Westside started in the Cassidy Family farmhouse in Homer Glen.
Shari started Westside with the mindset to not just get good clinical results, but to change families’ lives forever. That mindset is instilled in everyone that works at Westside.
Shari did not have much of a “business plan” early on. She just wanted to make sure that anyone who needed services was able to get them.
Shari’s husband, Tim, is also a vital part of the success of Westside. Tim has been supporting Westside since its beginning, providing accounting expertise, level-headed wisdom, and moral support. Her four children are also integral parts of the success of Westside. Corynn and Devin are both therapists, while Mark and Neilan are both involved in operations.
For Shari, it has always been about quality. It never mattered when the child was able to walk, but that the muscles and the way they walked was done correctly and safely when they did.
“We want the families we treat to feel like they are family,” Shari said. “We want them to feel the warmth and feel welcomed.”
Westside has a team of therapists that Shari wants to never stop learning and growing, and always feel that they are part of the family, too.
So with over 600 employees, majority of which are therapists, why does Shari, as the owner, still treat?
“You can change these kids’ lives,” she said. “I want all the PTs to ask me questions if they need help. They want to grow and it’s important to have someone there to guide them.”
Only time will tell what Westside will be like in 10 years from now, but Shari wants to always keep the reputation with families and doctors that you will get the help you need at Westside.
“I didn’t do this alone,” she said. “This took a village. It’s hard to imagine that you look around and so many kids need help. It is a satisfying feeling that we are able to reach more families in need.”
Westside Children’s Therapy celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021. Shari Cassidy, owner and founder, who still works in the clinic, opened her first pediatric outpatient clinic in 1996.
1984-1998: Shari saw patients through Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
1986-1987: She started picking up private patients through Children’s that doctors at the hospital referred to her. She saw the patients at their homes.
1988: To improve efficiency, she began treating patients in an apartment off of her family’s farmhouse. There were too many homes to drive to and from.
1993: She moved sessions to her home in New Lenox when her family tore down the farmhouse.
1996: She entered a partnership with another clinician to open a clinic in Frankfort called “Children’s Therapy Specialists.”
2006: The partnership began to split and Shari opened the first “Westside Children’s Therapy” clinic in Joliet. It was just her and a few part-time employees. Westside got its name because it opened on the westside of Joliet on Essington Road.
2008-now: The partnership dissolved and Westside began its growth to 25+ clinics in 2023 with more than 600 wonderful people who work here.
Westside’s Glen Ellyn clinic opened in 2021.
At Westside, we always try to keep up with the high demand for services in the area. A way that we keep up with the growing need is opening clinics around areas we currently serve. We hope this provides families with more convenient options without having to travel too far.
We currently have 25+ locations in the Chicagoland area with plans for more in the future.
Sensory gym in Westside’s Carol Stream clinic.
We also keep up with the need for services by expanding and refreshing current clinics.
As time goes on, our older clinics need refreshes and some need a little extra space so we can continue to provide the best service to our families.
Therapist and child working on a drawing activity.
When founder/owner Shari Cassidy opened Joliet and Frankfort, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, ABA/Autism Therapy, and Speech Therapy were all provided.
We expanded our services as we continued to grow as a company.
Westside also offers a food school for children that are severe picky eaters.
It is a 12-session program designed to help a child with food exploration, learn about new foods, reduce aversions to non-preferred items, etc. After the 12 sessions, the child is assessed to see if more are needed.
Westside currently offers: