ABA Therapy Center for Autism in Deerfield Beach , FL

Jay Katari

Jay Katari is married to Kimmy Katari and is the father of four wonderful boys. Jay was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  He moved to Florida in 1991 to finish his senior year of high school at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. After high school, he went on to Florida State University where he majored in Business Administration and Marketing.

Jay is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for building amazing companies with amazing company cultures. He is very excited to serve My Favorite Therapists’ clients and their families and do all that he can to help to make their lives better. Jay is very passionate about giving back to the community, sitting on the Board of Directors of Autism Speaks of Broward County, the Board of Directors of FAU’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, the Love Boca Homeless Charity, and the Board of Directors of The Boca Raton Police Foundation.

My Favorite Therapists is a very special place for Jay, having created a place where his passion for success translates to the clients getting the very best therapies available, all in one incredible place.

Kimmy Katari

Kimberly Katari, best known as “Kimmy” to those who know her, is the quintessential working woman turned parental advocate. She was a practicing commercial litigation attorney, licensed in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida. She met and married her husband 21 years ago and gave birth to 4 boys. While pregnant with her middle twin boys, Kimmy’s mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Kimmy made the difficult but determined decision to leave the practice of law to focus her attention on her ailing mother and baby boys. Kimmy’s mother survived the breast cancer, but was diagnosed with ovarian cancer approximately two years later, when Kimmy was pregnant with her youngest son.

Having the twins provided a much different perspective as far as keeping track of her babies’ progression. Blake’s brother soon surpassed him on the pediatrician’s checklists of milestones. Kimmy and her husband brought Blake for early evaluation and were told that Blake simply had low muscle tone and was speech delayed. About a year later, however, Blake’s therapist suggested that they bring him to see a neurologist because it seemed as if Blake’s was “spacing out” often. That was the beginning of a whole new life for the Katari family…Blake was diagnosed on the autism spectrum with PDD-NOS.

Kimmy has been passionate about finding and doing all that she can for her son, Blake, since that diagnosis. Not one to give up, give in, or accept defeat, she became the voice, advocate, cheerleader, pincushion, and counselor for Blake. She watched, she listened, she learned, she read, she argued – all for her son. She cried often, yet maintained a strong, stable image and persona for the betterment of the rest of her family and those that she loved so deeply.

Kimmy quickly discovered that there is an entirely separate world out there for children with special needs and their families. In that world, values are different, priorities are different, relationships are different, and people are different. In that world, being different is good. It is special. Small things could be astronomical in that special world.

Over the next decade, Kimmy delved into the life of being a mom of a son with autism as well as a wife, daughter, and mom of three “typical” boys. She incorporated into their lives the gluten free casein free diet, doctors’ visits, RDI therapy, ABA therapy, OT therapy, equine therapy, speech therapy, social skills classes, Tomatis listening therapy, floortime therapy, and acupuncture because there was no telling what would be best for Blake.

She spent countless hours with therapists, teachers, paraprofessionals, school administrators, and doctors and even more on the phone with insurance companies in order to try to obtain the best services possible to help her son. It seemed as if time was passing by and yet Blake was at a standstill with the choices of local therapists and therapy clinics. Kimmy and her husband agreed to take a gamble and seek services outside of the state of Florida. She traveled alone with Blake and homeschooled him for months, leaving her supportive family behind, a very difficult and emotional time for the entire family.

Kimmy returned to Florida with the revelation that there needed to be better options for families like hers in Florida. Parents needed and deserved to focus their time and efforts on their special children and not drive around town from one appointment to another. It was rarely possible to describe and update each therapist on what another one had accomplished or noticed with Blake. Those therapists should be able to converse and share notes with one another. Kimmy strongly felt that children with special needs deserved to be in a caring, well-equipped environment conducive to optimizing the child’s capabilities and not in a small cluttered room. Most importantly, she wanted qualified, talented therapists who were not robotic or routine. She did not believe in leaving Blake with a “glorified babysitter”. She complained repeatedly to her husband, a self-made entrepreneur, and he encouraged her to “do something about it”. With his extensive business knowledge, acumen, and guidance, My Favorite Therapists began to emerge.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jen majored in Education, is the mother of two amazing daughters, a master multi-tasker, a 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and an obsessive perfectionist. Jen loves going to work each and every day to see the amazing progress of all of the clients at My Favorite Therapists.  She plays a vital part in the daily operations of the therapy center.

Mallory Lucillo

Mallory LucilloMembers is a Nationally Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She received her Masters of Science in Cognitive Behavioral Disabilities with a concentration in Emotional Behavioral Disorders from Nova Southeastern University and her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology and Interdisciplinary Studies from Florida Gulf Coast University.

Mallory has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for over a decade. She has experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities ranging in ages from eighteen months to twenty-one years old. She has worked in the environments of clinic, school, home, and community focusing on improvement in the quality of life for every client.

Mallory has extensive background in increasing language and functional communication, reducing problem behaviors, acquisition of self-help skills, parent training, training of other clinicians, social skills, acquisition of new skills and generalizing them to be used in the real world, and vocational skills.  Her passion is to continually grow and learn as a clinician to make the biggest positive impact on the lives of others.

Mallory also leads the team at My Favorite Therapists in obtaining insurance authorizations for services as well as running the supervision programs for up and coming BcaBAs and BCBAs.

When you don’t see Mallory working, she is usually spending time with her family and friends exploring new adventures or working out in the gym. Mallory is a Crossfit nut with a passion for physical fitness. She has competed throughout the state of Florida in many state and local Crossfit competitions.

Natasha Calkins

Natasha Calkins is a dedicated mother, passionate
advocate for autism awareness, and a lifelong learner. With a solid academic
foundation and a deep commitment to supporting her son and others on the autism
spectrum, Natasha has made it her life’s mission to empower
individuals to reach their fullest potential.

Natasha’s educational journey began with a bachelor’s degree
in business from Florida Atlantic University (FAU). She then went on to get a
Master of Science in Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

As the mother of a son with autism, she quickly became his
biggest advocate and cheerleader. Natasha spends countless hours
learning about autism, its challenges, and how she can support not only her son
but also other children on the spectrum.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Natasha is a
devoted mother to two amazing children. Her free time is spent making memories
with them, cherishing each moment, and creating a nurturing environment for
them.

Her role as a mother, especially to a child with autism, has
deepened her understanding of the unique challenges families face and has
fueled her desire to make a positive difference.

Christopher Yurczak

Christopher Yurczak is a Florida native who has always had a passion for helping others reach their fullest potential. He credits his patience and understanding of others to his lifelong experiences of being a middle child. Christopher obtained a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice as well as a Masters degree in criminology through Florida Atlantic University. What then started out as a summer job helping children and families with autism unexpectedly turned into a rewarding career in the field of ABA. At My Favorite Therapists, Christopher always strives to share his passionate care with others, whether in his capacity as a 1:1 therapist, trainer, onboarding specialist or MFT team member. In his spare time, Christopher enjoys fishing the many lakes and canals that Florida has to offer, exploring nature trails with his wife and playing outside with his son.

Michael Ovad

Michael Ovad is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 10 years of experience working with kids with various developmental disabilities. Born and raised in Florida, he attended Florida Atlantic University, where he received his Masters in Exceptional Student Education, with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis and Instructional Practices. Michael has worked with kids of various ages across multiple different settings to help them learn new skills and improve their behaviors. From growing up with a younger brother with autism, Michael has made it his mission to improve the lives of those with various developmental disabilities.

Bevannie Smith

Bevannie Smith, BCBA, attended the University of South Florida where she attained her B.A in Psychology with a minor in Applied Behavior Analysis. She then attended Ball State University where she attained her M.A in Applied Behavior Analysis with a concentration in Autism. Bevannie has worked in the autism field for 7+ years, specializing in Early intervention and as a Professional Crisis Management (PCM) instructor. In addition to her passion for helping children and families with autism, Bevannie enjoys traveling across the globe , watching cartoons and helping random food restaurants. Her ultimate goal is to bring more awareness and training to individuals who interact with the autism population, especially in the Caribbean.

Suwenda Louis

Suwenda Louis, BCBA earned a Masters of Science in Developmental Disabilities with a concentration in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Public Health from the University of South Florida.  Suwenda started her ABA career while working with children diagnosed with Autism and other related developmental disabilities in 2012. With over 7 years of experience in Early Intervention and Education, Suwenda’s professional background includes an emphasis on Behavior Modification, Direct Trial Teaching, and Verbal Behavior.

While providing direct therapy early on in her career, Suwenda observed the impact that positive behavior changes have on the overall quality of life and learning of children and their families. Her ultimate goal is to make a difference in each child’s life by providing high-quality behavioral intervention services and implementing effective teaching strategies.

Zulmarie Candelaria

Zulmarie Candelaria is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a Masters of Science in Developmental Disabilities from Nova Southeastern University.

Zulmarie has been working with children and families impacted by autism and related disabilities since 2015. She worked at NSU Mailman Segal Center’s Baudhuin Preschool, served as an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist via the Early Steps program in 2016, and has since utilized her skills and experience to serve clients ranging from 2-18 years of age in homes, schools, and clinic-based settings. She has a continuously evolving passion for early intervention, skill acquisition in both Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and Natural Environment Teaching (NET), behavior modification, social skills, staff and parent trainings, and everything in between. Those who know Zulmarie describe her as loving, patient, compassionate, and determined to help her clients reach their fullest potential in every area!

Born in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico and raised in sunny South Florida, Zulmarie is fluent in both English and Spanish. Some of her favorite pastimes include spending time with her family, enjoying a warm Cafecito, and going on spontaneous fun-filled adventures!

Kendra Lalinde

Kendra has worked as a Behavioral Analyst in private and public settings including early intervention, foster care, classroom settings, consulting with schools, community programs and families of individuals with intellectual disabilities and
autism for over a decade.
She received her BA in Psychology from the University of Santo Tomas in Colombia and completed her Master’s degree at Nova SouthEastern University with a degree in Counseling and Applied Behavior Analysis.

Alyse Dimarzio

Alyse attended Nova Southeastern University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science and Education and her Masters Degre in Developmental Disabilities with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. She has nearly a decade of experience working with children with autism and other developmental disabilities in both clinical and school settings. Recently, Alyse dedicated and focused a great deal of time in Georgia working with clients with intensive feeding disorders.
She has since relocated to the state of Florida where she is happy to reunite with her family and to pursue her passion of working with children with autism alongside the MFT Dream Team.

Kaley Knapp

Hi, I’m Kaley! I am from Florida and graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a minor in Children, Family, and Community Sciences in 2018. I then moved up north to Massachusetts to get a Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Western New England University in 2022. Throughout many years in this field, I have worked with a variety of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental delays between the ages of 18 months old and 22 years olds in a variety of environments including residential group homes, residential schools, in-clinic, and in-home. My goal is to create a trusting, nurturing, and fun environment for all learners by providing individualized therapy, child-led play/learning, and a compassionate care approach. Outside of work, I enjoy reading a good book, paddleboarding, playing pickleball, cooking, and spending quality time with my 4 year old dog, Domino.

Lauren Blair

Lauren Blair holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University and a Master of Science in Counseling with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from Nova Southeastern University. Passionate about advocating for and affirming neurodiversity, Lauren is committed to empowering individuals with unique needs.

With eight years of experience in the field of behavior analysis, Lauren specializes in naturalistic and play-based early intervention, as well as behavioral intervention for school-aged children with developmental and physical disabilities. She has a particular interest in mental wellness, working with individuals with co-occurring diagnoses such as OCD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs). Her approach draws heavily from skill-based treatment to support clients in managing these challenges.

Lauren is known for her collaborative approach, working closely with her clients’ full clinical teams—including doctors, psychologists, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists (OTs), and more. She is dedicated to advocacy, education, and cultural humility, and firmly believes that “the best intervention is the one you’re able to stick to.” She tailors her use of behavior analysis to meet each family’s unique needs, focusing on practical, real-world applications.

Of Caribbean descent, Lauren is an active member of BABA, supporting their efforts to spread the practice of behavior analysis across the Caribbean and around the globe.

Cecilia Martinez

Cecilia has worked with children, teenagers and adults in a variety of schools, non profit organizations and companies. She graduated from CEU University in Monterrey, Mexico where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psycho-Pedagogy. She is experienced in educational problems, social-cultural disadvantages, human relations and office management.

She enjoys the connection, challenges and her passion is helping others and make a difference in the lives of people around her. Spending time with family and friends, go to the movies and read e-books are some of her favorite things to do. Cecilia is thrilled to be a member of My Favorite Therapists dream team! 

Lupita Correo

Lupita is the eldest sister and best friend of 3 siblings, dedicated and in love with her family. She studied Business Administration at the Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla, Mexico. With a goal to continue to grow professionally and personally, to contribute something positive to the people around her.

Lupita has a strong dedication to serve and support to the community. She also enjoys spending time and helping out in her family’s bakery on vacations.

Natalia Lopez

Natalia is a dedicated, organized, and methodical individual with good interpersonal skills, and excellent team player. She’s keen and very willing to learn and develop new skills; people find her reliable and dependable, saying she’s active and has a dynamic approach to work and getting things done, determined and decisive.

She is a Language Sciences graduate from UANL and has over 7 years of work experience.

Since her early days working, she has had an affinity with the health care niche. Having first worked for a medical equipment distributor she acquired jargon related to the field, then proceeded to work directly with people as a Patient Advocate for a large insurance company.

During her free time, she enjoys long walks in parks and malls, as well as looking for different types of bubble tea places to try out, and practicing her Korean lessons with dramas, animations, and local Korean restaurants. She is always down for boards games or movies, loves sharing snacks and is a bunny enthusiast.

Daniela Mada

Daniela is thrilled with helping those in need and making people laugh. Studied in several locations, such as Hermosillo, Monterrey, and France. Graduated from Tec de Monterrey with a bachelor’s in business administration and Strategy. She is also certified in Marketing and Logistics. She has a vast experience in working with altruist institutions, that way she continues her dream of giving back to society.

Energetic, social, and charismatic are the best words to describe her. Driven by finding beauty in simple things, strong relationships and keeping a healthy body and mind. Loves being challenged and seeks improvement day by day.

Karen Verdiguel

Karen has a bachelor’s degree in educational intervention, with extensive experience in different work areas, she has great skills that allow her to do her job in the best way and have an excellent relationship with her coworkers.

She is an animal and nature lover, she likes outdoor activities, painting, and spending time with her loved ones. She is a kind, transparent and empathetic person, who tries to be a better version of herself every day, hoping to create a future that brings her peace.

Ilse Gomez

Billing isn’t always straightforward, but Ilse is a master puzzle-solver When faced with complex billing issues, she doesn’t just find solutions; she turns challenges into opportunities for improvement. She collaborates seamlessly with colleagues to ensure that the billing process goes smoothly.

On her free times she enjoys watching and playing sports. Also, one of her favorite ways to spend her free time is attending to concerts. She’s a passionate traveler, an advocate for environmental sustainability, and a tries to be a chef in her free time.

Grace Garcia

Grace is a recently graduated Economist of the University of Monterrey. She has an interest in social service and leadership, though her career she has been focused in learning about sociology and their different variables related to the actual environment.

She has volunteered in different organizations that have helped her develop personally and professionally.

Her interests are constituted in sports, series, music and traveling, she spends her free time with friends and family.