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

Siri M. Andrews, Ph.D. BCBA (PSY 21230) is a licensed clinical psychologist. She began working with children with ASD in 1995 while pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development at San Diego State University. During this time, Dr. Andrews began her research experience at the Autism Intervention Center / Children’s Toddler School under the supervision of Dr. Aubyn Stahmer. After obtaining her undergraduate degree, Dr. Andrews taught at Del Sol Academy where her classroom consisted of children with ASD ranging from 1st to 6th grade. Dr. Andrews decided to further her educational growth and attended Alliant International University where she obtained her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology.

Dr. Andrews has worked with children with ASD ranging from 1 year of age through young adulthood. Her experience also includes individual and group psychotherapy with typically developing children; psychological and educational assessments; working with children and adults in an inpatient psychological hospital; psychotherapy with children with special needs; training teachers and school staff about ASD and behavior modification techniques; parent training; and research. Dr. Andrews’ doctoral dissertation study examined the effectiveness of social stories with school aged children with autism. Dr. Andrews supervises home and school based programs for children on the Autism Spectrum. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Michaela Ene, Ph.D. (PSY 17703) is a licensed clinical psychologist and primary supervisor with CARES. She has worked with children and adults with pervasive developmental disorders for over seven years. 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. She completed her doctorate level thesis in the area of Autism / Asperger’s syndrome under the clinical and academic supervision of Dr. Lincoln. She obtained her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology – San Diego.

Dr. Ene currently provides consultation and supervision of home-based behavior modification programs for children with autism. She has training in psychological and neuropsychological assessments, discrete trial training, pivotal response training and PECS. She also facilitates social skills training group for children with Asperger’s syndrome and/or children with high functioning Autism.

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.

The Behavior Supervisors

Elizabeth Allman, M.A. received both her Bachlor’s degree and Master’s degree in psychology from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). While at UCSD, Ms. Allman began her work with children with autism by working in the Autism Laboratory under the supervision of Dr. Laura Schreibman. From there she moved onto a research project designed to indicate potential precursors for autism by studying infants under the age of one year, that are at-risk for autism. Shifting into the clinical realm of autism, Ms. Allman began working for CARES and has been trained in Pivotal Response Training (PRT), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Discrete Trial Training (DTT). She works with children and their parents by incorporating a variety of strategies and interventions including behavior modification techniques.

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.

Gregory J. Carinci, Psy.D. (RPS2007162) is a Registered Psychologist accruing postdoctoral hours for licensure under the supervision of Dr. Feinberg-Gizzo. Dr. Carinci began working with children with ASD in 1997 while pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Special Education at Marist College in New York. He has since earned Master’s degrees in both Educational Psychology and Clinical Psychology. Dr. Carinci’s dissertation research examined the factors that lead to increased parental participation and involvement in their autistic child’s early intervention programming. Dr. Carinci has had internship and work experience with both inpatient and outpatient settings treating children and adults with a wide range of developmental, behavioral, and psychological issues. His current interests include comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of emotional and behavioral disorders, early intervention programming, and the dietary needs of ASD individuals.

Dr. Carinci’s experience also includes individual and group psychotherapy with typically developing children; educational assessments; training teachers and school staff about ASD and behavior modification techniques; and parent training. Dr. Carinci supervises home and school based programs for children on the Autism Spectrum. He is currently completing coursework and supervision for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification.

Jeff Edmonds, Ph.D. (PSB 31447), received his doctoral degree from The California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1999 with a BA in Psychology and a BM in Composition and Music Theory. Before becoming a secondary supervisor, he worked as a tutor for CARES for two years. He has worked extensively in several inpatient hospitals serving those with severe mental illness, as well as those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Mr. Edmonds has also worked at Children’s Hospital, Outpatient Psychiatry, where he worked mostly with children and adolescents with Asperger’s Disorder. Currently, Mr. Edmonds supervises in-home and in-school services for those with ASD. He has been trained in Discrete Trial Training, Pivotal Response Therapy, and PECS. He works under the license of Kathie Sweeten, Psy.D. (Director of CARES).

Melaura Erickson, M.A. has a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from University of California, Los Angeles and a Masters in Clinical Psychology from California State University, Fullerton. Ms. Erickson has worked with children with autism and other developmental disabilities since 2002. She also worked with children with learning disabilities from 1998-2002. Ms. Erickson has experience in both home and school based behavior modification programs. She has worked with occupational, speech, and physical therapists as well as several psychologists, teachers and administrators. Ms. Erickson also has extensive knowledge and understanding of Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), social stories, play therapy and TEACCH and works to incorporate the various techniques in the implementation of therapy for children with developmental disabilities.

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.

Courtney Olinger, M.A. has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University. She is currently a doctoral student at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University, where she will complete a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

Since 2000 Courtney has worked with children with autism and other developmental disorders (ages 18 months to 13 years). She also assisted with research at the UCSD Autism Lab under Dr. Laura Schreibman, studying child characteristics and the outcome of Discrete Trial (DTT) versus Pivotal Response Training (PRT) therapy as well as studying and developing protocol for father-specific PRT parent training.

Ms. Olinger has experience in both home and school based programs. She has worked with occupational, speech, and physical therapists as well as several psychologists, teachers and administrators. Ms. Olinger also has extensive knowledge and understanding of PECS, social stories, and TEACCH and has learned to incorporate various techniques in the implementation of therapy for children with developmental disabilities.

Ms. Olinger has been consulting on both home and school programs for CARES since January 2005 as a Behavior Consultant. Also, in 2005, she developed Little Builders, a play based socialization program for children ages 3-7 on the Autism Spectrum. Ms. Olinger and Ms. Sciaccitano currently supervise several Little Builders groups at CARES and a school site.

In addition, Ms. Olinger is proficient in Spanish as she studied psychology for a year in Buenos Aires, Argentina; she worked as a Spanish tutor for a year, and studied in Mexico City, Mexico for summer 2006 semester.

Selena Rauenzahn, M.A. graduated from San Diego State University in 2006 with a Masters in Education, emphasis in Special Education and Autism. In 2004, she earned a Professional Clear Level II Education Specialist Instruction Credential for students with moderate to severe disabilities. She is currently working towards a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification. 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, supervisor and inclusion consultant/trainer with Kids Included Together (KIT). She specializes in the following strategies: Applied Behavioral Analysis, intensive behavior modification and discrete trial training, TEACCH methods and PECS systems. She has received grants from National Foundation for Autism Research and San Diego Teacher’s Fund to facilitate better learning for her students. She is currently training and supervising behavior tutors, supervising home programs, and is the teacher for the CARES: ABC Clinic.

Ginny Ritchey, Ph.D. earned her Doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley in 2003 in Educational Psychology and is a credentialed School Psychologist: Pupil Personnel Services. She began working with children with ASD in 1998 while pursuing her studies at U.C. Berkeley. Since then, she has devoted much of her practice to serving children and their families impacted by ASD. She has worked as a behavior consultant at South San Francisco Unified School District for the past five years, a program manager for several ABA, in-home programs for four Bay Area school districts, a supervisor and consultant for several social skills groups for children with ASD, a behavior supervisor and therapist for the C.L.A.S.S. organization in San Mateo, and an autism instructor for the Milpitas Unified School District.  

She has also had the opportunity to work with a variety of populations in a number of therapeutic settings over the past thirteen years. She has been trained to provide psycho-educational assessment, counseling, and consultation services within the home, school, and mental health settings; has taught at the elementary, high school, college, and graduate levels; has worked as a school psychologist since 2000; has accrued 1,500 pre-doctoral clinical hours while working with youths at-risk for school failure, their parents, and educators; has provided workshops on numerous topics including: “How to construct a behavior plan”; “How to foster intrinsic motivation in spite of extrinsic rewards”; and “How to respond to the needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)”; has experience in research design, quantitative, and qualitative analysis; and specializes in the areas of motivation and behavior analysis, in addition to the various treatments for ASD.  

Ginny recently moved from Northern California to San Diego and joined the CARES team in July, 2007. She provides consultation and supervision of behavior modification programs for children with autism.

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.

Kyle A. Weber, Ph.D. (PSB33322) received her doctoral degree from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. Prior to becoming a secondary supervisor she worked as a tutor for CARES. She has also worked at an academy for children and adolescents with mental illnesses and developmental disorders, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In addition, she has worked at several inpatient hospitals with patients with severe mental illnesses. She provides consultation and supervision of home-based behavior modification programs for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She works under the license of Siri Andrews, Ph.D.

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 32594) received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, with a Minor in Applied Developmental Psychology, from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Ms. White’s Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology (child and family emphasis) was earned at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) where she is currently continuing to work on her Doctoral Degree. Ms. White started working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in 1998, and has had the opportunities to work with children between the ages of two and thirteen. Ms. White 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, and Catholic Charities. Her experiences include providing behavioral interventions with children in school and home settings; providing in-home training 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 K-8, before- and after-school YMCA day care program. Additionally, Ms. White has worked in the area of diagnosis and assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Mental Retardation at the San Diego Regional Center. Ms. White is trained in Discrete Trial Training, Pivotal Response Training, Picture Exchange Communication System, TEACCH, Social Stories, and behavioral modification strategies. Currently, Ms. White provides consultation, training, and supervision for behavior modification programs, as well as the CARES Social Skill Builder program. Ms. White is a Registered Psychological Assistant and is under the direct supervision of Dr. Michaela Ene.

The Behavior Consultants

Brittney DeWall, B.A. received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from California State University San Marcos in 2005. She is currently finishing her internship hours for her Master’s Degree in School Psychology and Pupil Personnel Credential. 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.