Clinicians and
Therapeutic Staff
Karin Torsiello, MS, BCBA
President
Karin Torsiello is a proud graduate of Florida Tech’s Applied Behavior Analysis program and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, child welfare advocate and entrepreneur.
Paula Leonardo, MS, BCBA
Vice President
Paula Leonardo is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and is the Vice President of Behavior Basics Incorporated, a behavioral sciences consulting firm based in Florida.
Kristy McCabe, RBT
Operations Manager
Kristy joined the Behavior Basics team first as a Registered Behavior Technician and grew into her current position as Operations Manager. Kristy has a BA in Hospitality and Tourism and her professional background spans from multiple owned businesses to management and consulting positions with private commercial companies.
Angelique Walsh, MA, BCBA
Regional Director, Treasure Coast Florida
What seems like many moons ago today, I was lucky enough to find my passion at Florida State University.
Aliyah Longhurst, MA, BCBA, LMFT
Regional Director, Palm Beach Florida
Aliyah Longhurst is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst for Behavior Basics, Inc. Aliyah is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, where she obtained her Master of Arts in Psychology from Chapman University in 2003.
Anastasia “Stacy” Kolias, MS, BCBA
Lead Analyst, Director of Professional Development and Compliance
Stacy Kolias is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has been a part of the Behavior Basics team since 2008.
Stacey Howell, MA, BCBA
Lead Analyst
Stacey has over fifteen-years-experience working with people diagnosed with various developmental disorders and mental health diagnosis. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Denison University and her Master of Arts degree at Western Michigan University.
Samantha Hickey, MA, BCBA
Lead Analyst
Samantha Hickey received her Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from the University of Southern Indiana and her Master of Arts degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism from Ball State University.
Claudia I. Max, MS, BCBA
Director of Staff Training
Claudia began working in the field of behavior analysis in 2000 and acquired BCBA certification in 2008.
Tanja Ramirez-Schwarz, MA, BCBA
Lead Behavior Analyst
Tanja Ramirez-Schwarz, born in Puerto Rico and raised in Germany until the age of 13, then re-located to Palm Bay, FL.I speak English/Spanish and German. I Graduated from UCF with B.S. in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in Psychology in 2012.
Karen Shipper, MA, RBT
Program Supervisor
Karen Shipper has worked with Behavior Basics Inc. since 2011. Our goals are to provide professional parent instruction and delivery of the Secrets of Modern Family program.
Mike Hart, BA
Behavior Coach and Behavior Technician
Michael has been a Behavior Coach with Behavior Basics Inc. since August 2011. Michael began his career with Refocusing the Modern Family because of his strong desire to work with families in need and serve the community in which he was raised.
Melanie Banack, BS, RBT
Behavior Coach and Behavior Technician
Melanie Banack has been a Behavior Coach for Behavior Basics Inc. since 2015. Melanie obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development with a minor in Psychology from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
Julia Mathes, BA
Finance
Ms. Mathes joined the Behavior Basics team in 2009 as the business manager. She has been a tremendous asset to the team and works diligently to support both companies.
Bonnie Richardson, BS
Behavior Coach
Bonnie Richardson started as a Behavior Coach for Behavior Basics Inc. July 2018. Bonnie obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work with a minor in Psychology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in Clarion, PA.
Marlen Diaz-Santa, MA
Behavior Coach
Marlen obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Education Pedagogy from University of Puerto Rico in 2009. In 2011, Marlen obtained her Master’s in Public Affairs Major at Human Services from University of Turabo. After that, she decided to continue classes in order to complete a second Master’s degree in education with a Major in Library Service & Technology Information.
Angela Hamilton, BA
Behavior Coach
Angela joined the Behavior Basics Team in 2018. Angela is a Kentucky native and is currently completing her master’s program. Angela obtained both degrees from Morehead State University and has also worked for the University of Kentucky.
All team members are:
- Level 2 and screened for criminal background
- Screened on the national sex offender registry
Trainings required for all staff:
CPR/First Aid
Blood-borne Pathogens
HIV/AIDS
Core Competencies
Zero Tolerance
