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

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!
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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.

M E E T O U R F O U N D E R S

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.
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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.
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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.
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During her time in graduate school, Dominika met Rebecca Correll, and so began the lasting friendship and professional partnership that formed TLBC in 2017.
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In her spare time, Dominika likes to cook, travel, and spend time with her family.

M E E T O U R C L I N I C A L T E A M
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.
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.
Erin Simpson, MS, CCC-SLP, BCBA
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.
Shannis De La Cruz, M.A., RBT
Clinical Operations Manager
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 actively pursuing her BCBA credential and 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.
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.
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.
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.
Rebecca Murray, LBA, BCBA
Clinical Supervisor
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.