The CARES Supervisors have years of experience working with 

children with Autism and developmental disabilities.

They hold doctoral and master’s level degrees in psychology, social work, education, 

marriage and family therapy and speech-language pathology.  They work as a team 

supporting each other, sharing experiences and ideas and working together to make 

a difference in each child's life.

The Senior Supervisors

Michaela Ene, Ph.D. (PSY 17703) is a licensed clinical psychologist and senior supervisor with CARES. She has over 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders and related developmental disabilities. Dr. Ene obtained her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology – San Diego and completed her doctorate level thesis in the area of Autism / Asperger’s syndrome under the clinical and academic supervision of Dr. Lincoln. While working on her doctoral degree in clinical psychology, she worked at the School for Children with Autism and Pervasive Development Disorders and at the Laboratory of the Neuroscience of Autism.

Dr. Ene is the Director of CARES services in the Orange County area. She provides consultation and supervision of home-based behavioral treatment programs for children with autism and related developmental disorders. She has extensive experience working with children with autism and pervasive developmental disorders and is well experienced in ABA teaching techniques including discrete trial teaching, pivotal response training, and PECS. Dr. Ene is also proficient in conducting psychological and neuropsychological assessments and differential diagnostic evaluations for children and/or adults with autism spectrum characteristics.

Monica Feinberg-Gizzo, Ph.D. (PSY 19064) is a licensed clinical psychologist who joined CARES in January of 2003. She comes from New York where she completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Westchester Medical Center working with children diagnosed with autism and other developmental disorders.

She received her doctoral degree form the California School of Professional Psychology-San Diego in September of 2001. Dr. Alan Lincoln was her academic supervisor and supported her doctoral dissertation research, "Using Social Stories to Teach Specific Social Skills to Children with Autism."

Dr. Feinberg-Gizzo has received training in psychological assessment, discrete trial training, and the use of social stories. She was also a program coordinator for a social skills training playgroup (STAR Program) for children with Autism/Asperger’s Disorder/PDD-NOS between the ages of 5-12 years. Dr. Feinberg-Gizzo is a supervisor for CARES and provides consultation and supervision of behavior modification programs for children with autism.

Christiana K. Silva, Ph.D. (PSY 21878) is a licensed psychologist at the Center for Autism Research Evaluation and Service (CARES).  Dr. Christiana K. Silva has a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology awarded by the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University.  Dr. Silva has attended UCLA and UCSD receiving her B.S. in Psychology.  Her doctoral research study investigated dysfluent speech in abused children.

Dr. Silva has worked at CARES for over 10 years.  Currently, Dr. Silva provides consultation, training, and supervision for behavior modification programs with children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  She has experience in the following strategies: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Discrete Trial Training (DTT), social stories, TEACCH, peer training, PRT, play therapy, and PECS.  Dr. Silva has worked with occupational therapists, education consultants, physical therapists, speech therapists as well teachers and administrators.  She has worked with children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis ranging from 2 years of age through 52 years.  Dr. Silva is currently leading a group for adults with an ASD.  This group focuses on teaching life skills, social skills, and effective communication skills.

Dr. Silva has an extensive research background.  She has assisted with research at the UCSD autism lab and UCSD/VA hospital where she was a research assistant to many well known psychologists and medical doctors.  Dr. Silva participated in studies that examined effective social skills in high school aged children, high affect vs. low affect PRT, the treatment of Tinnitus with CBT and the role of life stress on depression.

Dr. Silva has over 9 years of training in clinical experience.  She was a psychology intern at Springall Academy where she provided short and long term individual and group psychotherapy to students with learning disabilities and behavior problems.  Dr. Silva worked with children with a variety of diagnosis including; ADHD, Depression, Autism, Aspergers, PTSD and learning disabilities. 

Dr. Silva also has experience in working with adults.  She was a psychology intern at Calworks Stepforward where she provided long term and short term therapy for adults and conducted parenting and anger management groups.  Dr. Silva was also a practicum student at ISIS crisis house.  She provided short term therapy/crisis management to adults who are experiencing a high level of stress.

Regina Veprin, M.S., CC-SLP (Sp 8606) joined CARES in the fall of 2000. She comes from the San Francisco Bay Area where she received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 1989. She spent 6 years as an Itinerant Speech-Language Pathologist in California School Districts. In 1995, she became the teacher in a Diagnostic Special Day Class. While there she instructed a group of students with needs including Autism, Down Syndrome, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Emotional Disturbances, Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, and Asperger’s. She provided Discrete Trial Training, TEACCH, and Total Communication systems and implemented a variety of behavioral intervention strategies. She further implemented these skills while working for a private agency (LEAP) providing home-based intervention. She is certified in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, holds a Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential, a Special Day Class Authorization Teaching Credential, a California State License in Speech-Language Pathology and a Certificate of Clinical Competency awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In addition, she has had training in Social Stories, Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) and Pivotal Response Training (PRT).

Mrs. Veprin currently provides consultation and supervision of both home and school-based behavior modification programs for children with autism. She also serves as the clinic coordinator and primary teacher for the CARES: Academic & Behavioral Clinic.

Psychiatrist

Lisa Ponfick, M.D. , is the Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist and Medical Consultant for CARES.

Dr. Ponfick received her MD degree from the University of Colorado. She completed a 4-year General Psychiatry Residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, then went on to complete a 2-year Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of California - San Diego in 2006. She served as Chief Resident for both her General Residency and her Fellowship. Being well-trained in both biological and psychological treatments, including evidence-based therapies and medications, makes her a valuable asset to our team.

Since graduating from her formal training, she has worked with Children, Adolescents, and Adults in outpatient and residential settings, in addition to being involved in research.

She attends twice-monthly supervisor meetings and trainings with the staff Psychologists. She provides both direct patient care and informal consultations to CARES staff. We are proud to be able to provide high-quality multi-disciplinary treatment to our clients.

The Behavior Supervisors

Cynthia Bullock, M.A. received a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton, and an M.A. in Education from Central Michigan University. Prior to working for CARES, she worked in a variety of venues: home programs, special education school programs, consulting, advocacy, parent support groups, sibling support groups, and group therapy. She gained extensive experience facilitating groups for children with Asperger’s Syndrome and high functioning autism. She also facilitated a summer day camp for children with Asperger’s Syndrome and high functioning autism. Ms. Bullock joined the CARES team in April 2006. She brings a broad background and a great deal of enthusiasm to her current work as a Behavioral Consultant, home program supervisor, and Social Skills Builders Program supervisor. Two of her own three children have autism spectrum disorders, giving her personal insight into the families that she serves.

Brittney DeWall, M.A. received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from California State University San Marcos in 2005. She received her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and Pupil Personnel Services Credential from Azusa Pacific University in 2009. Mrs. DeWall began working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in 2005 and has been able to work with children between the ages of two and thirteen. Before becoming a Behavior Consultant, she worked as a tutor for CARES for two years. She has been trained in Discrete Trial Training, Pivotal Response Therapy, Social Stories, Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), and behavior modification strategies. Currently, Mrs. DeWall provides consultation, training and supervision for behavior modification programs and CARES Social Skills Builder Program.

Adelaid Gonzalez, M.Ed.( (PSB 33850) received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from San Diego State University and her Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University. While at Harvard, Ms. Gonzalez conducted research at the Patrick O'Hearn Elementary School; a model integration school where every student with disabilities is fully included and learns in the general education classroom alongside their non-disabled peers.

Currently, Ms. Gonzalez is a supervisor for CARES and coordinator for the parent education program which she co-created with Ms. Caroline White. Ms. Gonzalez provides consultation, training, and supervision of home-based behavior modification programs for children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is trained in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), social stories, TEACCH, and Pivotal Response Training, and incorporates these strategies in home-based behavior modification programs daily.

Robin E. Hodges, Ph.D. (PSB 33777) received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Dr. Hodges earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology and is currently accruing her post-doctoral internship hours for licensure. Dr. Hodges has worked with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders since 2003 and has worked with typically developing children in pre-school settings since 1998. Her positions have included behavioral aid and site supervisor for the STAR program as well as CARES tutor. Additionally, Dr. Hodges has worked with adults in an intensive, inpatient psychiatric setting.

Dr. Hodges has extensive research experience, having completed a one-year long internship placement at San Diego State Research Foundation’s Center for Behavioral Epidemiology as well as a placement at the Salk Institute’s Laboratory for Cognitve Neuropsychology. She conducted her dissertation research on attention abilities in siblings of children with autism.

Dr. Hodges is trained in Discrete Trial Training, PECS, Social Stories, and behavior modification strategies. Currently, Dr. Hodges provides consultation, training, and supervision for behavior modification programs in San Diego and Orange Counties. Dr.. Hodges is a Registered Psychological Assistant and is under the direct supervision of Dr. Alan Lincoln.

Kelly O’Bryan, Ph.D. (PSB 35077) received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from San Diego State University (SDSU) and earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University and is currently accruing her post-doctoral hours for licensure. Dr. O’Bryan works with children, adolescents, and adults with Autism. Additionally, Dr. O’Bryan works with individuals with Bipolar Disorder. She also has experience working with children and adults in outpatient settings and facilitating group therapy. Dr. O’Bryan’s research interests focus on Bipolar Disorder in children and adolescents. Previous research experience at SDSU’s Center for Behavioral Teratology involved investigating potential treatments for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Dr. O’Bryan is trained in Discrete Trial Training, Pivotal Response Training, Picture Exchange Communication System, behavior modification strategies, play therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy. Presently, Dr. O’Bryan provides behavior consultation, individual and family therapy, and supervision for behavior modification programs in San Diego. Dr. O’Bryan is a Psychological Assistant and is under the direct supervision of Dr. Alan Lincoln.em>

Claudia Riquelme-Medeiros, M.A. received a Master’s Degree of Arts in Education and School Psychology at Alliant International University. She is trilingual in English, Spanish and her native language Portuguese. While acquiring her Master’s Degree, Mrs. Medeiros gained experience as a Behavior Interventionist for pre-kindergarten aged children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Prior to her employment with CARES, she worked in the Santa Ana Unified School District, as part of a Behavior Intervention Group (BIG), collaborating and consulting with the district’s behavioral team. Her experience also includes educational assessments with English Language Learners with Specific Learning Disabilities. She is also a board member of the Orange County Association of School Psychologists.

Mrs. Medeiros currently provides supervision of home-based behavior modification programs, as well as consultation and parent education services for children with developmental delays and their families through the Early Intervention Program provided by CARES in the Orange County area.

Mrs. Medeiros is completing her Applied Behavior Analysis Professional Developmental Program at Florida Institute of Technology to become a Board Certified Behavior Analysis (BCBA).

Selena Rauenzahn, M.A., BCBA is a native Californian and has spent the majority of her life in San Diego County. She is an Education Specialist for students with moderate to severe disabilities and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her Masters degree is in Education, emphasis in Special Education and Autism from San Diego State University. Selena has worked in many capacities with typically developing children and children with disabilities since 1996 as a teaching assistant, behavior tutor, special education classroom teacher, program supervisor, education consultant and inclusion consultant/trainer with Kids Included Together (KIT). She has received grants from National Foundation for Autism Research and San Diego Teacher’s Fund to facilitate better learning for her students. When she is not working, she enjoys reading and traveling..

Stacey Sciacchitano, M.Ed. (MFT Intern 42740) is currently a registered Marriage, and Family Therapist intern in the State of California and a secondary supervisor with CARES. She received her Master of Education in Counseling and Psychological services from Springfield College, Springfield Massachusetts. She also earned her Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology from National University, San Diego. Ms. Sciacchitano began working as a tutor with CARES while at National University, as well as, a behavior intervention specialist with the STAR Program (Socialization Training and Reinforcement). STAR is a social skills training program working with groups of children with Autism/Asperger’s Disorder/PDD-NOS. Upon graduating from National University, Ms. Sciacchitano worked briefly as a school psychologist before she became a behavioral specialist at Del Sol Academy (K-12) servicing students with special needs in the San Diego Unified School District. She also worked as a vocational rehabilitation specialist for Vocational Strategies in San Diego to gain a different experience and work with adults. Ms. Sciacchitano then returned working with children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families as a supervisor, as well as, a behavior consultant with the STAR program and as a tutor with CARES.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from State University of New York at Cortland College with an emphasis in Outdoor Recreation. Ms. Sciacchitano has had various experiences working with children in different environments. Her passion lies with working with children on the Autism Spectrum. Ms. Sciacchitano provides consultation and supervision, as a secondary supervisor with CARES, of school-based and home-based behavior modification programs for children diagnosed with an ASD and their families. She has been trained in and incorporates strategies from integrating interventions that include; Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), TEACCH, social stories and play therapy, as well as, socialization training with groups and peer training.

Kris Thomasian, M.A. (PSP 34239) received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach. Mrs. Thomasian has worked with infants through adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities with several agencies in Southern California for over 20 years. She has experience with Discrete Trial Training, Applied Behavior Analysis and has extensive experience guiding parents, families and caregivers in implementing successful behavior intervention programs in the home and community environment. Mrs. Thomasian also worked for several years as the director of a large pre-school, serving infants through Kindergarten. At CARES, Mrs. Thomasian works with children and adults and supervises the Little Builders Social Skills Program at our Temecula office. Additionally, since 2001, Mrs. Thomasian has served as an elected member of the Murrieta Valley Unified School District Board of Education.

Jennifer C. Wendt, M.A. (PSB 31065) received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (1996) and a Master’s Degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling 1998. She is currently completing the final stage of her doctorate degree in clinical psychology at Alliant International University. Mrs. Wendt has been working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder since 1999. In addition, she has had experience working with adults in group and individual psychotherapy; working with children ages 18 months to 18 years in the school setting as well as counseling within an agency; working with children and adults in a psychiatric hospital; providing psychological assessments, parent training and research. Mrs. Wendt is currently registered as a psychological assistant to Dr. Michaela Ene, while providing consultation, training and supervision for behavior modification programs and social skill building programs at CARES. She works with children and their families in home-based programs and school-based programs. She has been trained in Discrete Trial Training, the Picture Exchange Communication System, Pivotal Response Training, social stories, play therapy and behavior modification strategies.

Caroline J. White, M.A. (PSB 33817) is the Coordinator of the CARES Integrative Parent Education Program, and a Behavior Supervisor at CARES. Caroline received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Caroline’s Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology was earned at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) where she is currently continuing to work on her Doctoral Degree. Caroline began working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in 1998, and since that time has had the opportunities to work with individuals from the age of two through adulthood. Caroline has worked at numerous agencies including the Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention (LIFE), The Autism Partnership, Capistrano Unified School District’s Intensive Behavioral Intervention program, Catholic Charities, and Bayview Psychiatric Hospital. Her experiences include providing behavioral interventions for children in both school and home settings; providing intensive education and support to parents; supervising and training tutors; outpatient individual and family psychotherapy with both children and adults; school counseling; assisting in preschool classrooms (both neuro-typical and Autism-specific); research; and directing a before- and after-school day care program. Additionally, Caroline has worked in the area of diagnosis and assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Mental Retardation at the San Diego Regional Center. Caroline is trained in Discrete Trial Training, Pivotal Response Training, Picture Exchange Communication System, TEACCH, Social Stories, and behavioral modification strategies. Caroline is a Registered Psychological Assistant and is under the direct supervision of Dr. Michaela Ene.