Staff - New Horizons Professional ABA

Thirty-Eight years of experience working as a Special Education teacher, assistant principal and a Director of Education for children with Intellectual, multiple disabilities, emotional disabilities, and Autism. Established Professional Education and Respite Service in April of 2005 out of the need to make a stronger connection and establish consistency between home and school. As the business grew, Mr. Kushner saw an immediate need for in home ABA therapy thus in August of 2014 the company became New Horizons Professional ABA Services to clearly define the major service being provided to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Developmental Disabilities.

Nicole Van Zandt COO

Position: Chief Operating Officer

As the COO of New Horizons Professional ABA Services Inc., Nicole is responsible for running all facets of the business. After making a career change in 2011 and leaving the home health care industry she joined New Horizons and quickly advanced to the position of COO. Having a son with developmental disabilities helped facilitate Nicole’s career change and has made her strong advocate for the special needs’ population. She currently resides in Northern Virginia with her husband, four children and her three fur babies.

RACHEL KINDALL

Position: Client Relations Manager

Rachel Kindall joined New Horizons in 2014. She handles client management for NHABA. She assists with the screening process, authorizations, and billing. Rachel lives in Middletown with her husband and son. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and teaching Sunday school.

MICHAEL VAN ZANDT

Position: Office Manager

Michael Van Zandt has lived in Northern Virginia with his wife and children since 2000. He joined New Horizons in August of 2017 with 6 plus years of human resource management. He is an avid fisherman and enjoys spending time outdoors whenever possible.

STEPHANIE MERCIER COOKSEY, M.ED., BCBA, LBA

Position: Senior Behavior Analyst

Stephanie joined New Horizons Professional ABA Services in 2012. A Massachusetts native, she received her Master’s degree in Special Education from Saint Leo University in Florida and a Master’s Certificate in Behavioral Intervention in Autism from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in Massachusetts. She was a special education teacher, working with a variety of disabilities, before pursuing a career in behavior analysis. Stephanie received her Board Certification in 2009. She worked as a behavior analyst for several years and in 2013, she was promoted to Senior Behavior Analyst. Stephanie is enthusiastic and dedicated to working with children with disabilities, having first-hand experience growing up with a sibling on the Autism spectrum. Stephanie has worked as a home-based behavioral therapist, overseen home-based programs, designed training protocols for ABA therapists and supervisors and has consulted with families and schools. She has experience using the VB-MAPP, ABLLS and the AFLS. Stephanie’s interests include PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), Functional Communication Training, Discrete Trial Training, and Activities of Daily Living.

BROOKE FAY, M.ED., BCBA, LBA

Position: Clinical Director

Brooke joined New Horizons Professional ABA Services in 2014. She received her B.S. and M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of Maryland, and prior to becoming a BCBA she taught high school and middle school special education in both Maryland and Oklahoma. Brooke holds an Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate from the Florida Institute of Technology and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2015. She was promoted to a Senior Behavior Analyst for NHABA in 2016. Although the majority of Brooke’s teaching background was with high school students, since becoming a BCBA she has primarily worked with children ages two through eight and enjoys working with clients of all ages. Brooke is dedicated to working with her clients and their families to help them achieve their goals and feels very fortunate to be working in a field that can facilitate life-changing results.

TAYLOR FREEMAN, M.A., BCBA, LBA

Position: Senior BCBA

Taylor joined New Horizons Professional ABA Services in October 2015 and loves being able to work directly with clients and families every day. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Tech in 2013 where she worked as a research assistant in the Virginia Tech Autism Clinic. Taylor continued her education through Ball State University earning her Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2017.

ASHLEY UPDIKE, M.S., BCBA, LBA

Position: Assistant Senior BCBA

Ashley joined New Horizons Professional ABA Services in June of 2016 and became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in January of 2020. Prior to becoming a BCBA, Ashley was a Registered Behavior Technician with NHABA. She received her Bachelors of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Radford University. Ashley received her Masters of Education in Special Education with a certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis through George Mason University. Ashley also has a Master’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from California State University Northridge and is dual licensed as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). She enjoys working with children of any age! In her spare time, Ashley enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and family.

Our Team

Board Certified Behavior Analysts

Tina Dittmer, M.S., BCBA, LBA

Behavior Analyst

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Sarah Reynolds, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Behavior Analyst

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Tiana Cruz, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Behavior Analyst

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Tess Mauzy M.A.T, BCBA, LBA

Behavior Analyst

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TINA DITTMER, M.S., BCBA, LBA

Position: Behavior Analyst

Tina has lived in Northern Virginia since 2001. She is a career switcher having spent over 15 years working in the field of operations and organizational development for large corporations. When her son was born in 2006, she wanted a change. Tina went back to school and earned her Masters Degree in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College. She began her journey toward a BCBA certificate in 2013, when she joined New Horizons Professional ABA Services Inc. She became a BCBA in 2016. She has since utilized her experience with her Autistic/ADHD and continuing education to help other families. “I enjoy working with the wonderful families I have met and hope to provide the best services possible for all the children in my care.”

SARAH REYNOLDS, M.ED., BCBA, LBA

Position: Behavior Analyst

Sarah Reynolds joined New Horizons Professional ABA Services in July 2015. Prior to joining New Horizons Sarah worked as a Special Education Resource teacher for children in grades K-3 grade with Developmental Disabilities for 3 years including students with Autism, Downs Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol, emotional disabilities, ADHD, and learning disabilities. During her first year of teaching Sarah met a student with Asperger’s Syndrome who changed the course of her teaching career and life. Attending his graduation from high school where he received a regular education diploma was one of the highlights of her career. She worked as a self-contained Autism teacher focusing on children in Kindergarten thru second grade for 13 years in Warren and Loudoun Counties in Virginia. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Latin and Elementary Education as well as a Masters in Special Education from the College of William and Mary. She received a post Graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn. State. Sarah became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2008.

TIANA CRUZ, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Position: Behavior Analyst

Tiana Cruz joined New Horizons in April 2017, and in the same year received her RBT certification. In 2021 she received her Board-Certified Behavior Analyst certification. She has experience working with individuals ranging in age from 2 – 21 years old and specializes in the care of children with autism. Tia enjoys working with children and young adults to mitigate problem behavior while teaching appropriate, functional replacement behaviors. “I take pride in their accomplishments. Every person learns and responds differently, and I believe it’s important to be able to adapt to each person’s needs and to meet children where they are in their development.”

Tia received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in special education from James Madison University in 2015. She holds a graduate certificate in Autism from Regent University (2018). In 2020 she received her Master’s in Special Education with a graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis, and in 2021 became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. She is truly dedicated to her profession, the care of children and their families.

TESS MAUZY, M.A.T, BCBA, LBA

Position: Behavior Analyst

Tess obtained her undergraduate degree in Human Services from Old Dominion University. She has her graduate degree in Special Education K-12 from Liberty University. She later completed Florida Tech’s ABA program. Over the past 12 years Tess has worked directly with children and adults with special needs. She has taught in the public-school setting for the last five as a special education teacher. She is married and has one cat and one dog. In her spare time Tess enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and reading.