Leigh Ann Strain, ED.D., BCBA , Regional Director
Leigh Ann is originally from Birmingham, AL and received her degrees (B.A. and M.S.) from Auburn University and her BCBA certification in 2004. Leigh Ann has worked in a variety of settings utilizing the principles of applied behavior analysis as well as working as the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Manager for the Vicenza Military Community in Vicenza, Italy. Leigh Ann is actively involved in professional organizations and strives to continue her education and professional growth and she is currently serving as Secretary of the North Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis (NCABA).
Contact LeighErica Winnie, MA, BCBA
Erika earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in applied behavior analysis from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2015 and 2018, respectively. Over the course of her academic career, she has worked with children with developmental disabilities in clinic, community, and home settings and has completed an internship using behavior-analytic principles to treat children with pediatric feeding disorders. She has recently completed all of her course requirements and hours and is now a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Erika is very excited to be a part of the Effective Interventions team!
Linsey Daffin, MA, BCBA
Lindsey is originally from Tennessee where she earned her degree in Media Communications with a minor in photojournalism from Union University in 2013. After moving to Florida in 2015 she took a job in an Autism clinic where she became an RBT and fell in love with the world of ABA. She pursued that love and obtained her BCaBA certification in 2018. Most recently she graduated with her masters in exceptional student education with an emphasis in applied behavior analysis from the University of West Florida. Lindsey recently passed her exam and is now a behavior analyst!
Katie Strathmann, BCBA, LCSW , Staff Development Director
Katie Strathmann joined the Effective Interventions team as the Staff Development Director for their Cary location in 2020. She completed graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh in 2005, followed by post graduate coursework leading to BCBA certification in 2007. In 2017, Katie also became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Since her move to North Carolina, she has worked in several leadership roles for home- and clinic- based ABA companies, including Senior Consultant, Intake Director, and Director of Staff Development. Katie is most passionate about staff development, as she has learned that building strong clinicians exponentially benefits children with autism by increasing the availability and quality of services.
Kelly Creasman, MS, BCBA
Kelly is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has been working with individuals with autism since 2010. She completed her degree in Psychology from East Carolina University and her Master’s at Ball State in Applied Behavior Analysis. Kelly started working in the field of behavior analysis as a direct therapist with children with autism in the home setting, and eventually went on to consult in over 30 schools across North Carolina. During this time, she worked closely with special education teachers, other professionals included in a child’s IEP team, and parents to implement evidence -based practices in the classroom and create meaningful behavior intervention plans. Kelly has a deep commitment to finding creative solutions and making ABA accessible and enjoyable for the families and employees she serves. She is thrilled to be working with the Effective Interventions team!
Breana Dutcher, MA, BCBA
Breana has worked with Effective Interventions since 2015 and has had the privilege of serving in many different roles. She graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2014 with a B.S. in Psychology and Linguistics and joined EI as a Registered Behavior Technician. She went on to complete her Master’s in Professional Behavior Analysis at Florida Institute of Technology in 2018. Since then she has worked as a BCBA providing services to children and teens, assisting families, and teaching BCBA trainees. Breana values the individuality of every person, and understands the importance of working collaboratively with all care providers. Breana is deeply committed to the Effective Interventions mission of using evidence-based, individualized plans, facilitating open communication, and helping all individuals succeed through engagement with behavior analytic principles.
Breanna Spencer, BCBA
Breanna has a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University. She recently completed her Master’s of Special Education with a focus in ABA from Arizona State University. Breanna has been a Registered Behavior Technician since May of 2018 and recently became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has been working with children since she was 13 years old. Breanna has worked as a Reunification counselor as well as a Lead Teacher in a daycare. Breanna has always had a passion to work with children and admired the work her mother did as an aide to children with special needs. Breanna loves working with children every day and seeing them achieve their goals. She is excited to be a part of the amazing team at Effective Interventions because of the one-on-one care and individual plans for children! In her free time, she enjoys being outside with her husband and dog Chesapeake.
Jessica Day, BCBA
Jess completed her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism and obtained her BCBA certification in 2021. Jess has been working with Effective Interventions since 2018 and is so passionate about the quality of services we provide. Creating positive environments in sessions, helping to create meaningful outcomes for learners and families, respecting client dignity and diversity, and col
Kristi Toward, BCBA , Assistant Clinical Director
Kristi is an undergraduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she received degrees in Exercise & Sports Science and Psychology. Following her passions for science and helping others, she went on to receive her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism at Sage Colleges. She has been a BCBA since 2014, working in both private clinics and public-school systems. She is committed to the dissemination of ABA and strives to promote collaboration between professionals to provide the highest quality of service to clients.
Tara Hrabosky, BCBA
Tara is originally from Ohio, but has been a native to Pinehurst, NC since 2004. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Liberty University and a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in applied behavior analysis from Arizona State University in 2016. Tara first began her ABA journey by working for a company in NC in 2010. She fell even more in love with ABA when she moved to Houston, TX and pursued employment at an ABA clinic as an RBT. After two years of RBT work, Tara decided to go back and get her BCBA certification, which she received in 2019 in the state of North Carolina. She started her career as a BCBA for Effective Interventions in August 2022. Tara believes that all individuals, regardless of development level, should know that their words have power and they have the right to control their environment. Tara is very excited about her new journey with Effective Interventions as they enable children to succeed and grow in their talents and abilities.
Lauren Neff, BCBA
Lauren comes to us from Virginia where she graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from James Madison University. After graduation, she started working in a private ABA school where she fell in love with the science of behavior analysis. She obtained her BCaBA certification in 2014 and went on to complete her Master’s in Professional Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. She became a BCBA in 2017 and has experience working in the home, school, clinic, and community settings with a wide range of ages and disabilities. She joined Effective Interventions in January 2022 and is excited to continue her journey in North Carolina providing quality ABA services.