Meet the Team
Hi! I’m Blythe Ardyson
Owner and Occupational Therapist at Running Cedar Therapies
My passion for building Running Cedar Therapies is guided by my experiences as a mother of two children with special needs. My goal is to create the kinds of services I know that children and families need.
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Beyond just offering amazing therapy for kids and teens, I believe that families will experience improved quality of life by engaging together in a community that provides social support and knowledge sharing.
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Support not just from therapists but from like-minded parents has been crucial to my journey as a parent to children with differences. However, this support was not always easy to find. And this gap in support is what I hear and see from other families in my work as an occupational therapist.
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I am a life-long nature enthusiast, a former biology teacher, and a mother who has seen first-hand the incredible benefits of time spent in nature. Through my personal experiences and extensive research, I have become so convinced children and families will flourish with nature-based therapy. That's why I channeled all my energy into bringing nature-based services to my community.
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Most of all, I’m guided by my love for children, teens, and their families. I believe love is a necessary ingredient in all I do.
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It’s literally my job to love each child and foster stronger family connections.
Beyond a big heart, I share years of training and experience:
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Extensively trained in the ConTiGO Approach for providing evidence-based outdoor therapy
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Trained in advanced topics to help children and teens including social thinking, feeding skills, self-regulation, and interoception
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Empowered to use effective Autism specific strategies through Learn, Play, Thrive and TEACCHⓇ Autism Program
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More than 5 years working as an OT in the school system, working with children from preschool through high school age, after graduating with a Masters in Occupational Therapy from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2016
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Deep understanding of adolescents and education from spending 11 years as a science and math teacher at the Carolina Friends School – which fostered a love for experiential learning and an outdoor curriculum
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Beyond my dedication to neurodiversity affirming therapy, I share years of experience:
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Extensive training and experience supporting children and teens with sensory and interoception differences
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Training in the implementation of TEACCHⓇ methods to support children and teens with Autism in a variety of settings
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Over 6 years of working with children and teens with complex cognitive, motor, and medical needs, and comfortable managing these needs in a variety of settings, including the outdoors
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Bilingual (Spanish/English) and comfortable working with children and families for whom Spanish is the primary language
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More than three years working as an OT in the school system, working with children from preschool through high school age, after graduating with a Masters in Occupational Therapy from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2020
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Hi! I’m Kathryn Diamant
Occupational Therapist at Running Cedar Therapies
I am thrilled to be combining my two greatest passions– neurodiversity affirming occupational therapy and spending time in nature– as an OT at Running Cedar!
Before I became an OT, I had been working with children and teens with disabilities for over 10 years. I worked in summer camps, schools, community programs, and homes. In all of these experiences, and in my time as an occupational therapist, I have seen over and over again the amazing growth that happens when kids get out of the classroom or clinic and into the outdoors. My biggest goal as an OT is to help children to feel loved, seen, and free to be themselves as they grow, and I think the natural world supports this more than any other environment I have seen.
Spending time in nature has also been a huge part of my personal life since as long as I can remember. I have always felt most connected to family and friends when hiking, camping, and playing in the woods. I believe strongly in Running Cedar’s vision of connection and community, and love supporting access to this connection in the outdoors!
Hello! I’m Shelley Rhudy
Physical Therapist at Running Cedar Therapies
My favorite part of being a physical therapist is helping kids be as independent as possible using problem solving and adaptations. Whether I can help children to play in their own backyards, camp with their family and friends, or play laser tag in their neighborhood - I’ve seen doors open with the right combination of therapy and support.
I am excited to combine my passions for accessibility and the outdoors with my work at Running Cedar Therapies. We offer a powerful combination of physical therapy and immersion in the natural environment.
Enjoying outdoor activities has been a huge part of my family life. My husband, two kids, and I love having adventures together, from digging in the creek in our backyard to camping and hiking. Time in the outdoors has positively impacted my family and I want other families to experience the same benefit, especially when it feels out of reach.
Beyond a passion for the outdoors, I share years of experience and knowledge:
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Over 20 years experience as a pediatric physical therapist, in schools and homes
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Expansive experience across age groups and diagnoses, especially drawn to neurological and genetic-related diagnoses
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Extensive experience working with families and equipment vendors regarding mobility and adaptive equipment needs
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Prioritize the social-emotional benefit of my work with my clients and families
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Connecting families with community resources
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I love incorporating yoga into my work with individuals and groups across age ranges and ability levels.
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Check out Physical Therapy Services