Thrive Autism Collaborative ​was founded in 2013 by a small group of women dedicated to intervention of the highest quality.

They saw a need in the community for authentic, individualized support for children and their families. Their shared expertise extends across different fields and spans 20-40+ years of experience.

Collectively, they built Thrive as a unique company that stands apart and values building authentic relationships, increasing functional social communication, providing assent-focused care, and developing the foundations of learning through play, work, and routines. 

Thrive Denver

  • Diane Osaki

    DIRECTOR, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (O.T.R)

    Diane is an occupational therapist who has specialized in working with families, infants, children and adults with autism for over 30 years. Her work is grounded in merging the principles of applied behavior analysis and developmental framework to promote social interaction, communication, self regulation, play, work, motor development. self-care. and problem solving.

  • Anne Andrews

    DIRECTOR, SENIOR CONSULTANT (M.Ed, BCBA)

    Anne is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, ESDM certified direct service delivery therapist and a former special education teacher. Anne has worked in the field of ABA since 2000, with infants through adults, in a variety of settings. Anne’s professional passions include individualized assessment, effective naturalistic therapy and parent/caregiver coaching. She is proficient in American Sign Language and Bulgarian.

  • Theresa MacFarland

    DIRECTOR, SENIOR CONSULTANT (M.Ed., BCBA)

    Theresa is a Behavior Analyst and holds a Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education from Vanderbilt University. For 20+ years, Theresa has worked with young children with autism and their families in a variety of settings. Her interests lie in designing and implementing meaningful play-based interventions and naturalistic language supports for young children. Theresa is a Certified Trainer and Provider in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM).

  • Helen Nychka

    DIRECTOR, SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST (M. S. CCC-SLP)

    Helen has been a speech-language pathologist for 40+ years. She is a certified ESDM provider and Hanen certified, and has extensive training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Helen's work has taken her across the US, Europe and Africa, to work with children, professionals, and families who are creating authentic relationship and joy through verbal and non-verbal communication.

  • Kristen Busch

    CONSULTANT (M.A., BCBA)

    Kristen is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with a master’s degree in educational psychology. She has served individuals with autism and related developmental disabilities for over 10 years, across various settings. Kristen values the relationships she has with clients and their families as well as a collaborative approach across disciplines. Kristen is PEAK Certified- Level 2: Experiential and utilizes and applies this knowledge with the individuals she serves.

  • Yesenia Canez

    ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

    Yesenia has been with Thrive since September of 2023. She helps support families and the team by helping things run smoothly and keeping a safe work environment. Before joining Thrive she worked as a clinic Operations Manager in Arizona. Yesenia also has a background in Nurturing Parenting by providing parent coaching and has also worked as an ABA therapist.

  • Karissa Dykstra

    SENIOR INTERVENTIONIST (B.A., RBT)

    Karissa has worked with children for over 10 years in a variety of settings and in the ABA field for over 3 years. In the near future, she plans on getting her BCBA certification and eventually her Occupational Therapy (OT) degree. Karissa’s passions include working on Activities of Daily Living (ADL) goals, education-based learning with my clients, and helping her clients apply what they learn to the community, home, and school.

  • Jaima Hajek

    CONSULTANT (M. A., SLP-A, BCBA)

    Jaima is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who holds a Master’s Degree in ABA, a certificate in Autism Studies and Speech-Language-Pathology-Assistant licensure. She is an enthusiastic educator with over 10 years of therapeutic service provision, including 6 in the field of behavior analysis. Jaima believes in cultivating connection to promote interpersonal partnerships with clients and colleagues. Jaima uses authentic interest and engagement to foster growth and autonomy in learners of all abilities. She is proficient in ASL.

  • Daniel Jones

    SENIOR CONSULTANT (M.S., BCBA)

    Daniel Jones, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Senior Consultant with 10 years of therapeutic experience helping children, adolescents, parents, and young adults. He specializes in naturalistic individual interventions and neurodiverse family consultation honoring each person’s interests, goals, and strengths. Daniel's expertise in ABA, applied with a scientific and innovative focus, empowers individuals to discover their potential in a compassionate and result-oriented environment.

  • Rachel Kain

    CONSULTANT (M.S., BCBA)

    Rachel has a master's degree in psychology- Applied Behavior Analysis. She has been working with children with diverse needs in various formats since 2018 and began in the field of ABA in 2021. Rachel is an ESDM certified therapist but deeply enjoys working with children of all ages and abilities. She finds meaning in creating individualized approaches to help people access new experiences and opportunities to learn and find joy.

  • Anna Mansfield

    INTERVENTIONIST (B.Ed, RBT)

    Anna is a Registered Behavior Technician with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, with a minor in Special Education. She graduated from Penn State in 2021 and spent two years in Pennsylvania teaching second grade. She joined the Thrive team in 2023 after moving to Colorado. She is passionate about naturalistic teaching, building collaborative relationships with clients and families, and providing meaningful interventions where clients feel empowered and independent.

  • Chelsea Peason

    CONSULTANT (M.A., BCBA)

    Chelsea joined the Thrive team in 2018. Before becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Chelsea worked as a preschool teacher for nearly 10 years in Boulder, CO. She is a believer of naturalistic-based therapy and learning through play and laughter. Chelsea has a Degree in Early Childhood Special Education, a Master’s in Early Intervention, and an ESDM Certified provider.

  • Krysten Ramsey

    CLINICAL DIRECTOR, SENIOR CONSULTANT, (M.A., BCBA)

    Krysten is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with 20 years of experience in the fields of behavior analysis and education. She values a collaborative and naturalistic approach to therapy with an emphasis on inclusion and acceptance in the community at large. She is also passionate about mentoring therapists in their journey to provide compassionate and supportive care to our neurodiverse population.

  • Amanda Schmidt

    INTERVENTIONIST (B.A., RBT)

    Amanda has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for 4 years. Aside from her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Child Advocacy Studies, her experience extends to working with many diverse populations and age groups in both clinical and school settings. Amanda's values lie in promoting effective, functional communication and interdisciplinary teamwork. She is currently working towards her BCBA certification at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

  • Autumn Sutton

    INTERVENTIONIST, ENRICHMENT COORDINATOR

    Autumn is a Registered Behavior Technician and Enrichment Coordinator with Thrive. She earned a degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Child Development. As the Enrichment Coordinator at Thrive Autumn enjoys helping children to explore new materials through art, science, STEM and sensory play. Autumn values the collaboration of Thrive members, parents and caregivers to provide the best support for each individual child.

  • Molly Walter

    SENIOR CONSULTANT (M.Ed, BCBA)

    Molly holds her master’s in special education. As a direct delivery Early Start Denver Model therapist, she merges the principles of applied behavior analysis and a developmental framework to address the specific needs of her clients. She values building therapeutic and positive relationships with the teams and people she supports. Her interests lie in providing thoughtful, naturalistic, and a collaborative approach with clients, families, teachers, and other allied professionals.

  • Lael Wetherby

    INTERVENTIONIST (B.A., RBT)

    Lael is a registered behavior technician with a degree in psychology and biology from Austin College. Following completion of her degree, Lael joined the Thrive team, passionate about the emphasis of naturalistic and play-based teaching for all ages. Lael is furthering her understanding of psychology each day as an RBT, and hopes to one day become a neuroscientist.

  • Dr. William Sobesky

    Dr. William Sobesky

    CONSULTING PSYCHOLOGIST

    Bill Sobesky is licensed clinical psychologist who earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology from the University of Denver. He has taught graduate students at the University of Denver, the University of Colorado Boulder and Medical School. He has also worked as a staff and research psychologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Bill specializes in the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with a variety of mental health and educational issues as well as with children with developmental disabilities.

Thrive Aspen

  • Diane Osaki

    DIRECTOR, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (O.T.R.)

    Diane is an occupational therapist who has specialized in working with families, infants, children and adults with autism for over 30 years. Her work is grounded in merging the principles of applied behavior analysis and developmental framework to promote social interaction, communication, self regulation, play, work, motor development. self-care. and problem solving.

  • Maddie Doorn

    CONSULTANT (M.Ed, BCBA)

    Maddie is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with a Master of Special Education with an emphasis in ABA. For 7 years, Maddie has worked with children with autism in a variety of settings. Previously, Maddie was a Recreational Therapist, supporting individuals with disabilities to access and engage in their leisure interests. She loves build connections and playfully motivate her clients to learn. Maddie has training in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and Skills-Based Training (SBT).

  • Clarity Fornell

    INTERVENTIONIST (RBT)

    Born and raised in Aspen, Clarity spent many years volunteering with Extreme Sports Camp for children with autism. After studying textile arts and pursuing creative careers, she has decided to incorporate her passion for child development into her workplace. Clarity joined the Thrive team in 2023 and obtained a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT) certificate and has training in Early Denver Start Model (ESDM).

  • Daniel Jones

    SENIOR CONSULTANT (M.S., BCBA)

    Daniel Jones, is a a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Senior Consultant with 10 years of therapeutic experience helping children, adolescents, parents, and young adults. He specializes in naturalistic individual interventions and neurodiverse family consultation honoring each person’s interests, goals, and strengths. Daniel's expertise in ABA, applied with a scientific and innovative focus, empowers individuals to discover their potential in a compassionate and result-oriented environment.

  • Jess McAllister

    SENIOR CONSULTANT (M.Ed, BCBA)

    Jess began her career over 13 years ago in a school-based autism program as a paraprofessional and then teacher after receiving her master's in special education. Interested in supporting children across settings, she transitioned to community and home-based services, becoming a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in 2019. Her current clinical interests include parent coaching, supervision, Skills-Based Treatment, and ADHD.

  • Ashley Pollesel

    SENIOR INTERVENTIONIST (M.S., RBT)

    Ashley has a master's in Adapted Physical Activity and began her career coaching Special Olympics tennis and teaching Adapted Physical Education classes in Pennsylvania. With a love for the mountains, she moved to Colorado in 2013 to work for a nonprofit organization specializing in outdoor programs for youth with autism. She enjoys working with individuals in school, home and clinical settings.