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At Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting, we are committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate, and individualized care to the individuals and families we serve within a nurturing and collaborative environment.
By staying above the curve and setting the highest standards of care, we support our patients emotionally through this life-long journey through shared learning and the coordination of care.
Dr. Solandy Forte is a licensed clinical social worker and a doctoral-level board-certified behavior analyst licensed in CT and MA
with over 20 years of experience.
Our licensed clinical social worker specializes in working with children and families. She partners with the behavior analytic team to develop a treatment plan for individual and family therapy with goals that are centered on the needs of the individual child and family. The focus of therapy is to empower the individual or family to identify and evaluate strategies for achieving their personal goals. Our approach is goal-oriented and solution-focused in order to achieve the best outcomes.
Our Masters-level Board Certified Behavior Analysts have extensive experience in working with children with Autism and implementing evidence-based interventions across various settings including public and private schools, home, community, and center-based programs. The expertise they bring to the table translates to providing a robust training program for our 1:1 staff and designing individualized treatment for the children and families we serve.
Our behavior technicians are the skilled staff that provide 1:1 direct care to our clients. These individuals complete a training program that prepares them to obtain their credential as a Registered Behavior Technician. The training program involves the completion of a 40-hour didactic course, on-the-floor training on-site, and a competency assessment to prove that they have the skills necessary to implement effective treatment. We strive to provide all of our staff with training opportunities that will help enrich the learning opportunities afforded to our clients.
Clinical Coordinator
Licensed Behavior Analyst – CT
Sarah Wislocki is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensed in the state of Connecticut. She joins us with 17 years of experience in the field of ABA, autism, assistive technology, and trauma informed ABA approaches. Sarah was first introduced to the field of applied behavior analysis while studying for her undergraduate degree in child psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU). She graduated into an immediate position as an ABA therapist for an agency serving school districts throughout Connecticut. While gaining experience working with children with autism and with challenging behavior repertoires, Sarah pursued her master’s degree at the University of Louisville (Kentucky) with a focus on Autism and Assistive Technology. Sarah then completed the BCBA coursework at Florida Institute of Technology and subsequently went on to successfully become certified as a BCBA.
Over the past 17 years, Sarah worked her way to from ABA therapist to clinical coordinator and eventually helping to establish cutting edge programs in public schools to students with comorbid diagnosis including complex trauma histories. She has also provided clinical ABA services to individuals through the Department of Developmental disabilities in their homes and communities. These programs have served students in their homes and schools who otherwise may have require a specialized school placement. She has conducted assessments and trainings for to staff and families on ABA principles and the techniques of trauma informed ABA approach. Collaboration with families, teachers, and therapeutic services has formed the backbone of Sarah’s ABA consultative approach. She consults parents and caregivers, school and educational teams, medical providers and therapeutic service providers to bring together a comprehensive treatment to most benefit all learners and families.
Intake Coordinator
Darlene Sanner is as on the Parent Engagement Team as the Intake Coordinator for Solstice Behavioral Health and Consulting. She is certified in Medical Billing and Coding and holds a Business Management degree. Darlene has 18 years of experience in medical insurance, billing, office management and patient/parent engagement. She has served as intake coordinator specific to Behavioral Health more recently and is well versed in ABA services in coordination with medical insurance.
Darlene has a passion for helping families through the intake process and connecting with them on a compassionate level and helping families to reach the ultimate goal for the best possible care for their loved ones. Her expertise in medical insurance and her knowledge of billing and coding combined with her ability to connect with families to determine each one’s specific individual needs helps to alleviate the intake process and the unknowns many families face when initiating treatment.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Beatriz Preter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15 years of experience focusing her work primarily on improving the lives of children and families. She graduated from the University of Connecticut with her bachelor’s in human services and Fordham University with her master’s in social work. She is passionate about enhancing the connections and interactions that parents have with their children.
Ms. Preter has served her community while working in various roles including having worked at the Child Guidance Center and Norwalk Community Health Center. She is currently a Nurture Specialist at Columbia University. In this capacity, she supports the Connecticut CLC Preschool Family Nurture Intervention (FNI) program where she not only recruits families to participate in intervention but also delivers the intervention within her community. She has worked in-person with families to enhance the connections with the child and mother. In response to the pandemic, Ms. Preter participated in the planning and development of procedures necessary to implement the intervention via videoconference.
She is a bi-lingual interventionist and a Certified English-Spanish translator.
Licensed Behavior Analyst – CT
Lauren DePetris is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensed in Connecticut. She joins us with 10 years of experience in the field of ABA, autism, and Organizational Behavior Management. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Bryant University, Lauren worked at a residential school providing ABA therapy to teenaged individuals significantly impacted by ASD, specifically focusing on the reduction of significant maladaptive behavior. In 2014 Lauren moved to Nashoba Learning Group (NLG), working in the Adult Program. As Lauren pursued her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis she took on more clinical responsibility in the organization, and ultimately moved into an administrative position. In 2016 Lauren created the Recruiting department at NLG and began focusing on Organizational Behavior Management, specifically staff evaluations and new staff orientation. NLG was formative on shaping Lauren as a clinician, specifically emphasizing the importance of evidence-based treatments and collaboration across disciplines.
Licensed Behavior Analyst – CT
Tannis Neal is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst licensed in the state of Connecticut. She joins us with six years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and autism. Her experience with the autistic population spans beyond that of the clinical setting as she has two siblings with ASD.
Tannis was first introduced to the field of ABA during her undergraduate degree program in Psychology at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. She went on to pursue her Masters in ABA at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut during which she worked as an in-home ABA Therapist throughout the state of Connecticut and later on worked as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at Milestones Behavioral Services for three years.
Licensed Behavior Analyst – CT
Danielle Schwartz is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) licensed in Connecticut. She joins Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting (SBHC), with over 7 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Special Education, and Autism. Her experience with the Autism community spans beyond clinical and educational settings as she has a sister on the autism spectrum. After graduating from University of Hartford with a dual degree in Elementary and Special Education, Danielle was introduced to the world of ABA while working in a special education classroom in Fairfield, Connecticut. After working in various roles within special education for three years and expanding her knowledge of field, Danielle decided to pursue her Masters in ABA at Northeastern University. Danielle started working for a company as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and provided services within a center-based, home and school settings. Since becoming a BCBA, Danielle has worked in a center-based setting and is exciting to expand her areas of expertise to school consultation and home programming at SBHC.
Licensed Behavior Analyst
Kaylene Burns joins our school consultation team as a masters level Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Behavior Analyst in Connecticut with over 7 years of experience in ABA, special education and Autism. Kaylene graduated from University of Connecticut with her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a research focus in Autism. Kaylene then pursued her Masters Degree in ABA at Western Connecticut State University. Kaylene has worked as both an ABA therapist and paraprofessional within ASD programs before becoming a licensed BCBA.
Kaylene has worked within Milford Public Schools and Waterbury Public Schools district-wide delivering behavior analytic services to children and young adults with a wide range of developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health disorders, and autism. Kaylene has had the opportunity to work with multi-disciplinary teams within the public school setting where she assists with program development initiatives to promote building capacity for educating children with autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders within the least restrictive educational setting. Kaylene enjoys delivering staff training on various topics in Applied Behavior Analysis to all Registered Behavior Technicians, paraprofessionals and teachers within public school systems.
Kaylene is a former Senior Behavior Analyst at Milestones Behavioral Services where she provided services to patients at MBS’s Early Intensive ABA Clinic. She has experience servicing individuals diagnosed with ASD as well as individuals with comorbid conditions, specifically focusing on the reduction of significant maladaptive behavior. Kaylene has experience providing in depth parent training and social skills training to patient’s and their families.
In addition to the clinical services she provides, she is an adjunct professor for the Mentoring and Supervision course at Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts. She has the pleasure to provide an intensive practicum for graduate students looking to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts.
Kaylene attends many behavior analytic conferences to further her education and the dissemination of Applied Behavior Analysis. She enjoys presenting to families and colleagues within the field of ABA. Currently, she serves as a volunteer chair member for the Behavior Analyst Leadership Council (BALC).
Licensed Professional Counselor (Associate)
Dina Silberman, MCMHC is Licensed Professional Counselor (Associate) in the state of CT. Dina fell in love working with individuals with Autism while working as a paraprofessional at a ESY (extended school year) program during one of her summers in college. She graduated from the University of Connecticut majoring in psychology and minoring in human development and family studies. After graduation she spent a year working for Americorps, tutoring 6th grade math at a charter school in Bridgeport. Dina completed her Graduate studies at Fairfield University earning her Masters in clinical mental health counseling. While getting her masters she worked at an early intervention clinic, and for her practicum and internship courses at Fairfield University she worked at a public mental health agency in New Haven. After 3 years at the agency she chose to work at Solstice to further her clinical career and to continue working with individuals with Autism and other mental health disorders.
Dina provides individual and family counseling for children, adolescents and adults. She has been trained to work with the following issues: autism, intellectual disability, trauma, attention deficit disorder, depression, and anxiety. Her therapeutic approach incorporates several major theories of counseling, including Cognitive-Behavioral, Existential, Person-Centered, Gestalt, Motivational Interviewing and psychodynamic therapy. She tailors her focus to the needs of her clients. She seeks to help clients discover their potential as well as learn skills and strategies that will help them achieve their goals, by empowering them and providing them with optimal conditions for personal growth. Additionally, she believes that interdisciplinary collaboration is important and makes an effort to reach out to parents, schools and other providers to support all of the client’s needs.
Lead Registered Behavior Technician
Behavior Technician
Behavior Technician
Registered Behavior Technician
Lead Registered Behavior Technician Parent Engagement Team Member
Behavior Technician
Registered Behavior Technician
Registered Behavior Technician
Registered Behavior Technician
Parent Engagement Team Member
Registered Behavior Technician
Administrative Assistant
Join our dynamic team of highly trained professionals and lead to making an impact of the lives we serve. Our Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) are mentored by experts in the field of Autism including master and doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analysts to provide high-quality treatment.
We train, coach, and mentor staff to work with children, families, and community providers in an effort to promote behavioral change and emotional well-being.
Our experts strive to deliver services that will lead to the best outcomes for the child and their families by collaborating with leading experts within our community.
Providing a safe, collaborative enivronment for all individuals and families.
Sydney Fornal is a Registered Behavior Technician at Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting (SBHC). Sydney has her Bachelors degree in Psychology and Associates degree in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire in 2019. Before joining SBHC, Sydney worked in two early intervention clinics as a behavior technician and in an elementary school as a dual special education and general education substitute teacher. She enjoys coordinating daily academic/cognitive, communication, and social activities for the Sunrise Center for Early Learners at SBHC, as well as providing behavioral support and direct instruction to children utilizing the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) to increase each child’s cognitive, functional, pro-social skills and daily living skills.
Christina Lewis is a Behavior Technician in the Sunrise Center for Early Learners at Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting (SBHC). Christina is currently working towards earning her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Western Connecticut State University and anticipates graduating in May of 2023. Christina plans to continue her education by gaining a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling . She has experience with children in many different environments promoting educational and social development.
Laura Henry is a Registered Behavioral Technician in the Sunrise Center for Early Learners at Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting (SBHC). Laura has her Associates in Early Childhood Education from Housatonic Community College. Laura worked an infant teacher for two years helping children reach their first milestones. Laura changed careers in 2021 and worked as a BT at an ABA clinic. She has experience with children in many different environments promoting educational and social development.
William Andujar-Roman is a Registered Behavior Technician at Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting. He is passionate about creating rich opportunities to encourage learning. He was introduced to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2019 and has since developed a passion for improving the lives of his clients and their families. Currently, he provides ABA services to children between of ages of 18 months and 22 years of age, striving to ensure progress and growth. Previously, William worked as a direct support provider for six years assisting individuals with reaching their maximum potential and independence within a group home setting in Brooklyn, New York. William’s goal is to pursue a career as a behavior analyst. He is also the bookstore/social media manager for the Behavior Analyst Leadership Council.
Amber Davis is a Registered Behavior Technician at Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting. Amber has her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in psychology from Central Connecticut State University. She is currently attending graduate school for her Master’s in Foundations of Applied Behavioral Analysis at the University of Cincinnati and anticipates graduating August 2024. After graduation, Amber plans to sit for the BCBA exam to become a Behavior Analyst. Before joining SBHC, Amber worked as Behavior Technician and RBT providing ABA services to children aged 1-10 years old in the clinical setting. The last 4 years, Amber was a Special Education Paraeducator/RBT for the Derby Public School system working with students K-5TH in their behavior and ASD learning centers. She is passionate about creating a positive and compassionate learning environment for her learners to be successful in. Amber also enjoys providing functional communication training (FCT) to provide her learners with life-long skills to get their needs met.
Melissa Steffero serves as our administrative assistant, bringing extensive expertise in HR and more than 8 years of managerial experience to our team. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education and Liberal Studies from Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), with concentrations in English Creative Writing, Psychology, and History. She currently holds her Elementary Teaching certification (013) in the state of Connecticut. Melissa furthered her education at SCSU, earning a master’s degree in Psychology, and recently completed her 6th year degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Bridgeport, earning her 092 certification in the state of Connecticut.
In addition to her position at Solstice Behavioral Health and Consulting, Melissa currently holds a role with the Waterbury Public Schools District. With over 9 years of experience as a classroom teacher, she has recently assumed the role of Reading Facilitator, where she shares her expertise in reading instruction with colleagues. Melissa has co-authored Reading Curriculum for the Waterbury Public Schools District and the State Department of Education. She was a participant in the inaugural Science of Reading Co-Hort I organized by the State Department of Education, demonstrating her dedication to literacy education.