Meet The Team            

Dr. Loc Le

 PH.D, BCBA-D, CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. Loc Le is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) with over 30 years of experience working with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Dr. Le received his Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from UCLA and his Master’s Degree and Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University in the area of Applied Developmental Psychology.

His training and expertise in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) include Discrete Trial Training, Pivotal Response Training, Picture Exchange Communication, Positive Behavior Support Strategies, Video Modeling, and other naturalistic teaching strategies. He has worked in the home, school, and community environments conducting functional behavioral assessments and developing and implementing behavior intervention plans. He has created extensive parent education and staff training programs. In addition, Dr. Le has been serving as an adjunct professor at National University teaching the verified course sequence in ABA. Dr. Le has published research in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, has co-authored a book chapter in Advanced Abnormal Child Psychology, and has presented findings at numerous conferences.

Cherissa Surio

Human Resource Director

Cherissa is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst who has been providing ABA services to individuals with disabilities since 2006, earning her certification in 2013. Over the course of her career, she has worked with children and adults with autism and other special needs by developing skills sets in order to improve their quality of life and creating behavior intervention plans with programs suitable for growth. She has trained parents and staff with the fundamentals of Applied Behavior Analysis, supervised and mentored team members for career development, and collaborated with other professionals to ensure coordination of care. 

She has grown with B.A.T. since 2011. Her clinical experience began as behavior therapist then taking on the role of a lead supervisor, assistant clinical director and regional director. In 2021, she became BCBA consultant and trainer for a special needs school overseas. In 2022, she transitioned to the administrative department in the role of Human Resource Director, collaborating with both administrative and clinical departments, while taking the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to assess, implement and evaluate overall company policies and procedures. Outside of work, Cherissa enjoys spending time with her 3 boys and husband.

Karen Quintanilla

Clinical Supervisor

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Karen Quintanilla earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Cal State Fullerton and went on to complete a master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at National University. She began her journey in the field as a therapist in 2021. In 2022, she advanced into a supervisory role within Behavioral Autism Therapies and has been working toward becoming a BCBA, a goal she plans to achieve by the end of 2024.

Karen’s passion for the field is deeply personal. She grew up in a household with a loved one who has special needs. Despite a lack of formal support, her family was driven by love and the determination to make every day count. This experience inspired her to pursue a career where she could make a difference in the lives of others. As she continued working in ABA, her passion for supporting individuals and families across the community only grew stronger. Having lived the experience firsthand, she understands that it truly takes a village and she is proud to now be part of many.

In her free time, Karen enjoys baking. From cookies and scones to cakes and pies, she’s always experimenting with new recipes. While not every attempt is a success, she looks forward to trying out a new recipe or two each week.

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Gerson Gutierrez

Regional Director

Gerson earned his B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Riverside and his M.A. from National University in Applied Behavior Analysis. Gerson enjoys collaborating with families and other professionals to reach their goals as a team. During his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, pets, engaging in sports such as soccer and boxing, all while taking time to create music. Additionally, Gerson manages Special Olympics sporting events on Saturdays to help expose kiddos of multiple ages to engage in new activities.

 

Gerson is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has had the opportunity to work with multiple kiddos which have included in home and school district services. In doing so, he has been able to implement strategies provided through Applied Behavior Analysis to help create independence and autonomy for each of his consumers. Gerson has been able to effectively establish intervention strategies to create meaningful changes in behavior with both children and adults to reach each of their individual milestones.

 

Gerson has been a part of the BAT family since 2013 and earned his certification in 2022. Throughout his time with BAT, he has taken on the roles as therapist, supervisor, and assistant clinical director. When providing support for families in multiple areas and regions, he has utilized his experience to provide quality services through ABA methods such as Discrete Trial Training, Pivotal Response Training, and Verbal Behavior. Additionally, Gerson has taken part in facilitating functional behavior assessments, developing and implementing behavior intervention plans, designing individualized programs that focus on improving language and communication, self-advocacy, independence, adaptive, self-help, while implementing parent training in efforts to create a better quality of life for each family.

Illiany Pulido

Regional Director

Illiany is a bilingual Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has been at Behavioral Autism Therapies since 2016 and earned her certification in February, 2020. Prior to joining our team, she worked with young children and adolescents in the school setting for several years. She is a Regional Director at B.A.T. and has vast experience in providing different ABA methods such as Discrete Trial Training, Pivotal Response Training, and Verbal Behavior. Illiany specializes in conducting and managing Functional Behavior Assessments, developing and implementing behavior intervention plans, and designing individualized programs that focus on improving communication, social, adaptive and self-help skills. She conducts parent trainings and disseminates information to families in both English and Spanish. She earned her B.A. in Sociology with Minors in Applied Developmental Psychology and Education from UCLA. She earned her M.A. in Child Development from Cal State San Bernardino. Lastly, she earned her Graduate Certificate in ABA from National University. Illiany enjoys working with families and therapists and aims to make a positive impact in their lives. Hobbies include spending time with family and traveling."

Bruce Le

Assistant Clinical Director

Bruce is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has been in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2013, earning his certification in 2020. He has vast experience in providing different ABA methods such as Discrete Trial Pivotal Response Training and Verbal Behavior. He has experience working in home settings, conducting functional behavior assessments and developing behavior intervention plans, social, adaptive and self-help skills.  Bruce did his undergraduate B.A at University of California, Santa Barbara with. and received his M.A from National University with a emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis.  On his free time, he enjoys visiting new places and spending time outdoors.

Salena Balderrama

Clinical Supervisor

Salena’s passion to work with families began in college. She has worked with individuals on the spectrum for 10+ years; ranging from early intervention to adult transition. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (Family and Child development) from Azusa Pacific University. As the desire to make a bigger difference in the lives of others grew, she continued her education at National University. She received her Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis.  Finally, she became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2021.  Thus, her journey as a clinical team member at B.A.T. began in 2022. She has a wide range of expertise in providing different ABA methods such as Discrete Trial, Pivotal Response Training and Social Skills. She has involvement in the home/school settings, conducting functional behavior assessments and developing behavior intervention plans, social, adaptive and self-help skills. During her free time she enjoys traveling, going to concerts and playing videos games.

Natalie Garcia, PSY.D, BCBA

Clinical Director

Natalie Garcia is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), with several years of experience working with children and families. Her training and expertise is in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) include Discrete Trial Training, Pivotal Response Training, and Positive Behavior Support Strategies. She has provided services in the home, school, and community settings, conducting functional behavioral assessments as well as developing and implementing behavior intervention plans. She has also been involved in developing a parent support group. Natalie Garcia also administers diagnostic assessments for a variety of disorders, in Spanish and English.

Natalie Garcia earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside and her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Family Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. She is also a member of the American Psychological Association.

Madison Lentz

Assistant Clinical Director 

​Madison is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, with 5+ years’ experience working with individuals with autism and other special needs both within the home and school settings. She has a passion for implementing behavior analytic strategies and interventions to those with special needs and is dedicated to assisting those individuals to achieve independence and socially significant changes within their lives. Before joining the B.A.T. team, she worked with a wide range of individuals who ranged in age from 3 years old to 18 years old within the school setting. As one of the Assistant Clinical Directors here at B.A.T., she is able to continue supporting individuals within the school settings with several of the districts we work with. Madison enjoys being able to work with a variety of individuals and their families by creating personalized program goals that fit the need for each individual she works with. Madison earned her B.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Northern Arizona University and her M.A. from Arizona State University in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. She earned her BCBA certification in 2022. In her free time, Madison enjoys spending time with her family, watching Harry Potter and diamond painting.