Meet The BCBAs

Alex received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University, which sparked a passion for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). After starting as a developmental therapist at Connec-to-Talk in 2020, Alex became a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and pursued a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Western Connecticut State University. With experience as a Case Manager, Alex has developed expertise in treatment planning, program development, and data analysis. Now a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) as of 2024, Alex is committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities through evidence-based practices in various settings.

Shane is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who has worked in the human services field since 2010. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the State University of New York at New Paltz, Shane went on to earn a Master’s of Professional Studies in Applied Behavior Analysis from Manhattanville College in 2020. Shane started a career in human services working as a direct care and respite worker, then a special education classroom aide and teacher’s assistant, special education paraprofessional, and an RBT. During this time, they became passionate about ABA therapy and continuing to grow and provide services within this amazing community. Shane joined Connec-to-Talk in 2021.

Laura has been working in Applied Behavior Analysis since 2017. She began as a Registered Behavior Technician and has experience providing services in a variety of settings including home, community, school, and clinic based services. She received her Masters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Western Connecticut University and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2021. Laura is licensed to practice in both Connecticut and Maryland. She joined Connec-to-Talk in 2020.

Serena received her Master of Science in Education from Hofstra University in 1997 and taught elementary school. When her younger son was diagnosed with significant autism and developmental delays, she pursued knowledge and training in the field of applied behavior analysis. She received a Post-Master’s Certificate from Western Connecticut State University in 2019. Serena has been serving individuals on the autism spectrum for almost seventeen years- first as a parent, then as a behavior specialist, and now as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Serena joined Connec-to-Talk in January of 2024 and continues her mission to provide effective and compassionate care.

Marrisa received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Social Work, from California Baptist University in 2016. After graduating she moved to Connecticut where shortly after she started her ABA experience with Connec-To-Talk in 2018. She has been working in the ABA field for 6 years, in mutiple different settings, and with a wide range of clients. Marrisa started as a developmental therapist, after working in the field for 2 years Marrisa decided to pursue her qualifications to become a BCBA. She graduated from Arizona State University in 2022 with her Master of Arts in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. She became a BCBA with Connec-To-Talk in 2023.

Jake received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Fine Art from The State University of New York at Albany. After working as an ABA paraprofessional in public schools and seeing how ABA benefitted children with autism by giving them communication to get wants and needs addressed, he applied to and graduated from Ball State University with a Master of Science degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and became a BCBA in 2021. Jake has experience in home, school, and clinic environments with children on and off the Autism spectrum, ranging from ages 18 months to 18 years. He joined the Connec-to-Talk team in 2021.

Victoria received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from New York University. Upon graduation, she began working in the field of ABA in an ABA based classroom for over 7 years. She then went on to pursue her Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorders from Sage College in Troy, NY. She began working at Connec-to-Talk in 2021, where she completed all of her fieldwork hours toward her Board Certification. She now has 10+ years of experience with children on the autism spectrum and has worked in many settings, such as schools, clinics, homes, and community settings.

Candice has been working in the Human Services field, with a diverse range of diagnoses and age ranges, in various settings for over 10 years. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Fine Arts from SUNY Oswego in 2016, then continued her education with a dual Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy from The College New Rochelle in 2019. Candice joined the Connec-To-Talk team as a Developmental Therapist in 2020. She has since attained her Advanced Certificate in ABA at CUNY Hunter in 2023 and is now a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Candice has a passion for continuing education in the field and delivering compassionate, individualized, and effective treatment to all the clients and families she serves.

Kaitlyn began working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2012. Kaitlyn received her Bachelors in Sociology and Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University. She went on to complete a Master’s in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. Kaitlyn received her Applied Behavior Analyst Certificate from Florida Institute of Technology. Kaitlyn joined the Connec-To-Talk team as a Developmental Therapist in 2017 and transitioned to a BCBA in 2018.

During her bachelor’s degree in psychology at The University at Buffalo, she interned at a therapeutic riding center. She fell in love with human and animal behavior and went to CUNY Hunter’s Master’s program for Animal Behavior and Conservation. She then pursued her Master’s degree in Special Education with a focus in ABA at ASU. She has been in the ABA field for over 5 years, but has been working with kids with special needs for over 10. She joined the Connec-To-Talk team in 2023. Kat became a BCBA in August of 2024.

Diana initially began her career in early childhood education at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, NJ in 2014. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a concentration in ABA in 2016. While obtaining her undergrad, Diana worked in the public school system as a paraprofessional in a self-contained Autism classroom. From there, she decided to try providing in-home ABA services as an RBT and quickly fell in love working alongside many families. During this time, she obtained her BCaBA and began supervising. In 2021, Diana received her Masters of Science in ABA from Mary Baldwin University and was certified as a BCBA the following year. Her clinical interests are teaching emotional regulation and applying ABA principles to improve staff performance.

Breanna received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Southern California in 2014. Pivoting from an intended career in PR, she began working in the field of ABA as an RBT after graduation, where she quickly fell in love with the field. Her sister has special needs, which greatly impacted her interest and passion to improve the lives of those facing similar challenges. In 2017, she completed her Master’s in Education in Curriculum and Instruction in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Arizona State University and became a BCBA that same year. She has worked with children, teens and adults in the community, clinic, home and school settings. Breanna joined Connec-to-Talk in August of 2021 and loves sharing ABA with families in the Lowcountry!

Heather attended the University of South Carolina and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, with a focus in Nursing in 2018. Upon graduating she moved to Charleston , SC where she began working in the field of ABA as an RBT, providing direct care services. In 2020 Heather received her Master’s Certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Clemson University and became a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. In 2023, Heather finished her dual Master’s Degree in Gifted Education and Applied Behavioral Analysis from Arizona State University. Heather passed her boards in 2023, and became a BCBA in the Spring of 2023. Heather has experience working in the home, community and clinic setting with children from the ages of 2 years to 16 years old, in both the individual and group setting. Heather has been with Connec-to-Talk since September 2021, where she started as the Mount Pleasant Case Manager, and was then promoted to BCBA upon finishing her certification. Heather loves assisting in direct care, and creating a positive fun environment in the clinic setting.

Michelle began working in the ABA field in 2014. Michelle earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and english, from Southern Connecticut State University in 2016. She then went on to earn her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University in 2018. Michelle has worked with a range of kiddos from 2 years old up to 14. She volunteered at Friendship Circle for upwards of 5 years, serving the young children and adult population. Michelle’s main areas of interest are early intervention, including functional communication training, providing high quality supervision, toilet training, empowering families to learn and confidently manage symptoms and behaviors associated with Autism and increasing school readiness skills. She joined Connec-To-Talk in 2015.

Morgan received her Bachelor’ of Science degree in Infant/Primary Special Education from Towson University in 2012. She went on to complete her Master’s Degree at Queens College where she received a Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education with Foundations in Behavior Analyst and received her BCBA in 2017. Morgan has been working with individuals on the autism spectrum since 2008 after volunteering at a special needs camp. She has experience working in home, schools, community and clinic environments with individuals ranging from 18 months to 21 years old. Morgan joined Connec-To-Talk in March of 2024.