The Team
Alycen graduated from Idaho State University with her Master's of Science in Speech Language Pathology. Throughout her career she has worked with a variety of children and adults, doing everything from swallowing to utilizing alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) to help her non-verbal clients communicate more effectively. She works with individuals of all ages and functioning levels in a variety of settings. Alycen has a passion for helping people communicate and for educating clients and families.
When she is not focused on creating the best special needs clinic in Utah, Alycen loves playing volleyball and doing woodworking. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Rob, and her family.
Alycen DeCosta, M.S., CCC-SLP
Clinical Director & Speech Language Pathologist
Emily is originally from Orem, and now lives in Spanish Fork with her husband of 22 years and her 3 beautiful children. She likes to cook, read, and take her kids to their various trainings and tournaments. Emily is a pro when it comes to all things office management, and enjoys being around her co-workers.
Emily Beattie
Office Manager
Shelby is from Santaquin, Utah and has lived there for 11 years with her husband and two little boys. She loves to be outdoors and tries to be outside as much as possible.
Shelby Craig
Billing Assistant
Tia loves Christmas and the color pink! She is super big on sweet treats and a massive animal lover! She enjoys taking walks and she tries to live in the moment everyday.
Tia Castillo
Billing Assistant
Shaylee is from Blackfoot, Idaho. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science from Brigham Young University- Idaho with a degree in Marriage and Family Studies. Shaylee loves the outdoors and spending time with family. She moved to Utah two years ago and loves going to BYU sporting events with her husband.
Shaylee Choules
Clinical Care Coordinator
Brooklyn grew up in Spanish Fork. She graduated from UVU in May of 2023 with her Associates Degree. She loves to be around her family and friends. She has a dog named Koda that she loves to take on walks. She loves to be outdoors, read, paint, run and travel. She big on sweet and salty treats. She is a big drink girl and always has one on hand.
Brooklyn Dean
Office Assistant/ Onboarding Assistant
Madison is originally form Bakersfield, California and she just moved here from Idaho. She goes by Madi and loves to read, swim, listen to music and watch movies. Madi is super excited to be here!
Madison Buck
Office Assistant
Jone Lokahi Vuikadavu
Mental Health Therapist
Lokahi is a husband and a father who values time with his beautiful wife, their beloved daughters, family, sports, learning and growing. A few quotes that he tries to adopt in his life is one shared by Henry Eyring “'I never met a man (woman/child) I couldn't learn something from"' and by Thomas S Monson “See others as they may become”. Lokahi knows that as fellow travelers in this journey of life, we all have potential, we all have something to contribute, we all have worth, and that has been his approach with the work that he does in the human service field and more importantly at home where he feels that it is important to invest our best efforts. He has been blessed with opportunities of life experiences; school opportunities where he attended BYUH for some time and then graduated from BYU Provo with a Bachelors in Family Studies including a Master’s in Social Work from UVU; work opportunities that have created environments to practice what he has learnt and to learn from others including the adoption of various interventions that he now uses to help those in need. Some of the interventions that he has used and also learnt are EMDR, concepts of CBT, DBT, ACT, strength-based focus, motivational interviewing, play therapy, Autplay therapy, sand tray therapy, attachment focused approach, solution focused, client centered, couples therapy, family therapy, group therapy. He recognizes that one of the most important things in therapy is to meet individuals where they are at and help be a guide, and support for them to where they want to go with the tools that they need. He considers the trust placed on him to help with that journey, a great blessing and a privilege.
Brittany Rich
Mental Health Therapist
Brittany is a marriage and family therapist. She got her undergrad in Psychology at UVU and her graduate degree at Arizona State University. She is trained in the Gottman method and Emotionally Focused Therapy as well as a wide range of other methods of therapy. She loves to bake. If she wasn’t a therapist she would love to open her own bakery! She loves to watch movies with her husband and explore new places with her family.
Ryan is from Nephi, UT and has always wanted to work with kids. He received a bachelor's degree in General Education with an emphasis in Psychology from Utah State University in 2016. He then went to Henderson, NV to complete a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy in 2019. Once graduated, Ryan worked in an acute care setting and eventually found his way into his preferred setting of pediatrics. Ryan has experience developing an occupational therapy program and worked with kids with autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and autoimmune disorders. Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 children, playing music, designing t-shirts, and playing video games.
Ryan Elder
Occupational Therapist
LaRiah Albrecht, COTA
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
LaRiah grew up in New Mexico and Utah. She started her career with autism as an ABA therapist at Whole Child Therapy while completing her prerequisites for school. When (very sadly) moving on from WCT, she continued to gain almost 4 years of experience working with children and adults with intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and autism through job coaching, direct support, and managing a day program. She eventually graduated as a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) from the OTA program at Salt Lake Community College and circled back to her roots at Whole Child Therapy. She is currently advancing her occupational therapy degree through a post-professional OTA program online while working at Whole Child Therapy and is completing courses that will expand her knowledge about working with her clients in OT. She loves her work as a COTA and loves building relationships with clients and their families. LaRiah is very passionate about advocating for neurodiversity and hopes to learn as much as she can from her coworkers, clients, and their families. In her free time, she loves to draw and paint for her art shop and see her family.
Kenzie graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Child Development in 2018. She went straight into her Master of Occupational Therapy program at Colorado State University and graduated in August of 2021. While attending school, Kenzie had the opportunity to work with children as a preschool teacher, camp counselor, in an after-school program, and more. She is passionate about supporting children and families and is so excited to start her career as an occupational therapist with Whole Child Therapy! In her free time, Kenzie loves to spend time with her family and friends, play games, explore the outdoors, read, and bake!
Mackenzie Brown, OTR
Occupational Therapist
Alyssa is from Logan, Utah. She earned a BS degree in Human Movement Sciences from Utah State University. Alyssa worked as a Motor Aide for a school district in Cache Valley before continuing her education at the University of Utah, where she graduated with her Master of Occupational Therapy. Alyssa has experience working in a variety of settings including: Outpatient Pediatrics, Pediatric Home Health, Inpatient Rehabilitation, and Long-term Acute Care. In her free time, Alyssa loves having fun with her husband, Jake, and her family. She enjoys boating, hiking, skiing, reading, and mountain biking. Alyssa is passionate about working in pediatrics and thrives watching the children she works with learn, grow, and succeed!
Alyssa Merrill, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Jackie grew up in Chicago, IL and recently moved to Utah from Michigan. Jackie graduated from Wayne State University with a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2022. Her clinical experiences include internships in an outpatient hospital and two public schools. She loves working with children and helping them learn to communicate better. Jackie’s favorite activities include hiking, rock climbing, snowboarding, camping, and traveling.
Jacqueline Schwartz, SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Abbey grew up in Riverton Utah and attended the University of Utah for a Bachelor's degree in the Science of Communication Disorders and a Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology. She has always known she would work with kids and started out as an RBT providing ABA therapy in Salt Lake. One of her passions is working with kids with severe and complex communication needs and she is a huge advocate for alternative and augmentative communication (AAC). The thing she loves most about being an SLP is the feeling that fills the room when a person feels like their communication is understood. Outside of work, Abbey loves spending time with her husband, nieces and nephews, and cat. She loves being outdoors, being around animals, and doing random arts and crafts.
Abbey Rasmussen, SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Haley currently going to BYU, studying Communication Disorders with a plan to eventually go to graduate school to become an SLP. She loves to hike, visit National Parks, and play her guitar. Haley is passionate about ABA because it's a wonderful thing to come to work and be around coworkers and families that are all working towards improving the lives of children with Autism in whatever way they can.
Haley Matthews
SLPA, Speech Technician
Nicole earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from BYU in 2017, and her Masters of Education in Behavior Analysis from the University of Cincinnati in 2020. Nicole and her husband met when they were 14 years old, got married a decade later, and now have 1 daughter. They love camping and going to the beach every year with their family. Behavior analysis wasn't the field Nicole planned on going into, but the more she pursued it the more interested she became. She loves the kids and families she gets to work with! Nicole's biggest career goal would be to create assessments for behavior analysis that remove ableism and bias from the way we interact with our clients, because she believes that our job should be to promote independence without trying to make autistic people "indistinguishable" from their neurotypical peers. Neurodiversity is beautiful and should be celebrated, and she wants to help the field of ABA fully embrace that.
Nicole Hood
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst, Director of ABA Services
Tiffany grew up in Northeast Ohio and came out to Utah to attend college. She attended Snow
College and SUU, graduating in 2007 with her Bachelors in Early Childhood Development.
Tiffany enjoyed working with children with disabilities as a case manager and CNA until 2010.
She then worked with low income families in Utah County who relied on information she
provided about development and resources in order to better their situations. Tiffany attended
ASU and received her Master’s in Education: Curriculum and Instruction in ABA in 2019. She
also became a BCBA and began working at Spectrum Academy in a 4-6th grade severe
classroom that same year. She earned her Utah SpEd teaching license, and after 5 years of
teaching, came to Whole Child Therapy in 2024. She resides in Spanish Fork with her husband
and 3 boys. She loves spending time with family and friends camping, playing with her dogs,
and joking and laughing with friends.
Tiffany Millar
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst, Director of ABA Services
Lily Palmer
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst
Lily completed her bachelor's degree in special education at Brigham Young University in 2020 and her master's degree in special education- behavior analysis at the University of Utah in 2022. In addition to working as a behavior analyst, she also works as a middle school special education teacher. Lily grew up mostly in Asia, including the Philippines, China, and Taiwan. In her free time she loves hiking, camping, refinishing furniture, puzzles, and spending time with her husband and two dogs. A fun fact about Lily is that she is a triplet!
Landon Porter
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst
Landon is a newly certified BCBA. He loves the outdoors, sports, music, movies and video games. Landon has been married for seven years and him and his wife have a four year old son. Landon graduated from Southern Utah University with his bachelors in since in 2019. He then wen to Arizona State University in 2022 with a masters in special education- applied behavior analysis. He's lived in many places around the world including South Africa and Ukraine, but Utah is his home.
Amy graduated from Southern Utah University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in 2020. She returned to SUU in 2021 to pursue a Master's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an emphasis in Non-profit Management and Leadership. Amy loves anything active! She threw discus for the SUU track and field team for 5 years. She is the youngest of 11 children, and LOVES spending time with her nieces and nephews. Amy's career goal is to pursue a BCBA, and work for Whole Child Therapy for the rest of her life!
Amy Pouliot
Technician Team Lead, Registered Behavior Technician
Sierra grew up in Gilbert, Arizona and moved to Utah Valley for school. She loves teaching and problem solving. She has worked with kids with learning disabilities since high school and loves every minute of it. In her free time she loves to read and write and to spend time with her family. She plans to eventually go to school to become a COTA.
Sierra Pratt
Registered Behavior Technician
Lena is currently going to school at Utah Valley University majoring in Pre-Occupational Therapy. Some activities she enjoys doing are camping, fishing and spending time with her friends and family. Lena is also an identical twin! She is passionate about helping clients learn how to cope with behaviors and be more independent. Her plan is to continue her education and get a degree as an Occupational Therapist.
Lena Hill
Registered Behavior Technician
McKenzie grew up in small town Aurora, UT and moved up to Utah County to work at Whole Child Therapy. She recently graduated with her associates degree from Snow College down in Ephraim, UT and is hoping to go to Utah Valley University next fall majoring in ABA to continue this career path she is on. She enjoys being with family and friends, being in the great outdoors, traveling the country, and trying new hobbies. Kids bring her joy and love that she cannot find anywhere else! McKenzie loves seeing people change and becoming successful which is why she loves her job!
McKenzie Mason
Registered Behavior Technician
Sara is from Spanish Fork, Utah and currently attends BYU where she is studying to be a Child Life Specialist, obtaining her bachelor's degree in Family Studies with an emphasis in Human Development, as well as a minor in Psychology. She was part of the BYU Color Guard for the last four years, and has also spent the last four years teaching color guard at Maple Mountain High School. She really enjoys getting to be an RBT and is excited to continue getting to know and work with such wonderful kids! In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, watching shows, and hanging out with her friends and husband.
Sara Newman
Registered Behavior Technician
Anne has lived in Utah County her whole life. Before joining the Whole Child Therapy team, Anne worked as a kid's golf, tennis, and swim instructor and has a passion for working with children. She is currently majoring in Human Development at BYU and hopes to get a master's degree in Occupational Therapy. Her dream is to work with autistic children as an occupational therapist. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing the piano or violin, swimming, and hiking.
Anne Olsen
Behavior Technician
Edric is very happy to be a part of the Whole Child Therapy team! He has worked in various fields such as at restaurants, IT support, and construction, but has always been most interested in linguistics (English, Spanish, & Portuguese), the brain, and helping others! He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Communication Disorders through Utah State in hopes to become a Speech Language Pathologist. He most loves spending time with his lovely wife and beautiful daughter. Together they love doing just about anything, from outdoor games, sports and camping to indoor crafts, movie nights or reading a good book!
Edric Thorup
Behavior Technician
Nate loves ABA and helping the community with those services. He attended BUY to get his bachelors in SPED and is currently at BYU getting his masters in SPED. He's been married for two and half years and lives in Spanish Fork. He is an avid runner, rock climber, and he loves to collect old historic newspapers.
Nate Medsker
Behavior Technician
Morgan is from Modesto, California. She is currently majoring in Communication Disorders at Brigham Young University in hopes of becoming a Speech Pathologist. Morgan loves spending time with family and friends and loves playing sports.
Morgan Andrews
Behavior Technician
Rebeca was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, she is currently going to Utah Valley University for a degree in psychology. She hopes to further her education and become a bcba. Rebeca loves spending time with family and friends, she's very excited to be working with amazing kids and helping them succeed!
Rebeca Cabrera
Behavior Technician
Eli grew up in Utah and loves working with people. He worked as a CNA in a memory care facility for 3 years and found a passion for service. He loves movies and talking and getting to know people.
Eli Williams
Behavior Technician
Carlie loves backpacking, soccer, and being with people. She is from Idaho. She is currently studying communication disorders to become and Occupational Therapist!
Carlie Stoker
Behavior Technician
Hannah is from Seattle, Washington. She attends BYU and is studying psychology. She is also a ballroom dancer.
Hannah Mattson
Behavior Technician
Kylie is from St. George, UT. She is currently studying psychology at UVU.
Kylie Shepherd
Behavior Technician
Brooke is currently attending BYU. She enjoys cooking and painting in her free time.
Brooke Hall
Behavior Technician
Jessica is from Springville. She graduated from BYU in special edication. She worked at an elementary school for 3 years before deciding to pursue a Master's Degree. She loves spending time outdoors with her husband and 2 dogs. She enjoys trying new things such as crafts, sports and even raising chickens!
Jessica Anderson
Behavior Technician
Lauralyn is a senior at UVU and will be graduating in the Spring of 2024 with her Bachlores in psychology. She has a deep love of the arts and plans to pursue drama therapy, she loves working with kids. She is super grateful to be apart of Whole Child Therapy.
Lauralyn Malmstrom
Behavior Technician
Brookelle is the oldest of 10 kds from Yakima Wasington. She has worked as a Registered Behaviour Technician for the past 2 years and just graduatd with a degree in Communication Disorders. She loves music, being outside and makeing people smile!
Brookelle LeFevre
Registered Behavior Technician
Ella lives in Vineyard, she grew up in South Jordan. She played socccer growing up. She is currently attending UVU and is majoring in Social Work.
Ella Pierce
Behavior Technician
Brinnley Christofferson is a graduate student in an ABA program through Pepperdine. She got her undergraduate at BYU. She loves to garden, play tennis. read, ride bikes and play with her dog.
Brinnley Christofferson
Behavior Technician
Morgan is twenty and she's from a small town called Stansbury Park. She loves animals mainly horses. She enjoys nature and learning about how things work. The brain and psychology has piqued her interest. Morgan hopes to become a therapist one day!
Morgan Johnson
Behavior Technician
Caitie is from St. George. She has seven siblings and fourteen nieces and nephews. She loves to hike, camp, and do anything outdoors. She is currently studying human development at BYU.
Caitie Utley
Behavior Technician
Joseph is currently a BYU-I Psychology student! He loves anything outdoors!
Joseph Kester
Behavior Technician
Samantha is currently a student studying psychology. She loves to sing and play music. She has sung in many choirs. Samantha loves to paint and create new things. She is always up for a new adventure and challenge!
Samantha Solomon
Behavior Technician
Nicole just graduated from BYU-I with her Bachelors in Health Psychology and she plans to go to Occupational Therapy School next year! She loves being outdoors and going razoring, boating, and playing pickleball. She loves working with kids and is excited to watch them grow!
Nicole Tueller
Behavior Technician
Angelina is from Eager, Arizona but has lived here in Utah for the past year. She is currently studying Psychology at Arizona State online with the goal of getting a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling. She loves going to the lake and spending time with family and friends.
Angelina Pope
Behavior Technician
Ella is from Reno, Nevada and moved to Spanish Fork several years ago. She has five sisters. She loves to read, paint and ice skate.
Ella Hill
Behavior Technician
Callie is currently a student at UVU, she is studying social work. She is also the girls lacrosse coach at her local high school. She speaks spanish and strives to work with the Spanish community to have more access to crucial resources. Callie loves children and is sure passionate about making a difference in her community.
Callie McDermott
Behavior Technician
Ashleigh is from Gilbert, Arizona. She attended BYU-I and studied Early Childhood/ Special Education and Child Development. Ashleigh has been in the working in ABA for 2 years and she loves it! Her goal is to one day become a child life specialist.
Ashleigh Gunnell
Behavior Technician
Addie is from Spanish Fork and currently lives in Salem. She is in school right now to be a COTA and wants to work in pediatrics. Addie has been married for a little over a year. She loves music, thrifting, movies, playing games and going to concerts. She loves to learn new things and is currently getting into archery.
Addie Reynolds
Behavior Technician
Valerie is from Beaver, UT. She just moved up here to Spanish Fork. She is currently going to school to get her Masters in Social Work. She loves to cook and spend time with her daughter.