GENTRY PEDIATRIC BEHAVIORAL SERVICES - Key Persons
Ali has been with Gentry PBS since July of 2017. She has been working in the Special Education field since 2002, and was trained in ABA in 2009.
Brooke is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, currently providing behavioral programming in school and home-based settings. Brooke has been in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2010, working primarily with students diagnosed with Autism.
Job Titles:
- Certified Speech Language Pathologist
- Certified Speech Language Pathologist Learn More
Caitlin was born and raised in Arizona where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Science and Technology from Northern Arizona University. During her time there she also earned her certificate as a Speech and Language Pathology Assistant. She worked as an SLPA for 6 years in the clinical, home health, and private practice settings. She provided services to individuals from 2-21 years old presenting with a variety of diagnoses. Her experience has an emphasis on articulation disorders, language disorders, and social communication difficulties. She has planned and led social groups that focus on conversation, structured social activities, and social scenario role play for children 4-12 years old.
Caitlin completed her Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology at Midwestern University in 2022. There she focused on the diagnostic and assessment process of communication disorders, as well as many therapeutic theories and modalities to best support the children and families she serves. Caitlin believes it is important to not only support the children she sees in therapy, but also to provide the family with tools and resources to best support them in their home.
Claudia has been working in the medical field for over 20 years, and has been doing billing for over 10 years. She enjoys helping others and making sure their insurance is paying appropriately. When she is not at work she loves spending time with her husband and her 4 boys, and although she has 5 dogs, Teddy is her favorite... just don't tell her other dogs that!
Devon is an AZ valley native & completed her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies-Humanities from NAU in 2017. As the Office Manager for Gentry PBS and being with the practice since 2022, Devon truly admires the vital services & resources that Gentry continuously provides for Arizona's communities. She ensures that every family & child that comes our way is welcomed with the identical level of care, respect, and compassion. In her downtime, Devon enjoys cooking & spending time with loved ones.
Dr. Burt received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology, with an emphasis on child clinical psychology, from Northern Illinois University.
Dr. Burt received her doctoral degree in child clinical psychology from Northern Illinois University in 2017. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Arizona School of Medicine, and her post-doctoral residency at Gentry Pediatric Behavioral Services (GPBS). Dr. Burt has worked in a number of settings, including multidisciplinary clinics, hospitals, private practices, and research laboratories. Along with other populations, Dr. Burt has worked extensively with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) since 2008 in a variety of therapeutic settings.
Dr. Burt specializes in the evaluation and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders, including Intellectual Disability, ADHD, and Specific Learning Disorder, among others. Secondary to her specialization in neurodevelopmental assessment, Dr. Burt also specializes in the evaluation and treatment of anxiety, particularly Selective Mutism and OCD, as well as mood and disruptive behavior disorders. Dr. Burt is knowledgeable about school-based processes and services.
Dr. Burt is dedicated to evidence-based practice and the science of psychology. In the evaluation process, she utilizes gold-standard procedures and emphasizes comprehensive evaluations that consider all aspects of functioning. Although she is theoretically grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dr. Burt pulls from various evidence-based approaches (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis) to tailor her clinical work such to meet the needs of each individual child. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Burt has been active in research examining child temperament, the rearing context (e.g., parenting, interparental relationship adjustment), and developmental psychopathology.
Dr. Testa completed her doctoral degree at Arizona State University. She has taught multiple courses in educational psychology and child and adolescent development. During her graduate training, Dr. Testa also worked as a clinical interventionist at an autism center. Dr. Testa completed her graduate training with an internship in the Avondale Elementary School District, and her post-doctoral residency at Gentry Pediatric Behavioral Services, where she is currently a licensed psychologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Nationally Certified School Psychologist.
Through her work in several school districts, the autism center, and private practice, Dr. Testa gained extensive experience in assessment, parent and school consultation, and behavior therapies.
Specifically, Dr. Testa specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, ADHD, and anxiety and mood disorders. With a background in school psychology and evidence-based practices, Dr. Testa is knowledgeable about school-based practices and services.
Additionally, Dr. Testa has training and experience in evidence-based treatments including Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT), Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), and Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs). Dr. Testa has also presented nationally on topics related to positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), autism spectrum disorders, and learning disabilities.
Jasmine is a Phoenix native and has always held a passion for behavioral health. She has worked in administration for sixteen years. She is a devoted mother and friend, and loves being a support to those around her. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her daughter and being outdoors.
Jeff moved to Arizona from southern California over a decade ago, attending ASU and earning his degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Business & Communication). After completing an internship with Gentry PBS, he accepted a full-time position. In his free time, Jeff enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as pursuing interests from various fields.
Dr. Gentry obtained his doctoral degree from Illinois State University, specializing in assessment, consultation, behavioral therapies and developmental disabilities. He completed his pre- and post- doctoral fellowships at The May Institute in Massachusetts, where he served as an educational and behavioral consultant, providing comprehensive, evidence-based services to children and adults with autism, brain injury, intellectual disability, and other childhood disabilities.
Dr. Gentry has been working with children with disabilities such as autism, ADHD, anxiety and other behavioral challenges for the past 9 years and has presented his research nationally on topics related to applied behavior analysis, social skills and autism spectrum disorders. As a certified school psychologist, Dr. Gentry has extensive knowledge of IEPs and the IEP process, assessment of student strengths and deficits and the ability to assess the learning environment.
He also holds a Board Certification in Behavior Analysis (BCBA) and uses applied behavior analytic methodologies to teach positive behaviors in the school and at home.
Justin began working in behavioral health in 2010. Watching the positive changes in the lives of the families and children he had worked with, sparked him to decide to obtain his bachelors degree in psychology in 2016. Justin has worked in the ABA field since 2017 and became an RBT in 2018. Justin joined the Gentry's in 2019 to continue his passion for the field of ABA.
Job Titles:
- Certified Speech Language Pathologist
- Director of Speech and Language
Kate earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Arizona State University and her Master of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas. She completed graduate training across various settings including home-based early intervention, acute and outpatient rehabilitation, preschool feeding clinic, speech sound disorder clinic, and school-based placements.
Through her work in private practice, Kate has gained extensive experience in assessment, therapy, and consultation. She specializes in the evaluation and/or treatment of pediatric feeding disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, social communication difficulties, executive functioning impairments, receptive/expressive language disorders, and individuals using augmentative and alternative communication. She has broad knowledge and training in evidence-based treatments such as the Sequential Oral Sensory (S.O.S.) Approach to Feeding, Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP).
In addition to assessment and treatment, Kate has had the opportunity to serve as clinical instructor to students and clinical fellows earning their speech-language pathology certification. She has presented on topics including facilitation of social interaction as well as detection and intervention of pediatric communication difficulties.
Kate is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst providing behavioral services in home, school, and clinic settings. She received her Bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University and her Master's from Ball State University.
Kate has been working in ABA since 2008. Her interest in the field began with her twin brothers' Autism diagnosis in 1997. She loves seeing the impact of treatment helping her clients and families gain skills and independence. Kate joined Gentry PBS in 2016 and enjoys providing compassionate, quality services to a range of families.
Katie received her master's degree in special education from Arizona State University and finished her behavior analyst coursework from Penn State University. She has been a part of the Gentry PBS team since 2013. Through the years, Katie has worked in a variety of roles and settings including, an autism center, special education teacher, general education teacher, ABA therapist, parent trainer and evaluation specialist. Katie specialized in the assessment and evaluation process, while working as a special education teacher in the public school system. She has extensive training and expertise when it comes to administering academic, cognitive, and behavior assessments. Additionally, Katie is trained and has experience in many evidence-based treatments including Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT), Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), and Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs).
Job Titles:
- Certified Speech Language Pathologist
- Certified Speech Language Pathologist Learn More
Marlee was born and raised in the Midwest, where she earned her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Kansas State University and her M.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders for Speech-Language Pathology from Wichita State University.
Her clinical experiences include providing individual and group therapy to a variety of children in schools, private clinics, and home health settings. During college, she worked as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) providing in-home applied behavior analysis therapy to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her time spent as a RBT provided her with a skill set to better understand behavior and apply this into speech sessions.
She has also been involved in leading social communication groups and loves watching children develop their social language skills with peers. She believes it's essential to collaborate with all members of the care team and actively engage caregivers in order to best meet the needs of each individual child and provide a well-rounded therapy approach.
Mckenzie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. She then returned to Phoenix Arizona and became a Clinical Liaison for the state working with the adult seriously mentally ill population. Mckenzie then raised a family while owning a horse training facility before completing her Master's in Professional Applied Behavior Analysis at Florida Institute of Technology. Mckenzie has received extensive training and experience in implementing home and school programs based on the principles of applied behavioral analysis.
As a mother of a child with Autism, Mckenzie has extensive first hand knowledge of the great rewards and great struggles that come along with raising children with special needs. Her passion for the field of Applied Behavior Analysis began with personal experiences with in home Applied Behavior Analysis programing.
Mckenzie received her credential as a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) in May of 2016. She then received her license in September 2016. Mckenzie spends most of her time consulting with parents, teachers, and schools. In the schools Mckenzie consults on classroom structure, the implementation of individual behavior plans, staff training, and best practices for classroom management. In homes, Mckenzie develops and supervises intensive applied behavioral analysis programing. Mckenzie also consults with parents and habilitators in the effective implantation of these programs.
Perri has been in education since 2013. She began working in schools with children ranging from all ages and disabilities. After graduating with her Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2016 she went overseas to teach English. She fell in love with children who wanted to learn more and began eager to work in the field. In 2018 Perri got involved in the Autism Community and made the switch into Special Education. After two years working at a public school for kids with disabilities that incorporated ABA practices, Perri joined Gentry PBS to expand her knowledge of ABA and work with children and families to gaining skills necessary to cope, communicate, and learn!
Sarah is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst focused on providing behavioral programming in home, school, and clinic settings. She graduated with her undergraduate degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University in 2020, became a BCaBA in May 2021, and an official BCBA in July 2024. Sarah has held many roles in the field of ABA; starting in 2009 she began her career as a classroom aide working in various self-contained classrooms with students ranging from preschool age into adulthood. It was then that her love for this science grew as she quickly realized this was the field she was meant to pursue. Seeing the positive impact that ABA made on the students, their families, and their future was what made this field her passion. Sarah became a Registered Behavior Technician in 2012 and began her journey with Gentry PBS in 2016 where she remains dedicated to providing compassionate treatment to the families they serve.