Our Staff
Dr. Amber Shriver, PhD, BCBA, LBA
President
Dr. Amber Shriver joined Pathways Behavioral Health in 2017. She has over seven years of experience providing behavioral support to children in clinic, home and school settings. Additionally she has served as an adjunct member of the faculty at The Catholic University of America, George Mason University and George Washington University. She received a Master of the Arts in Applied Developmental Psychology from George Mason University, a Master of Education in Special Education from George Mason University, and a PhD in Applied Developmental Psychology from George Mason University. She specializes in working with children and families to help children learn executive function strategies and emotional regulation.
Her research interests are in the application of nutrition and healthy lifestyle programs to support children and their families in managing behaviors and moods; as well as behavioral interventions with a focus on executive functions (i.e., cognitive flexibility, inhibition, and working memory) and emotional regulation. She believes in a holistic and comprehensive approach to the treatment of developmental and behavior disorders during childhood with an emphasis on family functioning.
Her research interests are in the application of nutrition and healthy lifestyle programs to support children and their families in managing behaviors and moods; as well as behavioral interventions with a focus on executive functions (i.e., cognitive flexibility, inhibition, and working memory) and emotional regulation. She believes in a holistic and comprehensive approach to the treatment of developmental and behavior disorders during childhood with an emphasis on family functioning.
Lindsey Colombo, MEd, BCBA, LBA
Clinical Director
Lindsey Colombo joined Pathways Behavioral Health in 2020. She has over 10 years of experience working with children and adolescents with special needs. She received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University and her master’s degree in special education, with a concentration in both teaching and Applied Behavior Analysis from George Mason University. Mrs. Colombo is a dually licensed special education teacher and behavior analyst. Prior to joining Pathways Behavioral Health, Mrs. Colombo worked as a special education teacher for students with emotional and behavioral disorders, intellectual disabilities, and autism. Her professional interests include early intervention, Functional Communication Training, and verbal behavior.
Dr. Lucia Stillerova, PhD
Director of Parent Training and Research
Dr. Lucia Stillerova joined Pathways Behavioral Health in 2018. She received her PhD in Applied Developmental Psychology from George Mason University and her Master of the Arts in Clinical Psychology from University of St. Cyril and Methodius. She has presented her research at national conferences, and published in international journals. She also serves as a part-time faculty member at George Mason University. Her research focuses on social–emotional teaching and learning in early childhood development.
Sonya Allen, MA
Applied Behavior Analysis Program Director
Sonya Allen joined Pathways Behavioral Health in 2019. She has over ten years of experience providing home-based Mental Health Skill Building services. She has a MBA from Strayer University.
Nirina Andriani, MA, BCBA, LBA
Chief BCBA
Nirina Andriani joined Pathways Behavioral Health in 2020. She has over 6 years of experience in the field of ABA. She received her bachelors degree in psychology at American University in Washington D.C., and obtained her Masters in psychology with a concentration in ABA at Capella University. She enjoys working within the pediatric population and loves to implement naturalistic teaching procedures.
Rachel Kinlaw, MEd, BCBA, LBA
Chief Post-Certification Student
Rachel Kinlaw joined Pathways Behavioral Health in 2019. She has three years of experience as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) providing home based ABA. She has a MEd in Education from Virginia Tech. She is currently enrolled in the ABA certificate program at George Mason University, and is completing her BCBA Practicum hours at Pathways Behavioral Health.
Natalie Tucker, MEd, BCBA, LBA
BCBA
Natalie Tucker joined Pathways Behavioral Health in 2020. She received a bachelor’s degree in speech and hearing science from Arizona State University in 2008. Following graduation, she moved to Austin, Texas and worked at a school for children
with autism. While there, she was able to utilize the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and realized the success it has on individuals with autism. She then decided to pursue BCBA course work and received a master’s degree in Education: Curriculum
and Instruction from Arizona State University in 2012. She has had the privilege of working with individuals with autism in both the school, home and clinic settings. She is a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst in Virginia and Arizona.
with autism. While there, she was able to utilize the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and realized the success it has on individuals with autism. She then decided to pursue BCBA course work and received a master’s degree in Education: Curriculum
and Instruction from Arizona State University in 2012. She has had the privilege of working with individuals with autism in both the school, home and clinic settings. She is a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst in Virginia and Arizona.
Derrick Sherman
Practicum Student
Derrick Sherman joined Pathways Behavioral Health in 2020. He is a licensed Special Education Teacher with an extensive behavioral background. He is currently completing his practicum experience with Pathways Behavioral Health. Mr. Sherman, started in ABA field in 2010 with The ARC of Union County in New Jersey, as a group home counselor for adults and summer day program coordinator for children and teens. He relocated to the Northern Virginia area in 2012 and began working as a Special Education Teacher and In-home therapist for a therapeutic day school for children on the autism spectrum and other disabilities. Since his arrival in 2012, Mr. Sherman has worked with numerous families and variety of cases in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to help their children achieve their goals.
Christina Smith
ABA Therapist, RBT
Christina Smith joined Pathways Behavioral Health in 2019. She has lived in Prince William County her entire life, and currently lives in Dumfries with her husband and 3 children. Prior to working at Pathways she was a preschool teacher. She looks enjoys watching the children thrive in their natural environment and working together with families to improve everyday routines.
Joseph McGuinness, MA
ABA Therapist, RBT
Joseph McGuinness joined Pathways Behavioral Health in 2020. He received his BS in Psychology from Clemson University, MA in School Psychology from The Citadel, and an MA in Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience from George Mason University. His research has focused on the effects of bullying on mood and behavior, as well as the effects of brain stimulation on honest behavior and stroke rehabilitation. He is also a 6 year veteran of 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
De'Stanye Swittenberg
ABA Therapist
De'Stanye Swittenberg joined Pathways Behavioral Health in 2018. She enjoys using her skills to contribute to the benefit and progress of children with Autism and other developmental disorders. She is currently a Masters Student at GMU pursing her Master of Social Work to help promote positive gains for children with developmental disabilities.
