Top Workplaces winner Sidekick Therapy Partners supports their 'heroes'

Kids are the real heroes at Sidekick Therapy Partners, where therapists have spent 45 years in Tennessee teaching communication skills to help children with mental and learning disorders live their best lives. The women-led company has been able to grow into three clinics and more than 40 Tennessee

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What is the story about?

Kids are the real heroes at Sidekick Therapy Partners, where therapists have spent 45 years in Tennessee teaching communication skills to help children with mental and learning disorders live their best lives.

The women-led company has been able to grow into three clinics and more than 40 Tennessee school districts through strong retention and a flourishing company culture that makes employees feel valued.

This internal and external support has earned Sidekick Therapy Partners a first-place award in the midsize category of Top Workplaces.

This is the fifth consecutive year the company has been named a top employer in East Tennessee.

"Our therapists have such big hearts for the work that we do and the clients that we serve," President Krissie Self

told Knox News. "We know that our (speech-language pathologists) are doing wonderful work, and we want to be able to provide that to more kids across the state and across the Southeast.”

Sidekick serves children with mental or learning disorders experiencing difficulties with communication and learning. Inside the clinics, themed rooms are decorated to be lively and inviting with learning materials and toys.

The therapists (a.k.a. teammates) get on the client's level − physically on the floor − and meet the heroes where they're at. Meanwhile, the company champions therapists and staff members who go above and beyond with shoutouts, including a "Hero of the Week."

“Our culture has changed drastically," said Shequria Williams, senior director of clinical services. "And I think now we are in a place where all of our therapists feel seen, heard and valued."

Therapists provide workplace feedback through annual surveys, and company leaders value the input of newer employees early on by asking the question: If you had a magic wand, what is the one thing you would change about your job or at Sidekick?

The company takes this input to heart, Williams said, whether that's more workplace flexibility or better benefits, because "if our therapists are happy with where they work, they want to stay."

Employees can climb the leadership ladder at Sidekick, with employees able to move from the front desk to managerial position − or from working with one child to overseeing an entire district.

It's employees who are "creating this culture and creating this environment that is a peaceful, fun and open place to work," Chief Operating Officer Denise Hood told Knox News. Sidekick leaders want to sustain that environment by helping their employees grow.

“We have put a lot of focus into becoming the employer of choice," Self said. "Whether it's benefits or flexibility or pay, we’ve really tried to take a hard look at what our team wants and what they need to stay with Sidekick long-term."

This commitment makes the company a Top Workplaces winner, and it lets employees be the best sidekicks possible for the real heroes of the world.

What Sidekick Therapy Partners employees had to say

Speech language pathologist Sydney Marcus prepares her room for an appointment at Sidekick Therapy Partners’ office in west Knoxville on May 28, 2026.

The Top Workplaces designation is given based on anonymous employee feedback in a survey conducted by Knox News' partner Energage. Below are some Sidekick Therapy Partners employee responses to the prompt, "I love my job because."

"I love my job because of the people I work with and the genuine care everyone shows for the clients we serve and for one another."
"My job allows me to make positive impacts daily in the lives of others. Leaders are supportive and value feedback. The team keeps clients at the center of decision-making. I am proud to work at this company, and I’m proud of the work we do collectively to improve the lives of children and family. I’m proud of the positive impact we’ve made in our communities."
"I feel we have a great team that has worked to build an amazing culture for those that are employed with us. We care about those that we partner with. We aim to have great relationships with them so that we can provide strong support to the clients we serve. Relationships are important. I also love that there is room to grow and elevate. It is encouraged (at) Sidekick. We also aim to learn more about our teammates goals so that we can help them to achieve them. Overall, I feel that Sidekick sets the standard for all speech companies."