Specialty Services
Tosa Pediatrics partners with a variety of specialty services providers to ensure all of your child's needs are met. See the specialists below for detailed information on each of the services available at our office.
Breastfeeding / Lactation Services
In support of our breastfeeding families, Tosa Pediatrics is proud to offer lactation services at the office by appointment. Lactation services for Tosa Pediatrics are provided by Debbie Pollesch RN, IBCLC of Within A Mother's Arms. Speak with your pediatrician during your appointment for more information.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy services are offered by Syma Richer, OTR/L, onsite at Tosa Pediatrics.
Occupational therapy practitioners work with children and their families to promote active participation in activities or occupations that are meaningful to them. The primary occupation of infants, toddlers and young children is playing, learning and interacting with caregivers. OT inventions address developmental milestones such as, but not limited to, facilitating movement to sit, crawl or walk independently. It can also help kids in a variety of areas from torticollis, fine motor skills, visual perceptual skills cognitive skills and sensory processing skills.
Contact your pediatrician to receive a referral for occupational therapy services.
Nutrition Services
Tosa Pediatrics offers dietetic and nutrition services for children and families. Services include, but are not limited to: food allergies, picky eating, weight management, sports nutrition, diabetes education, and therapeutic diets.
Nutrition services are provided by Jennifer Melcher, MS, RD, CD who strives to improve the health of patients through individualized nutrition care and realistic, family-centered lifestyle changes.
Contact the office to set up your comprehensive, one-on-one, in-office appointment.
Mental Health Services
Tosa Pediatrics is pleased to offer five licensed mental health specialists.
Please contact the office at 414-774-9200 to check for availability.
Maggie Eckert, MS LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor who completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. Maggie is also in the process of becoming a Registered Play Therapist. Maggie specializes in play therapy interventions to encourage children to express big emotions, manage anxiety, persist through challenges, build confidence, and practice new ways of interacting with others.
Caroline Burnett, MS LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of St. Thomas and her master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from Edgewood College. Caroline practices from a systemic approach which calls for high levels of involvement from parents, caregivers, and siblings within the therapy space. Allowing the system to engage in therapy will create an environment of healing for the whole family, enhance relationships, and allow for longer-term maintenance of gains made through therapeutic work. Caroline has a passion for working with young children 0-10, those diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum, with ADHD, and Separation Anxiety.
Bizzie Gonring, Ed.M, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor who completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology, and Brain, Behavior and Cognition from Assumption University, and her master’s in Counseling and Sports Psychology from Boston University. Bizzie believes a welcoming and trusting environment is the best tool in the therapy room. She wants children and adolescents to be able to fully express themselves in order to work through their challenges. This expression often comes in the form of play, and teaching cognitive and behavioral skills. With years of experience with clients ages 4-23, Bizzie has specialized in working with clients on challenges related to anxiety and depression, communication, interpersonal relationships, and trauma.
Brian Froemming, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who completed his undergraduate degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and his Master’s degree in social work from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN. Brian has training and experience working with complex trauma and specializes in treating adolescents, ages 8+, with a wide variety of mental health challenges. Brian’s role is to understand the whole individual and the environments in which they function. He focuses on brain-body connections and how an increased awareness in one’s own self can be a catalyst for self-healing and growth. Brian centers the experiences of your child and allow them to learn about themselves, problem solve, and grow from their experiences in a therapeutic relationship.
Claire Essman is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who received her undergrad degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Cardinal Stritch University. As a mom herself, Claire holds the responsibility of caring for other people’s children with the utmost care. She strives to foster therapeutic relationships built on the foundation of empathy, respect, and genuineness with both children and their caregivers. Claire’s goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental, and comforting environment for every client and family. She views her role as being a partner in helping families achieve their goals and improve their mental well-being.
Claire has experience working with ages 3-18, in the context of individual and group therapy, as well as neuropsychological test administration. Areas of focus include anxiety/depression, ADHD, PTSD, LGBTQ+ issues, neurodiversity, and adjustment to life stressors. Claire utilizes several different evidence-based therapeutic strategies including play therapy techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), social skills development, and mindfulness, along with multicultural competent and trauma-informed care. Claire also provides support to parents and caregivers, to help them then support their kiddos at home. Since every child is unique, treatment is viewed as a collaboration, individualized to each child’s personality and circumstances.
Some of Claire’s favorite things in her free time are spending time with her husband and three kids, enjoying live music, and summer in Milwaukee.
Lipidology/Cholesterol Services
Dr. Ann Liebeskind is an expert in lipidology, the study of cholesterol. She is board certified in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine and is a Diplomate of Lipidology. She is also a "COACH," a designated regional expert in obesity, for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She enjoys teaching other healthcare providers across the country about lipids as part of the Faculty of the National Lipid Association. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics for the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Dr. Ann Liebeskind authored a book, Adventures in Cholesterol, to help teach children about how to better understand their heart health and make healthy choices. She is excited to be working with Tosa Pediatrics to help children with cholesterol, elevated blood sugar, insulin resistance and/or weight concerns.
Contact Dr. Liebeskind at 844-547-4343.