ABA in our community
Fostering support networks in our community.
In our community, you can find dedicated and experienced practitioners, all of whom are committed to building resources for applied behaviour analysis in the Halifax Regional Municipality and beyond. ABA Halifax works to strengthen awareness and advocacy for the role of the Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and create a system of support for parents, caregivers, students, teachers, and community members.
Nicole Robinson
CDA, MA, BCBA
Nicole Robinson has been a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst since 2015. She is an integral member of the interdisciplinary team in the hospital setting, working with adults with intellectual disability, mental health challenges, and complex behavioural concerns. Nicole has been recognized for her work in mental health as the recipient of the provincial Let's Keep Talking Award for Outstanding Healthcare Provider by the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia in 2017.
Nicole earned her bachelor's degree in Speech and Language Science from Brock University, a post-graduate advanced diploma in Communication Disorders from Lambton College, and a master's degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis with an Emphasis in Autism from Ball State University. Nicole applies her extensive knowledge of communication and the functions of behaviour to teach individuals adaptive replacement skills.
Nicole demonstrates her dedication to building capacity for our community by connecting families with valuable resources. Nicole also welcomes the opportunity to support and supervise students in behaviour analysis.
You can connect with Nicole via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-robinson-3b5b30a6/
or by email at nicolerobinsonbcba@gmail.com
Jamie-Lynn Hill
M.Ed, BCBA
Jamie-Lynn is a strong advocate for sharing knowledge about applied behaviour analysis in our community and developing new and innovative programs. She is a consistent voice in our community, hosting regular presentations and workshops on topics such as Promoting Independence Across the Lifespan, Principles and Practices of ABA, and Behaviour Strategies.Â
Jamie-Lynn became a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst in 2015 after completing a Master's in Education degree from the University of Cincinnati. She is currently the Clinical Supervisor for the Autism Nova Scotia Community Works, Employment Works, and School Works programs. In this role, Jamie-Lynn works to build awareness in the community about the employability of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and empowers individuals to build skills to reach employment goals.
Catherine Garside
M.Sc, BCBA
Catherine Garside began working in ABA following completion of her Bachelor of Science with Joint Advance Majors in Psychology and Biology, St. Francis Xavier University. She worked in New Hampshire at a NeuroRehabilitation Centre for children in residential care with a variety of mental health concerns and challenging behaviour. She then completed course work at Florida Institute for Technology and passed the BCaBA exam. She returned to her native province of Nova Scotia, where Catherine first practiced early intervention with children with autism spectrum disorder in Halifax. Since then, Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention has been her passion.
In 2008 Catherine moved to Australia and worked for two ABA service providers over eight years. In 2012 she completed a Master of Science in Applied Behaviour Analysis and Autism from Sage Colleges New York and became a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst in May 2013.
Catherine is currently employed at the IWK Health Centre within the EIBI program as a Clinical Interventionist. Catherine’s focus in her role is developing early language skills for children, promoting social skills in small groups, improving functional behaviour and independent skills, using video modelling to improve play skills among children with autism and supporting parents to learn behavioural principles that will benefit their child’s learning.
Currently Catherine is not taking on private work but is available for contact through email catherinegarside@outlook.com .
Olivia Woodland
M.Sc, BCBA
Olivia Woodland began working in the field of ABA as a teenager in 2008, and has been a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst since 2016. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at St. Thomas University, followed by her masters degree in ABA & Autism through Sage Colleges in New York state. Olivia started out teaching social skills groups for preschool-aged children before moving on to individual ABA work, and eventually supervision roles. This experience was primarily through working with children aged 18 months - 6 years. After moving to Halifax from Saint John, NB in 2017, she has been a Clinical Interventionist in the Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention program at the IWK Health Centre. Her areas of interest include teaching early language skills, social skills, and positive behaviour support. Olivia is currently looking to take on 2-3 private clients who are school-aged or have a diagnosis other than autism (ie. not eligible for the EIBI program).
Sorcha Parker
M.Sc, BCBA
Sorcha Parker, M.Sc., BCBA is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst providing evidence based treatment services to clients with developmental delays, Down’s Syndrome & autism spectrum disorders. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Mary’s University and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from The Institute for Psychological Sciences, in Arlington, VA. She completed her graduate training in applied behaviour analysis (ABA) through Pennsylvania State University. As a Certified Behaviour Analyst, Sorcha is a member of a regulated international body of practitioners adhering to strict standards of ethical and professional conduct, and required to engage in ongoing continuing education in order to provide the most up to date, evidence based treatment for clients.
Her past experiences include working with the Center for Autism & Related Disorders (CARD) in Springfield, VA, providing one on one therapy to children in homes and preschools. Upon returning to Canada, she took a position with PEI Department of Education & Early Childhood Development as a Preschool Autism Specialist. Following the birth of her first child she returned to Halifax and has since been providing consulting services in the private sector & public sector. For the past several years she has been working with University of New Brunswick in training educational assistants and resource teachers in the use of applied behaviour analysis in schools & preschools. In addition, she provides supervision services to Behaviour Analysts in training.
Currently, Sorcha is faculty of the Behavioural Interventions Advanced Diploma Program
with Nova Scotia Community College. In this position, Sorcha
oversees a program that focuses on teaching Applied Behaviour Analysis to students and supervises practicum placements.
Monica Peters
M.A.D.S, BCBA
Monica Peters has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2014 but has been in the ABA field since 2007. She completed her Masters Degree in Applied Disabilities Studies at Brock University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Concordia University. Originally from Montreal, Monica is currently residing in Halifax working at the Nova Scotia Health Authority in the community outreach program (COAST) with adults who have dual diagnosis (intellectual disability plus mental health). She has worked with clients throughout the lifespan (ages 4 and up). Her primary focus area and interest is in parent training, specifically in skill development and behaviour management.
Monica provides supervision to students pursuing BCBA certification. For more information, you can email lifespanlearningconsultants@gmail.com. You can also connect with Monica via Linked In at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-peters-316a2a78/
Nicole MacLeod
BA, CDA, MA.ABA, BCBA
Nicole MacLeod has been working in the field of ABA since 2015 and became a certified BCBA in 2017. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Mount Allison University, followed by a post graduate advanced diploma in Communication Disorders at Lambton College, and then earned her Master’s in Applied Behaviour Analysis with an Emphasis in Autism from Ball State University. Nicole has worked with children of all ages as an ABA Therapist and as a supervisor. Currently, she is working as a Clinical Interventionist for the IWK Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention Program. Nicole loves her work supporting families in teaching their children language, play, and replacement behaviours.
Nicole is not currently taking on any private clients but can be contacted by email at: naamyot@gmail.com
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Jessie Mercer
MPEd, BCBA
Jessie MacNeil is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst who completed her undergrad in communication and psychology from Cape Breton University and holds a master’s degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis with a focus in Autism from Western University. Jessie has experience working with individuals across the lifespan who have diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual disabilities and mental illness. She began working in the field as a Behaviour Therapist in the Halifax area in 2015 and relocated back to Cape Breton Island in 2017 after spending three months in India volunteering with children and young adults with varying special needs. She obtained her BCBA certification in February 2019 and is currently working in Sydney, NS. Jessie is not taking on any private clients but can be reached by e-mail at capebretonbcba@gmail.com.
ALLISON Hart
M.A.D.S., BCBA
Allison achieved her Masters of Applied Disability Studies, specializing in Applied Behaviour Analysis, from Brock University. Allison has spent the last five years specifically working with children on the autism spectrum providing direct therapy in a learning centre. Recently she has expanded to supporting children in schools, daycares, private clinics, in the home and the community.
With a passion for supporting children, Allison’s work mostly involves early intervention, play-based therapies, and positive behaviour supports, as well as a wide range of other evidence-based practices. Allison has worked with clients ranging across the spectrum, and has a special interest in verbal behaviour and feeding disorders of young children.
Allison provides therapy for children in Halifax, while creating more opportunities for children to get the support they deserve.
Allison can be reached via email at allisonhartbcba@gmail.com
erin Mackelvie
M.A., BCBA
Erin MacKelvie is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst who completed her Master’s in Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Erin specializes in the assessment and treatment of severe problem behaviour, that is, behaviours that impede on the safety and independence of her clients and those close to them. During her time in California, Erin worked in a severe problem behaviour clinic, crisis homes for adolescents, and as a behaviour specialist for typically developing preschool students. Her experience ranges across ages 3 to 18 as well as neurotypical and neurodivergent clients. Additionally, she conducted research under the supervision of Dr. Mahshid Ghaemmaghami on the effectiveness and social validity of functional analyses.
Erin currently works with Spirit Psychological in Halifax. For more information please go to https://spiritpsychological.ca
Megan MacDougall
M.Ed, BCBA
Megan MacDougall first learned about applied behaviour analysis while working at a clinic in British Columbia. After returning to Nova Scotia, she began her graduate studies through Arizona State University, graduating with a Master’s in Special Education in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Megan has worked with children across a variety of ages, but currently works in early intervention teaching parents strategies to support their toddlers in learning new skills such as communication, social skills, and play skills, while disseminating behaviour analytic principles. Megan obtained her BCBA certification in April 2021 and is excited to grow as a professional in the field of ABA and in her community.
Hanna Jones
M.A.D.S, BCBA
Hanna has been in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for 7 years. She has worked with clients with ASD in various settings including in home, in the community and in centre. She has worked as an Instructor Therapist/Behaviour Clinician, Lead Therapist and Supervising Therapist throughout this time. Hanna has completed a Post Graduate Degree in Autism and Behavioral Science through George Brown College. She is also a recent graduate of the Masters of Applied Disability Studies program at Brock University. She began her journey working with individuals with various disabilities through her time completing her Bachelor of Kinesiology, with a focus on adapted physical education at St. Francis Xavier University. She is excited to be back on the east coast and get the opportunity to contribute to the Nova Scotia community. Hanna is passionate about meeting clients where they are at and ensuring they are successful in meeting socially significant goals. Additionally, she enjoys working collaboratively with other professionals to provide well rounded care that is consistent across specialists and service types. Hanna is the cofounder of ‘The Hullabaloo’, which is an organization with the goal of improving access, creating affordable tools and bettering the quality of life for their valued customers! Please reach out to Hanna at hanna@thehullabaloo.ca, to see how she can support your family through the use of ABA!
Taylor Pirrie
M.Sc, BCBA
Taylor Pirrie began working in the field of ABA in 2013 following the completion of her B.A. Honours degree with a double Major in Psychology from the University of Manitoba. She has worked in a variety of roles for the St. Amant Autism Programs in Winnipeg, MB providing support for children with autism between the ages of 3-21. Taylor began providing direct support tutoring children with autism, and then moved into a case management role providing staff and parent training in discrete trials teaching and behavioural interventions. She completed her Masters of Science in Applied Behaviour Analysis in 2018 from St. Cloud State University, and worked as an Autism Consultant writing treatment programs for skill acquisition and challenging behaviour interventions, and supported educational assistants and resource teachers in the school setting. Taylor completed her Board Certified Behaviour Analyst certification and moved to Nova Scotia where she continued her work in the field as a Clinical Interventionist for the Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention program through the IWK Health Centre. Taylor is now supporting the Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial as a Behavioural and Mental Health Support Counsellor.
Joella Noronha
B.A., RBT
Joella Sasha Noronha has been a Registered Behaviour Technician since 2017. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Sociology and English Literature from Christ University, Bangalore and then worked in Dubai, UAE for three years. She worked first as a learning aide in schools and supported neurodiverse children on the autism spectrum and neurotypical students. Joella also worked as a Behaviour Therapist at a centre in Dubai, UAE, as well as Lead Instructor for the group programs at the centre.
Joella has helped create Individual Education Programs and Behaviour Intervention Programs for students and is proficient in ABLLS and VB-MAPP assessments. Currently, she is studying at Saint Mary's University, pursuing her Honours in Psychology. Joella also has plans to become a Board Certified Assistant Behaviour Analyst once she has completed her Honours degree.
Joella can be contacted by email at joella_sashanoronha@hotmail.com.