ABA Therapists

Our amazing team of ABA Therapists come from diverse backgrounds.  They are college educated, compassionate, and invested in their own future and the future of the kids with whom they work so closely.  Every Therapist is registered with the Louisiana Behavior Analysis Board and has passed a National Criminal Background check.

Want to Join our Team?

Our Therapists are the reason behind each of our kid’s success stories. We strive to create a professional, supportive environment. We provide the tools and training needed to make a difference; through mentorship, experiential learning, and encouraging growth and skill development amongst everyone. Many of our Therapists view this position as an enriching building block towards their career development. We hire individuals who value the time and attention required to build upon each diverse child’s needs and can appreciate the long-term outcomes of their work.

If you are looking for challenging but rewarding work within a supportive environment, please send a cover letter and your resume to admin@withinreachnola.com.

OUR TEAM

Emily Bellaci, LBA, BCBA • Masters in Behavior Analysis • Director

Emily received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Louisiana State University. She went on to the University of Houston – Clear Lake, where she received her Master of Arts in Behavior Analysis. Emily has worked with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders in a variety of settings including school districts, clinics, and homes. She has extensive experience creating and implementing behavior change and skill acquisition programs. As a native New Orleanian, she recognized the immense need for ABA services in the area. So, she returned home and is very excited to be able to provide clinic-based ABA therapy and the only ABA preschool in the area. She remains engaged in her community and has been played a pivotal part in the establishment of licensure and regulation of Behavior Analysis in Louisiana. She has served as the chair of the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board as well as the Treasurer of the Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association. She conducts workshops, gives presentations on data driven procedures to peers, and actively supervises a number of individuals pursuing their BACB certification. Emily is passionate about the growth and integrity of Behavior Analysis and recognizes the importance of instilling this information and professionalism in future ABA professionals.

When not advocating for the discipline of Behavior Analysis, she spends time with her two young daughters and husband. They enjoy discovering new places to eat, biking through City Park, or taking trips to the beach.

Shawn Katie Bishop, BCBA, LBA

Katie is a board-certified behavior analyst from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a master’s degree in school psychology. She has worked in early learning clinics in Mississippi, Michigan, and Louisiana. She has also worked as a community BCBA, providing services in school and home settings.

Katie lives in New Orleans with her elementary-aged son with autism. She is interested in advocacy and strives to create programs that enrich the lives of children (and their families) while respecting their autonomy. She is also interested in the applications of applied behavior analysis beyond the realm of autism, particularly with issues of social justice.

Layne Kieschnick, BCBA, LBA

Layne obtained a Bachelor’s in Psychology and English from Spring Hill
College in Alabama in 2019. After graduating, Layne began working at
Within Reach as a line technician and quickly fell in love with the ABA
field. She pursued her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis through Ball
State University, graduating in July of 2022, and was licensed as a BCBA
in September of 2022. Layne has gained experience working in early
intervention and with kids up to age 14, providing school-based therapy,
and in-home parent training. She is passionate about advocating for
clients and their families and enjoys learning about new research and
developments of thought in the ABA field. In her free time, Layne enjoys
reading, road trips, and playing with her pet kitty.

Elizabeth McCollum-Lord, LBA, BCBA

Liz received her Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University in 2005.  After spending a year working at a school for children with language learning disabilities in Atlanta, Liz returned to New Orleans.  She has worked with both neurotypical children and those with diagnoses, and she is committed to helping families achieve their goals.  Liz received her Master of Arts from Ball State University in July 2017, and her Board Certification in November 2017.  She runs our bimonthly staff training and parent workshops, our after school social skills group, and supports our daytime program staff in a variety of ways.

Jenny Anderson, LBA, BCBA

Jenny graduated from Purdue University in 2010 with a Bachelors of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She worked as a line technician with teenagers and adults with Autism in the Chicagoland area, and from there was inspired to pursue a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis. She moved to New Orleans in 2013 and completed her BACB supervision in 2014. In the spring of 2014, she received her Masters of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University, and later received her Board Certification in November of 2014. She currently supervises individuals pursuing their BACB certification. She seeks out continuing education opportunities related to client needs, and enjoys attending conferences to learn about up-to-date ABA practices.

Kristina Seruntine, LBA, BCBA

Kristina is a native of Metairie, LA and graduated in 2019 from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders.  She joined the Within Reach team in May of 2019 and worked in both the early intervention program and the after school social skills group. In December of 2020, Kristina graduated from Ball State University with a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis.  She became a Licensed Behavior Analyst in January of 2022. Kristina is now spearheading a new pilot program at Within Reach to provide in-home ABA parent training to families with kids under 3 who are on our waitlist. In her free time Kristina enjoys trying out new restaurants, cooking, walking her dogs and road trips to the beach or Nashville.

Keri Willever St. Martin, Office Manager

Keri is a Wisconsin native and holds the first degree in Outdoor Leadership from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC. She’s served in the Peace Crops in Ghana West Africa, lived and worked at a private zoo in Santa Rosa, CA called Safari West and was a movie extra in the film 28 Days. She was also a Logistician for NGO Action Against Hunger in a refugee camp in Albania, and at an Outward Bound base camp in NC. She helped run the Engineering and Security Departments at the Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC and spent 10 years traveling the US and beyond as Associate Director of Admission at Warren Wilson College and taught ski lessons in the winter. After moving to Louisiana several years ago Keri managed a local Ameriprise Financial branch and worked at the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, but has now found her dream job as the Office Manager at Within Reach Center for Autism. Keri enjoys spending time with her husband traveling, gardening, volunteering, doing triathlons and jogging with their two very sweet Dobermans.

Contact Us

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