Meet the Team
JOSEPH GENTRY, PHD, BCBA-D
Founder/CEO, Licensed Psychologist, Board Certified School Psychologist
Dr. Gentry obtained his doctoral degree from Illinois State University, specializing in assessment, consultation, behavioral therapies and developmental disabilities. He completed his pre- and post- doctoral fellowships at The May Institute in Massachusetts, where he served as an educational and behavioral consultant, providing comprehensive, evidence-based services to children and adults with autism, brain injury, intellectual disability, and other childhood disabilities.
Dr. Gentry has been working with children with disabilities such as autism, ADHD, anxiety and other behavioral challenges for the past 9 years and has presented his research nationally on topics related to applied behavior analysis, social skills and autism spectrum disorders. As a certified school psychologist, Dr. Gentry has extensive knowledge of IEPs and the IEP process, assessment of student strengths and deficits and the ability to assess the learning environment.
He also holds a Board Certification in Behavior Analysis (BCBA) and uses applied behavior analytic methodologies to teach positive behaviors in the school and at home.
ERIN TESTA, PHD, BCBA
Nationally Certified School Psychologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Dr. Testa completed her doctoral degree at Arizona State University. She has taught multiple courses in educational psychology and child and adolescent development. During her graduate training, Dr. Testa also worked as a clinical interventionist at an autism center. Dr. Testa completed her graduate training with an internship in the Avondale Elementary School District, and her post-doctoral residency at Gentry Pediatric Behavioral Services, where she is currently a licensed psychologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Nationally Certified School Psychologist.
Through her work in several school districts, the autism center, and private practice, Dr. Testa gained extensive experience in assessment, parent and school consultation, and behavior therapies.
Specifically, Dr. Testa specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, ADHD, and anxiety and mood disorders. With a background in school psychology and evidence-based practices, Dr. Testa is knowledgeable about school-based practices and services.
Additionally, Dr. Testa has training and experience in evidence-based treatments including Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT), Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), and Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs). Dr. Testa has also presented nationally on topics related to positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), autism spectrum disorders, and learning disabilities.
NICOLE BURT, PHD
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Burt received her doctoral degree in child clinical psychology from Northern Illinois University in 2017. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Arizona School of Medicine, and her post-doctoral residency at Gentry Pediatric Behavioral Services (GPBS). Dr. Burt has worked in a number of settings, including multidisciplinary clinics, hospitals, private practices, and research laboratories. Along with other populations, Dr. Burt has worked extensively with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) since 2008 in a variety of therapeutic settings.
Dr. Burt specializes in the evaluation and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders, including Intellectual Disability, ADHD, and Specific Learning Disorder, among others. Secondary to her specialization in neurodevelopmental assessment, Dr. Burt also specializes in the evaluation and treatment of anxiety, particularly Selective Mutism and OCD, as well as mood and disruptive behavior disorders. Dr. Burt is knowledgeable about school-based processes and services.
Dr. Burt is dedicated to evidence-based practice and the science of psychology. In the evaluation process, she utilizes gold-standard procedures and emphasizes comprehensive evaluations that consider all aspects of functioning. Although she is theoretically grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dr. Burt pulls from various evidence-based approaches (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis) to tailor her clinical work such to meet the needs of each individual child. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Burt has been active in research examining child temperament, the rearing context (e.g., parenting, interparental relationship adjustment), and developmental psychopathology.
KATIE SEVERSON, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist, Director of Speech and Language Services
Katie received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her Master of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona. While in graduate school, she gained extensive experience in assessment, therapy, and consultation while working in a pediatric speech and language clinic, outpatient feeding therapy, acute care and inpatient rehabilitation, and an autism center. Katie completed her clinical fellowship training at a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona.
As a certified speech language pathologist, Katie specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with receptive and expressive language disorders, executive function impairments, childhood apraxia of speech, articulation and phonological disorders, stuttering, social language deficits, and augmentative alternative communication. Additionally, she has broad knowledge and training in evidence-based treatments such as Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cuing (DTTC) for children with apraxia, Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) and Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS).
Prior to attending graduate school in the field of speech and language pathology, Katie was a research coordinator for a non-profit autism research facility. She received training and experience in the administration and scoring of many diagnostic and assessment protocols, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS), Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI-R), Stanford-Binet, Vineland and other parent/teacher-based rating scales.
Katie has presented on topics such as positive behavior support, early diagnosis and intervention for children with autism, and the essential role of the speech-language pathologist when working with children on the autism spectrum. She is passionate about providing comprehensive speech and language assessment to guide effective treatment.
KATE AMBROSE, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
Kate earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Arizona State University and her Master of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas. She completed graduate training across various settings including home-based early intervention, acute and outpatient rehabilitation, preschool feeding clinic, speech sound disorder clinic, and school-based placements.
Through her work in private practice, Kate has gained extensive experience in assessment, therapy, and consultation. She specializes in the evaluation and/or treatment of pediatric feeding disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, social communication difficulties, executive functioning impairments, receptive/expressive language disorders, and individuals using augmentative and alternative communication. She has broad knowledge and training in evidence-based treatments such as the Sequential Oral Sensory (S.O.S.) Approach to Feeding, Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP).
In addition to assessment and treatment, Kate has had the opportunity to serve as clinical instructor to students and clinical fellows earning their speech-language pathology certification. She has presented on topics including facilitation of social interaction as well as detection and intervention of pediatric communication difficulties.
BROOKE BLAKEMAN
Brooke is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, currently providing behavioral programming in school and home-based settings. Brooke has been in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2010, working primarily with students diagnosed with Autism. She received her masters degree in Special Education and her Bachelors in Art Education, both from Arizona State University. During her bachelors studies, Brooke began volunteering at a private school for students on the spectrum in Arizona, and quickly became hooked. After graduating with her masters, she began teaching in special education settings and studying to become a behavior analyst. She completed her coursework through Florida Institute of Technology and received her BCBA certification in 2016. Brooke is passionate about teaching skills that have a meaningful impact on her clients' lives and enjoys seeing them thrive with the collaboration of this talented team and their families.
KIMBERLY S. JOHNSON M.S.O.T., OTR/L, C/NDT
Kimberly is an Occupational Therapist who received her A.A. and A.S from Cottey College, a B.S. in Psychology from Culver-Stockton College and her Master’s in OT at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. She has worked in a pediatric setting for the past 21 years, including home health, school and private practice settings. She is a certified NDT practitioner as well as a certified provider in Kinesiotaping, Interactive Metronome, Therapeutic Listening, Samonas, InTime and The Listening Program. She has extensive training in CranioSacral and Biodynamic work, acupressure, and specialty training in Torticollis and sensory-feeding. Kim is an Arizona native and enjoys traveling and reading. She is married and a mom to 4 children.
TRACY MALCOLM, M.A., M.S.
Exceptional Student Services Coordinator, Scottsdale Preparatory Academy
Tracy Malcolm is the Exceptional Student Services Coordinator at Scottsdale Preparatory Academy. Tracy was born in Peru, IL, where she was a music teacher, and then lived in Houston, TX for six years. During her time in Houston, she was a learning specialist at a private international baccalaureate school. This is also when her career started to merge toward special education. Subsequently, she and her family moved to the Phoenix area two and a half years ago to be closer to family.
Tracy has been in the teaching profession for over twenty years, and is certified in the states of Illinois, Texas and Arizona. She has taught various subjects, including music, technology and special education. She has received awards for excellence in education from the state of Illinois, along with being recognized by the Illinois State Senate for her work with Veterans. She has a master of arts degree in education from the University of Phoenix, and a master of science degree in special education from Western Governors University.
Outside of school, Mrs. Malcolm is an avid cook, enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family. Mrs. Malcolm is passionate about her work with autistic and special needs "kiddos," as she is not only a teacher but a parent of an exceptional, autistic young lady.
To her, special education is not just a job, it's woven into the fabric of her being and is committed to help children and families navigate their personal journey.