Marissa went into the field of ABA because she loves to help people with disabilities achieve their greatest goals in life. Marissa is especially interested in finding new ways to incorporate choices and fun activities into learning. Marissa completed her doctorate degree at Western Michigan University (WMU) in Behavior Analysis, her master’s degree at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIU-C) in Applied Behavior Analysis & Therapy and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at WMU. She has over 20 years of experience working in the field of ABA. She has one publication (Allen et al. 2013) in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) and one study currently in preparation for submission to JABA. Marissa recently presented her doctoral dissertation in 2025 at the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) conference symposia in Portugal entitled: Comparing the Results of and Evaluating Preferences for Functional Analyses and Concurrent Operant Analyses. Marissa also serves on the Project SHINE (Interdisciplinary Preparation of Personnel “Supporting High-Intensity Needs in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education”) advisory board at WMU. Marissa has worked with individuals of all ages who have developmental disabilities, including autism, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and other mental health needs. She thinks it is important to take a positive, caring approach when teaching. "Some of the individuals we work with have a history of trauma and it is so vital to create a safe space for sharing ideas when helping them achieve their goals. Everyone learns differently, and here at Lifetree, we help others embrace their individualism by working as a team together with your child and family to make a meaningful difference." Marissa enjoys spending time with her family at the beach and walking her dogs when she has free time.

Dana earned her master’s degree in Behavior Analysis from Western Michigan University, where she discovered a deep passion for helping children and families through ABA services. While still in graduate school, Dana helped start and grow an ABA center, gaining hands-on experience in building meaningful, client-centered care from the ground up. Dana's career also took her to California and Arizona, where she provided in-home ABA services and worked closely with families across a variety of settings. Back in Southwest Michigan, she served as the Clinical Director for a small ABA company that experienced significant growth, further strengthening her commitment to expanding quality services. Dana is especially passionate about supporting families in underserved counties that are often overlooked by larger ABA organizations, and she finds genuine joy and purpose in helping others access the care and support they deserve.

Katarina received her bachelors in Special/Elementary Education from Southeast Missouri State University. She received her masters and PhD in Behavior Analysis from Western Michigan University. Katarina has been with Lifetree since 2023, beginning as an ABA Supervisor and now serving as the Clinical Director. Outside of Lifetree, she teaches as an adjunct professor at three universities in both the Psychology and Education departments. The courses she teaches are: Introduction to Behavior Analysis, Research Methods, ABA in the Schools, Behavioral Assessment, Ethics in ABA, and Verbal Behavior.

Katarina is passionate about partnering with local school districts to support smooth, successful transitions for individuals from ABA therapy into the school setting.

Katarina is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the doctoral level and a licensed Behavior Analyst in Michigan and Indiana. Katarina received the WMU Graduate Research & Creative Scholar Award 2020 & 2023. She has 11 publications (10 peer-reviewed journal articles, 1 book chapter). Outside of work, Katarina enjoys spending as much time as possible with her dogs and indulging in her love of tacos.

Rose completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a focus on Behavioral Sciences from Western Michigan University, as well as a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She also completed a Graduate Certificate in Behavior Analysis from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

Rose began working in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2017 as a Behavior Technician and has been with Lifetree since 2022. In 2024, Rose advanced to the role of ABA Supervisor and currently serves as the Assistant Clinical Director. Rose's clinical interests include developing communication skills through a variety of modalities, including vocal speech, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, and other individualized methods. Rose is also passionate about toilet training and supporting individuals who engage in self-injurious behaviors, such as head-banging, with the goal of promoting safer and more independent lives. Rose is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Licensed Behavior Analyst. In 2020, she completed her thesis at Western Michigan University titled “Increasing the Echoic Repertoire of a Child with Autism Using an Imitation and Echoic Sequence,” which is available on ScholarWorks. Outside of professional work, Rose enjoys reading and spending time with her cat. During the summer months, she takes advantage of Michigan’s natural beauty by spending as much time outdoors as possible.

Michaela completed her bachelor’s degree in General Psychology from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in Behavior Analysis Professional Practice from the Florida Institute of Technology. She worked as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) for four years prior to becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Since joining Lifetree in January 2026 as an RBT, Michaela has transitioned into the role of BCBA as of February 2026. She is currently a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Behavior Analyst in Michigan. Michaela is passionate about supporting children in developing effective communication skills, whether through spoken language, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, or sign language. She is equally committed to partnering with families to understand and meet the unique needs of their child with autism, fostering meaningful connections and empowering each child to reach their full potential. Outside of work, Michaela enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring new restaurants whenever possible.

Jared is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who graduated from the Florida Institute of Technology, where he studied under Dr. Thomas Szabo. During his graduate work, Jared focused on how technology and software could better support caregivers in consistently implementing treatment strategies in everyday life. Jared has experience working with individuals across a variety of settings and is passionate about combining clinical best practices with practical, technology-driven solutions. In addition to his clinical background, he has developed ABA-focused software tools designed to support clinicians, caregivers, and organizations through streamlined assessment, reporting, and data collection workflows. He also brings professional experience as a software developer, with a focus on modern web applications, workflow systems, and healthcare-adjacent technology platforms. Jared is passionate about improving access to high-quality behavioral services through thoughtful collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based practice.