ABA therapy, Early Intervention, BCBA, OT, SLP, Clinicians specializing in early intervention

ISMA COLEMAN, MS, BCBA, LBA, LMHP

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Isma, also known as 'Jessie', is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst specializing in applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy) and licensed with the Virginia Board of Medicine. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Purdue University. A native of NOVA, born and raised in Fairfax County, VA, Jessie began her career working with children in 2009 as a preschool teacher before becoming an assistant director. In 2014, she started working with children with special needs as an Art Therapist for Loudoun County Public Schools. Jessie entered the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2016, gaining experience in both in-home and clinic settings. She is an active member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis (VABA), where she also serves on the DEI committee. Jessie's areas of interest include Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), parent training, advocacy, and providing culturally appropriate care related to Autism. With her teaching and ABA background, Jessie founded Family Beeginnings in June 2019. In January 2020, she launched the Little Beeginnings Early Intervention Day Program under Family Beeginnings, which incorporates elements of occupational therapy and speech therapy. Passionate about bridging the gap between families and the public school system, she also provides IEP consultations.

SARA CASTELLANO MS, BCBA, LBA

ISMA COLEMAN, MS, BCBA, LBA, LMHP

CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER

Sara is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and licensed with the Virginia Board of Medicine. She was born and raised in Prince William County, VA. With an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Shenandoah University, Sara has dedicated over 10 years to working with individuals with Autism and related disorders. She has presented two poster presentations on Autism at the ABAI (Association for Behavior Analysis International) in Puerto Rico in 2017 and in Denver, CO in 2018. As an active member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis, and the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts, Sara is deeply involved in the field. Prior to her role as our chief clinical officer, she gained valuable experience in school settings, private clinic environments, and by providing in-home services for families in Prince William and Loudoun County. For the past 7 years, she has also managed ABA clinics as a clinical director in the Northern Virginia region. As the CCO for Family Beeginnings, Sara focuses on quality assurance, the development of clinical policies, and consulting with other providers on best practices, including ABA therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. As a mother of three, including a daughter on the Autism Spectrum, Sara truly understands the power and importance of parent training.

OUR PROVIDERS

NICOLE GEISSLER, MA, BCBA, LBA

CLINICAL DIRECTOR-

Manassas Division

Nicole is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst through the BACB and licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine. Born and raised in Portland Maine, she relocated to Virginia in 2020 after spending time in South Florida and Colorado. Nicole attended St Lawrence University in upstate New York and received an undergraduate degree in psychology. She graduated in December 2022 with a Master of Arts in Behavior Analysis Practice from the Florida Institute of Technology. Nicole has experience working in both the home and clinic settings. She is passionate about helping kids acquire socially significant skills. In her free time, Nicole enjoys doing Crossfit, lifting, spending time with my friends and hiking.

NICOLE GEISSLER, MA, BCBA, LBA

ASSISTANT CLINICAL DIRECTOR-

Chantilly Division

Victoria is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensed through the Virginia Board of Medicine. She was born and raised in Gainesville, Virginia, where she currently resides with her two kids. Victoria attended George Mason University, earning her undergraduate degree in Psychology. She completed a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2024. With six years of experience in ABA therapy, Victoria has worked with children with Autism and related disorders in both home and clinic settings. Her expertise also extends to collaborating with professionals in occupational therapy and speech therapy to ensure comprehensive care. Passionate about training and providing quality support, Victoria leads the Employee Engagement Team at Family Beeginnings. In her free time, she enjoys exploring with her kids and cooking!

VICTORIA BISHOP, MA, BCBA, LBA

Kayla Blackmon, MOT, OTR/L

VICTORIA BISHOP, MA, BCBA, LBA

CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

Tori is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) licensed with the Virginia Board of Medicine. She was born and raised in South Eastern Pennsylvania, alongside her immediate and extended family. Growing up Tori spent the majority of her time with children with special needs which inspired her desire to make that her career. She attended Penn State University earning her bachelor’s degree in Education. After receiving her undergraduate degree she worked in various environments with underprivileged, high risk and special needs children. Tori went on to complete her masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University in 2021. Tori has worked with children with Autism and related disorders for over 5 years as a registered behavior technician (RBT), in both the home and clinical settings before becoming a BCBA. Tori has an avid interest in life skill development including feeding, potty training and social interactions in the community as well as school collaboration. Tori is a mother of two and enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters.

Ciera Feather, MA, BCBA, LBA

Kayla Blackmon, MOT, OTR/L

VICTORIA BISHOP, MA, BCBA, LBA

CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

Ciera is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) licensed with the Virginia Board of Medicine. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and raised for most of her life in Newport News, VA, alongside her older sister and younger brother. Ciera attended Christopher Newport University to finish her degree in Sociology and then went on to complete a master's in Psychology with a concentration in forensics from Southern New Hampshire University. In December 2023, Ciera completed her certificate in Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology. She began her career as a substitute teacher for Newport News Public Schools and transitioned to working with children in clinical and in-home settings, providing ABA therapy focused on applied behavior analysis since 2020. She joined Family Beeginnings in 2022, where she obtained her RBT certification, completed our Fellowship program, and earned her BCBA certification. Ciera is passionate about supporting children with Autism through various therapies, including occupational therapy and speech therapy. In her free time, she enjoys being in nature, watching scary movies, playing video games, meditating, doing puzzles, and spending time with her husband and her chihuahua, Scrat!

Kayla Blackmon, MOT, OTR/L

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Kayla Blackmon is a Board Certified Occupational Therapist (OTR) licensed with the Virginia Board of Medicine. Born and raised in Northern VA, she grew up with her younger sister and brother. As a student athlete and team manager at Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA, she played basketball while completing her Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Psychology (2019) and her Master of Occupational Therapy (2020). Kayla has extensive experience working with children with Autism and related disorders, serving as a care and respite attendant during her studies. After graduation, she began her career in occupational therapy with older adults in nursing homes and home health settings. She later joined a grant-funded program in Texas, providing 1:1 occupational therapy services to children with autism and related disorders, many of whom were victims of crime. Kayla has a keen interest in the connection between sensory processing, emotional regulation, and challenging behaviors, which is often addressed through applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy). In her spare time, Kayla enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and indulging in good food, while also appreciating the value of speech therapy in holistic care.

Amitis "Emi" Lowery, MA, BCBA, LBA

Kayla Blackmon, MOT, OTR/L

CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

Emi is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensed through the Virginia Board of Medicine. She was born and raised in Iran and moved to the United States in 2008. After earning her undergraduate degree in Iran, she completed a Masters of Arts degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology in 2024. Emi is deeply passionate about helping others and improving lives through ABA therapy. With over five years of experience working with children with autism and related disorders, she has primarily served as a behavior technician in both home and clinic settings. In addition to her expertise in applied behavior analysis, Emi understands the importance of occupational therapy and speech therapy as part of a comprehensive approach to support children. A mother of two, she enjoys exploring new places to eat, working out, going on hikes, and watching a good movie in her free time.

Veronica Diaz, M.A.T., BCBA, LBA

Amitis "Emi" Lowery, MA, BCBA, LBA

Veronica Diaz, M.A.T., BCBA, LBA

SENIOR CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

Veronica Diaz is a dedicated wife, mother, daughter, and behavior analyst with nearly two decades of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Originally from Altadena, California, Veronica earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from California State University, Northridge, and went on to complete her Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University. Veronica began her career in ABA in 2007 as a behavior technician and advanced into a case management role in 2009. She became Board Certified in 2019. Throughout her career, she has developed a strong focus on Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI), community-based programming, and community integration services. She is passionate about collaboration and believes in empowering learners and their families through compassionate, individualized support. Veronica believes that when ABA is practiced with compassion, creativity, and patience, even the smallest obstacles can be overcome. Guided by the philosophy that “to whom much is given, much is expected,” (Luke 12:48) she is committed to using her knowledge and experience to make meaningful, lasting impacts in the lives of the individuals and families she serves.