Meet Our Therapists
Charlene Kurkjian
OTR/L Director
Charlene is owner and director of Powerhouse Therapy. Charlene graduated from Indiana University in 1984 and has over 40 years experience working with both children and adults. She has completed CI therapy training in Birmingham Alabama with Dr. Edward Taub and his team. Other specialized training includes Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation, Splinting/Casting, Feeding and Oral Motor Therapy, Therapeutic Listening, Sensory Processing, Orthopedics, and Neuromotor disorders. Charlene has worked in a variety of pediatric settings including inpatient and outpatient hospital, private clinics, home health, and school systems. She is owner of Happy Hungry Hippos feeding clinic in Marietta, Ga., offering specialized treatment for children with oral motor and feeding delays. Charlene enjoys yoga, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.
Disha Mudulodu
MS OTR/L Assistant Director
Disha Mudulodu is the assistant director of Powerhouse Therapy. Disha earned her Masters of Occupational Therapy from the University of Tennessee in Memphis in 2010. She has over 9 years of experience in pediatric occupational therapy in a variety of settings including, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab clinics, and public schools. Disha has been part of the Powerhouse therapy team since 2017 and has completed CI therapy training in Birmingham, AL with Dr. Edward Taub. She has experience working with children with several neuromotor disorders, cerebral palsy, Autism, Down syndrome, ADHD, anxiety, fine motor delays, etc. Disha is trained in modalities, casting, sensory processing interventions, manual muscle manipulation, and aqua therapy. Disha is passionate about her role in this program and enjoys building relationships with her clients and families. She believes in partnering with families in a family-centered approach to achieve child’s goals and reach their full potential. Disha enjoys being a mom to her 2 kids, playing tennis and illustrating.
Amy Balkin
OTR/L
Amy has been a pediatric occupational therapist for over 20 years. She graduated from Ithaca College with a BS/MS in occupational therapy in 2001/2002. Amy worked in public schools and a private sensory integration clinic in Fairfield County, Connecticut before moving to Georgia in 2004. She has worked in several pediatric settings in the Atlanta area including: home based early intervention, private school, gymnastics-based OT, and private clinics. She has worked for Powerhouse Therapy since its start! Amy currently works in Dawson County Schools working with the preschool and elementary aged population. She also works PRN at Joy Therapy and Learning Center in Cumming, GA providing outpatient pediatric therapy. Amy has completed continuing education classes in the areas of autism, cerebral palsy, executive functioning, cardiopulmonary and postural control, and therapeutic listening. Amy is also SIPT certified through USC/WPS. Amy enjoys spending time with her daughter and husband, travelling to the beaches of South Walton, and reading.
Jackie Kocken
PT, DPT
Jacqueline Kocken, PT, DPT is a licensed physical therapist who has worked in pediatrics for over 10 years. She grew up playing soccer competitively, which led to a scholarship at the University of Southern Mississippi. She majored in Exercise Science and pursued a career path towards physical therapy. Jackie returned to Atlanta, where she received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Emory University. She found her passion for working with children in graduate school, leading her to a job in pediatrics. Jackie has worked in a variety of settings, including clinic, school, barn and pool. Being able to treat in unique settings depending on a child’s needs and interests is what motivated her to pursue working for Power House Therapy. This is Jackie’s second year working for Power House Therapy and she looks forward to future summers treating with this exceptional team. Jackie is married to her college sweetheart, Andrew Kocken. They live in North Forsyth near Lake Lanier with their two kids and a dog.
Carol Hicks
MS, PT
Carol has extensive experience treating children with a variety of developmental, orthopedic, and neurological disorders. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas in 1982 and her master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Texas Women’s University in 1990. Carol completed the Neurodevelopment Treatment certification course in 1988 and Adult Hemiplegia training in 1990. She has worked in a variety of practice settings including acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, home care and schools. Most recently, Carol worked at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for 15 years and served as Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinical Supervisor until her retirement in 2019. Carol enjoys mentoring other therapists/physical therapy students and has been a clinical instructor for over 30 years. She specializes in splinting/casting, CIMT and use of functional electrical stimulation. Carol and her husband, David, enjoy traveling and visiting their children/grandchildren in Texas and Tennessee.
Heidi Beck PT,
PT, DPT
Heidi Beck PT, DPT joined the team at PowerHouse Therapy in 2022. She is very passionate about intensive therapy and loves to see the progress children make during the program. She also provides physical therapy through the Babies Can’t Wait program in the natural environments of homes and daycares. Heidi also works with children in the Forsyth County School System during the calendar school year. Heidi obtained her doctor of physical therapy degree (DPT) from Georgia State University in 2009 and her bachelor’s degree in Biology from North Georgia College and State University. She is a childhood cancer survivor and was privileged to intern at St. Jude Children’s Hospital with pediatric oncology patients. Heidi is blessed and grateful for her job as a physical therapist and loves helping children succeed physically through play. She has held the following certifications: a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA and a Certified Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist through the American Institute of Balance. Heidi loves spending time with her husband and two sons. She enjoys anything outdoors, especially athletic activities of wakeboarding, swimming, skiing, weight training, running, and hiking.
Angie Hernandez
OTR/L
Angie graduated from Florida International University and has over fifteen years of experience working as an occupational therapist. She has worked in a variety of settings including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient and home care. Angie is currently working for Comprehensive Therapy Associates where she provides therapy for Forsyth County Schools and evaluates/treats pre-K through high school students with developmental delays, autism ADHD, CP and a variety of other special needs. Angie has received specialized training in CIMT for both adults and children and began working for Powerhouse Therapy in 2018. Other specialized training include NDT, kineseotaping and low vision training. Angie loves being an OT as she feels it allows her the opportunity to guide and support clients in regaining independence and participation in their valued activities.
Rachel Werenski
MOT, OTR/L
Rachel lived and worked with people of all ages with various special needs after earning her undergraduate degree in 2000—including special education schools in Belize and Washington D.C., a therapeutic farm for adults with mental illness, a group home for adults with disabilities, and a day program for seniors—before she ever heard of occupational therapy. She went on to earn a Masters of Occupational Therapy degree in 2011 from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Rachel currently works as a school-based occupational therapist for Cobb County Schools as well as at an outpatient pediatric clinic. She is a life-long learner and has additional professional training in the areas of emotional regulation, mindfulness-based tools, sensory processing disorder, fine motor skills, handwriting skills, hippotherapy, aquatic therapy, Therapeutic Listening, and reflex integration. She believes being fully present and forming connections with clients and caregivers is an integral part of the therapeutic process and are required to assist clients in their growth toward greater independence and well-being.
Rachel enjoys being outside, gardening, hiking, playing soccer, snuggling with her dogs, and traveling with her husband.
Jodi Beck
OTR/L
Jodi graduated from The Ohio State University School of Allied Medical Professions in 1987 and has extensive experience working with children and adults. She has practiced Occupational Therapy in multiple states including California, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, and Georgia. She has worked in a variety of settings including psychiatric facilities, developmental centers, acute and long term rehabilitation, and school systems. She has worked for Comprehensive Therapy Consultants for 12 years where she provides therapy in Forsyth County Schools and evaluates and treats preK –high school students with developmental delays, autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy and a variety of other special needs. Jodi has received specialized training in CIMT and began working for Powerhouse Therapy in 2017. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing tennis, and reading.
Amanda Thompson
MS OTR/L
Amanda graduated with her master’s degree in 2013 from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. She has a lifetime of experience in the special needs community as she has been a volunteer for Special Olympics and various therapeutic camps throughout her childhood and college career. Amanda has experience in the school system as well as private clinics. She enjoys working with children with various diagnoses but has experience working with children ranging in age from 2-21 with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, Developmental Delays, seizure disorders, and various rare genetic disorders. She strives to provide the best services to her children as well as the families to allow life to be enjoyable! Amanda and her husband, Derrick, live in Flowery Branch, Georgia. They welcomed a little girl, Camdyn, in August 2019.
POWERHOUSE THERAPY
Offering individual intensive therapy from a pediatric occupational or physical therapist with specialized training in CI Therapy.