Meet the St. George Team

Dr. Merrell's experience in behavior analysis began in 2003 when she started working as a home-based behavior interventionist. She developed a quick love for the children she served and the steady progress they demonstrated, due in part to their ABA services. It inspired her to pursue a long-term career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, which she obtained in 2012.

Dr. Merrell earned a bachelor's degree in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from Brigham Young University (2008), a master's degree in Applied Behavior Science (2011) and a PhD in Behavioral Psychology (2013), both from the University of Kansas.

Throughout her graduate school career, Dr. Merrell gained clinical and supervisory experience at residential, center-based, home-based, and university-based programs. After earning her PhD, Dr. Merrell gained 10 years of experience as a clinical director in Southern California. During that time, she helped ensure hundreds of learners received access to quality care, and she had the honor of mentoring over 65 BCBAs and aspiring BCBAs.

Dr. Merrell has experience working with children, teenagers, and young adults with varying diagnoses. She is passionate about providing high quality, evidence-based services. In addition, she has love for teaching and mentorship. She takes pride in developing meaningful relationships with her team and in helping strengthen their clinical, professional, and supervisory repertoires.

Dr. Merrell joined Possibilities as their St. George clinical director in 2024. Joining Possibilities allowed her to move to the beautiful area her family calls home. Dr. Merrell, her husband, and her 5 sons are thrilled to establish roots in the St. George area. READ MORE

Ryan Craig is from Santaquin, Utah and has spent the last four years in Cedar City attending Southern Utah University. He has recently graduated from SUU with his Bachelor of Social Work degree and is leaving with a passion to help support people on their journey to discover themselves. To help with this passion, Ryan will be attending Graduate School to obtain his Master in Social Work and become a licensed clinical social worker. His hope is to one day work as a mental health clinician who emphasizes in talk therapy focused on anxiety and depression. In his free time Ryan enjoys being outside as much as possible. Hiking, pickleball, tennis, swimming, you name it. If it is done outside, he is all for it. READ MORE

Jacob has been working in the field of ABA since 2010. He has a wide range of experience and a genuine passion for making a positive impact. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Utah State University and a Master's Degree in Behavior Analysis from the University of Houston - Clear Lake. His expertise spans a spectrum of key areas, including behavior assessment, severe behavior, verbal behavior, individualized treatment, and caregiver training. Jacob's commitment to tailoring interventions to meet the unique needs of individuals reflects his dedication to promoting independence and growth. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Jacob is well-versed in effective teaching methods, ensuring that learning is not only impactful but also personalized. He is delighted to have found a professional home that shares his values, providing him with a platform to contribute meaningfully to the lives of those he servces. Jacob remains a steadfast advocate for individualized care, providing unwavering support to inspire positive change and foster the development of crucial life skills. His approach combines professionalism with a genuine desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. READ MORE

Lindsey has been in the field of education since 2006 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential, and Master of Arts of Teaching from the University of California, Irvine. She began her career teaching elementary and middle school before finding her calling in providing tailored, high-quality ABA therapy. After completing her BCBA coursework at California State University, San Marcos and becoming a BCBA in 2017, she now has extensive experience working with children and adults with individualized needs ages 2 to 27 in a multitude of settings, including homes, clinics, schools, the community, and telehealth. She loves providing support to families in their natural environments and seeing the progress reported by the family, the clinical team, and even the learner themselves! Lindsey highly values learner assent and collaboration with families and their medical providers. She has has the privlege of working alongside individuals who are neurodivergent and this has further shaped her approach to behavioral treatment. All learners and their families are taught to create the necessary support to help each individual thrive as no two people are the same. Lindsey currently resides in Southern California with her husband and son. She loves visiting the beach, swimming, reading, taking tap dancing classes, and playing with her son at local playgrounds. READ MORE

I graduated from Santa Ana College in 2012 with Associate Degrees in Psychology, Liberal Arts, and Community Social Services. I transferred to California State University, Fullerton and graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor Degree in Human Services with an emphasis in Mental Health. I initially wanted to work with at-risk youth as a counselor, but fresh out of college, I started working as a Behavior Interventionist and fell in love with ABA. I fell in love with the hands-on portions and witnessing my clients' progress. Throughout my career as a Behavior Interventionist, I wore different hats (e.g., Group Leader and New Hire Trainer). I worked in multiple settings (e.g., home, clinic and school) providing 1:1 services as well as leading social pods in the clinic and community setting. As a New Hire Trainer, I fell in love with the teaching aspect and realized I could have a greater impact sharing my experience and knowledge with others and decided to become a BCBA. I graduated from Arizona State University in 2020 and became a BCBA in 2021. As a BCBA, I've been a Groups Supervisor where I oversaw social pods and assigned clients according to their age/functioning level and introduced new activities (e.g., Sport of the Month, Baking/Cooking, Stop Motion series, etc.) to promote exposure and generalization of clients' skills! READ MORE

Michelle O'Connor has been working in the field of ABA since 2010 and working as a BCBA since 2015. Michelle started her career at a small ABA center with a heavy focus on naturalistic learning. Since that time, she has supported learners in clinic settings, at schools, in their homes, and in the community. Michelle currently works full-time for a public school in Connecticut providing BCBA support to learners ages 11-22 years old. While she has worked across all ages, her passion lies in helping adolescents and young adults work on functional and applied skills to help them achieve the greatest level of independence possible. She is a strong believe in full inclusion and continuously advocates for individuals with disabilities to be a meaningful part of the school and community settings. Michelle joins the Possibilities team virtually from CT, where she lives with her husband, two young children, and their dog. She loves hiking, trail running, and spending time outdoors with her family. READ MORE

Sarah Sargeant has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for over 8 years. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Linguistics from Stony Brook University in 2015; she has always been passionate about the importance of language and effective communication. Soon after, and while she worked as a Registered Behavior Technician, she pursued graduate coursework from the Florida Institute of Technology and obtained her Board Certification as an Assistant Behavior Analyst in 2017. In 2018, she completed her Master's degree in Exceptional Student Education/ABA from the University of West Florida and has been a BCBA since that same year. Sarah has substantial experience working with a variety of learners and their caregivers across settings to include, clinic, home, school and in the community. Sarah thoroughly enjoys collaborating with others, working as a team and believes that this is the key to progress and achieving goals. Sarah is excited to be part of the Possibilities team to deliver compassionate, individualized care to all learners and their families! READ MORE

Kathryn began her career in ABA in 2003 as an in-home behavioral aide. She was certified as a BCBA in 2007 and brings her 20 years of compassionate experience to every client. Kathryn received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from California State University Sacramento and a Master's in Education with an emphasis in Instructional Design from American Intercontinental University. Kathryn established, grew and managed her own ABA agency for 15 years. She brings a passion for teaching with experience as an undergraduate psychology instructor at University of North Texas and adjunct faculty at National University in the ABA certification program. Her passion in the field of ABA includes providing caregivers with the tools to encourage success and confidence for every family. Kathryn enjoys spending time with family, quilting, crafting and being outside in nature. READ MORE

Karissa is from the sunny city of St. George Utah. She has dedicated the past five years to working with children with autism. This endeavor has become more than just a job; it has become her passion. Witnessing the transformative power of love, patience, and understanding in these young lives has been her most fulfilling experience. Every day, she strives to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where these exceptional children can thrive and reach their full potential. Her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of these chidlren has fueled her desire to continually learn and grow in this field. READ MORE

Trevor has been working in the field of ABA since July of 2020. After gaining experience from centers across Utah and Arizona, Trevor has discovered that the best approach to ABA is the emphasis of compassionate therapy. As Clinical Coach, Trevor provides support to other technicians by ensuring successful implementation of programs, assisting in the connecting to learners, and helping Behavior Analysts with assessments and quality of care. Trevor loves connecting with each and every learner by finding fun approaches to ensure their success. In his free time, Trevor enjoys playing board games with his family, spending time at the lake, and going to the movies with his friends. READ MORE

Sally began working as a Registered Behavior Technician in 2016 and instantly fell in love with the field of ABA. Through working with individuals of all ages on the Autism spectrum, she found her passion in working with non-verbal, high behavior children. She finds it life changing (not only for the child, but also their families) to teach a child that their words hold meaning. Sally Joined Possibilities in 2023 and soon after became the Training Specialist, overseeing a team of competent trainers. Within this role she has been able to help others find the love she has for the field and ensure that the learners at Possibilities have the highest quality of care. READ MORE

Nikki (Nichole) Clyde is a dedicated Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) who embarked on a transformative journey after becoming a mother. Her passion for family and travel continues to be her guiding light. Nikki holds a double bachelor's degree in mild/moderate Special Education and Elementary Education from Southern Utah University and later earned a master's degree in Severe and Profound Disabilities from the University of Utah. It was her personal experience as a mother that led Nikki to change her career path, driven by a newfound passion for understanding autism from a family perspective. With eight years of experience as a devoted teacherand her personal journey as a mother, Nikki is committed to furthering her knowledge and making a positive impact on the lives of individuals with autism and their families. Her ultimate goal is to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to bridge the gap between education and family support. Nikki finds fulfillment in each moment shared with her family, and her career change reflects her unwavering dedication to the autism community. READ MORE

Ashlee's journey started in Northern Utah before she ventured to St. George to pursue her Bachelor's in Psychology at Utah Tech University. She first realized her passion for supporting children with Autism during middle and high school, where she participated in the peer tutor program and volunteered for Special Olympics. With over four years of hands-on experience, Ashlee has played many diverse roles, from serving as a job coach for adults with Autism to excelling as a Registered Behavioral Technician in the field of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy. Currently, Ashlee is channeling her passion into pursuing a Master's degree in Special Education with a specialization in ABA. Beyond her professional pursuits, Ashlee finds joy on the pickleball courts, watching anime, and crafting with her cricut. Her journey reflects not just a career but a genuine dedication to enhancing the lives of those she works with. READ MORE

Mikauli has her Bachelor's of Arts in Education Studies in Special and Elementary Education and is currently getting her Master's in ABA from Florida Institute of Technology. After beginning as an RBT in 2016, she found her passion in teaching and training others in compassionate ABA. Her rich experience within the world of ABA has given her a well-rounded view of ABA as a whole. In her personal life, Mikauli loves spending time with her husband and two small children. She also loves her morning caffeinated drinks, planners, and dark fantasy books. READ MORE

Madeline's (Maddi's) journey into Applied Behavior Analysis began post-Covid when she joined a preschool committed to inclusive education. Transitioning from career uncertainty to a focus on ABA and early intervention, she conducted research in PCIT and earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Communication from West Virginia University. Relocating to Utah in May 2022, Maddi assumed the role of a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and is currently pursuing a master's degree at Arizona State University with the goal of becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. READ MORE