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Home / About / Our Team

Our Team

“My team is my greatest asset and my family away from home. They are highly trained in real life situations, working with some of the sickest chronically ill people in the world. This on the ground experience cannot be learned from books or schools.”

- Dr. Katinka van der Merwe

Handpicked From All Walks Of Life

Our Purpose

People meant to be on my team are not simply hired because I had a position to fill, but because they were meant to be part of my team. The one thing they all have in common is what I call the “X-Factor”— fierce compassion for those in pain that cannot be taught.

Emily & Therapist Katie
Big moment! Emily raised her arms above her head for the first time in 10 years.

Dum Spero Spiro

How We Work

The right people at the right time can make anything possible.

My team is my greatest asset and my family away from home. Their experience cannot be learned from books or schools. Together, we celebrate our patient victories and hold each other up when the patients we care about may struggle. We eat together around the same lunch table every lunch because we ARE family. A chosen one.

Watch the tribute video made as a gift to us by one of our CRPS patients Jenna. It gives an amazing picture of every patient’s journey of hope.

Meet the Staff

Dr. Katinka

Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr. Katinka's Bio

Ever since I was a child, I knew that one day, I’d be helping people in some way. The day I decided to treat chronic pain it changed my life. I set out on a mission to create a place of love and expertise that would provide hope for those who have been told they should have no hope. I have traveled the world to gather techniques and technologies. I’ve assembled the perfect team. I’ve created the clinic that I’ve always dreamt about and we have been changing lives, one at a time. To us, every changed life matters, every life counts, every person matters.

Dr. Lucas

Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr. Lucas's Bio

Dr. Lucas is my father and my first mentor. He is the reason I chose to help the very sick. I once asked my father why he continued to attend seminars and learn, as skilled as he already was. His answer became a major driving force in my life: “It’s not the eight out of ten patients that you help that keep you from sleeping at night, it’s the two out of ten that you don’t help”. My dad is universally beloved by patients and brings with him a major skill: He uses a technique that addresses the stress caused by emotional trauma, which negatively impacts patients’ lives in a multitude of ways. In my experience, almost every single patient who suffers from severe long term pain and illness also suffers from PTSD. Dr. Lucas’s work is invaluable in this field.

Dr. Hannelie

Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr. Hannelie's Bio

Dr. Hannelie (my sister) is a chiropractor. She has completed years of post graduate study in functional neurology, and is head of our laboratory. She studies blood analysis with a fine tooth comb and detects underlying problems such as chronic Epstein Barr (EBV) infections, urinary tract infections, and functional deficiencies that may slow down recovery. Dr. Hannelie is also an expert adjuster, evaluating and correcting spine and joint problems with a gentle hand.

Dr. Andrew

Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr. Andrew's Bio

Dr. Andrew is my associate doctor. I wanted to hire an associate doctor for many years, but secretly did not think the right person existed. One day, by pure chance, Dr. Andrew’s path crossed mine. It seemed that we were supposed to meet. I was uncertain about how he would handle the stress of working with patients in pain every day, but he has risen to the occasion in every way that matters. I have often said that Dr. Andrew is my “in case I am hit by a bus” plan. For years, I felt pressured by being the only doctor in the world understanding my system and protocols. What if something were to happen to me? Would my work continue? Today, I can comfortably say that yes, my work will continue, due to this remarkable and talented young doctor.

Petro

Office Mom

Petro, My mom, has been immersed in alternative healthcare for decades. She commands a deep understanding of the emotional difficulties that accompany a patient’s journey back to health. Her office management skills and the loving touch she brings to patient relationships make her a highly valued and respected member of our team. Petro is well loved as office mom and known for relentlessly spoiling therapy dogs.

Colene

Clinic Director

Having started out at our front desk over ten years ago, today Colene Beck manages every aspect of the clinic. Colene is also an artist and writer. Colene is universally beloved but also respected by our staff. She is fiercely organized and hides a soft heart underneath her tough exterior. Colene ensures that all scheduling is organized and stream-lined, a gargantuan task.

Stacy

Office Manager

Stacy is Dr. Hannelie’s assistant and right hand. She has a fierce sense of purpose and organization, coupled with a sense of purpose and empathy for our patients. She is very invested in our future growth, and holds a vision to make our system more accessible to patients in pain world wide. She has become a pillar in our clinic and is beloved by her fellow staff and patients alike.

Cameron

Dr. K’s Personal Assistant

In addition to being my right hand and my loyal shadow, Cameron is there from day one when I connect with new patients. Cameron has a deep understanding of the support I need when working with our patients. Cameron connects with each patient and makes sure that we stay on schedule, not a small task, considering all our moving parts.

Bryce

Neuromuscular Re-Education Therapist

I often refer to Bryce as “my lieutenant”. Bryce has been a Neuromuscular Education Therapist for years, and has worked with elite athletes from all over the world. He is driven, committed, highly skilled and very passionate. He is also a master of rehabilitation and takes on some of our toughest cases. He has been known to include outdoor excursions in his therapy, taking patients fishing, bike riding, or to play golf or shooting hoops, depending on the patients’ needs and interests.

Tamie

Neuromuscular Re-Education Therapist

Tamie is a certified massage therapist with a background in geriatric care. She is a sharp, dedicated worker with an exemplary work ethic, and especially enjoys working with children and adolescents. Tamie has a very gentle approach and never, ever gives up on a patient. Her patients tend to bond with her for life and her therapy room is filled with personal gifts and mementos from patients all over the world. She is also mom to an office favorite and trained therapy dog, Hippopotamus.

Kacee

Neuromuscular Re-Education Therapist

Kacee began her career in healthcare as a nurse’s aid. She campaigned passionately to become a member of our staff, and has impressed me with the deep empathy she shows towards her patients. She is known for being kind and committed to every patient under her care. She is a skilled therapist with a kind disposition and a great sense of humor.

Katie

Neuromuscular Re-Education Therapist

Katie is the office clown with a sense of humor that frequently leads everyone bursting out with laughter around the lunch table. She is a caring but demanding therapist that takes her job to heart and lives for those breakthrough moments we all cherish so dearly. She is wildly popular with our patients due to her dedicated, tough love approach tempered with lots of laughter that she elicits in our patients.

Caleb

Neuromuscular Re-Education Therapist

Caleb joined the Army as a Cavalry Scout in 2008. He spent the next 11 years training and deploying. During his time in the military he was a remedial fitness instructor. He has been a martial artist since he was 10 years old, and sustained many injuries throughout the years, resulting in a lot of time in physical therapy. Caleb is disciplined but jovial, quickly becoming a patient favorite for his many colorful stories and compassion.

Anna

Patient Care Coordinator

Anna is usually the initial point of contact when our patients first reach out to us. She’s like our Lady Liberty, a welcome port of safety for the broken, distressed and hopeless. She always has a listening ear and a heart as big as Texas. Personally, Anna has two children who have dealt with severe and chronic illness. She understands pain and suffering and brings tremendous passion to her work.

Kaylie

Marketing Manager

Kaylie always had a passion for helping people. Kaylie herself has been chronically ill and understands what it feels like to be sick and hopeless, with nowhere to turn. Since, using our system, Kaylie has made a remarkable recovery. I feel that this background has given her a level of compassion that only suffering can. Kaylie has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communication. She deeply believes in our program’s ability to help the hopeless and wants to shout it from the mountain tops.

Shane

Microcurrent Therapist

Shane has a giant heart and a gentle soul. Many a time have I seen him walking someone to their car in the rain or going above and beyond the call of duty in some other way. Shane is soft spoken but also one of the wittiest people I’ve ever met. He truly cares about our individual patients and has an unsurpassed work ethic.

Tyler

Neurosage Tech

Tyler’s keen sense of humor and fantastic people skills enable him to sincerely connect with our patients. Tyler has had advanced training in relaxation of the brain and has a deep passion for helping our patients.

Amanda

Scar Tissue Therapist

Amanda is a ray of sunshine, and the person every patient opens up to. She has a huge heart dedicated to serving those in need. It is easy to talk to her. She approaches every patient in pain as a human being, and she listens with infinite kindness and compassion, she is also a very gifted therapist and dog mama to one of our therapy dogs, Sam.

Paige

Front Desk

Paige functions incredibly well under pressure and in a busy environment, making her ideally suited to head off our front desk. She loves the fast pace of our clinic, and stays calm under all circumstances. She has an inborn calmness that conveys itself in any stressful situation. This is perhaps because of her childhood surrounded by many siblings, making her abnormally used to having many things go on all at once. Paige is also incredibly funny, and I can count on her to cheer me up even on the most difficult days.

Rena

Front Desk

Rena is kind and perpetually cheerful, attuned to the staff’s and patients’ needs. She is known to give small gifts when you least expect it, such as a package of coveted blue pens (something I am forever losing). She always seems to be in a good mood and just happens to resemble an angel too.

Sarah

Dr. Hannelie’s Assistant

Sarah is instrumental in organizing communication between various doctors in our clinic and keeping track of which tests need to be ordered, lab results, and individual protocols. She is Dr. Hannelie’s right hand and one of the most cheerful people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Meet the Staff

Dr. Katinka

Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr. Katinka's Bio

Ever since I was a child, I knew that one day, I’d be helping people in some way. The day I decided to treat chronic pain it changed my life. I set out on a mission to create a place of love and expertise that would provide hope for those who have been told they should have no hope. I have traveled the world to gather techniques and technologies. I’ve assembled the perfect team. I’ve created the clinic that I’ve always dreamt about and we have been changing lives, one at a time. To us, every changed life matters, every life counts, every person matters.

Dr. Lucas

Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr. Lucas's Bio

Dr. Lucas is my father and my first mentor. He is the reason I chose to help the very sick. I once asked my father why he continued to attend seminars and learn, as skilled as he already was. His answer became a major driving force in my life: “It’s not the eight out of ten patients that you help that keep you from sleeping at night, it’s the two out of ten that you don’t help”. My dad is universally beloved by patients and brings with him a major skill: He uses a technique that addresses the stress caused by emotional trauma, which negatively impacts patients’ lives in a multitude of ways. In my experience, almost every single patient who suffers from severe long term pain and illness also suffers from PTSD. Dr. Lucas’s work is invaluable in this field.

Dr. Hannelie

Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr. Hannelie's Bio

Dr. Hannelie (my sister) is a chiropractor. She has completed years of post graduate study in functional neurology, and is head of our laboratory. She studies blood analysis with a fine tooth comb and detects underlying problems such as chronic Epstein Barr (EBV) infections, urinary tract infections, and functional deficiencies that may slow down recovery. Dr. Hannelie is also an expert adjuster, evaluating and correcting spine and joint problems with a gentle hand.

Dr. Andrew

Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr. Andrew's Bio

Dr. Andrew is my associate doctor. I wanted to hire an associate doctor for many years, but secretly did not think the right person existed. One day, by pure chance, Dr. Andrew’s path crossed mine. It seemed that we were supposed to meet. I was uncertain about how he would handle the stress of working with patients in pain every day, but he has risen to the occasion in every way that matters. I have often said that Dr. Andrew is my “in case I am hit by a bus” plan. For years, I felt pressured by being the only doctor in the world understanding my system and protocols. What if something were to happen to me? Would my work continue? Today, I can comfortably say that yes, my work will continue, due to this remarkable and talented young doctor.

Petro

Office Mom

Petro, My mom, has been immersed in alternative healthcare for decades. She commands a deep understanding of the emotional difficulties that accompany a patient’s journey back to health. Her office management skills and the loving touch she brings to patient relationships make her a highly valued and respected member of our team. Petro is well loved as office mom and known for relentlessly spoiling therapy dogs.

Colene

Clinic Director

Having started out at our front desk over ten years ago, today Colene Beck manages every aspect of the clinic. Colene is also an artist and writer. Colene is universally beloved but also respected by our staff. She is fiercely organized and hides a soft heart underneath her tough exterior. Colene ensures that all scheduling is organized and stream-lined, a gargantuan task.

Stacy

Office Manager

Stacy is Dr. Hannelie’s assistant and right hand. She has a fierce sense of purpose and organization, coupled with a sense of purpose and empathy for our patients. She is very invested in our future growth, and holds a vision to make our system more accessible to patients in pain world wide. She has become a pillar in our clinic and is beloved by her fellow staff and patients alike.

Cameron

Dr. K’s Personal Assistant

In addition to being my right hand and my loyal shadow, Cameron is there from day one when I connect with new patients. Cameron has a deep understanding of the support I need when working with our patients. Cameron connects with each patient and makes sure that we stay on schedule, not a small task, considering all our moving parts.

Bryce

Neuromuscular Re-Education Therapist

I often refer to Bryce as “my lieutenant”. Bryce has been a Neuromuscular Education Therapist for years, and has worked with elite athletes from all over the world. He is driven, committed, highly skilled and very passionate. He is also a master of rehabilitation and takes on some of our toughest cases. He has been known to include outdoor excursions in his therapy, taking patients fishing, bike riding, or to play golf or shooting hoops, depending on the patients’ needs and interests.

Tamie

Neuromuscular Re-Education Therapist

Tamie is a certified massage therapist with a background in geriatric care. She is a sharp, dedicated worker with an exemplary work ethic, and especially enjoys working with children and adolescents. Tamie has a very gentle approach and never, ever gives up on a patient. Her patients tend to bond with her for life and her therapy room is filled with personal gifts and mementos from patients all over the world. She is also mom to an office favorite and trained therapy dog, Hippopotamus.

Kacee

Neuromuscular Re-Education Therapist

Kacee began her career in healthcare as a nurse’s aid. She campaigned passionately to become a member of our staff, and has impressed me with the deep empathy she shows towards her patients. She is known for being kind and committed to every patient under her care. She is a skilled therapist with a kind disposition and a great sense of humor.

Katie

Neuromuscular Re-Education Therapist

Katie is the office clown with a sense of humor that frequently leads everyone bursting out with laughter around the lunch table. She is a caring but demanding therapist that takes her job to heart and lives for those breakthrough moments we all cherish so dearly. She is wildly popular with our patients due to her dedicated, tough love approach tempered with lots of laughter that she elicits in our patients.

Caleb

Neuromuscular Re-Education Therapist

Caleb joined the Army as a Cavalry Scout in 2008. He spent the next 11 years training and deploying. During his time in the military he was a remedial fitness instructor. He has been a martial artist since he was 10 years old, and sustained many injuries throughout the years, resulting in a lot of time in physical therapy. Caleb is disciplined but jovial, quickly becoming a patient favorite for his many colorful stories and compassion.

Anna

Patient Care Coordinator

Anna is usually the initial point of contact when our patients first reach out to us. She’s like our Lady Liberty, a welcome port of safety for the broken, distressed and hopeless. She always has a listening ear and a heart as big as Texas. Personally, Anna has two children who have dealt with severe and chronic illness. She understands pain and suffering and brings tremendous passion to her work.

Kaylie

Marketing Manager

Kaylie always had a passion for helping people. Kaylie herself has been chronically ill and understands what it feels like to be sick and hopeless, with nowhere to turn. Since, using our system, Kaylie has made a remarkable recovery. I feel that this background has given her a level of compassion that only suffering can. Kaylie has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communication. She deeply believes in our program’s ability to help the hopeless and wants to shout it from the mountain tops.

Shane

Microcurrent Therapist

Shane has a giant heart and a gentle soul. Many a time have I seen him walking someone to their car in the rain or going above and beyond the call of duty in some other way. Shane is soft spoken but also one of the wittiest people I’ve ever met. He truly cares about our individual patients and has an unsurpassed work ethic.

Tyler

Neurosage Tech

Tyler’s keen sense of humor and fantastic people skills enable him to sincerely connect with our patients. Tyler has had advanced training in relaxation of the brain and has a deep passion for helping our patients.

Amanda

Scar Tissue Therapist

Amanda is a ray of sunshine, and the person every patient opens up to. She has a huge heart dedicated to serving those in need. It is easy to talk to her. She approaches every patient in pain as a human being, and she listens with infinite kindness and compassion, she is also a very gifted therapist and dog mama to one of our therapy dogs, Sam.

Paige

Front Desk

Paige functions incredibly well under pressure and in a busy environment, making her ideally suited to head off our front desk. She loves the fast pace of our clinic, and stays calm under all circumstances. She has an inborn calmness that conveys itself in any stressful situation. This is perhaps because of her childhood surrounded by many siblings, making her abnormally used to having many things go on all at once. Paige is also incredibly funny, and I can count on her to cheer me up even on the most difficult days.

Rena

Front Desk

Rena is kind and perpetually cheerful, attuned to the staff’s and patients’ needs. She is known to give small gifts when you least expect it, such as a package of coveted blue pens (something I am forever losing). She always seems to be in a good mood and just happens to resemble an angel too.

Sarah

Dr. Hannelie’s Assistant

Sarah is instrumental in organizing communication between various doctors in our clinic and keeping track of which tests need to be ordered, lab results, and individual protocols. She is Dr. Hannelie’s right hand and one of the most cheerful people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

On my first day at Spero Dr. K helped get me to 0 pain level!

- Myra

"My life before Spero Clinic consisted of sitting in a wheelchair every day. I tried physical therapy and that caused more problems. I did water therapy, and that helped keep my muscles from..."

Myra's Full Review

I am 99% pain-free and my CRPS is in remission.

- Eric

"Putting into words what Spero Clinic has done for me is not an easy thing to do. Anything I could say about the clinic, the staff, and Dr. Katinka would fall far short of reality. I had CRPS for 24..."

Eric's Full Review

My life is just beginning.

- Jenna S.

"The Spero Clinic is the only clinic I’ve ever stepped foot in where every doctor and staff knows each patient by name, welcomes them and all of their complexities with open arms, and makes a point..."

Jenna’s Full Review

I’m so grateful to Dr. K and her excellent team and so excited for the future!

- Joanna C.

"Spero clinic literally gave me my life back. For six years I was spending my days in bed in immense pain and totally devoid of energy. My bedroom became my prison. I couldn’t leave my house without..."

Joanna’s Full Review

I am in FULL REMISSION and now able to live a pain free life.

- Annie C.

"My name is Annie and I've had CRPS for almost 4 years. If Hell was a medical condition, it's name would be CRPS. I was bed ridden at times, crawling to be somewhat mobile, screaming in pain from..."

Annie’s Full Review

I will remember Dr. Katinka all my life as the doctor who gave my life back.

- Eva F.

"I will remember Dr. Katinka all my life as the doctor who gave my life back. For me, she is a health provider that had the courage, the passion, and the skills to find a new protocol for chronic..."

Eva’s Full Review

Thanks to this clinic I am now CRPS pain-free!

- Melissa T.

"I can’t say enough good things about Spero Clinic and all doctors and staff there. I had CRPS and was in level 8-10 pain for 4 years. Thanks to this clinic I am now CRPS pain-free! That’s right!..."

Melissa’s Full Review

What an AMAZING place that’s so caring.

- Mike K.

"What an AMAZING place that’s so caring, kind, compassionate, and knowledgeable to take on the near hopeless and turn them...US...around and give them not just hope, but LIFE again! I couldn’t be..."

Mike’s Full Review

This has been a remarkable experience.

- Wendy M.

"I am writing this as I am heading back to my home in Florida after 4 months of being a patient here. I have fibromyalgia and CRPS. I arrived barely able to breathe and probably closer to an end than..."

Wendy’s Full Review

I recommend the clinic 100%

- Philip R.

"Having been diagnosed with CRPS in November of 2015 I found the clinic in June of 2016. I have no residual CRPS symptoms three years later. The team at The Spero Clinic are wonderful human beings and..."

Philip’s Full Review

I have my life back!!

- Melanie B.

"I have my life back. Before coming to the clinic I was in a wheelchair. I stopped all activity and was no longer able to work. I was in so much pain that I mentally and physically could not function...."

Melanie’s Full Review

I’m so very grateful!!

- Sonja S.

"The loving atmosphere, equaled with amazing research and amazing success, makes the Spero Clinic the place where my daughter was healed from debilitating constant pain. I’m so very grateful!!..."

Sonja’s Full Review

Services

Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Treatment Modalities
Introductory Patient Program

Conditions

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Fibromyalgia

Stories

What Does Remission Look Like?
Patient Before and Afters

Dr. Katinka

Books
Dr. Katinka’s Patient Zero
The Secret Sauce

About

Our Team
Our Facility

Resources

Friendraising Doc
Patient Forms
Earthing Products
Burning Limb Foundation
FAQs
Videos
Hope For Chronic Pain Podcast
In The News
Blog

Finding Hope Documentary

Follow us online!

Catch up with the latest news and patient progress at the Spero Clinic.

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