Our Team

Meet the BCBA's and BCaBA's

Board Certified Behavior Analysis create individualized treatment plans to learn new skills and behavior reduction plans.

BCBAs complete ongoing training for all technicians, as well as parent/caregiver training.

Dr. Joseph Dracobly, Ph.D and BCBA-D

Joseph (Joe) Dracobly received his B.A. in Psychology and Italian Studies from Gonzaga
University in 2005, his M.S. in Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas under the
supervision of Dr. Richard Smith in 2009, and his Ph.D. in Behavioral Psychology from the
University of Kansas under the supervision of Dr. Claudia Dozier in 2014. From 2014-2018, he
was an Assistant Professor of Psychological Science at Eastern Connecticut State University.
In 2018, Joe joined the faculty in the Department of Behavior Analysis at the University of North
Texas as an Assistant Professor. He is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed
Behavior Analysis in the state of Texas. Joe is the director of the Behavior Analysis Resource
Center (BARC), a clinical and research project for individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities across the lifespan. At BARC, students develop clinical skills within
the context of interdisciplinary service delivery and conduct research on severe behavior
disorders and trauma. Joe is also the faculty supervisor of the Creativity and Problem Solving
(CaPS) lab, which conducts translational and applied research on response variability and its
relation to complex behavioral repertoires.
Joe's work has been published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis in
Practice, Learning and Motivation, Perspectives on Behavior Science, and Behavioral
Interventions. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual
Disabilities. He is currently on the editorial board of the Journal of Organizational Behavior
Management and recently completed his first term on the editorial board of the Journal of
Applied Behavior Analysis.

Dr. Houck, BCBA-D & Clinical Director

Bethjoy received her Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University in 2008, her
Master’s degree in Autism and Developmental Disabilities from the University Texas at Austin in 2009
and her Ph.D. from the University of North Texas (UNT) in Health Services Research with a concentration
in Behavior Analysis in 2023. In 2022, Bethjoy was awarded the Society for the Advancement of Behavior
Analysis Innovative Student Dissertation Grant, which provided support for her dissertation, An
Evaluation of the Effects of Trauma-Related Stimuli on Behavior During Preference Assessments and
Functional Analysis with People with Intellectual Disabilities. Prior to starting her doctoral program at
UNT, Bethjoy worked for 10 years as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in schools, home-programs,
center-based services and group homes. She currently works as the clinical director for the Behavior
Analysis Resource Center (BARC). BARC is a service-learning project directed by Joseph Dracobly Ph.D.
BCBA-D. BARC is a service-learning project that exists to 1) conduct evidence-based assessments and
develop individualized treatments to reduce problem behavior for people with intellectual disabilities
(ID), 2) provide focused treatment for people to develop skills needed to access medical and dental care,
3) conduct research on effective and compassionate assessment and treatment approaches for problem
behavior that focus on expanding the individual’s access to resources to improve quality of life, and 4)
provide training to behavior analysts and students in behavior analysis on how to effectively deliver
services to people with ID and severe problem behavior across a variety of settings. BARC currently
operates across multiple sites including the Kristin Farmer Autism Center and Lonestar Day Treatment
Program.

Blakely Cunningham, BCaBA & Clinic Manager

Clinic manager, BCaBA, QBS instructor

Blakely is from Whitehouse, Texas and has a bachelors in applied behavior analysis from Ball State University, working towards her BCBA. She has worked with Lone Star Day Program, and individuals with autism, since 2015. Blakely is a fur-mama to 2 cats and a dog. She enjoys crafting and playing games with family and friends.

Shridhevi Veerappan, BCBA

Shridhevi Veerappan is a licensed and board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA). Since 2013 she has worked with students who struggle with challenging behavior in various settings such as Mental Health facilities, In-home, Charter and Public schools. She specializes in staff training and creating behavior intervention plans for students who demonstrate severe and unsafe behavior. She also works with students who have emotional and behavioral disabilities, anxiety disorders, or high-functioning Autism. Her specific interests include, honing on social-emotional learning, increasing psychological flexibility and utilizing trauma informed care,
while using evidence- based behavior analytic practices.

Shridhevi believes that building cooperation, providing compassionate care and being empathetic are key to supporting desired behavior change for individuals to live their best lives.

Shridhevi holds an MS in Special Education from Purdue University and an MS in Developmental Psychology from the University College of London. She has a certificate of graduate study (CGS) in applied behavior analysis from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Certifications
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
• Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)
• Licensed Intervention Specialist (K-12 Mild/Moderate)
• Certified Crisis Prevention Instructor (CPI)

Melissa Carlin, BCBA

Lissa is from Dallas, Texas with her husband and 2 children. She holds a bachelors in early childhood education from Lindenwood University, a masters in special education from Robert Morris University and a BCBA certification from University of North Texas. Lissa has 17 years of experience in special education as a caregiver, paraprofessional and special education teacher. She has obtained her BCBA in 2016. Lissa's goal is to continue to grow and contribute to the field of applied behavior analysis while glorifying God as a wife, mother, and BCBA.
Lissa loves to spend her extra time with her friends and family, traveling and attending concerts.

Meet the RBT's and BT's

Registered Behavior Technicians carry out the individualized programs, on a day-to-day bases.

Shiesta Horton, RBT & Intern

Shiesta is from Longview and is a mother to one. She has a bachelors degree in child development and a masters degree in occupation therapy. She has 8+ years working in the field of ABA and aspires to become a BCBA. Shiesta loves to spend time with her baby and family as they shop and listen to live music.

Latoya Bush, RBT 3

Latoya has 15 years of caregiving and 3 years in the field of autism. Latoya is currently attending TJC to work towards a bachelors in special education. In Latoya's spare time, she enjoys spending time with her pet bird, friends and family.

John Motley, RBT

John is a father of 1 from Canton, Texas. He has obtained a bachelors in psychology, with a minor in biology. He is pursuing a masters in clinical psychology with a goal of a doctorate in neuropsychology. He has been in the field of ABA for 1.5 years and has since gained his RBT. In his spare time, he enjoys relaxing with this daughter and girlfriend.

Christie Griffin, RBT

Christie is a mother 2 with 4 bonus kids. She lives in Tyler with her husband and children. She has 7 years in the field of autism and loves helping others where ever she can. In her free time, Christie enjoys spending time with her family and going to church.

Joeie Soria, BT

Joeie has a nursing background and has been in the caregiving field for 18+ years. She loves to spend time with her husband and 3 kids. In her spare time, Joeie loves to playing games, watch movies and go to the beach with her family. Joeie is also on the worship team with her husband at their church.

Erica Boswell, BT

Erica is a a mother of 1 and has been in the field of autism for 3+ years. Erica loves to spend time with her baby and 5 siblings, creating quilt jackets and other crafts.

Sarah Gerrels, RBT

Sarah is from DFW, but moved to Tyler to pursue a masters degree in Clinical Psychology. Her plan is to attain a doctorate in Neuropsychology. In her free time, Sarah enjoys watching movies with her husband, attending church, visiting museums, traveling, and hanging out with her cat.

Crystal Covington, BT

Crystal has worked with kids for over 25 years and just moved to Texas from North Carolina. She is a proud mother to a daughter in the US Army. In her spare time she loves to read and play disc golf.

JOIN OUR TEAM

Meet the Management & Administration

Kimberly Butler

Kim is our owner, director and RN. She is a wife, mother and grandmother. Her background is in medical field. She has been in the ABA field since 2002. She opened her first business in 2009. She is a woman of God and loves to guide others towards Christ. She loves spending time with her family and friends. She is passionate about ABA and helping others. She has changed the lives of many in the best possibly way and strives to make a difference.

Lindsay Butler-Marty

Lindsay is our Accounting/HR Office Manager. She is a wife and mother. She has been in the ABA field since 2010. She went to school for nursing and ended up completely changing careers to business after finding her niche. She is a faith filled woman of God. She is active in her church and serves on different teams within. Lindsay's life long goal is to live with integrity, honesty, and being open with others. She wants to inspire others with her testimony, beliefs and actions.

Aldon Marty

Aldon is our Accounting Assistant II, HR Representative and Maintenance. He is a husband and father of 3. He has been with the company since 2021. He is in school for accounting and wants to finish school as a CPA. He loves camping, fishing, and being outdoors. He is a man of God and enjoys praying with others and spreading the Word. He is an active member in Men's Freedom Trainings.

Lacy Butler

Lacy is our Med Assist and Payroll Specialist. She is a mother of 4. She has been in the ABA field since 2010. She loves to go to sporting events, walking in the park, and just being outdoors with her children.

Jocelyne Morales

Jocelyne is our Accounting Assistant II and HR Representative. She is a wife and mother. Jocelyne joined the ABA field early this year and is really excited to be learning and working with a company with such a loving heart. Her background is in Business Administration with Bookkeeping Certification. She loves Jesus, nature, being outdoors and enjoying time with her family. Jocelyne's long term goal is to learn and grow within the company to be able to serve others.

Katelynn Martin

Katelynn is our Accounting/Administrative Assistant. She has been in the ABA field since the beginning of 2023. She is originally from Utah. She speaks multiple languages. Her interests include writing, swimming, camping, riding her sports bike, and spending time with her family.

Sabrina O'neal

Sabrina is on our billing team as a Billing Specialist. She is a mother of two. She has a Bachelors in Psychology but enjoys working in administration. She is goal oriented, organized and enjoys working with people and helping others. She is very active in her church community, serving on several teams. Helping and serving others is a big part of her daily life. Sabrina has worked in the ABA field since 2018. She loves theater and poetry. She wants to leave a mark on the this world in a way that benefits others.

Patsy Huddleston

Patsy is on our billing team as a Billing Specialist. She is a mother and a grandmother. She retired from veterinarian medicine and scientific research after 32 years. She has been in the ABA field since 2021. She loves to travel. She has been to 6 countries and hopes to add more to her list.

Emilee Barnes, Clinical Assistant

Emilee is a dog mom from Tyler, TX. She enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her niece and nephews in her free time.