Applied Behavior Analysis Staff
Meet the friendly faces who will be working with your child
All members of the KCC staff represent the highest standards of excellence in their field and have extensive experience in pediatric therapy. Continuing education is supported and encouraged to ensure our methods are as up-to-date as possible. Our staff members are part of the KCC team because of their expertise, outstanding clinical skills, and their warmth and insight into children.
Amanda earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s in applied behavior analysis, both from Western Michigan University.
She was named an ABA clinical director in 2021, after first serving as a BCBA and K1 program director.
Before joining the KCC, Amanda was a behavior analyst in a residential treatment facility, conducting functional analyses and developing clinical programming for children with severe challenging behavior.
She enjoys training staff and parents to positively impact the families we provide services for.
Amanda and her husband Chris have two boys.
Lindsay earned her bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and audiology from Western Michigan University and her master’s in applied behavior analysis (ABA) from Ball State University.
She was named an ABA clinical director in 2021, after first serving as a BCBA and K2 program director.
Before becoming a board-certified behavior analyst at the KCC, she worked here for many years as an ABA tech.
She says the best part of her job is learning from all of the wonderful kids and their families.
Lindsay and her husband Max have two daughters, a cat named Albie, and a French mastiff named Marty.
Alyson earned her bachelor’s degree in child development from Central Michigan University and her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from Ball State University.
She has worked at the KCC since 2015 and was a lead ABA tech before becoming a BCBA and starting in her current position.
Alyson’s favorite part of her job is seeing the kids’ cute faces every day and helping them learn new skills.
She has two cats (Otis and Elliot) and loves spending time on the lake, listening to live music, and spending time with her family.

KRISTI BUCCELLATO
BCBA SUPERVISOR
Board-Certified
Behavior Analyst
MA, BCBA, LBA
Kristi earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Wayne State University.
She obtained her master’s in applied behavior analysis with an emphasis in autism at Ball State University.
Before becoming a BCBA, Kristi was a longtime ABA tech here at the KCC, and had previous experience as a tech at a different facility.
Outside of work, Kristi enjoys camping and going on adventures with her three kids.
Hailee graduated from Central Michigan University with a BS in neuroscience and psychology. She went on to earn her master’s in special education from Oakland University.
Hailee was an ABA tech at the KCC before getting her BCBA certification. She had previous ABA experience before that, and also worked as a psychometrist intern at a mental health facility.
Hailee enjoys reading, sports and travel. She has a poodle/yorkie mix named Poochie Edward.
Sharita earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in American sign language at Central Michigan University.
She later obtained a post-bachelor’s degree in speech pathology at Wayne State University and a master’s degree in education through Arizona State University.
Before becoming a board-certified behavior analyst, Sharita worked as an ABA technician for several years.
Sharita is a dog mom to an adorable German Shepherd mix named Chandler.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, finding a binge-worthy TV show, and experimenting with recipes and home DIY projects.

KRISTYN PARKER
BCBA SUPERVISOR
Board-Certified
Behavior Analyst
MA, BCBA, LBA
Kristyn earned her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Central Michigan.
She was a senior ABA tech at the KCC before becoming a BCBA and has previous ABA experience in the hospital setting.
Kristyn enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.
ABA Administration
Kayla earned a BA in family life education from Concordia University. She has experience in the ABA field as both a tech and a scheduling coordinator.
Kayla has two daughters with big hearts who keep her on her toes. She loves spending time with her fiancé, family and friends. Kayla is a cheerleading coach and enjoys summer time and going camping.
Speech-Language Pathologists & Occupational Therapists
Dedicated speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists are integral members of our team and have specialized and ongoing training in ABA. SLPs offer strategies to maximize speech-motor and functional communication skills. OTs work with kids to generalize skills across all environments, including activities of daily living, fine motor skills, and sensory processing. Both SLPs and OTs in our program work with each child’s supervising BCBA to seamlessly coordinate treatment with ABA goals to ensure carryover of skills throughout the day.
ABA Technicians
Our staff of dedicated ABA technicians receive intensive classroom instruction and hands on training before delivering ABA treatment. In addition, they are required to attain registered behavior technician (RBT) certification within the first six months of employment.

CHANEL ANDERSON
Lead ABA Tech
RBT
Chanel earned her associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in liberal arts and sign language through a dual program from Oakland University and Siena Heights University. She also completed a large amount of coursework in psychology and sociology, graduating as a member of the honor society.
Before coming to the KCC, Chanel worked in the culinary field and often volunteered for sign language interpreting conferences. She has completed over 300 working in the sign language field. She and her husband have two children.

LAUREN ATKINS
Lead ABA Tech
RBT
Lauren earned her BA at Indiana University Bloomington, majoring in psychology and minoring in counseling. She has previous experience as a behavior tech.
Lauren loves being active and is an avid hiker and runner. She enjoys spending time with family and friends.

ERIN FRANKLIN
Lead ABA Tech
RBT
Erin earned a BS in psychology at Towson University, where she graduated magna cum laude and was a member of the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology.
She has completed additional coursework in family and human services and previously worked as a reading tutor.
Erin enjoys swimming, cooking with her boyfriend, traveling (including a trip to Alaska) and spending time with friends and family.

AUDREY LAPORTE
Lead ABA Tech
RBT
Audrey earned a bachelor’s degree in human biology from Michigan State University, where she graduated with honors. She has previous experience as a behavior technician.
Audrey has a dog name Doug.

SHEENA PARIKH
Lead ABA Tec
RBT
Coming soon

TESSA SMITH
Lead ABA Tech
RBT
Tessa studied organismal biology and child education at Schoolcraft College and graduated from the University of Michigan – Dearborn with a BA in psychology and a minor in art history.
She has previous experience working in daycare as an assistant teacher and then a lead teacher.
Tessa and her partner Rob are working hard to buy a home for themselves and their puppy.

RACHEL STEED
Lead ABA Tech
RBT
Rachel earned a BS in education at Bowling Green State University, majoring as an intervention specialist. She has previous experience in elementary and Montessori schools in a variety of positions, including as a substitute teacher, teacher’s aide, and paraprofessional. She enjoys working with children and has a passion to teach.
Rachel has a golden doodle named Rusti.

DALLAS WHEELOCK
Lead ABA Tech
RBT
Dallas earned a BA in communication sciences and disorders from Central Michigan University. She previously worked in respite and direct care at JARC and has a strong knowledge of American Sign Language.
Dallas’ favorite things in the world are her dachshund and gecko. She enjoys being active and loves to rollerblade.

TEQUERIA BARRETT
ABA Tech
Tequeria earned a BS in psychology at Eastern Michigan University. She has previous experience working with children.

RACHEL BAUSE
ABA Tech
Rachel earned a BA in psychology and business at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
She has previous experience as a behavior tech.

EMILY BERDAN
ABA Tech
Emily has attended Arizona State University and Oakland Community College and holds an associate’s degree in general studies. She will begin working toward a degree in communication sciences and disorders at Wayne State University in Winter 2025.
Emily is a three-time recipient of Starbucks Partner of the Quarter award.

MIKAELA CELESKEY
ABA Tech
Mikaela earned a BA in psychology at Michigan State University. She enjoys reading, thrifting, vinyl collecting, and working out.

TAYLOR CHAMBERS
ABA Tech
RBT
Taylor earned a bachelor’s degree in human biology and neuroscience at Michigan State University. She has previous experience as a registered behavior technician.

BOBBI RHEA COOPER
ABA Tech
RBT
Bobbi Rhea studied at St. Clair College.
She is a classically trained musician.

BRENNA DIRKSE
ABA Tech
RBT
Brenna earned her bachelor’s degree in cognitive science from the University of Michigan.
She has 2 1/2 years experience as an ABA tech.
Brenna enjoys reading history, traveling, and cooking. She loves cats and has two boys: Scooter and Louie.

AMIRA FARRIS
ABA Tech
Coming soon

HELENA HANAEE
ABA Tech
Helena earned a BS in social work at Oakland University. She has previous experience working with children.

JO HEMRY
ABA Tech
Jo earned an undergrad degree in elementary and special education at Western Michigan University and a master’s in middle grades math at Piedmont University.
She is a certified teacher in special education and elementary education and previously worked in those fields.
Jo has four daughters and enjoys painting, swimming, and dancing. Her favorite foods are anything with cheese!

JESSICA HOOD
ABA Tech
Jessica earned a BS in psychology at Arizona State University. She has previous experience as a registered behavior technician.

HANNAH LEININGER
ABA Tech
RBT
Hannah earned a master’s degrees in special education with a specialization in ABA at Bowling Green State University.
She has previous experience as a registered behavior technician.
Hannah enjoys soccer, hiking, mountain biking, paddle boarding, camping, art, and church.

REY LIGHT
ABA Tech
Rey earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Eastern Michigan along with limited license bachelor social worker (LLBSW) certification.
Before coming to KCC, she worked as a social worker and as a registered behavior technician.
Rey speaks three languages and has three cats. She calls herself a ‘huge nerd’ who loves comics, video games, and reading.

KENDALL LUBERTO
ABA Tech
Kendall is currently attending Macomb Community College. She is a dual citizen and is related to Sharon Tate.

CAMRYN McCRARY
ABA Tech
Camryn is attending Oakland Community College. She is a certified birth doula.

McKAYLAN MEINZER
ABA Tech
McKaylan earned a BA in early childhood education at Saginaw Valley State University. She has previous experience working with children.
McKaylan enjoys outdoor activities.

AMANDA MORTON
ABA Tech
Amanda earned a BS in elementary education at Grand Canyon University.
She enjoys reading and word games.

FLYNN PARKER
ABA Tech
RBT
Flynn is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has experience teaching in early childhood classrooms.

HILLARY SMITH
ABA Tech
Coming soon

SHANIQUA SPENCER
ABA Tech
Shaniqua is currently attending Henry Ford Community College, working on an elementary education degree.
She loves to cook and enjoys art museums.

JOHANNA STRUEDER
ABA Tech
Johanna has experience working with young children.

LAURA TAMBE
ABA Tech
RBT
Laura earned a bachelor’s degree in psychological science from the University of Kore Enna and a master’s in social psychology from the University of Milano Bicocca, both in Italy.
She enjoys reading and Japanese food.

SAMANTHA VANSICKLE
ABA Tech
RBT
Samantha earned an associate’s degree in general education from Macomb Community College and studied elementary education at Oakland University. She is currently finishing a bachelor’s degree in applied behavior analysis through Purdue Global University and hopes to continue on to earn her master’s in ABA.
Samantha has worked with young children for over 10 years in childcare facilities and preschools. Her duties grew from support staff to assistant teacher, and she took on lead teacher duties when needed.
Samantha has two French bulldogs, Moxi and Mowi, and has a lifelong love for horses and their beauty. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and being outside in nature.