Dr. Suzanne Jacobsen, Ed.D., R. Psych.,
RASP certified
Founder & Executive Director
As a Registered Psychologist and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst – Doctoral, I have been providing consultative ABA services to families of children with autism since 1998, but have assisted families facing the challenges of autism, brain injury and other complex developmental disabilities since 1979. I received my Doctoral Degree in Educational Psychology and Special Education from UBC in 1990 and completed a two-year post-doctoral study in the Department of Social and Educational Studies. My prior work as a teacher included teaching children in regular and special education classrooms and coordinating services in a large school district for children with learning differences, learning disabilities, and behavior disorders. I have also taught university students about children with autism and developmental disabilities, including courses in assessment and appropriate interventions. As a mentor to the professionals at ABA Learning Centre, I have participated in presenting many workshops and training sessions. Over the last 25 years I have provided workshop training throughout the province in school districts and communities and I have also presented workshops and training about autism internationally in the United States and China.
Dr. Elizabeth Athens Klar, BCBA-D
RASP Certified (Supervising Staff)
Clinical Director
Dr. Elizabeth Athens holds a Ph.D. in Psychology with a minor in Special Education from the University of Florida, along with a doctoral specialization certificate in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the doctoral level (BCBA-D). Dr. Athens completed pre- and post-doctoral internships at the Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and a post-doctoral clinical psychology residency with the BC School and Applied Psychology Consortium. Elizabeth’s experience includes working with diverse children, youth, and their caregivers in various settings such as pediatric, community mental health, public schools, and private clinics. She provides diagnostic and psychoeducational assessments, parenting support, and consultation services for children, youth, and young adults facing developmental, learning, emotional, and behavioral challenges. At ABA LC, she is supervised by Dr. Suzanne Jacobsen, Registered Psychologist.
Myro D. Yngreso, M.A., BCBA,
RASP Certified (On Maternity Leave)
Clinical Director/Program Manager
I have been working in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis and Autism since 2003, supporting individuals as young as 18 months to 19 years old. I completed a Master’s of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in child behaviour therapy at Pacific University in Portland, Oregon. I joined the ABALC team in 2009 and became a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst in 2014. I currently support children and their families in centre-based, home-based, and school/community settings; collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. I am a Category A Behaviour Consultant on the Registered Autism Service Provider list of British Columbia. As a mother of three young children, I value and encourage the power of teaching through play and through everyday activities; all the while having fun and purposefully using evidence-based strategies to develop and strengthen various age-appropriate and functionally-relevant skills across the life-span.
Locations accepting new clients: Surrey, South Surrey and North Delta
Sara Shababi-Shad, M.A., Certified ESDM Therapist, BCBA,
RASP Certified
Program Manager
I have a Master of Arts degree in Special Education with a concentration in Behaviour Disorders from the University of British Columbia. I am also a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. I have been working with at risk children and youth, and children with autism for over five years. I have worked at ABA Learning Centre since 2012. I have experience developing and providing intensive ABA-based behavioural intervention to children with ASD both in home and centre-based programs. I have worked with GABA Program, and Fawkes Academy DL, along with various home teams. I completed the coursework and training to be an ESDM certified therapist.
Locations accepting new clients: White Rock, South Surrey and Cloverdale
Kristen Kringhaug, M.Ed., BCBA,
Program Manager
I have been working in the field of ABA/VB since 2004. I have had experience working as a BI, a Lead BI, a Program Supervisor and now as a Program Manager in individual home programs, school and classroom settings, group therapy programs and social skills groups. I have had the pleasure of working with a wide array of ages and skill levels. I have worked collaboratively with SLPs, OTs, teaching staff, and other professionals from the autism community. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Arts Degree in Special Education with specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis. I completed my BCBA coursework through Arizona State University. There is nothing more rewarding then being part of a child’s progress and that is why I do the work I do.
Locations accepting new clients: South Delta, North Delta and Surrey
Sarah Gentile, M.Ed., BCBA,
RASP Certified
Program Manager
Since 2005 I have been working with individuals with autism and developmental disabilities in school, home, community, and recreational settings. I began in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2011 as a Behavior Interventionist for ABA Learning Centre and as I furthered my education, transitioned to Student Program Supervisor and finally Program Manager. Over the past 5 years I have supported students in Fawkes Academy DL, GABA Program, home teams, and in facilitating social skills groups for young children. I completed the Disability and Applied Behavior Analysis program at Douglas College in 2011. In November 2015, I graduated with a Masters of Education in Special Education with a concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities from the University of British Columbia. I value working collaboratively with parents and other professionals in order to facilitate learning and development of the individual. I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and I am grateful to be in position that allows me to learn and grow both personally and professionally.
Locations accepting new clients: Coquitlam, Burnaby, New Westminster, East Vancouver
Shaheen Bhagudi, M.Ed., BCBA,
RASP Certified
Program Manager
I have been working with children with cognitive and developmental delays since 2009, and focused my training to children on the Autism Spectrum in 2011. I completed the post-baccalaureate program in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Capilano University in 2013, and recently completed an M.Ed from the University of Washington in 2016. I have since become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). I have worked on private home teams, in the school system, as well as clinic settings. Since day 1 in this field I fell in love with the unique perspective the children I have worked with have on life. There is nothing more exciting to me than being able to connect with a student and using that connection to deliver quality training and services to both the child and their family.
Locations accepting new clients: New Westminster, Burnaby and East Vancouver
Elizabeth A. Schwabe, M.A., BCBA,
RASP Certified
Program Manager
As a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst with an M.A. degree from Florida Institute of Technology (specializing in Applied Behaviour Analysis), I have been supporting children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families since 2007. I work with clients in various settings including centres, homes and schools, while collaborating with other support teams. My experience as a mother of three inspired me to continue working with children and teens. I love what I do!
Locations accepting new clients: Tsawwassen
Tanja Zurkovic B.A., MPed, BCBA (NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS)
Program Manager/Program Supervisor
I have been working in special education and mental health field since 2002 supporting children and young adults with variety of developmental disabilities in both community and school setting. Last 10 years I have spent working in learning support for Vancouver and West Vancouver School Districts providing curriculum adaptations and modifications as well as executive and social skills training for elementary and high school students. I have a BA in Psychology with a minor in Special Education from Simon Fraser University and Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from Western University
Alaina Rigby-Jones, B.A., BCaBA (NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS)
Program Supervisor
I have been working with children with special needs since 2004 and have been with ABA Learning Centre since 2005. I have worked with children from ages 2 to 18 in both group settings and one-to-one. I received my Bachelors of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Learning Disabilities from Simon Fraser University. I have also completed the Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis Program at Douglas College. I have provided services as a BI, lead BI, Student Program Supervisor and now Program Supervisor at ABA Learning Centre. Currently, I am certified as an independent school teacher and working on the academic programs of students at Fawkes Academy DL, Richmond.
Lynn Service, M.A. (NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS)
Program Supervisor
I have worked with children with Autism and other developmental disabilities since 2005. I have experience working with children aged 2 to 18 in both group and one-on-one settings. My B.A. is in Psychology from the University of Victoria where I studied both child development and ABA. I have also completed the Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis program at Douglas College.
Nisha N, BCaBA (Picture coming soon) (ON MATERNITY LEAVE)
Program Supervisor
I started working at ABA LC as a behavioural interventionist in 2017. Since then, I have moved into the role of Program Supervisor working in both clinical-based educational settings and on private home teams. My early experiences in the field revealed my passion for working with individuals facing unique obstacles. I enjoy problem solving and being creative by finding new and exciting ways to teach individuals so that they have a positive and successful experience. I aim to have a diversified background of experiences that will allow me to be an agile and adaptable behavioral consultant. I hope to be an agent that helps to enable individuals to develop the necessary skills to acquire a higher quality of life and have control over their lives.
Locations accepting new clients: Vancouver and Burnaby
Raman Kainth, MPEd, BCBA
RASP Certified
Program Manager
I have been working with at risk children and youth for over six years. I always knew I wanted to work with children and youth, however it was not until I began to work with the GABA Program in 2018 when I decided I wanted to pursue a career as a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst. I have experience working as a Behaviour Interventionist and a Lead Behaviour Interventionist before transitioning to my current role as Student Program Supervisor. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia where I mainly focused on child development. I attended Western University in order to obtain a Master’s in Applied Behaviour Analysis. I value education and am passionate about helping children achieve their goals. Working in this field continues to be exciting and rewarding.
Locations accepting new clients: Vancouver and Burnaby
Melody Hung, B.A., BCaBA
Program Supervisor: Richmond and Burnaby
I have been working with individuals with special needs since 2013. I first started by volunteering with ABA Learning Centre’s summer camp program and fell in love with this profession. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at the University of British Columbia and will finish my BCaBA course work with Florida Institute of Technology in April 2022. I have worked as a behavioural interventionist and lead behavioural interventionist in home settings. I have also worked as an Education Assistant at an elementary school for three years. Being able to help and see children learn, grow and obtain a better quality of life has always motivated me.
Accepting new clients
Kevin Lee, B.A.
Student Program Supervisor
I started working in the field of Autism and Applied Behaviour Analysis in 2018 and have since developed a strong passion for the field. I began my career working as a behaviour interventionist and now work with children and teens in home and centre-based programs. I have graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and am currently pursuing a Masters of Professional Education in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Western University. I hope to help all of my clients achieve their goals and lead a life of fulfillment.
Accepting new clients: Burnaby and Coquitlam
Chloe He, BA, BComm
Student Program Supervisor
Hi! I have over five years experience in the field and have been working at Fawkes Academy since 2019 as a Behaviour Interventionist. I graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelors of Commerce and Bachelors of Arts in Psychology. Since then I have developed a passion for research and hands-on-practices in applied Psychology. Currently, I am attending Western University to pursue a Masters of Professional Education degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. My goals are to become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and to better serve those lovely children with an improved expertise.
Accepting new clients: Richmond and Vancouver
Vanessa Li, B.A.
Student Program Supervisor
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at the University of British Columbia and am currently pursuing a Masters of Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. I started as a volunteer for a short period of time at a weekend group intervention clinic, working with autistic children below the age of 5. I joined ABA LC in 2021 as a Behavior Interventionist and since then developed a strong passion for the field. Establishing a good connection with those lovely children, and being able to assist them improve their quality of life has always been exciting and motivating.
Accepting new clients: Richmond and Vancouver
Hollie Tsui, B.A., Minor is Special Ed.
Student Program Supervisor
Since 2017, I have worked in various roles as a Behaviour Interventionist, Education Assistant, and reading tutor, providing support to children in home, schools, and community environments. I have a Bachelor of Arts with a minor in Special Education from SFU and completed the Disability and ABA program at Douglas College. Currently, I am pursuing a Masters in Education in Special Education with a concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities at UBC. My passion lies in establishing meaningful connections and fostering curiosity and wonder. I hope to assist my clients with achieving their goals and enhancing their learning journey.
Accepting new clients: Vancouver
Vanessa Hercun, M.C.P., R.C.C., C.C.T.P.
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Hi, My name is Vanessa and I’m a registered clinical counsellor (RCC) through the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and this is my 5th year working at Fawkes Academy and with ABA Learning Centre. I have a Masters of Counselling Psychology degree from Adler University, Vancouver campus and I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). I am trauma informed and use a mix of approaches such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), attachment theory, mindfulness-based practices, and Dialectic Behaviour Therapy (DBT). I have experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, relational issue, grief and more. I look forward to meeting and working with students and creating a space where they feel safe to express themselves or continue to develop their personal goals.
Accepting new clients for Zoom sessions