Meet Our Team

Megan Morien is a Chicago-based Behavior Analyst with more than 15 years of experience working with children in the field. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Family and Human Development from Arizona State University before completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. In 2008, Megan accepted a position as a junior ABA therapist at an elementary school with an emphasis on inclusion. Soon, she rose to become an administrator and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at the school.

In her role as an administrator, she helped families bridge the gap with their children as they transitioned from preschool to the public school education setting. She also oversaw the implementation of curriculum, programming, and other modifications to ensure the success of all students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). In addition to training teachers, paraprofessionals, and the related service team on these strategies, she also had the opportunity to supervise 25 BCBA candidates, all of whom successfully earned their BCBA certification.

Megan has extensive experience leading parent training sessions to promote consistency and carryover of skills for behavior intervention plans. Her commitment to parent education results in incredible gains for children in the home, school, and therapeutic settings.

Megan has also been asked to address audiences on a range of Applied Behavior Analytic topics, such as how to implement Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans.
Prior to joining the Chicago ABA Therapy team as a Lead Behavior Analyst, Megan gained experience working in various schools in the Chicago area, as well as providing in-home ABA programming in Arizona and Minnesota. She also served as a language instructor for two years in Gifu, Japan.

Samantha Sohngen is a Chicago-based Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She is a leading behavior analyst at Chicago ABA Therapy who has been working with children with disabilities since 2009. Samantha grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology from Indiana University.

She went on to pursue her graduate studies at Vanderbilt University where she earned her Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a focus in special education and applied behavior analysis (ABA). While at Vanderbilt, Samantha gained extensive clinical experience working as a research assistant on a multi-site research study testing the efficacy of a class-wide intervention package targeting students at risk for emotional/behavioral disorders. She also had the opportunity to work with children with ASD, emotional/behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities in clinic-based, school, and in-home settings during her time at Vanderbilt.

After graduating from Vanderbilt, Samantha moved to Chicago and taught special education at a therapeutic day school for students with ASD and behavioral disorders. After receiving her BCBA certification in 2014, Samantha worked at a private clinic serving clients ages 1-12 with ASD before joining the team at Chicago ABA Therapy.
Fun Fact: Samantha loves to cook and hopes to have her own food blog one day!

Madie Szaller is a Chicago Board Certified Behavior Analyst who specializes in pediatric services with extensive experience in both special education and applied behavior analysis.

Prior to joining the Chicago ABA Therapy team as a Behavior Analyst, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of Dayton with her Bachelor’s degrees in Adolescent Young Adult Language Arts Education and English with a minor in Spanish.

Following her undergraduate studies, Madie had the opportunity to pursue a position with Teach for America. During this time, she was nominated for the Sue Lehman Excellence in Teaching Award. She was also chosen to be one of eight founding members of a pilot program that worked to further the positive impact of the corps.
After completing her year with Teach for America, Madie went on to earn her Master’s degree in the Art of Teaching: Special Education from National-Louis University in Chicago before completing her graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn State University.

Throughout her years of experience, she has helped children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental delays make incredible gains in a variety of therapeutic settings, including in-home and classroom-based services.

Rachel Arena is a Chicago-based behavior analyst. Prior to joining the Chicago ABA Therapy team, she gained a wide range of experience working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental delays.

Rachel earned her Bachelor’s degree in the Illinois State University Honors Program and went on to earn her Master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis in Developmental Delays from Auburn University.

Lauren Young is a Chicago-based Behavior Analysist at Chicago ABA Therapy. Before joining the team, she worked as a special education teacher for six years, gained great experience working with a wide range of learners.

Lauren grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She then went on to earn her Master’s degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, as well as her certification as a Behavior Analyst.

Lauren has worked extensively with children with autism and other emotional and learning delays and disabilities. She has considerable experience in both special education and in-home and in-clinic ABA services.

Fun fact: In her free time Lauren likes to explore the city and pet all the dogs she sees. As an avid traveler, she also loves planning surprise roadtrips with her friends!

Michael Jacob Lucio is a Chicago-based Behavior Analyst at Chicago ABA therapy and has worked extensively with children with autism and other developmental delays.

Michael grew up in Michigan and graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a minor in Psychology. While completing his Bachelor’s degree, Michael had the opportunity to participate in several volunteer trips known as “alternative breaks” all across the United States. He also earned leadership roles through this organization.

After gaining considerable experience in ABA therapy, he went on to get a Master’s from Ball State University in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism.

Fun Fact: In Michael’s free time he likes to take his dog for walks around the city and try new restaurants.

Kaitlin Conroy is a Chicago-based Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). After growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina, Kaitlin went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Spanish from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and her Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Texas at Austin.

Throughout her years of experience working in the field, Kaitlin has worked in a variety of settings to help children with autism and developmental disabilities build critical communication, social, and functional living skills.

She also has extensive training in groundbreaking evidence-based approaches to applied behavior analysis such as the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM).

Fun Fact: Kaitlin is fluent in Spanish and completed an Iberian Studies Program at Universidad de Salamanca in Spain.

Jennie Herndon is a Chicago-based Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and special education teacher from St. Louis, Missouri.

With extensive experience working with children in a variety of academic and clinical settings, she is a leading member of Chicago ABA Therapy.

Jennie earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Education from the University of Dayton and her Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis with a BCBA certification at Ball State University.

Fun fact: When Jennifer is not teaching or in an ABA session, you can find her running! As an avid runner, her favorite race is the Nashville Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.

• Northwestern University, Bachelor’s degree
• “I’m inspired to help children improve their behavior and communication and then watch as their social skills take off!”

• Northeastern Illinois University, Bachelor’s degree
• “My favorite part about being ABA therapist is I get to see my clients transform and develop new skills!”

• Michigan State University, Bachelor’s degree
• Roosevelt University, Master’s degree in progress
• “ABA therapy allows kids to uncover their true potential and I am so proud to play a part in the
  progress they make each day.”

• Indiana University, Bachelor’s degree
• Ball State University, Master’s degree in progress
• “Being an ABA therapist is such a rewarding experience. I love being able to see first hand the incredible gains the kids make and their excitement when they reach new goals, however I believe the kids have taught me just as much as I have taught them.”

• Illinois State University, Bachelor’s degree
• I love being a Registered Behavior Technician because I get to be apart of a child’s growth and success. The kiddos always put a smile on my face, the improvements they make are incredible.

• Michigan State University, Bachelor’s degree
• Michigan State University, Master’s degree
• “The greatest aspect of Chicago ABA therapy is giving every client the opportunity to grow in an environment that is conducive to their unique learning needs. As teachers and ABA therapists we are constantly evolving and adapting to each individual child.”

• University of Dayton, Bachelor’s degree
• “I love seeing the positive changes ABA therapy makes in a child’s day to day life. It’s truly inspiring to be a part of!”

• University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bachelor’s degree
• “I love getting to work with the kiddos at CST. They bring cheer and a smile to those around them!”

• San Diego State University, Bachelor’s degree
• Ball State University, Master’s degree in progress
• “It’s an amazing feeling knowing you’re making a difference in the lives of children and their families.”

• Southern New Hampshire University, Bachelor’s degree
• Ball State University, Master’s degree in progress
• “ABA has inspired me to help children reach their full potential. It’s such a rewarding feeling to not only positively affect the lives of children but their families as well.”

• Western Michigan University, Bachelor’s degree
• Ball State University, Master’s degree in progress
• “I love watching my clients grow and develop new skills. I couldn’t imagine doing anything other than ABA! My clients are the highlight of my day.”

• University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bachelor’s degree
• The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Master’s degree
• “I love having the opportunity to use the principles of ABA to help children learn the academic, social, daily living, and language skills they need to reach their full potentials!”

• Indiana University, Bachelor’s degree
• “My favorite part of being an ABA therapist is seeing our kiddos grow in their excitement for learning and growing. I love to watch them enjoy making new connections with the kids around them to create loving friendships.”

• University of Michigan, Bachelor’s degree
• University of Cincinnati, Master’s degree
• “Once I learned about ABA therapy, it was clear to me that this was what I wanted to pursue for a career. It allows me to push myself intellectually, and seeing positive gains in my kiddos is a feeling like no other. I am so grateful to be involved with ABA therapy and am lucky I get to call this my job!”

• Carthage College, Bachelor’s degree
• “The best part about being an ABA therapist is the reciprocity, I help children make incredible gains on a daily basis but they teach me patience, kindness and playfulness! ABA therapy is such a special field, I am honored to be a part of it!”

• University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Bachelor’s degree
• “Everyday brings something new and wonderful to experience. What stays constant is the joy and love I have for ABA therapy. It is truly an honor to witness firsthand the strides these kiddos makes every single day.”

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bachelor’s degree
• “I love having the opportunity to collaborate with a team of other therapists and BCBAs and getting to know so many different kiddos with tons of different skills and interests!”

• Ohio University, Bachelor’s degree
• “I fell in Love with ABA when I saw what a difference it makes in not only the child’s life, but their whole family. There’s nothing better than the look on a child’s face when he or she is so excited and proud about what she is accomplishing!”

• Ohio University, Bachelor’s degree
• Ball State University, Master’s degree
• “I love working as an ABA therapist because it has taught me many valuable things, but the biggest thing is that if a child can’t learn the way we teach, we adapt our methods and teach the way they learn.”

• Eastern Illinois University, Bachelor’s degree
• Ball State University, Master’s degree in progress
• “If they can’t learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn,” O. Ivar Lovaas.

• Bob Jones University, Bachelor’s degree
• “ABA therapy has broadened my perspective as a whole when working with kiddos who have a diverse set of needs. I look forward to working with my kiddos each day!”

• University of Michigan, Bachelor’s degree
• Pennsylvania State University, Master’s degree in progress
• “There are many reasons I love being an ABA therapist. It is an inspiring experience working with children and witnessing them make developmental gains that will serve them in their everyday life. I find it incredibly rewarding being a part of this process, and being able to encourage them along the way!”

• University of Iowa, Bachelor’s degree
• The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Master’s degree
• “It is incredible to see the progress the children make and the goals they are able to achieve! They continue to inspire me everyday!”

• Saint Xavier University, Bachelor’s degree
• “Being an ABA therapist is one of the best puzzle pieces of my life. I love what I do and who I do it for!”

• University of Dayton, Bachelor’s degree
• Ball State University, Master’s degree in progress
• “What I love about being an ABA therapist is seeing the strides our clients make. I have seen the positive impact ABA therapy has in the lives of our clients and I love being a part of that.”

• National Louis University, Master’s degree in progress
• “I am so excited that I can be part of a child’s journey!”

• Indiana University, Bachelor’s degree
• The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Master’s degree in progress
• “I feel so proud when a child accomplishes a new goal. I love seeing the progress the children make from session to session. They motivate me to be a better therapist every day!”

• North Carolina State University, Bachelor’s Degree
• “I love being able to build a relationship with a client and see firsthand the progress he or she makes!”

• Earlham College, Bachelor’s degree
• “I love being able to see each of my clients grow in such diverse ways. Helping them improve their communication skills, adaptive living skills, and other functional skills that will aid them later in their lives is so rewarding!”

• Grand Valley State University, Bachelor’s Degree
• “I love how ABA gives me the opportunity to see direct results in every child that I work with! Being able to see how everything that we do helps in even the smallest of ways is the most rewarding experience!”