Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Laurel McMillan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Laurel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

I was lucky enough to grow up in a loving, supportive home with my parents, and older brother, Matt. Throughout my early childhood, I was always encouraged that I could achieve anything, and to always approach things with a positive attitude and a big smile. While this often resulted in trying different sports and clubs, none of them really clicked and my mom finally said, “you don’t have the aggressive spirit”, which couldn’t have been more true. This led me to use my free time as a teenager volunteering in my mom’s classrooms, and seeking out my first job as an after school program leader, which was the first time I formally worked with children.

While my parents would have loved for me to stay close to home when the time came to choose a college, they understood my desire to try a new place, and helped me make the best choice. I spent 6 years in California between undergrad and graduate school, and through many phone calls and visits, never lost any of their encouragement and support.

Fast forward, I moved back to Arizona and worked for many years as a pediatric and infant occupational therapist for a large healthcare system. I gradually realized that I wanted to start my own practice, initially focusing on new babies in need of ongoing therapy following stays in the neonatal intensive care unit. I saw this as an underserved area in the community with a huge need for support. I thought about all the details for a long time, and only took the large leap forward with the constant encouragement and support from my parents. Once again, they had no doubt that I could create something wonderful and successful, and were right there helping me take the next steps in my life.

From the beginning, my parents have been encouraging, supportive and loving. Growing up in a household like this not only helps you feel confident in what you are doing, but also teaches you how to treat others with kindness, respect and support. These are core concepts at Little Roos – making certain our families are loved, well supported, and encouraged.

Laurel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Little Roos is an infant and pediatric therapy and wellbeing practice. We provide therapy services for clients throughout the Valley, both at our location inside Modern Milk in Scottsdale, as well as in the family’s home. We are a caring, professional group of therapists that strive to make our families feel comfortable and well supported. We also try to create an appropriate work and life balance, as many of us are raising families of our own as well.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

What we see as professionals day-to-day in the field of medicine can easily become routine, and a normal part of our work. While many of these things are a “normal” part of our practice, it can definitely feel anything but normal to the parents that you are supporting. I think building empathy, truly listening, and demonstrating kindness to all of our families that we are lucky enough to cross paths with is absolutely essential, and will always be central to our practice.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

This aligns closely with the previous answer. Little Roos is committed to offering very high quality, individualized services, while also focusing on providing therapy with empathy and kindness. Finding therapists that will truly listen and support your little one and your family every step of the way is incredibly important. Combining our personalized approach with high quality, professional treatment plans where parents can consistently see their child’s progress is also incredibly rewarding for us. I believe our level of skill and emphasis on building personal relationships, as well as our record of successful outcomes, have both contributed to our positive reputation in the community.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.littleroos.llc
• Instagram: littleroospediatrictherapy
• Facebook: littleroospediatrictherapy

Image Credits
Photo of baby sitting in front of Laurel – credit: Nick Sorenson All other photos are personal photos