Background
Co-founders, Amy K. Gearhard (Clinical Director) and Gina L. Smith (Executive Director), came together in 2003 bringing over 25 years combined experience in both private and clinical settings. Ms. Gearhard came from a strong background in Applied Behavior Analysis, while Ms. Smith’s expertise and training was in the less invasive methodologies of naturalistic therapies, such as Activity-Based Intervention. The pair brought two extremes of the field together, rooted by the same shared passion for providing an effective, individualized program for individuals with ASD. Relying upon the extensive research established through the Interdisciplinary Intervention Model, they opened the doors of Creative Perspectives, Inc. in 2003, with their vision in hand – and the dream began. CPI has grown into multiple Centers and is now the primary service provider for hundreds of individuals affected by ASD, as well as the employment and training ground for a team of nearly fifty skilled professional from a wide variety of disciplines.
Amy K. Gearhard, M.S.
Clinical Director, Co-Founder
Ms. Gearhard brings both academic and field experience to the CPI Team, as she nears completion of her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and also works to obtain credentials as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has been involved in providing service 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. Ms. Gearhard’s passion was fueled through seeing the continual struggle families and professionals faced in desperately searching for a philosophy capable of effectively handling the challenges presented by a spectrum disorder. The Interdisciplinary Intervention Model was created in response to this significant deficit in the field. Ms. Gearhard has recently begun presenting her research, speaking at an international level on Interdisciplinary Intervention (Gearhard, 2001) and Proactive Behavior Management strategies (Gearhard & Smith, 2003). She is passionate about her work and looks forward to continuing to share it with others through the Centers and presentations.
Gina L. Smith
Executive Director, Co-Founder
Ms. Smith has worked in numerous settings with children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related disabilities since 1995. Her experiences include school, home, center, and community-based interventions in both 1:1 and group settings. Her undergraduate education was in the field of psychology, and she is now pursuing additional education in the field of business with intentions to pursue her Master’s degree in Non-Profit Management. Since the inception of Creative Perspectives, Inc. in 2003, Ms. Smith has directed her efforts toward her role as Executive Director of the organization.  With over 8 years experience working within non-profit organizations, Ms. Smith focuses her time and energy on developing and maintaining Creative Perspectives, Inc. as a sound and conscientious business and active member in the non-profit community.