Leadership Team
Megan Morien, M.A., BCBA
Chief Clinical Officer
Megan Morien is an experienced Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over two decades of dedicated work in the field of behavior analysis and education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Family and Human Development from Arizona State University, followed by a master’s degree in clinical psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Before settling in Chicago, Megan honed her skills by providing in-home ABA therapy in both Minnesota and Arizona. Her passion for education led her to spend two years teaching English in Gifu, Japan, broadening her cultural understanding and communication abilities.
Megan's expertise shines through her extensive tenure of over 10 years in school settings. As both a Behavior Analyst and administrator, she facilitated effective transitions for learners and families from preschool to public education settings. She supported diverse learners with inclusion support and ensured their success across various school environments. Known for her remarkable ability to empathetically partner with families and colleagues, Megan fosters consistency and skill development among learners and staff alike, yielding exceptional results in home, school, and therapeutic settings. She has also played a pivotal role in training teachers, paraprofessionals, and over 30 BCBA fieldwork students, all of whom successfully earned their BCBA certification.
Megan has been a part of our team since 2017 and currently holds a position as our Chief Clinical Officer, overseeing clinical services at CSTA. In this role, she manages clinical development and ensures excellence in our services. Megan's dedication to building strong relationships with families and children remains unwavering as she continues to provide invaluable support to our early learners within our classrooms and therapeutic services. Outside of CSTA Megan spends a great deal of time on the soccer field or sidelines cheering on her children, enjoys travel and reading. A fun fact is that Megan’s son attended preschool at CSTA for two years.
Madie Schickler, M.A., BCBA
Director of ABA Services
Madie Schickler brings a rich background in special education and Applied Behavior Analysis to Chicago ABA Therapy. Graduating summa cum laude from the University of Dayton, Madie's collegiate journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and English, supplemented by a minor in Spanish. Her commitment to education and passion for working in underserved communities led her to become a corps member with Teach for America, where her exceptional teaching on the Southwest side of Chicago was recognized with a nomination for the Sue Lehmann Excellence in Teaching Award. Madie's educational journey continued with a Master’s degree in Special Education from National-Louis University and a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn State University.
In 2017, Madie joined Chicago ABA Therapy as a BCBA, where she merged her passion for education and ABA. Notably, in 2022, through training from the UC Davis MIND Institute, Madie became the sixth ESDM Certified Therapist in the state of Illinois, showcasing her passion for early intervention in autism therapy. In order to focus specifically on providing support to and curating partnerships with families of autistic children, Madie continued her education with the MIND Institute and completed their ESDM Parent Coaching Workshop in 2023.
Madie's extensive experience spans various therapeutic settings, significantly impacting autistic children and those with developmental delays as well as their caregivers. As the leader of the BCBA team at Chicago ABA Therapy, Madie's expertise is instrumental in shaping effective and compassionate care for our earliest learners.
Sarah Ryan, M.S., BCBA
Director of ABA Training & Development
Sarah Ryan is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a diverse expertise in providing comprehensive services to individuals across various educational, recreational, and home environments. With a foundation in Therapeutic Recreation and Psychology from the University of Iowa, her commitment to enhancing the lives of others led her to work as an ABA therapist where she gained invaluable hands-on experience in implementing behavior analytic principles to facilitate positive behavior change.
Motivated by her desire to make a lasting impact in the field, Sarah received her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Recognized for her dedication to the field and commitment to mentorship, Sarah was invited to serve as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, where she discovered her innate passion for training and empowering future generations of behavior analysts through evidence-based practices.
In 2019, Sarah joined Chicago ABA Therapy as a BCBA where she made an immediate impact with her focus on supportive supervision, fieldwork standards, and respectful behavioral interventions. In her current role as the Director of ABA Training and Development, Sarah is steadfast in her commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, while promoting safe and respectful behavior management strategies as a QBS Safety Care Trainer. Sarah takes great pride in developing skilled ABA therapists and mentoring aspiring BCBAs who practice compassionate care and effective supervision. She prioritizes ensuring that the next generation of professionals upholds the highest standards of practice. Her unwavering commitment to advancing the field and enriching the lives of those she serves makes her a respected leader and invaluable asset to our community.
Cassie Halbert, M.S.Ed., BCBA
Regional Training Supervisor, Bucktown & Lincoln Park Locations
Cassie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with years of experience working with children in various settings. Cassie has experience working in the field of community mental health and within the school system as a counselor, where she utilized evidence-based interventions to support both children and families. It was through these experiences, where she discovered the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and truly found her passion in working within a clinical setting. Cassie earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Ball State University, before pursuing a Master's in Counselor Education with a focus in School Counseling from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne. Her passion for pursuing a BCBA certification pushed her to pursue a Master's Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University.
Carolyn Zacsh, M.Ed., BCBA
Lead BCBA, Bucktown Locations
Carolyn Zacsh is an energetic and dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a background in dance performance and childrens recreation. Carolyn found the field of ABA when working in New York City as a gymnastics coach, finding herself fighting to ensure that diverse learners and those with medical complexities had the opportunity and support to participate in classes. Carolyn has a Bachelors of Fine Art from the University of Illinois and a Masters of Education from Arizona State University.
Carolyn joined the CSTA team in 2018 and is currently the Lead BCBA for the 1765 Elston and 1422 Willow locations. Carolyn's role is to foster a collaborative, supportive, and solution oriented environment for team members and a safe, fun, and engaging environment for learners. Carolyn is a certified QBS Safety Care Trainer and facilitates monthly training in proactive and early intervention strategies to promote safe and therapeutic sessions across disciplines.
Carolyn has three dogs, is an ametour runner, an excellent plant-based cook, and rides her bike 365 days a year.
Courtney McCann, M.A., BCBA
Lead BCBA, Lincoln Park Location
Courtney is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at CST Academy, where she has played a vital role since joining the team in 2022. With over a decade of experience, Courtney began as an ABA therapist in 2011 gaining hands-on clinical experience before obtaining her BCaBA (2015) and her BCBA (2017). With degrees in Health Administration and Applied Behavior Analysis, and a Master’s in Special Education from Ball State University, Courtney specializes in providing comprehensive services to children ages 2-6 years old across various therapeutic and educational environments with a focus on communication, play, and fostering daily independence. Courtney ensures that each child receives personalized support that respects their unique needs and abilities.
At CST Academy, Courtney has excelled in leadership roles, including Site Manager and Lead BCBA, where she has demonstrated a strong commitment to guiding and mentoring others. Her leadership style is collaborative and supportive, creating a positive company culture and nurturing a supportive work environment.
Within her current role as Lead BCBA, Courtney is passionate about empowering those around her, ensuring they have the tools and confidence to deliver high-quality, individualized care. Courtney thrives on fostering collaboration among families, colleagues, and clients to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Her leadership and commitment to high quality individualized care using a strength-based approach plays a pivotal role in advancing CST Academy’s mission of delivering exceptional, client-centered care.
Sinéad Miletic, M.S., BCBA
Lead BCBA, Wilmette Location
Sinéad Miletic is a dedicated and experienced Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a deep commitment to enhancing the lives of early learners and their families, particularly throughout their school-age transitions. With a robust educational background, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and further advanced her expertise with a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Since 2015, Sinéad has been at the forefront of supporting autistic learners, delivering tailored interventions across diverse environments, including recreational, community, clinic, home, and school settings. Her comprehensive approach not only addresses individual needs but also fosters a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for growth and development.
Sinéad’s professional journey is marked by her dedication to both her clients and the field of behavior analysis. She has taken an active role in mentoring and supervising emerging professionals, guiding students through their BCBA certification process, and providing ongoing support to a team of fellow BCBAs. Her leadership and mentorship are driven by her belief in the importance of continuous learning and professional development.
Outside of her professional life, Sinéad is a passionate advocate for autistic voices and actively works to elevate acceptance and understanding within the community. Her interests include baking, where she enjoys experimenting with new recipes and sharing her creations, and running, she is currently training for her third marathon!
"We were so happy with our experience with Chicago ABA. We began working with them when our son was almost 4, a few months after his autism diagnosis. It was such an amazing team to work with - everyone was professional, responsive, flexible, and worked so hard for our son to meet his goals, which he did beautifully. We worked together for almost 2 years before he left for kindergarten, and in that time period he met almost all of his goals. We went through several bumps in the road with behavioral difficulties, and the Chicago ABA team did an amazing job helping us problem solve, try new strategies and think of ways to translate those strategies at home. We couldn't recommend them more highly - anyone who works with Chicago ABA will be lucky to have the experience!"
"Chicago ABA Therapy is a boon for special needs kids and parents. They take a play-based, personalized approach and meet the kids where they are. They also go above and beyond - our ABA therapist took time to make sure we as parents understood every aspect of our child's experience, understood how to read his progress reports and generally made us feel a part of his therapy. My child loved all his therapists. Highly recommend the team!"
ABA Therapy Services We Offer
Comprehensive Autism Care
ABA Therapy
Autism Assessment & Diagnosis
