The Clinical Team
The CPI Clinical Team brings together a wide variety of services from direct treatment to consultation, spanning multiple disciplines and including children to adults. The Clinical Team is available at both Centers to extend their expertise, knowledge, and support to all members of the team and family. Clinical Team members take an active role in program development and management, giving them the opportunity to see CPI clients actively involved in intervention, and collaborate with CPI Staff, and therefore work more effectively with clients, bringing hands-on insight to the table.
- Amy K. Gearhard, M.S., BCBA - Clinical Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
 Education: Amy earned her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. She earned her Masters of Science in Clinical Psychology from Walden University. She completed the University of North Texas graduate certificate program, and earned her certification as a Board Certification Behavior Analyst in 2009. She has completed all of the coursework for her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Walden University and is in the process of writing her dissertation.
Experience: Amy is the author of the Interdisciplinary Intervention Model for Pervasive Developmental Disabilities. She is also the co-founder and Clinical Director of CPI Autism Centers of Colorado, where the treatment model is implemented. Amy has been providing services for individuals and their families affected by ASD since 1995, when she began working privately in homes, schools, and clinical settings in the Seattle area.
She is passionate about sharing her work and has spoken both nationally and internationally about the Interdisciplinary Intervention Model and the work being done at CPI Autism Centers of Colorado. Collaboration with parents, family members, professionals, students, and members of the community are welcomed as exciting opportunities for learning and growth on behalf of her and the organization.
- Liz Alvarez, Behavior Analyst
- Liz Dennison, Registered Occupational Therapist
Education: Bachelor's of Science in Exercise Science with a minor in Spanish from Mesa State College; Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University. Currently pursuing certification to become a holistic health counselor.
Experience: Career in OT started in acute care at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colorado. This experience provided the opportunity to work with clients of all ages and with a variety of illnesses and injuries. Most recently began working in early intervention with children ages 0-3 years. This rekindled her passion for working with children and motivated her to pursue a full-time career in pediatric occupational therapy. Liz has additional experience working with Respite Care, Children's Care Satellite Clinic, and Rocky Mountain High School. She believes that there is no greater reward than to work with children and families to ensure that they are able to access their gifts and fully engage in meaningful lives.
- Mary MacDougall, Speech Pathologist
Education: BA, Communication Studies, U Mass, Amherst Speech Pathology, Univ of N Carolina, Chapel HillCertificate of Advanced Graduate Studies, U CO Health Sciences Center and JFK Partners
Experience: Mary has worked primarily with preschool and elementary children in a variety of locales, as she was an “army wife” for 22 years. Mary has worked with children and their families who are experiencing the joys and challenges of ASDs for a number of years, which has motivated her to study and devote herself to learning about effective treatments for these individuals. In her spare time, Mary enjoys weaving, reading, gardening, downhill skiing and spending time with her husband of 36 years along with their mountain poodle, Bambina.
- Allison Sian Margulies, Ph.D. - Licensed Psychologist
Education: Dr. Allison Sian Margulies received her Ph.D. in School/Pediatric Psychology from The University of Memphis, with a focus on early childhood and neurodevelopmental disorders. While working toward her doctoral degree in Psychology, Dr. Margulies conducted psychological evaluations and provided school-based and mental health consultative services to teachers and families at Head Start, public/private schools, and a university-based clinic. She also worked at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she provided clinical services and conducted research. In addition to completing an APA-accredited predoctoral internship through the Nebraska Internship Consortium in Professional Psychology, Dr. Margulies completed a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins Medical School and Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD.
Experience: Dr. Margulies is a licensed psychologist who specializes in assessment and intervention with children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Intellectual Disability, and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. She provides diagnostic and psychological evaluations, as well as individual therapy with an emphasis on social-emotional development. Dr. Margulies also works with parents/caregivers to develop positive behavior support plans for challenging behaviors in the home and community settings. Dr. Margulies’ research, publications, and regional/national presentations have focused primarily on identifying the cognitive profiles of children and adolescents with special needs. Her current research interests focus on the cognitive profiles of children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders and/or Intellectual Disability in order to support the design of appropriate and effective positive behavior support plans, intervention programs, and academic instruction.
Professional Publications:
Beaujean, A. A., McGlaughlin, S. M., & Margulies, A. S. (2009). Factorial validity of the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales for referred students. Psychology in the Schools, 932–950.
Margulies, A. S., & Floyd, R. G. (2009). An examination of the CHC cognitive profiles of children with giftedness. Woodcock-Muñoz Foundation Press, 1–12.
Hojnoski, R. L., Margulies, A. S., Bose-Deakins, J., Barry, A., Sumara, K., & Harmon, J. (Winter, 2008). Analysis of two early childhood education settings: Classroom variables and peer verbal interaction. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 23, 193–209.
Margulies, A. S., Floyd, R. G., & Hojnoski, R. L. (2008). Body size stigmatization: An examination of attitudes of African American preschool-age children attending Head Start. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 33(5), 487–496.
Berkelhammer, L. D., Williamson, A. L., Sanford, S. D., Dirksen, C. L., Sharp, W. G., Margulies, A. S., & Prengler, R. A. (2007). Neurocognitive sequelae of pediatric sickle cell disease: A review of the literature. Child Neuropsychology, 13, 120–131.
Margulies, A.S., & Floyd, R.G. (2004). Review of the Gifted Rating Scales. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 22, 275-282.
- Justin Male, M.A. - Program Director
 Education: Justin attended Azusa Pacific University in southern California where he received his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy. He continues to seek ongoing educational opportunities in the areas of early childhood intervention, play therapy and child/adolescent development.
Experience: Justin began working in the field of autism in 2002. His background and expertise is in Floortime Therapy, an early childhood intervention model that emphasizes interactive relationship patterns within play as the primary means of development and growth. Justin worked for two years providing home-based Floortime intervention for Intercare Therapy, Inc. out of Los Angeles, California. After finishing graduate school Justin moved back to Colorado and shortly after began working for Creative Perspectives, Inc. in 2006. Over the last 4 years Justin has had several different roles and responsibilities including intervention and program coordination within the early childhood, after-school and summer camp programs. In his current role at CPI, he assists in conducting play-based assessments, developing programs, and maintaining close collaboration with all other team members to help ensure the implementation of quality intervention. Additionally, Justin is the creator and facilitator of a new program at CPI for small groups serving children and adolescents with PDD and Asperger’s. Justin is committed to the ongoing growth and success of individuals and their families whose lives are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Jessica M. Schmidt, M.S. - Speech Language Pathologist
Education: Bachelors of Science in Communicative Disorders and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2008; Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2011. While completing her graduate studies, Jessica gained experience working with children and adults in a variety of school-based and medical settings, including the Craniofacial Anomalies/Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic at American’s Family Children’s Hospital, the Augmentative and Assisted Communication (AAC) technologies clinic, and literacy and language development in at-risk populations. Jessica is currently completing her Clinical Fellowship to obtain her Certification of Clinical Competence.
Experience: Jessica worked for over five years at a speech and language clinic in Madison, WI that specialized in supporting the unique strengths and needs of children with autism spectrum diagnoses, dyspraxia, speech-access challenges, and sensory-motor challenges. As the needs of each child are different, Jessica has always been open to exploring a variety of intervention settings and supports, such as yoga, therapeutic riding, animal-assisted therapy, social skill groups, sibling programs, and in-home support. Through her work with children and their families, Jessica developed an appreciation for individualized treatment that integrates intervention principles from many disciplines, and is therefore excited to participate in interdisciplinary approach that Creative Perspectives offers. - Sandy Curnow, OTR - Registered Occupational Therapist
 Education: B.S. in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University
Experience: Sandy has served children with autism and their families in a multitude of settings providing home, school, community and center-based intervention. She has worked in the field of occupational therapy for over 25 years primarily serving children from birth to 18 years of age with a broad range of disabilities and special needs. She first started working with the autism population during her years with Jefferson County School District. Several years prior to her retirement from the school district in May 2004, Sandy started working privately with children on the autism spectrum. She has been with Creative Perspectives since April 2004 working as a therapist and a member of the diagnostic team. Her years with Creative Perspectives have been filled with laughter, smiles, and happiness as she’s worked with children and their families. Until she is ready to retire, she plans to continue her work with these unique and wonderful children.
- Kim Mohrbacher, OTR - Registered Occupational Therapist
 Education: Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2006; Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University. Kim continues to expand her knowledge base with annual attendance to the Sensory Processing Foundation conference and a variety of other professional development opportunities.
Experience: Initially, Kim began working for Creative Perspectives in 2005 providing 1:1 intervention services in the community-based summer program Camp Le’ale a. In 2007 she became a program coordinator for Creative Perspective’s after-school program Therapallooza, specifically working with adolescent females. In 2008 she became an early childhood program coordinator while she finished her master’s degree. Additional experience includes an internship working with older adults at a skilled nursing facility with exposure to a variety of disabilities including stroke, multiple sclerosis, dementia and hip replacements. Kim also did an internship with Cherry Creek School District in which she provided elementary school based occupational therapy to children with disabilities ranging from mild learning disabilities to significant physical and cognitive disabilities. Kim’s professional goals include encouraging and assisting children to reach their full potential by guiding them with enthusiasm, compassion and courage to facilitate independent, successful kids that lead happy, meaningful lives.
- Seth Mattern, M.ED. - School Director
 Education: Masters in Education from the University of Phoenix, certified secondary social studies teacher, certified elementary general Ed teacher. Special education certified.
Experience: Seth initially started working at Creative Perspectives in spring of 2007 for a spring break camp. Since then he has been apart of adolescent, early childhood, and summer programs. With a background in education Seth has taught elementary students to college students, in many different school settings. His teaching experiences include public and private schools, ESL and gifted classes, working in an inclusive classrooms as well as team teaching. Currently Seth is coordinating Creative Perspective’s education program as well as 1:1 intervention.
The Executive Team
CPI's Executive Team act behind the scenes ensuring the overall organization and administration of CPI runs smoothly. This includes organizational development, managing each client's funding stream, grant writing, and many other administrative related tasks.
- Gina L.Smith - Executive Director
Gina began her career in Autism while completing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at University of Colorado in 1995. She developed an immediate passion for the children and families she encountered. Since that time, Gina has worked directly with individuals with ASD and related developmental delays, including work across home, school, community, and center-based settings implementing naturalistic, play-based intervention models. In addition to a passion for Autism, Gina has always had a heart and interest in the non-profit sector. Her non-profit experience includes volunteering as early as 1989 for a wide variety of organizations including, Children’s Hospital and Colorado Greyhound Adoption, with paid and unpaid administrative experience in multiple non-profit organizations since 1998. The ability to bring together her two passions into the creation and development of Creative Perspectives, Inc. has been a dream. As CPI’s co-founder and Executive Director, Gina integrates her knowledge of the fields of autism treatment and non-profit development as she oversees and works to expand the organization. - Valerie Hittle, M.N.M. - Executive Program Coordinator
 Education: B.S., Behavioral Sciences-University of Houston, Clear Lake 2006. Masters Degree, Nonprofit Management-Regis University 2010.
Experience: Started with Creative Perspectives in February of 2008.
- Breanne Matthies, B.A. - Assistant Executive Director
Education: Double B.A. in Speech, Language Hearing Sciences and Psychology through the University of Colorado, Boulder; American Speech and Hearing Association (A.S.H.A) Certified Speech Language Pathology Assistant with three years of training in American Sign Language.
Experience: Worked with special needs children since 1998 and specifically ASD since 2000. Breanne has worked in public schools and privately and has experience with ABA, Floortime, RDI, TEACCH, and the SCERTS Model and found her home with the Interdisciplinary Intervention Model when CPI opened in 2003.
- Linda Chaisson, B.S. - Office Administrator
 Education: B.S. in Business Administration from Ferris State University in Traverse City, Michigan.
Experience: Variety of experience in office administration and customer service positions, with one-on-one tutoring providing cognitive skills training the past few years. Also served as a big sister in BB/BS, and volunteered at the Literacy Council and a home for abused and neglected children.
- Ginny Donahue - Insurance Specialist
Ginny Donahue, Insurance Specialist
Ginny has been involved in the Autism World for over 18 years. She is the parent of an adolescent with autism, has been involved with Creative Perspectives Inc since the beginning and as a Board Member. She was President of the Autism Society, Colorado Chapter, for six years. Ginny previously worked for the Jefferson County Schools for over 14 years, working with children of special needs and at risk.
Program Coordinators
CPI’s Program Coordinators act as the primary point of contact for their designated client caseloads. Program Coordinators collaborate regularly with The Clinical Team regarding each client’s overall treatment plan and work directly with The Intervention Team to support the implementation of that treatment plan. Program Coordinators are additionally responsible for data management, report writing, collaboration with outside professionals, and parent involvement and support. Of course, in alignment with CPI’s belief in a hands-on approach, Program Coordinators also provide direct intervention services to their clients. The goal of every Program Coordinator is to ensure that each client has the most cohesive, consistent, and effective program.
Early Childhood
- Heather McClellan, B.A. - Early Childhood Program Director
Education: B.A. in Religious Studies, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the California State University at Northridge.
Experience: Worked 2 ½ years in the LaCanada Unified School District as Coordinator and aide of the English Language Development program (ELD) and as a 1:1 special education aide. Worked privately for 5 years giving home, school, and communitybased intervention.
- Merissa Pickell, Program Coordinator
 Education: Merissa earned her Bachelor’s of Art in Psychology and minored in Ethnic Studies from the University of Colorado Denver.
Experience: Merissa has been working within mental health since 2007 working as a mental health counselor in various settings and populations including hospitals, detention centers/jails, and home-based therapeutic programs. She also did research in neuropsychopharmacology for two years for the University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. Merissa began working at CPI Autism Centers of Colorado in the summer camp program in 2009. - Shaina Hogan, Program Coordinator
 Education: Shaina graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a B.A. in psychology. She is currently working towards receiving her Masters of Art in Counseling through Regis University. While attending Regis University, Shaina is taking additional classes to obtain a post-graduate certification in counseling children and adolescents. She has also been preliminarily accepted in to the Colorado University at Denver BCBA program and will be starting classes in the spring of 2012.
Experience: Shaina has been working in the field of mental health since 2007. First, she worked at Mount Saint Vincent’s Home as a mental health worker on one of the cottages. Then, Shaina worked at Children’s Hospital on the Neuropsychiatric Special Care Unit. She has experience working on both the Day Treatment Unit as well as helping to develop the Neuropsychiatric Inpatient Unit. During her time at Children’s Hospital, Shaina held the positions of Mental Health Counselor I, II, and III. In the summer of 2009, Shaina had the opportunity to complete an internship in Florida where she worked with children with pervasive developmental delays in a wild dolphin assisted therapy setting. Here, she had the opportunity to implement the TEACCH program and utilize some ABA techniques. She also is involved in a research project that is exploring the benefits of equestrian therapy on children with Autism. - Josh Bond, M.A. - Early Childhood Program Coordinator
 Education: Josh is finishing up his classwork for BCBA certification from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He received his Master of Arts in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School in 2009. Prior to that Josh attended Clearwater Christian College and Graduated with his BA in Communications with an emphasis on psychology.
Experience: During College Josh volunteered at UPARC. After graduating he worked as an independent ABA therapist for 3 years before joining the CPI team in June of 2007 as a summer staff member.
- Andrea Voehl, B.A. - Early Childhood Program Coordinator
 Education: Andrea earned her Bachelors of Art in Psychology from the University of Colorado in 2002. She is currently a candidate for receiving a Masters of Art in Counseling through Regis University.
Experience: Andrea has been working within mental health since 2006 working as a Group Living Counselor at Excelsior in Aurora, and a Mental Health Counselor I and Mental Health Counselor II in the Neuropsychiatric Special Care Unit at The Children's Hospital in Denver, CO.
Childhood & Adolescence
- Kevin McCarthy, B.A. - Childhood / Adolescent Program Director
Kevin has worked with Creative Perspectives since February of 2006, working in both Early Childhood and Childhood and Adolescence programs. Kevin completed his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the Metropolitan State College of Denver in 2005. Currently he is finishing his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Colorado, Denver. - Stephanie Ward, Program Coordinator
Education: Stephanie currently has a B.S. in Psychology from Boise State University. She is working on obtaining a M.S. in Psychology with a BCBA specialization through Kaplan University.
Experience: Stephanie has been working with individuals within the Developmental Disability field since January 2005. She began providing community based and school based behavioral interventions while living in Boise, Idaho. Upon moving to Colorado, Stephanie became a Behavior Specialist for private agencies providing home based behavior and parenting support. Stephanie also has experience in crisis management and intervention. She comes from Adams 12 Five Star School District where she worked as a Structured Learning Paraprofessional in an Autism Classroom.
- Ryan Daly, M.ED. - Adolescent Program Coordinator
Education: Ryan earned his undergraduate degree from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. He earned his Master Degree in Elementary Education/Elementary Teaching License from the University of Phoenix.
Experience: Ryan has been working with children since 1997 in various classroom settings. He taught first grade in Denver Public Schools before joining the Creative Perspectives Team in June of 2009.
- Casey Moran - Adolescent Program Coordinator
Education: Attended Fort Lewis College and the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Experience: Casey has been part of CPI since July 2005, starting as a summer camp staff member. He worked as a part-time employee in the Therapallooza program and was hired as an Interventionist for the Early Childhood Program when the Lafayette center opened. He continued to work in both the Early Childhood Program as well as the afterschool Therapallooza program. Casey was hired as a Childhood and Adolescent Program Coordinator in 2010. He is a Certified Safety Care Trainer.
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