Sky. She is an avid Pittsburgh sports fan and can often be found cheering on the Steelers, Penguins or Pirates.
Braden Lilly, COTA/L
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Braden is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with clinical experience across inpatient, outpatient, simulated school-based, and pediatric settings. His diverse training has provided him with a strong foundation in supporting children with developmental, motor, and functional challenges across a variety of environments.
During his fieldwork rotation, Braden trained at Thrive, where he developed a deep appreciation for the effectiveness of play-based, child-led therapy. After earning his certification, he was invited to join the team full-time — a transition that allowed him to continue learning within a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.
Braden has developed knowledge in sensory integration principles and feeding intervention techniques through both formal training and hands-on experience working alongside experienced colleagues. He values the opportunity to continually learn from the therapists around him and believes that collaboration strengthens the care each child receives. By combining ongoing professional development with team-based insight, he works to provide thoughtful, individualized interventions that support regulation, functional participation, and developmental progress.
He is especially passionate about caregiver collaboration. Braden believes meaningful change happens when families feel supported, informed, and empowered. He prioritizes open communication and practical strategies that can be carried over into daily routines, helping children succeed not only in the clinic but at home, school, and within their community.
His approach blends professionalism with warmth, ensuring that therapy feels engaging, supportive, and tailored to each child’s unique strengths.
Outside of the clinic, Braden enjoys spending time with his family and significant other. He appreciates reading, music, and film, and values staying active through running. Known for his steady demeanor and positive outlook, he brings both kindness and dedication to every child and family he serves.
Karyn Congdon PT
Certified Physical Therapist
Karyn is originally from upstate New York and earned her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College. She began her career at a large hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, where she gained valuable experience treating patients across the lifespan and met her husband, Gerald. Soon after, they made Pawleys Island their home, where they are raising their three children and are proud to be part of the local community. With extensive experience in pediatric physical therapy,
Karyn has worked in a variety of settings including schools, home health, and outpatient clinics. This diverse background allows her to support children in the environments where they learn, play, and grow. She is passionate about helping children build strength, confidence, and independence through meaningful, play-based therapy. At Thrive, Karyn especially loves helping children with disabilities participate in the everyday childhood experiences that matter most — from learning to ride a bike and play baseball to mastering hopscotch on the playground. She believes therapy should feel engaging, empowering, and tailored to each child’s unique strengths and goals.
By partnering closely with families, Karyn works to ensure that progress made in the clinic carries over into home, school, and community life. She finds great fulfillment in helping children build the strength and coordination needed to succeed at home, at school, and in their communities.