ABOUT

Aliza joined The Language and Behavior Center in July of 2018. She received her Masters in Psychology from Boston University with a focus on Developmental Psychology and completed a certificate program in Behavioral Interventions in Autism from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. Aliza has been a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst since October of 2013 and has worked in the field since 2010. Aliza enjoys all aspects of the work at TLBC from planning engaging staff training to child-focused and fun sessions for the clients.

In her free time, Aliza enjoys trying out new recipes in the kitchen and going on adventures with her husband and best dog, Blue.

Shannis has always had a passion for working with children and families. She began her journey in ABA when first joining TLBC as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in 2018. She continued on to provide support as a Clinical Assistant while earning her Masters of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. During this time she expanded her clinical repertoire and gained expertise working in schools, clinics, homes, and community settings. She is excited to use her knowledge to support the delivery of high-quality ABA therapy to children and their families.

In her free time, Shannis enjoys exploring nature, reading, eating great food, and spending time with loved ones.

Erin is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She lives about 30 minutes outside of Boston, Massachusetts. 

Erin received her Bachelor of Science degree from the College of the Holy Cross in 2011. She graduated with a self-designed major, “Language Acquisition and Culture,” which included coursework in Deaf Studies and American Sign Language. Erin then attended Syracuse University for graduate school, where she received her Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Since then, Erin has worked as a Speech Language Pathologist in the Boston area. Although she has a primary focus with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing population, Erin has experienced working with children and young adults with a wide range of communication disorders.

Melisa is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Specialist in Pennsylvania. She earned her degree from St. Francis University and began her career as a special educator before transitioning into the mental health field in 2019. What started as a summer job supporting children on the Autism Spectrum at camp quickly grew into a passion and a full-time career in behavioral health.

Melisa went on to earn her Master’s degree and complete her BCBA supervision hours, becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2020. She has extensive experience delivering Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services across home, school, and community settings, and has worked in roles ranging from Therapeutic Support Staff to Behavioral Consultant before her current role as a BCBA.

Outside of her professional work, Melisa enjoys spending time with her family. 

Lexi was first introduced to the field of ABA in 2017 while earning a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland College Park. She then went on to gain her Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) credential and worked in a variety of settings including home, school, community, and center with ages ranging from 18 months to 18 years. Lexi received her Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University in 2020 and earned her Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification a few months later. She loves working with early learners to build language and communication, encourage play and increase independence. Additionally, Lexi enjoys teaching anyone and everyone about the field of ABA (parents, RBTs, and strangers alike).

During her freetime, Lexi enjoys spending time with family and friends, snuggling up with her pup for a good movie, and trying new restaurants in the area. 

Prior to starting her career in ABA, Rebecca studied psychology at Colgate University and worked in a brain imaging lab at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia examining brain activity in children with ASD. She received her Masters degree in Early Childhood Special Education with a concentration in ABA from Vanderbilt University in 2018. She has worked within preschool classrooms in various roles, and has provided center-based and home-based services as well. Her love for teaching play skills stems from her time at Vanderbilt spent working for faculty who were involved in play research. She is also passionate about research and advocacy for early screening and diagnostic practices for ASD.

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In her free time, Rebecca enjoys being active by hiking new trails and working out at the gym and pool. She likes to try new restaurants and enjoys cooking, especially Italian food. 

Alyssa initially joined TLBC in 2022. In 2023, she moved to Florida to pursue her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis at Florida Institute of Technology. During her program, she got hands on experience with treatment planning, skills assessments, and behavior plans. After graduating in 2025, she moved back to Virginia and rejoined TLBC. She became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in January 2026. Alyssa enjoys using play-based therapy to teach skills that will smoothly translate into kids’ natural environment.

In her free time, Alyssa enjoys creative writing, crafting, and discovering new cafes!

Dana is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a passion for trauma-informed practices and training for professionals and caregivers. Dana first began in the field of ABA in 2011 while working for the New England Center for Children (NECC). She received a Master’s degree in Special Education for individuals with severe disabilities from Simmons University in 2015 and completed her postgraduate Behavior Analytic coursework through Florida Institute of Technology in 2018. She earned her Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification in 2019. Dana’s clinical experience was developed while working at NECC in their residential and day school at the Boston campus before she spent 7 years working in Abu Dhabi, UAE at the center-based program as well as supporting autistic children in less restrictive settings. She relocated to Maryland in 2021 where she worked in a public school system providing programming and behavior support. 

In her free time, Dana enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, horseback riding and quality time with their beloved dog. She loves traveling with her family and going out to eat.

Kristen is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Specialist in Pennsylvania. After graduating from Penn State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, she worked as a behavior technician for a private school.  While working as a behavior technician, she pursued her Master’s degree at Capella University.  She graduated in December 2020 with a Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. She became Board Certified in March 2022. 

Kristen has a strong background in providing ABA services in the private and public School settings as well as the community. She has  seven years experience working with children on the Autism spectrum as well as other disabilities.

When she is not providing ABA services, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, working on house projects,  and cooking. 

After graduating with her Master of Education from Harvard University in 2005, Janki began working as a Behavior Analyst to support adults in residential and vocational environments. She completed her post-graduate ABA certificate in 2014 through the University of North Texas and obtained her certification to become a BCBA in 2015. Janki’s experience includes providing individual and group therapy supports in school, clinic, community, and home settings with individuals ranging from 2 to 65 years of age.  Janki has a passion for focusing on play, social skills, and assent-based therapy. 

During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, travel, and eating new foods.  

Talia has been working with children from ages 18 months to 22 years old with special needs for over 15 years. She received a Master’s degree in Special Education for individuals with severe disabilities from Johns Hopkins University in 2015 and completed her postgraduate Behavior Analytic coursework through Florida Institute of Technology in 2018. She earned her Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification in 2021. Talia’s clinical experience focused on play-based teaching inside schools, centers, and the home setting to help children develop play, language, socialization, and toleration skills. Talia enjoys providing children with language and independent living skills needed to develop autonomy and self-advocacy. She believes therapy should be compassionately focused, engaging, and filled with choices. She loves seeing children laugh and smile while learning.

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In her free time, Talia enjoys drawing, exercising, and laughing with her two kiddos and dog. She loves traveling with her husband and meeting new people. 

Sandy is Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a passion for early intervention and caregiver support. Sandy has over a decade in the ABA field working with a wide range of clients from 2 to 70 years of age focusing on daily living skills, social skills, language acquisition, and challenging behaviors. She was first introduced to ABA in 2012 while earning her B.S  in Psychology from the University of Florida. Sandy received her M.A in Applied Behavior Analysis and graduate certificate in Positive Behavior Support from the University of South Florida. Sandy has provided ABA services in school, home, community, and center based settings.

During her free time, Sandy enjoys rock climbing, spending time with her family, and playing with her two senior dogs. 

Meg joined The Language and Behavior Center in April 2024. She has worked in the field of behavior analysis since 2013. She earned her Master’s degree in Behavior Analysis from Simmons University and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in August 2015. In July 2024, Meg also became a Certified Behavioral Sleep Practitioner (CBSP).

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After many years of clinical work as a BCBA, Meg began noticing a consistent theme: many of her clients were not getting adequate sleep, which significantly impacted their ability to fully participate and make progress in ABA sessions. This observation led her to further specialize in the intersection of ABA and sleep. Meg has since seen firsthand the meaningful improvements that occur when a child’s foundational needs—especially sleep—are effectively addressed.

Outside of work, Meg enjoys exploring new hobbies, such as baking sourdough bread and learning how to needlepoint.

Amy joined The Language and Behavior Center in January 2025. She received her Bachelors of Arts in History and Art from Williams College in 2001 and her master’s in Early Childhood Special Education from The George Washington University in 2005. She earned her certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2008 from George Mason University and, after a bit of a break to have her children, board certification in 2013.  Amy is a licensed Behavior Analyst in Virginia, and also maintains her teaching and administration and supervision certifications. 

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Amy has provided ABA services in home and community settings since 2009, first as a behavior tech then as a BCBA. She has significant experience working in public schools, charter schools, and private schools as a teacher, behavior analyst, and special education administrator. Amy has worked with individuals aged 2 - 22 and loves collaborating with families and schools to help children thrive through each unique stage in their development.

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Outside of work, Amy spends her time reading novels, attending her kids’ sporting events and performances, connecting with friends, and walking in the woods as frequently as possible.