Our ABA Team

Barbara Divino is the founder of Divino ABA Services. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credentialed through Florida Institute of Technology. In addition, she has a B.S. in Behavior Disorders and a M.Ed. from the University of South Florida.

Barbara has been providing direct ABA therapy to individuals diagnosed with autism (ASD), intellectual disabilities and learning disabilities, as well as individuals with mental health diagnoses for 7 years. Prior to that she worked as a school-level and district-level behavior specialist for the Pasco County School Board. Barbara worked for 24 years in education, and in addition to her role as a behavior specialist she taught students diagnosed with ASD, emotional disabilities, learning disabilities and intellectual disabilities.

Geralyn Robinson is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Geralyn has been working in the field of ABA since 2018 with children from the ages of 18 months through 13 years old. Geralyn graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a master’s degree in psychology, specializing in child and adolescent development in 2018, and earned her certificate in ABA from Capella University in 2020. Currently, Geralyn is enrolled in a doctoral program for behavior analysis at Capella University.

Kala Hamilton earned her Master’s degree in Behavior Analyst and Special Education from the University of West Florida. Before becoming a BCBA, she served as a teacher for over 20 years with individuals with social, sensory, behavioral, and communication needs.  Her experiences include severe behaviors, community-based instruction, individual educational plans, early intervention, social skills, functional communication training (PECs, CORE, AAC devices, etc.), instructional design, parent training, staff training and functional analysis. As a behavior analyst, Kala hopes to bring meaningful behavior changes that are functional and important to her patients, as well as increase their quality of life through collaboration with caregivers, and other professionals. Kala is very involved with many community service projects, and very passionate about community involvement. She also works to create an inclusive environment for all to celebrate their differences. Kala enjoys reading, camping, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her family and friends.

Marc earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from Western Michigan University M.S. in Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. In addition, he was a postdoc at Juniper Gardens Children’s Project at the University of Kansas. He has taught graduate and undergraduate level courses in Behavior Analysis and has conducted both basic and applied research. He has extensive experience providing behavior analysis services to individuals with a variety of developmental disabilities in home, community, clinic, and school settings. Marc’s main areas of interest are teaching functional communication skills to individuals with autism, behavioral pharmacology, and staff training/management. From 2011-2016, he served on the editorial review board of Education and Treatment of Children, a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research concerning the development of services for children and youth. He served on the CalABA Board of Directors as the Northern California Liaison, has published a number of articles in peer-reviewed journals, co-authored a textbook chapter, and presented at state and national conferences.

Ciaira Miles is a BCBA who was born in Illinois but was raised in New Port Richey, Florida. She graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with her bachelor’s in psychology. After working in a billing office for 5 years she saw a need in her community and completed the RBT training.  She began her journey into the field of ABA and has been an RBT since 2020. She graduated with her M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Purdue Global University in 2021 and recently passed her boards becoming a BCBA. She has experience working with 2-year old’s to 19-year old’s in-clinic and in-home. She plans on going back to obtain her doctorate in forensic psychology

Elisa Rodriguez was born and raised in Tampa FL. She is fluent in Spanish and English due to her parents being Cuban immigrants. She earned her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and Exceptional Student Education from the University of Western Florida. She started her journey in the field as an RBT which gave her extensive experience with children diagnosed with autism, intellectual disabilities and learning disabilities. Elisa has experience working with 2-year old’s to 22- years old’s. She has worked in different schools, clinics, and home settings. On her personal time, she loves spending time with her pets, going to the beach, hanging out with friends, and trying new restaurants.

Joel Hernandez is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). He earned his Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Healthcare at the University of South Florida and his Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) & Exceptional Education at the University of West Florida. He has an extraordinary breadth of knowledge surrounding the field of psychology and behavior analysis as well as 8 years of experience working with various individuals with disabilities. Within his time in the field of ABA, he has acquired clinical experience in developing treatment plans, conducting assessments, and training caregivers and staff within the home, school, and community settings. He has also displayed an exceptional competency in working with individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), oppositional defiance disorder (ODD), and youth with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) requiring assistance with transitioning to adulthood. Joel is inspired to continue pursuing his education with hopes of adding to the body of science of behavior analysis, as well as continuing to practice in the field with a passion for advocating for those in need.

Tamberly Segert graduated from the University of Florida in 2004. She received her BCaBA in 2007. She started her career in a psychiatric residential facility where she had the opportunity to work with adolescents in a variety of environments and with behaviors ranging from moderate to severe. She has worked in behavioral group homes, foster care, in clinic, and in-home services. Tamberly plans on attending the graduate program to obtain her BCBA in the near future.

Danielle Cook is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She started her career over 20 years ago as a teacher serving students with autism, learning and intellectual disabilities. During that time, she established a strong presence in the local community co leading social groups for adults with disabilities. The last 5 years she spent in a sensory communication behavior classroom. This class afforded her with extensive experience using and implementing AAC (alternative augmentative communication) systems. She obtained her master’s in Special Education with a Behavior Analyst focus from the University of West Florida. Her motivation to become a Behavior Analyst was to effect positive behavior change across the home and school environment. She enjoys working closely with families to support their loved one, as they grow and work towards achieving their goals. Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, going to Disney World, and hiking.

Cory Mangini was born and raised in Inverness, Florida where he graduated from Citrus High School in 2012. He currently resides in Hudson, Fl and has lived in Pasco County since 2015. Cory has a plethora of experience managing children in various settings including sports and volunteering. In addition, prior to providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, Cory worked for 4-years in a 24-7, live-in, rehabilitation center with minors. Cory’s wide-range of experiences assisted him in gaining the needed skills to treat children diagnosed with Autism and related disabilities. Cory has been credentialed as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) with Divino ABA services since 2019 and he has become an expert in his role.  Cory is also a team player who truly enjoys working in the field of ABA. We are excited that Cory recently became a father in February 2021,  and as a result he is going to further his education to become a credentialed behavior analyst through the Behavior Analysis Certification Board.

Gage Printy-Myers is an RBT with 4 years of experience providing ABA in clinic, home, and school settings. He excels in adapting to his environment and providing the best care and service in his skill set.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and is currently enrolled to complete his Masters’s degree by Summer 2022.
Prior to pursuing ABA as a career, Gage worked at The Vines Mental Hospital providing social service to patients with mental disabilities and substance use disorders.
In addition, Gage served 6 ½ years in the United States Army. Dedication to country and honor serves as a guide for him to pursue something greater than himself and find the potential in those that need that extra push.

Paula Lorimaire is originally from Pompano Beach, Florida and of Haitian-American descent. Paula relocated to Tampa to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of South Florida. During her time as an undergrad, she was introduced to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and became instantly intrigued by the behavior modification process of ABA. With her keen interest of ABA, she worked as a student mentor at USF for young adults with ASD to provide companionship and support as they navigated through their college journey. Shortly after, she obtained a B.S. degree in Behavioral Healthcare with the concentrations of Applied Behavior Analysis and Children’s Mental Health, as well as minors in sociology and psychology. Over the course of four years, Paula has been working as a Registered Behavior Technician among a variety of ages and find joy in providing support to individuals with disabilities of all cultural backgrounds. She believes in empowering others with the hopes of fostering positive behaviors and working relationships in society, which is why she aspires for organizational behavior management (OBM) and life coaching in the future.

Grace Graziaplene is a certified Registered Behavior Technician with Divino ABA Services. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minor in Education at the University of North Florida. Grace has a passion for helping others. She has about 2 years of experience working in the ABA field within clinics and in-home. Her goal is to further her education in the Mental Health Counseling field. Grace was born and raised in Pasco ounty Florida. She enjoys arts/painting, music, exercise, and spending time with friends and family.

Crystal Bianca Cabanas was born in the Philippines, raised in California. She is a Registered Behavioral Technician with Divino ABA Services. She has an Associates Degree in Social and Behavioral Science at Allan Hancock College, California and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology at University of North Florida. Crystal previously work as an RBT at the Florida Autism Center in Jacksonville, FL. Prior to working in the ABA field, she worked in a Early Childhood Developmental based children’s center and as an AVID tutor for a middle school. Her goal is to obtain her Master’s degree to pursue licensed applied behavioral analyst and in hopes to open up her own ABA clinic. Crystal’s hobby is painting and loves playing volleyball. 

Emilee was born and raised in New Hampshire. She moved to Florida in November 2021. Emilee began working with children with Autism and other exceptionalities at the age of 16 as a full-time nanny. She started her career in ABA at a clinic in 2020. Emilee was awarded her RBT in January of 2022. She has experience in both clinic and home settings and takes great pride in her work. When not working Emilee enjoys her lifetime passion of horseback riding.

Tamare Moore has been practicing ABA for about 4 years. She graduated with her bachelor’s in social work and sociology in 2019. She spent most of her time working in clinic and in home. Tamera feels that this can be a tough job sometimes, but the rewards are extensive. Tamera loves the personal connections that she makes with her clients. Her goals are to get her master’s degree and eventually open her own business providing ABA Therapy to clients. Tamera is originally from Milwaukee; Wisconsin. She enjoys reading and working out. She is excited to grow and learn with the company.

Merritt Owen is part of our Tampa team. Her passion is to facilitate confidence, and independence in all her clients. She believes through ABA treatment along with support, kindness, and respect she can make a real difference in the lives of those she works with.

Rouseah Vargas was born in the Philippines and raised in Kuwait. She later moved to the United States. She has been an ABA therapist for over two years. She has worked with clients ranging from 2-22 years of age. Her previous employment was in an intensive clinic/school hybrid setting. Rouseah’s passions for ABA stems from her love of children and spending her teen years around her family’s day care business. Rouseah’s goals as a therapist are to shape and grow client’s skills to promote maximum independence so they can thrive in any environment. Rouseah’s personal hobbies include photography, guitar, and journaling.

Melinda Malkie received her master’s degree in 2001 in ESE education. Over the past 20 years, she has taught students with a multitude of disabilities involving cognitive, neurological, and behavioral disabilities. Melinda worked as a behavioral specialist in the school district supporting students, teachers, and parents for over 5 years. She decided to work towards her board certification for behavior analysis after seeing the impact services could have on families.

Amy Vizhnay was born in Ecuador. After moving to the United States,  she resided in New York and Florida. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Florida, and she is currently enrolled in a master’s program at the Arizona State University where she will obtain her master’s degree in behavior analysis. Amy’s goal is to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). 2 ½ years ago Amy found her passion by helping kids and their families through ABA. Amy loves how little-by-little she can make a huge impact and improve the lives of the children she provides ABA services to.

Michelle Rabelo was born and raised here in New Port Richey, Florida. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg in 2018 and is currently enrolled at the Florida Institute of Technology working towards an M.A. in Behavior Analysis Practice with the goal of becoming a BCBA. Prior to working as an RBT, Michelle worked as a special education teacher in the public school system where her passion for assisting those with severe behavioral disorders began to flourish. She made the jump from education to ABA with the hopes of being able to create meaningful changes that improve the quality of life for her clients. Michelle’s personal interests include playing softball – having played for local high school River Ridge as well as Pasco Hernando State College (then community college) – as well spending time riding ATVs and with her husband and 2-year-old son.

Kim Loumakos is a registered behavior technician that has been working in the field for two years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies and Community Leadership Early Childhood Education. Kim has previously worked as a VPK teacher, Special Education teacher for 2- 6-year-old children, and a preschool director.  She is drawn to this field because it is so rewarding to see children progress in language, learning, and daily skills and see the positive impact that ABA has on families’ lives. Kim has lived in Florida for 31 years and has teenage twins. She enjoys working out and going to the beach.

Kyra McGee was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Florida in 2022. Kyra will return to get her master’s in behavior analysis with the goal of becoming a BCBA. She has been an RBT for two years, and before hearing about this field she knew that she wanted to work in the medical field to help people, and make impactful changes in their lives. Seeing their growth, and helping them through the use of coping skills was the most rewarding for her. Kyra ‘s personal interests include staying active, going to the beach, reading, and being family oriented.

Lorena Capote is originally from Cuba. She came to United States when she was 17 years old and moved to Chicago. Upon graduating from high school, she searched for careers that would allow her to serve others, particularly children. After reading articles and speaking with her RBT friends, she realized being an RBT in ABA included her favorite parts of research. She started working in a private clinic where she received her RBT credential and, helped kids functionally communicate their needs, wants, and emotions for the first time. After two years, she started working as an RBT in a school where she discovered her dream of becoming a Special Education teacher. Lorena loved being an RBT for the past 3.5 years. She realized that her role as an RBT took energy, dedication, and a whole lot of patience. However, being an RBT also gave her  meaningful relationships with incredible kids, clinicians, and caregivers. That’s why she loves being an RBT.

Kevin Gonzalez is a Registered Behavior Technician originally based in Broward County. He entered the field of Behavior Analysis on a whim and has continued in this field for about 6 years. Kevin recently completed a master’s program at Ball State University. His goal is to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Kevin wants to increase positive change on a bigger scale. Kevin has experience teaching tennis for individuals with disabilities. He has worked in various settings such as clinics, schools, communities, and in homes. Kevin has experience working with age groups from 2 to 18 years of age. On his free time, Kevin enjoys playing video games and tennis.

Shasa was born in Trinidad. She immigrated to Florida when she was 9-years old. She worked as a substitute paraprofessional in an ESE classroom until she  earned her RBT certificate in December of 2022. Shasa is  pursuing a Bachelor’s in Clinical Psychology at UCF. She hopes  to continue working to improve the lives of children.

Amy Jividen was born and raised in Florida. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Supervision and Management along with a minor in Organizational Management from Pasco Hernando State College in 2021. Amy has been married to her husband Jacob since 2018. She welcomed her first baby boy, Jack, on December 26th, 2021. Amy is an active member in the community. She was introduced to the ABA field because of working in the public schools as a paraprofessional. Amy saw the difference that ABA therapy can make in the individuals lives of children. Amy decided to grow her professional career by becoming credentialed by the BACB as an Registered Behavior Technician in 2022. She believes this has been the best decision she has made both personally and professionally. Amy is very excited to be a part the Divino ABA Services team!

Tye Joshua McCarty is a native of Hernando County, FL. He graduated from Hernando High School in 2013. He earned an A.A. degree in Religion and a B.S. in Biblical & Theological Studies with honors. Tye is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree from the University of Western Florida in Exceptional Student Education. He is also pursuing Behavior Analysis certification.

Immediately after graduating from High School, Tye enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in the Fleet Marine Force, and within the Naval Aviation. Tye served as the Lead Petty Officer for 2 Naval Divisions onboard the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia, and at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. In addition, Tye served in Europe supporting NATO operations.

Tye’s primary roles in the Navy included Lead Petty Officer, Department Career Counselor, Navy Religious Program Specialist, and Security Specialist. He received numerous awards including 2 Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, 2 Navy Good Conduct Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Navy Meritorious Unit Award, Sea Service Ribbon, Sailor of the Quarter Award (Company), Sailor of the Quarter Award (Battalion), Sailor of the Quarter Award (Region), a nomination for Sailor of the Year, and the Fleet Marine Force Warfare device.

After honorably leaving the Armed Forces in 2022, he started a career in the Applied Behavior Analysis field, becoming a Registered Behavior Technician through the BACB.

Kayla Johnson was born and raised in Florida.  She volunteered with special education students throughout high school. She then earned her psychology degree from the University of South Florida in 2021. Kayla is currently enrolled at the Florida Institute of Technology working toward her M.A. in Behavior Analysis. She is set to become a BCBA in 2024. She found the role of an RBT very rewarding, and she loves to make positive changes in people’s lives. Kayla has worked in home and clinic settings with children ages 2-8. She loves going to Disney World with her husband, spending time with friends, and going to the dog beach with her dogs!