ABA & Clinical Services

Whitney has worked alongside individuals, families, and advocates in the autism community for over a decade. Within her work, Whitney has been afforded the opportunity to provide support and gain expertise across a variety of contexts, including home and community-based family coaching and consultation; supervision and implementation of comprehensive, intensive intervention programs, rooted in the principles of contemporary, best-practice behavior analytic service-provision; workshop delivery and coaching for service providers and professionals; and collaboration with relevant stakeholders such as funders, advisory groups, and interdisciplinary teams. Whitney is a past President of the North Carolina Associate for Behavior Analysis and is passionate about advocating for high-quality, modern applications of the science to support autistic individuals in achieving goals and outcomes that matter to them. She completed her graduate work at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, where she received training to become a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and licensed psychological associate (LPA). Whitney joined the ASNC Clinical Team in 2014 and worked alongside senior clinical leadership to build the ASNC ABA program, known as LifeLong Interventions, before moving into the Clinical Director role in 2023. Whitney is honored to lead a team of talented, compassionate professionals as they carry out meaningful and impactful work across the state, supporting individuals and families in their homes and communities. wluffman@autismsociety-nc.org

In her current role as the Associate Clinical Director at ASNC, she provides consultation to families and professionals across North Carolina. She leads external training projects for the organization and delivers presentations, workshops and ongoing coaching to school systems, service providers, and other stakeholder groups. She has extensive experience implementing and overseeing programs that emphasize the integration of evidence-based practices in intervention for neurodiverse children and adolescents. Louise has received intensive training in such naturalistic models as ESDM and PRT. Louise also served as the content director for the National Institutes of Health-funded JobTIPS project, a web-based resource for neurodiverse adolescents and adults who struggle to obtain and maintain competitive employment. She received her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at North Carolina State University (NCSU), with a concentration in Special Education. Current areas of focus include equity in education and behavioral intervention, social emotional learning, naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions, organization-wide DEI initiatives, culturally responsive service provision, and scaling up the implementation of evidence-based practices across organizations, schools and systems. Louise has been privileged to work in this field since 1998. lsouthern@autismsociety-nc.org

Erica Brown graduated from Salem College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and earned her Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Columbia University, Teachers College. Erica began her career at a school for children with autism where she led both social skills programs and one-on-one programs that utilized the principles of applied behavior analysis. While pursuing her master’s degree, Erica worked full-time in a self-contained preschool classroom and in inclusion classrooms that employed behavior analytic principles. In 2013, Erica began working in-home supervising one-on-one therapy cases for children and adults with autism. Erica joined the Autism Society of North Carolina in 2016. Erica is passionate about training the community about autism and ABA. Erica has been privileged to work directly with teachers to ensure evidence-based practices are being utilized in classrooms. As Senior BCBA/RBT and Student Coordinator, Erica leads efforts in mentoring and onboarding the department’s Behavior Technicians and graduate students pursuing degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Matt has been part of the ASNC Clinical team since  2014. Matt began his work with people with autism in 2008 with ASNC’s Camp Mountain Adventure, which gave him a passion for working with people with ASD. Matt is happy to be back in the mountains of North Carolina and at the Autism Society. He earned his master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from UNC-Wilmington in 2013. Following school, Matt gained experience working across the age range in a variety of settings, including early intervention in homes and clinics, developmental centers, schools, homes, and the community. He has a background in assisting with challenging behaviors and skill development. In his current role at ASNC, Matt provides behavioral consultation in the Asheville region.

Kate has worked with individuals with ASD since 2010. She received her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from Simmons University in Boston, MA in 2015, where she gained experience conducting assessments, developing individualized treatment programming, and utilizing effective supervision strategies. She has experience working with a wide variety of ages and settings, as well as collaborating with other disciplines to ensure the best outcome for her clients. Additionally, she has strong experience in caregiver and team training, as well as training in community organizations (such as schools, local businesses, and first responders). Kate moved to Asheville and joined the ASNC Clinical team in 2023. She is passionate about teaching skills that are functional and meaningful to the individual as well as assisting with community integration and school/workplace readiness.

Caileigh graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biology in 2014 and went on to earn her Master of Public Health from Loyola University Chicago followed by her Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. She has worked with individuals with autism since 2010, beginning her journey in ABA as a technician in the Milwaukee, WI area. Caileigh has experience working with children and adults with autism and other disabilities in a variety of settings including home, community, clinic, residential, and telehealth. Caileigh is passionate about trauma-informed care, compassionate ABA, and improving the quality of life for the families and individuals she serves. Caileigh joined the clinical team in 2023 and is thrilled to provide LifeLong Interventions to the Asheville community.

Hannah graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders and earned her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Spalding University. Hannah began her career during college at Camp Lakey Gap, a residential camp for individuals on the autism spectrum, where she developed a deep commitment to supporting and empowering individuals with ASD. In 2015, she became a certified BCBA and has since worked across various settings including schools, clinics, homes and prevocational settings. In 2017, Hannah joined the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) as the first Clinical Professional in the Asheville region. In this role, she provided school and community-based ABA services. After five years, she left ASNC to oversee the growth and clinical services of an ABA clinic and to lead a training department. Hannah’s strong alignment with ASNC’s values and mission led her to return “home” to the organization in 2024. She is excited to continue growing with a company that reflects her personal and clinical values. Hannah’s professional interests include Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions, caregiver collaboration, staff training and development.

Samantha is a dedicated professional with a deep commitment to supporting individuals with autism. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and began her career as a Registered Behavior Technician with the Autism Society of North Carolina in 2019. She has experience working with children with autism across a variety of ages and settings. Her work with ASNC fueled her passion for ABA, leading her to pursue a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis at St. Cloud State University. During her time as a graduate student, she gained valuable research experience across a variety of areas, including food selectivity and receptive language. Her journey reflects a dedication to enhancing the lives of those with autism through evidence-based practices and compassionate care. Through ASNC, Samantha continues to contribute her expertise and enthusiasm to support and empower individuals with autism and their families. Samantha is excited to join the clinical team as a BCBA to continue fostering positive change and advocate for a brighter future for those she serves.

Tanya has been a Psychological Associate for ASNC since 2011. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill and her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from NC Central University. Tanya began her career at Murdoch Developmental Center, where she gained experience in writing and monitoring behavior intervention plans using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. For over 30 years, she has worked for a variety of agencies including Shigley Family Psychological Services, Autism Services, Inc., and the TEACCH Program. In these settings, she provided psychological consultation to group homes for adults with autism, conducted assessments of young children with developmental disabilities, led structured teaching sessions for families with children or adults with autism, and consulted to classrooms serving students with autism. Tanya especially enjoys working directly with individuals with autism and collaborating with their families.

Merlin began her work with individuals with developmental disabilities in 2011 at a small private school in St. Petersburg Florida. There, she worked as a behavior therapist while working towards becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Upon graduating from the University of South Florida in 2015 with a degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, she became the clinical supervisor at a new campus, focusing on increasing independent living skills with teenagers. After five years working in private schools, she became a private contractor working independently in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. Here she worked with individuals from 2 to 19 years of age with a variety of diagnosis and medical needs. Merlin moved to Raleigh, North Carolina in September of 2018 to join the team at ASNC. Since then, she has worked with families to develop programs to improve communication, social, leisure skills and independence with daily living.  In her role, Merlin also develops and delivers workshops and webinars to families and professionals. Merlin is passionate about increasing access to resources and supports to families, and delivering training to professionals to promote culturally responsive service provision. Merlin comenzó su trabajo con personas con discapacidades en el 2011 en una escuela privada en St. Petersburg, Florida. Allí, trabajó como terapeuta mientras estudiava para convertirse en una analista de comportamiento certificada (BCBA pro sus siglas en ingles). Después de graduarse de la Universidad del Sur de Florida en 2015 con un título en Rehabilitación y Consejería de Salud Mental, se convirtió en la supervisora clínica en una escuela privada, trabajando con adolescentes. Después de cinco años trabajando en escuelas privadas, se convirtió en una contratista y trabajaba en el area de Tampa Bay en Florida. Aquí trabajó con personas de 2 a 19 años de edad con una variedad de diagnósticos y necesidades médicas. Merlin se mudó a Raleigh, Carolina del Norte en septiembre de 2018 para unirse al equipo de ASNC. Desde entonces, ha trabajado con las familias para ayudar a desarrollar programas para mejorar la comunicación, las habilidades sociales, de ocio y la independencia con la vida diaria. También ha trabajado para presentar y desarrollar materiales de entrenamiento para familias y la comunidad. A Merlin le apasiona aumentar el acceso al apoyo y los servicios a las familias y proporcionar entrenamiento a otros profesionales para que puedan proporcionar servicios culturalmente apropiados.

Tori Gills graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Health and earned her Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from Purdue University. Tori began her career at an ABA agency in San Diego, CA as a Registered Behavior Therapist implementing one-on-one programs with children with developmental disabilities in both home and school settings. In 2022, Tori began working as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Verbal Behavior Associates (VBA) in San Diego, CA. During her time at VBA, she worked in public schools supervising one-on-one therapy cases for children and adults with developmental disabilities and in-home therapy cases for children with autism. Tori is passionate about her work and strives to improve the quality of life and increase independence for the families and individuals she serves. Tori joined the ASNC team as a Clinical Professional in 2024 and supports the Triangle area.

Lindsay graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a B.A. in Psychology in 2013 and earned her M.A. in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from UNCW in 2017. During her time as an undergraduate, she was exposed to the field of behavior analysis while conducting research focusing on the treatment of pediatric feeding disorders. Her graduate research focused on increasing physical activity in children. She joined the ASNC team as a Clinical Intern in 2017 and became a Clinical Professional in 2018 after becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Through all of these opportunities, she gained experience in assessment and treatment, writing behavior plans, parent training, and data collection/analysis. She is passionate about working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and is thrilled to be a part of the ASNC team.

Katie, a Monroe, NC native, is a multifaceted professional blending academic prowess with a passion for transformative work. As a University of North Carolina Wilmington graduate in psychology and criminology, she led research for her honors thesis, comparing mobile EEGs to traditional EEGs for field use. Graduating in 2016, she embarked on a career as an assistant teacher at a preschool, discovering her passion for nurturing young minds. Motivated by a desire for data-driven impact, Katie transitioned seamlessly into becoming a Registered Behavior Technician with ASNC in 2017.

Elevating her expertise, Katie pursued an MA in Applied Behavior Analysis at Ball State University, specializing in autism spectrum disorders. With her certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and over two years of clinical experience in both home-based and clinic settings, Katie focuses on early intervention, particularly emphasizing school preparedness. Her unwavering commitment to her clients, and their families and providing hands-on services that are ethical underscores her dedication to witnessing the profound, life-improving effects of applied behavior analysis. She is incredibly excited to “come home” to ASNC and rejoin ASNC’s Clinical Team as a Clinical Professional.

Jessica began working with people Autism Spectrum Disorder and developmental disabilities in 1995 as direct support staff. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University at Albany and later received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology from Louisiana State University with a concentration in autism and developmental disabilities. While in graduate school, Jessica focused her research on challenging behaviors, autism symptoms in adults, and early identification of autism in toddlers. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, with rotations focused on severe behavioral challenges and feeding disorders. Prior to ASNC, Jessica spent four years at Murdoch Developmental Center as psychologist for the specialized programs STARS and BART, which served individuals with developmental disabilities, co-occurring mental health diagnoses, and severe behavioral challenges.

Katie has worked with individuals with learning and social communication differences for over a decade and has been in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for six years. She has consistently demonstrated her passion for helping individuals with autism achieve their full potential through evidence-based behavioral interventions while maintaining a fun and enriching environment for her clients. Katie holds college degrees from the University of Florida and the Florida Institute of Technology, which have provided her with a solid academic foundation in the principles and practices of ABA. Katie worked with the Behavioral Analysis Research Clinic members at the University of Florida to assist with toilet training and feeding research. Outside of the world of ABA, Katie enjoys spending time with her bulldog Penelope, reading, and gardening. Katie has a true passion for this field and helping individuals and their families achieve the outcomes that matter most to them.

Shelley received her undergraduate degree in psychology & linguistics from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 2000 and received her master’s degree in clinical psychology (with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis) from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2014. During her undergraduate studies she was introduced to the world of autism when working with TEACCH’s Supported Employment program. There she supported adults with autism in vocational settings and in community-based social skills programs. She joined the team at the Autism Society of North Carolina in 2001 and worked in the services and training departments before returning to academia in 2010. Since becoming a BCBA, she has held several positions and worked within a variety of settings across multiple states. She enjoys collaborating with parents and professionals in related fields and teaching RBTs and student analysts about the principles of ABA in natural environments. Shelley is thrilled to come ‘home’ to NC and return to the ASNC family!

Jim began his career in the field of developmental disabilities in 1975 while completing his B.A. in Psychology at SUNY Binghamton. He earned his Ph.D. from West Virginia University in 1984. Jim has worked as psychologist at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center in Morganton, NC, and then as Director of Psychology Services at Murdoch Developmental Center. During his career, Jim established and served the North Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis (NCABA) and co-authored several publications on staff training and management, teaching adaptive skills, and reducing interfering behavior in individuals diagnosed with intellectual disability. Upon his retirement from the state of North Carolina in 2013, he expanded his work in the field of autism and behavior analysis, adding his professional skills to ASNC’s Clinical Department.

Lindsey graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in school psychology. After working for Union County Public Schools as both a school psychologist and autism specialist, she obtained her board certification in behavior analysis and began working in the field of ABA. Lindsey is both a BCBA and Licensed Psychological Associate and has experience in assessment, designing and implementing ABA programs, behavior intervention, and working with school systems. She first joined the Autism Society of North Carolina in 2019 for two years before moving to Washington state. After several years away, she is excited to rejoin the ASNC clinical team. Lindsey is passionate about working with individuals with autism and their families, as well as collaborating with schools and supporting teachers in the classroom.

Anna joined the ASNC Clinical team in 2021. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Appalachian State University and earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from UNC Wilmington. Anna completed a clinical internship and post-graduate work at the Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health in Wilmington. During this time, she gained experience in the areas of severe behavior and pediatric feeding disorders. Additionally, Anna provided consultative services to increase self-management of daily activities including medical, nighttime, and toileting routines. Anna conducted assessments, developed behavioral interventions, provided caregiver training, and consulted with local medical professionals to improve the experience of medical appointments for patients with autism. She has provided ABA services to children and adults in residential, school, and community settings. Anna is so excited to collaborate with people with autism and their families as part of the ASNC team!

Maggie joined the ASNC Clinical team in 2017 and has worked with individuals with autism since 2008. She received her master’s in Human Services Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2013. While pursuing her master’s, she worked at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD, in the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Unit, where she gained valuable experience in the assessment and treatment of problem behavior, as well as parent training. Maggie is passionate about creating evidence-based programming that improves the lives of individuals with ASD and their families and is honored to provide LifeLong Interventions in the Triangle region.

Alina (Ali) has worked in the field for almost a decade serving individuals with autism, their families, and caregivers. Her journey in the field began during her son’s diagnosis of ASD. She began working in the field as a RBT in 2015 and fell in love with the science since it impacted her life personally, as well as professionally. She decided to pursue her BCBA and begin her Master’s program. She graduated from Capella University in 2018 with her Master’s in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis. Throughout her career as a BCBA, she has worked in homes, schools, and clinic settings supporting clients, their staff, and families using a variety of evidence-based approaches. She has created programs for individuals of various ages, directed a clinic, and led a supervision program for supervision students. Ali is passionate about trauma-informed care, as well as a collaborative approach to ensure the success of the individuals we serve.

Lea has a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from UNC Wilmington. She specializes in supporting people on the autism spectrum through outpatient therapy, behavior consultation, social groups, and skill-building activities. Her approach includes behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical-behavioral therapies to help with emotion regulation, executive functioning, daily living, and social skills. In her community training and clinical work, her main goal is to help families and clients using compassionate, trauma-informed, and evidence-based practices that lead to positive results.

Rachel Kolb is a behavior analyst (BCBA) and licensed psychological associate (LPA) who works in a supervisory capacity with the Wilmington clinical team. Rachel has experience supporting individuals of all ages and has enjoyed assisting in building the early intervention clinic-based program at the Wilmington office. Rachel’s practice prioritizes developing creative programming collaboratively with clients and their families that highlight building safety, self-advocacy, and independence with an ongoing emphasis on client preferences and happiness. Rachel has worked with individuals on the autism spectrum for more than 20 years and enjoys continuing to learn and shape her practice based on modern research related to evidence-based, trauma-informed/assumed, and neurodiversity-affirming strategies.  Rachel also enjoys training, supervising, and empowering staff and graduate students in building their skills in supporting individuals on the spectrum. She received her master’s degree in psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from UNC Wilmington in 2010, and before joining the ASNC team, Rachel served as a clinician and subsequently as a director of programming for the May Center for ABA in Jacksonville, NC.

Caroline earned an M.A. in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2018 from UNC-Wilmington. Caroline completed her graduate internship in the Severe Behavior Program at the Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health, during which she gained experience implementing functional behavior assessments and function-based treatments for children and adolescents who engaged in severe challenging behavior. After completing her graduate training, Caroline became a Behavior Analyst at the May Center for ABA Services in Jacksonville, NC, where she was responsible for conducting assessments to assess client progress with developmental milestones; writing and implementing treatment plans to help clients progress with communication, attending, safety skills, activities of daily living, and social skills; conducting functional behavior assessments and developing behavior support plans; supervising and training Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs); and providing parent consultation. Caroline has experience working with individuals in home, school, clinic, and telehealth settings. Caroline joined the ASNC Clinical team in 2021 and is very excited to provide support for the Wilmington community.

Melissa has been with ASNC since 2015. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Upon graduation, she worked as the coordinator of a group home for adults with autism. She gained experience in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis by providing one-on-one therapy as a senior instructor at a school for children with autism. She then worked in an autism classroom at Wake County Public Schools before joining ASNC’s LifeLong Interventions program as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). In this position, she provided intensive in-home behavioral therapy for both adults and children with autism and assisted in training incoming RBTs. In 2016, she presented a poster at the NC Association for Applied Behavior Analysis conference that analyzed treatment efficacy for adults on the spectrum and was awarded for having the Best Professional Level poster. As Clinical’s Intake Coordinator, Melissa assists and connects with families seeking services.