top of page

ABOUT

Get to Know Us
and Our Philosophy

Meet our team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Registered Behavior Technicians, Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Certified Sleep Consultants

DSC07283copy.jpg

A B O U T  U S

Rebecca & Dominika

Dominika and Rebecca met in graduate school in Washington, D.C.  They shared a passion for Applied Behavior Analysis and providing comprehensive services to families in the D.C. area. 

 

Rebecca and Dominika founded The Language and Behavior Center in 2017 with the mission of providing exceptional services to clients while also fostering a unique company culture that is supportive of employees and encourages continuous growth and development.  Focusing on living-wages, unmatched benefits, and a positive work environment resulted in the current team of highly-trained and motivated professionals that make up The Language and Behavior Center today. 

 

With their own families and children, Dominika and Rebecca truly understand what it means to want the best for your child and are committed to providing that to every family they work with.

O U R  A P P R O A C H

Learning through Play

The Language and Behavior Center believes that a child's natural environment is the best place for them to learn. Our clinicians follow your child's lead and incorporate learning opportunities into their play. By using naturally occurring opportunities for skill development, clinicians are able to facilitate skill development in an enjoyable way!

TLBC's evidence-based treatment is built on a foundation of parent involvement. From the start of services, parents are trained on techniques that will allow their child to flourish outside of a therapy setting. 

Playing with Toy Vehicles

M E E T  O U R  F O U N D E R S

R&D7233.jpg

Rebecca Correll, PhD, LBA, BCBA-D

Rebecca has provided behavior analytic services, with an emphasis on developmentally appropriate practice, since 2005. As a mother herself, Rebecca values working closely with families to develop treatment plans that fit within their day-to-day lives and ensuring that families feel supported throughout the treatment process.
 

Rebecca holds a PhD in Applied Developmental Psychology from George Mason University, a Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology as well as Bachelor's of Science in International Business and Finance from the University of South Carolina. She is an Assistant Professor at Mount Saint Mary's University, where she enjoys teaching the next generation of behavior analysts. Her research focuses on the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support parents. 

When she's not working, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, as well as taking her dog, Fenway, on adventures.  She can often be found enjoying wine and cheese with TLBC's cofounder, Dominika.

Dominika Sillery, LBA, BCBA

Dominika began her career in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2012, although she has been interested in a career that involves helping children and families for as long as she can remember.

Dominika received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University in 2012. She began graduate school that same year, where she studied Applied Behavior Analysis and worked as a Behavior Technician. In 2014, she graduated with her Master of Science in ABA from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Since then, she has worked as a Behavior Analyst in the DMV area, with a primary focus on early intervention services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

During her time in graduate school, Dominika met Rebecca Correll, and so began the lasting friendship and professional partnership that formed TLBC in 2017.

In her spare time, Dominika likes to cook, travel, and spend time with her family. 

R&D9459.jpg

M E E T  O U R  C L I N I C A L  T E A M

MHalstad_Headshot.jpg

Matthew Halstad, LBA, BCBA

Clinical Director (MD Region)

Matthew began working in the field of ABA in 2010 and has gained experience in a variety of different settings including inpatient units, schools, homes, and clinics. He has worked with a variety of learners across his career and focused primarily on communication development, functional life skills, and decreasing interfering behaviors for those children. In 2014 he studied Clinical Psychology at Towson University and then completed his ABA coursework at Penn State University in 2017.

 

Matthew has a love for helping children become happy, thriving members of their families and communities. He also has a passion for supporting those who practice ABA, providing training and mentorship for behavior technicians and behavior analysts in their clinical practice.

 

In his free time, Matthew loves playing games and spending time with his two sons and his wonderful wife.

TLBC-Headshots-327_edited.jpg

Elizabeth Hughes LBA, BCBA

Regional Director (PA Region)

Elizabeth has been working with children with Autism since 2012 in the home, community, and school settings. She has worked with clients ranging in ages from 2 to 21 years on language acquisition, decreasing maladaptive behaviors, social skills groups, and vocational training. Elizabeth also enjoys developing trainings for parents, staff, and school professionals. Elizabeth attended Coastal Carolina University where she earned a B.S. in Psychology and then continued to Ball State University where she earned her M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis. Elizabeth is credentialed as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed to provide services in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

TLBC-15.jpg

Erin Simpson, MS, CCC-SLP

Regional Director (MA Region), Speech Language Pathologist

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.

HailiHeadshot.png

Haili Hartman LBA, BCBA

Regional Director (VA Region)

Haili is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in Virginia and Maryland. Her experience in ABA began over 10 years ago while attending James Madison University for her undergrad working in early intervention, specifically serving children diagnosed with Autism. In 2015, she went on to earn her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University. Haili has experience working as a special education teacher in a school setting applying the principles of ABA in her classroom and experience providing ABA services in-home. Haili has a passion for early intervention, functional communication training and working with families to apply ABA in their everyday lives to create a meaningful and purposeful change for their child.

 

Outside of work, Haili enjoys spending time with her family, taking her dogs on adventures and home projects!  

TLBC-Headshots-290_edited.jpg

Aliza Sial, LBA, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

Aliza joined The Language and Behavior Center in July of 2018.  She received her Master’s in Psychology from Boston University with a focus on Child/Adolescent Developmental Psychology. She has over eight years experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with Autism. Her areas of interest include social skills and verbal behavior.

TLBC-Headshots-157_edited.jpg

Rebecca Murray, LBA, BCBA

Social Skills Program Director

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.

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. 

Jordalis-6 (1)_edited.jpg

Jordalis Marte, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Jordalis is a licensed Occupational Therapist. She received her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Howard University in Washington, DC in 2019. Her experience ranges from children to older adults. Jordalis has worked in nursing homes, assisted living, home setting, and outpatient pediatrics. Her primary focus is on helping children, adults and families be as independent as possible. 

 

During her free time, Jordalis enjoys going for hikes, trying new foods, and going to concerts. 

Lexi Headshot.jpg

Lexi Duncan, M.A., BCBA, LBA

Center-Based Services Coordinator

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. 

IMG_4670.jpg

Heather Gambacorto, LBA, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

Heather earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and Master’s in Elementary Education
from Sacred Heart University. She always knew she wanted to work with children from a young
age but was unsure of where to start. She taught K-5 for three years and was introduced to ABA
from a colleague. From there Heather worked in a school for children with autism as an ABA
therapist and fell in love with ABA. She went on to study ABA at Monmouth University where
she earned her ABA certificate.


Fast forward to September 2017 Heather became a BCBA and LBA in Maryland where she
practiced early intervention both in-home and in a clinic for five years. Heather enjoys working
with younger clients to establish communication both expressively and receptively.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time her two-year old son, her husband, dog and
preparing to become a mother of 2!

passpic.jpg

Kristina Hassan, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Kristina is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She received her Masters degree in Speech Pathology from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She has worked in multiple states including Massachusetts, California, Arizona, and Maryland. She has experience working with children and adults of all ages. Kristina has worked in school, clinic and private practice settings. She has a passion for helping clients work on improving their functional communication and social language skills.

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, theater, and new culinary experiences.   

Screen Shot 2021-10-20 at 4.40.31 PM.png

Devon Troy, LBA, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

Devon earned her master’s degree in Special Education from John’s Hopkins University and her
certificate of completion in Applied Behavior Analysis from George Mason University. Prior to
earning her board certification in 2015, she worked as a special educator in Maryland. She has
worked with individuals on the autism spectrum for the past 10 years.


Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs, watching
documentaries, and reading true crime.

IMG_2173.jpeg

Nimisha Kuriyal, LBA, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Nimisha began her career as a Behavior Therapist back in 2014 while pursuing a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. It was during this time she was introduced to the world of ABA. She graduated from the program in 2016 from Florida International University in Miami with experience in ABA and Mental Health Counseling. After graduation, she worked primarily as a Mental Health Clinician and provided services in clinic, home and school settings. Her experience ranges from providing individual and group counseling to children and adults, to providing crisis counseling through National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Lines. She had also worked with local programs such as Girl Power, Groups for non-offending caregivers, Family Empowerment Program and Help Me Grow. 

She began working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at The Language and Behavior Center in 2019 and became a BCBA in 2021. Nimisha enjoys providing ABA services to early learners and loves to incorporate all kinds of play to increase functional communication, life and social skills. Nimisha enjoys spending time with her family and friends, trying out new places to eat, cooking and traveling.

image1.jpeg

Danielle Sandrino, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA

Clinical Supervisor

Danielle started her career in the field of ABA in 2015 while earning her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor of Human Development at University of Maryland College Park. She has worked in various settings such as home, community, school, and clinic as an RBT. 

 

She furthered her education and received her Master’s degree in Special Education with an Applied Behavior Analysis certification at George Mason University. As a BCBA, Danielle has worked primarily in a center-based program. She is excited to work again in home and clinic settings through TLBC. Throughout her experiences she discovered her passion in early intervention, parent training, planning for generalization and mentoring BT/RBTs. 


During her free time, Danielle loves to watch romcom movies, binge worthy tv series, playing with her dog and traveling and spending time with her husband, family and friends. 

heather bio.jpeg

Heather Bravo, LBA, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

Heather was first introduced to the field of ABA when she received her Bachelors of Arts in Communication Sciences & Disorders from University of Central Florida in 2012. She went on to work as a behavior technician within school, clinic and home settings. Her clientele ranged from ages 2-18, and she gained a passion for functional communication training, utilizing augmentative forms of communication, and generalizing skills to parents/caregivers. 

 

She later earned her Masters in Special Education with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis from George Mason University in 2018. Heather is currently a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and is licensed in the state of Virginia.

 

Outside of work, Heather enjoys creating art projects and exploring new places with her husband and daughter. 

ProfessionalHeadshot.JPG

Danielle Soares, MS, BCBA, LABA

Clinical Supervisor

Danielle received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree with a focus in Behavioral Neuroscience from Quinnipiac University in 2015. She then went on and received her Master of Science in Psychology degree with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University in 2021. Danielle is now pursuing her Doctorate degree in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA) in Massachusetts. 

 

Danielle has worked as a Behavior Therapist in home and school settings. She enjoys working with toddlers and young children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to help them increase their communication skills, social skills, and functional life skills. Her professional interests include treating problem behaviors and assisting families with promoting positive changes and progression in their child’s development.

IMG_0224.jpeg

Kristen Kohl, MS, LBA, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

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. 

Screenshot 2023-05-09 at 11.22.53 AM.png

Shaquana Shambry, BCABA, LABA

Clinical Supervisor

As a highly skilled Assistant Behavior Analyst, Shaquana has been serving individuals with developmental disabilities in group homes, classroom, and in-home settings since 2009. Beginning as a paraprofessional/RBT, with a passion for helping people achieve their full potential, Shaquana has achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis, leading to successfully implementing behavior intervention plans that have improved the quality of life for numerous clients.

 

Shaquana's extensive experience in conducting functional assessments, developing behavior plans, and training caregivers and staff members has made her a valuable contributor to the field of behavior analysis. Her ability to work collaboratively with families, educators, and healthcare professionals has also helped to develop a reputation for providing exceptional care and services. With her expertise and dedication, she is committed to helping individuals with developmental disabilities reach their fullest potential.

M E E T  O U R 

B E H A V I O R   T E C H N I C I A N S

Amanda started working as an RBT with TLBC in February 2020. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2019 and is now working toward her Master’s in ABA from Ball State University. Her goal is to earn her BCBA certification after completing her Master’s program. She has been working with children for many years and has a special interest in Autism Spectrum Disorders. She loves working with children and enjoys helping them learn new skills and gain independence. Outside of work, Amanda loves to go hiking and camping and hopes to go on her first backpacking trip soon. She also enjoys spending time with her friends and family and attending music events.

BBAF8695-8412-41FF-AF94-CD23D6741C42.jpg

SHELBY

RBT

Shelby started as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at The Language and Behavior Center in August 2019. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and Psychology from Salisbury University. She has been working with children since 2014 in multiple settings including schools, homes, and group centers.

 

At TLBC, she enjoys a play-based approach and teaching in natural settings. Outside of work, Shelby can be found hiking, binge-watching reality TV shows and exploring Downtown Frederick.

IMG_3721.JPG

TAI

RBT

Taï began her ABA journey in NY in 2020. She joined  the team at TLBC in October of 2021, currently pursuing her masters in Counseling Psychology and ABA at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in DC. Her Experience expands from early intervention (18 months) to early adulthood (18 years old). In her free time, Taï is at the park with her dog, reading  a good book (either Joan Didion or Penelope Ward ) or on a canoe at the Washington Marina with friends. 

IMG_6966.jpg

TAMBY

RBT

Tamby joined TLBC in July of 2022 but began her ABA journey in 2019 while earning her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a concentration in Developmental Psychology. She has provided ABA services in a variety of settings including home, schools, community and center with ages ranging from 2 to 21 years. She has a passion for working with children and adolescents that
have a disability to help them become the best that they can be.

 

Outside of work, Tamby enjoys hiking, weekend jam sessions with her band, finding the best
coffee in town and spending time with friends and family.

Shannis Headshot.JPG

RBT, Clinical Assistant

SHANNIS A.

Shannis joined the Language and Behavior Center as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)  in July 2018. She received her Bachelors in Family Science from The University of Maryland.

 

Shannis has always had a passion for working with children and their families which is why she instantly fell in love with ABA. She has experience working with children for 5 years in schools, clinics, home and community settings.

 

During her free time Shannis loves to watch movies, explore new places and spend time with her friends and family.

Untitled design (7).png

RBT

JENNIFER

Jennifer joined The Language and Behavior Center as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in 2020. She has been working with students that have a disability since September 2012. She has a Masters in teaching students with disabilities from Touro College and is a licensed Special Education teacher with over 3 years experience teaching students in the classroom. She completed a certificate program for Autism Spectrum Disorder last spring from Regents University. She is currently working towards a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at George Mason University. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her fur-child named Jewel.

image_6483441.JPG

RBT

ALYSSA

Alyssa joined The Language and Behavior Center as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in April of 2022. She is currently pursuing a bachelors in Psychology with a concentration in Developmental Psychology at George Mason University. Upon Graduating, she would like to pursue a Masters in either ABA or Developmental Psychology. She has experience working with children as an Assistant Sunday School Teacher and as a Research Assistant at the Social Skills, Imagination, and Theater Lab at GMU.

 

Alyssa loves working with kids and helping them with anything they may need all the while playing and having fun. In her free time, Alyssa loves to write, read, and spend time with friends and family.

bottom of page