– Team –
The Dedicated Professionals at Symbiosis
Bridging the Gaps in Child Health Care with the Multidisciplinary Model
At Symbiosis, we deeply believe in the power of collaboration. We understand that each child is unique and that their healthcare needs often transcend the scope of a single therapy specialty. Our multidisciplinary team is designed to address this very reality. The diverse range of professionals working under one roof fosters a level of collaboration that is truly unparalleled.
We actively involve parents and caregivers in our care plans, recognizing that their input is invaluable. After all, nobody knows a child better than their own family. This collaborative spirit is woven into the fabric of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy Team members, forming the bedrock of our multidisciplinary approach.
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She currently oversees the clinical and administrative departments of Symbiosis. Shalini has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Shalini completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy specializing in Pediatric Neurology in 2000. She also has her Masters degree in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from The Pennsylvania State University. Shalini is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Shalini has extensive clinical experience with assessment and program development that is designed to treat challenging behaviors, build communication, and functional life skills. Some of the team-based intervention which she incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), SCERTS, DIR®/Floor time model, etc.
Shalini has trained & supervised several teams of therapists, parents, and other professionals on evidence-based behavioral strategies to improve the quality of life for the children. She also assists with the development and implementation of evidence-based treatment approaches, in addition to providing clinical guidance and mentorship to the Behavioral Intervention team.
Shalini is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) from the University of Southern California and in Neuro-Developmental Therapy (NDT) from NDT Association, USA. She also enjoys working with children in Symbiosis embracing different therapy models while viewing the challenges faced by the children through the developmental framework.
Shalini is the mother of two children and understands the importance of considering the needs and wants of all members of the family when establishing therapy goals. She spends her spare time with her children and husband, reading, traveling, and cooking different recipes from around the world.
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. He currently is the Director of Clinical Operations and oversees the clinical departments of all the clinics. He has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Sumanta started his professional career as an Occupational Therapist in 1997 after his graduation in Bachelor of Occupational Therapy followed by Post Graduation in Developmental Rehabilitation as well as Health Management.
Sumanta is certified in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) as well as Sensory Integration (SI). He furthered his education by completing his Masters in Education (M.Ed.) – Special Education in 2017 and his BACB coursework from Florida Institute of Technology.
Sumanta is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Sumanta facilitates the growth of the behavior program and supervises Behavior Consultants with the creation and implementation of sound behavioral intervention plans for the children attending Symbiosis Clinics. Some of the team-based intervention which he incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), and SCERTS – a treatment program for children with Autism.
Sumanta had previously worked extensively with children with special needs in school systems, private clinics, and home-based interventions in various countries including India and Singapore. He was actively involved in setting up two pediatric departments in Singapore and was the chairperson of the Pediatric Special Interest Group (SIG) under the umbrella of the Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists for two years.
Sumanta has made numerous presentations at international conferences and is well experienced in conducting workshops for parents, teachers as well as other health care professionals. He was the first recipient of the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Mentorship Scholarship which provides premier treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents, and adults with SPD in Denver, Colorado.
Sumanta is a father of two boys. While understanding the developmental needs of the children, he makes sure that children who receive services through Symbiosis see it as a place they can have fun at and enjoy coming to.
Sumanta spends his spare time pursuing various leisure activities with his family including playing badminton, swimming, hiking and camping.
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai is currently the Assistant Director(Operations) for Symbiosis Clinics. She is also a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia and her Master of Education degree from Western University. She has worked in the field for 15 years, providing community, school, and clinic-based interventions. Mai is passionate about delivering services through a multidisciplinary approach, with a primary focus on early intervention and social skills development. Mai has worked with diverse children and youth and their families in a variety of settings, including pediatric, schools, and childcare/daycare centers. She provides assessment, parenting support, and consultation for children and young adults experiencing developmental, learning, emotional, and behavior problems.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, snowboarding, and camping.
Kristine Balisacan
Clinical Lead, Occupational Therapist
Kristine Balisacan
Clinical Lead, Occupational Therapist
Kristine is the Assistant Director of Clinical Services and Occupational Therapy Clinical Lead for Symbiosis Clinics. She has a decade-plus of enriched experience working with neurodivergent children and other developmental disabilities. Her professional journey has been fueled by profound curiosity and empathy about how children navigate and thrive in their environments.
Her approach revolves around empathy and collaboration, fostering safe spaces where children feel empowered to explore and flourish. She’s a firm believer in the power of play-based therapy, trauma-sensitive practice, and forging strong partnerships with families and other professionals.
She has attended various professional courses (Handwriting Without Tears Pre-K & K-5, Integrated Listening System, Decoding the Autism Brain, Executive Functioning: Tackle Homework and Classwork with these Helpful Strategies! The Zones of Regulation®: A Framework to Foster Self-Regulation and Emotional Control, Facing Your Fears Training, More Than 4 Wheels: Complex seating and mobility assessment and prescription for all ages, Art of Therapy and Connection, Managing the Anxious Symptoms of Children and Adolescents with ASD: Practical Strategies, Becoming a Behavioral Detective, BEST strategies for self-care, productivity and leisure using a strengths-based and neurodiversity-friendly lens, etc.) which provides further depth to her clinical knowledge and experiences that she shares with the families and the multidisciplinary team at Symbiosis.
Beyond her professional life, Kristine cherishes spending time with her family and dogs, nurturing her relationships, and creating lasting memories. She also volunteers at her local church and non-profit organizations, lending a helping hand to those in need and giving back to her community.
Elizabeth Hudson
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Elizabeth Hudson
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Liz is originally from the U.S. and started working in the field in 2005 right after graduating college from the University of Rochester. She began her career at The New England Center for Children (NECC), a school and research center for children with autism, just outside of Boston, and worked there for 14 years where she quickly grew to love the field of Behavior Analysis. During her time at NECC, Liz completed her MS in ABA from Northeastern University in 2012. She became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2013 and worked in various departments within the organization both in Boston and internationally in the Middle East. She has worked with a variety of students ranging from preschool age and younger in the Day Services Program to teenagers in the Residential and Staff-Intensive programs. Most recently, she worked at a school located in Abu Dhabi as the Assistant Program Director of the Secondary Department. Liz moved to Canada in August 2019 with her family and 4 children. She joined the Symbiosis Team in January 2021 overseeing the supervision of the Behavior department in the West. She is very passionate about supervision and bringing up new candidates that are seeking the BCBA credential. Her research interests include; assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior using Performance-Based Assessments and Skill-Based Treatments (developed by Dr. Greg Hanley), treatment of sleep issues, functional communication training, and Stimulus Equivalence. Liz also has experience in feeding/food exposure, video modeling, social skills, and toilet training. She is very passionate about staff and parent training and feels that this is a crucial part of the delivery of quality services to the clients and families.
Kristy Musumeche
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Kristy Musumeche
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Rui is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She has completed her Master of Education from George Mason University, Virginia (USA). She is currently the Clinic Lead for the Behavior Consultants working at Symbiosis Clinics and Supervisor for the BCBA candidates. She is very experienced in providing Behavior Consultation, developing quality Behavior Plan of Intervention, and conducting family and staff trainings apart from providing direct consultation to families.
Rui has experience working in children’s homes, schools, clinics, and communities and helping them reach their potential and supporting their families. Her mission is to provide high quality evidence-based Behavior Analysis services as well as provide resources to the families who are raising children with special needs.
Rui is excited to develop clinical and family programs in the clinic and hopes that they will make a positive impact in the lives of the children and families she serves in the community.
Komal C. Dhokiya
Clinical Lead, Speech Language Pathologist
Komal C. Dhokiya
Clinical Lead, Speech Language Pathologist
Komal completed her degree in Speech -Language Pathology from the School of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Pune, India. She has vast experience working with children of all ages including preschoolers and school aged children. Her strong belief in evidence-based practice has guided her therapy intervention to the children and their families and believes in client-centered care.Prior to moving to Canada Komal had worked in settings providing treatment of children with a variety of diagnosis including, but not limited to, Dysphagia, Speech, Language, and communication including AAC.
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She currently oversees the clinical and administrative departments of Symbiosis. Shalini has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Shalini completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy specializing in Pediatric Neurology in 2000. She also has her Masters degree in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from The Pennsylvania State University. Shalini is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Shalini has extensive clinical experience with assessment and program development that is designed to treat challenging behaviors, build communication, and functional life skills. Some of the team-based intervention which she incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), SCERTS, DIR®/Floor time model, etc.
Shalini has trained & supervised several teams of therapists, parents, and other professionals on evidence-based behavioral strategies to improve the quality of life for the children. She also assists with the development and implementation of evidence-based treatment approaches, in addition to providing clinical guidance and mentorship to the Behavioral Intervention team.
Shalini is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) from the University of Southern California and in Neuro-Developmental Therapy (NDT) from NDT Association, USA. She also enjoys working with children in Symbiosis embracing different therapy models while viewing the challenges faced by the children through the developmental framework.
Shalini is the mother of two children and understands the importance of considering the needs and wants of all members of the family when establishing therapy goals. She spends her spare time with her children and husband, reading, traveling, and cooking different recipes from around the world.
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. He currently is the Director of Clinical Operations and oversees the clinical departments of all the clinics. He has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Sumanta started his professional career as an Occupational Therapist in 1997 after his graduation in Bachelor of Occupational Therapy followed by Post Graduation in Developmental Rehabilitation as well as Health Management.
Sumanta is certified in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) as well as Sensory Integration (SI). He furthered his education by completing his Masters in Education (M.Ed.) – Special Education in 2017 and his BACB coursework from Florida Institute of Technology.
Sumanta is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Sumanta facilitates the growth of the behavior program and supervises Behavior Consultants with the creation and implementation of sound behavioral intervention plans for the children attending Symbiosis Clinics. Some of the team-based intervention which he incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), and SCERTS – a treatment program for children with Autism.
Sumanta had previously worked extensively with children with special needs in school systems, private clinics, and home-based interventions in various countries including India and Singapore. He was actively involved in setting up two pediatric departments in Singapore and was the chairperson of the Pediatric Special Interest Group (SIG) under the umbrella of the Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists for two years.
Sumanta has made numerous presentations at international conferences and is well experienced in conducting workshops for parents, teachers as well as other health care professionals. He was the first recipient of the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Mentorship Scholarship which provides premier treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents, and adults with SPD in Denver, Colorado.
Sumanta is a father of two boys. While understanding the developmental needs of the children, he makes sure that children who receive services through Symbiosis see it as a place they can have fun at and enjoy coming to.
Sumanta spends his spare time pursuing various leisure activities with his family including playing badminton, swimming, hiking and camping.
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai is currently the Assistant Director(Operations) for Symbiosis Clinics. She is also a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia and her Master of Education degree from Western University. She has worked in the field for 15 years, providing community, school, and clinic-based interventions. Mai is passionate about delivering services through a multidisciplinary approach, with a primary focus on early intervention and social skills development. Mai has worked with diverse children and youth and their families in a variety of settings, including pediatric, schools, and childcare/daycare centers. She provides assessment, parenting support, and consultation for children and young adults experiencing developmental, learning, emotional, and behavior problems.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, snowboarding, and camping.
Elizabeth Hudson
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Elizabeth Hudson
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Liz is originally from the U.S. and started working in the field in 2005 right after graduating college from the University of Rochester. She began her career at The New England Center for Children (NECC), a school and research center for children with autism, just outside of Boston, and worked there for 14 years where she quickly grew to love the field of Behavior Analysis. During her time at NECC, Liz completed her MS in ABA from Northeastern University in 2012. She became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2013 and worked in various departments within the organization both in Boston and internationally in the Middle East. She has worked with a variety of students ranging from preschool age and younger in the Day Services Program to teenagers in the Residential and Staff-Intensive programs. Most recently, she worked at a school located in Abu Dhabi as the Assistant Program Director of the Secondary Department. Liz moved to Canada in August 2019 with her family and 4 children. She joined the Symbiosis Team in January 2021 overseeing the supervision of the Behavior department in the West. She is very passionate about supervision and bringing up new candidates that are seeking the BCBA credential. Her research interests include; assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior using Performance-Based Assessments and Skill-Based Treatments (developed by Dr. Greg Hanley), treatment of sleep issues, functional communication training, and Stimulus Equivalence. Liz also has experience in feeding/food exposure, video modeling, social skills, and toilet training. She is very passionate about staff and parent training and feels that this is a crucial part of the delivery of quality services to the clients and families.
Rui Heng
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Rui Heng
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Rui is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She has completed her Master of Education from George Mason University, Virginia (USA). She is currently the Clinic Lead for the Behavior Consultants working at Symbiosis Clinics and Supervisor for the BCBA candidates. She is very experienced in providing Behavior Consultation, developing quality Behavior Plan of Intervention, and conducting family and staff trainings apart from providing direct consultation to families.
Rui has experience working in children’s homes, schools, clinics, and communities and helping them reach their potential and supporting their families. Her mission is to provide high quality evidence-based Behavior Analysis services as well as provide resources to the families who are raising children with special needs.
Rui is excited to develop clinical and family programs in the clinic and hopes that they will make a positive impact in the lives of the children and families she serves in the community.
Maryanne Thiga
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Maryanne Thiga
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Maryanne Thiga( also known as Mariana) is a dedicated and experienced Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a commitment to enhance the lives of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She has worked with people of all ages, from toddlers to adults, to address social, communication, adaptive, cognitive, and behavioral deficits. She understands that each person with ASD is special in their own way. Her aim is not to make them different, or “normal” but to work with them to address their struggles, allowing them to fully participate in day-to-day life.
Besides her BCBA certification, Maryanne also has a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, which helps her better understand and support her clients. As an author, she share her insights and strategies to empower others in the field and advocate for people with ASD and their families. She is also a mom to two daughters, one of whom has ASD. This personal experience drives her commitment to advocacy. She enjoy spending quality time with her loved ones, indulging in her love for writing, exploring spiritual and educational content, and finding solace in the simplicity of cleaning and organizing.
Kristy Musumeche
Clinical Lead; Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Kristy Musumeche
Clinical Lead; Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Kristy is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst(BCBA) and has experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities. She completed her Master of Exceptional Student Education with Applied Behaviour Analysis,University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL after graduating with Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.
Kristy is dedicated to providing Behavior Consultancy to the families with the best support. She enjoys supporting clients to develop independence in their personal care and communication skills but is also passionate about the development of social skills. She has experience in implementing Behavior Plan of Intervention (BPI) and working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Kristy collaborates and communicate with client’s families to make positive impacts on their client’s behaviour and treatment needs by chairing team meetings, training/educating family members, working collaboratively with community professionals, identifying and developing necessary supports for the child and providing Positive Behavior strategies to address maladaptive behaviors.
Ruijie (Rosie) Jiang
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Ruijie (Rosie) Jiang
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Ruijie (Rosie) is currently enrolled in Master of Arts – MA, Behavior Analysis Practice from the Florida Institute of Technology and which will complete in 2022. She also had her Bachelor of Arts – BA, Psychology from Simon Fraser University and Post-baccalaureate Certificate, Applied Behavior Analysis from the Capilano University.Ruijie (Rosie) shows her passion while working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder and other challenges. She is well versed using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and plans and implements each child’s clinical treatment programming and behavior strategies by providing 1:1 direct intervention and therapy services.Ruijie (Rosie) also provide Autism related training and ABA education and to the primary caregivers and family members and produces required administrative and clinical paperwork with accuracy and timeliness of the execution of the Behavior Plans of Intervention made by her. She demonstrates her ability to foster engagement with children and their families and exhibit strong interpersonal skills and dedication to contributing to a supportive team environment.
Michelle Wong
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Michelle Wong
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Michelle is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She has completed her Master of Professional Education (Applied Behavior Analysis)from the University of Western Ontario. She also has a Diploma of Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis from the Douglas College. Michelle is well versed in designing Individualized Behavior plans based on individual client’s objectives. She efficiently monitors the implementation of plan, while providing feedback and training as necessary to Behaviour Interventionists and Registered Behaviour Technicians. She is a great team player and communicates with all the team members consisting of all the Occupational Therapist and Speech Therapist in her team, and all other team members regarding all developments, problems or concerns as needed.
She also conducts and develop training workshops for families, Registered Behaviour Technicians as well as other Autism Service providers.
Rosie White
Behavior Consultant
Rosie White
Behavior Consultant
Rosie is currently enrolled at Arizona State University completing her Master’s in Special Education with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelors of Arts degree from SFU with a Major in Psychology and Minor in Counseling and Human Development. Rosie has been working for Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy for 3 years. She is currently working as a Behavior Consultant under the supervision of Liz Hudson.
In the past, Rosie has volunteered in local elementary schools as a teacher assistant to support children on developmental skills and reflect on personal thoughts and emotions. In addition, she worked with North Burnaby Neighborhood House to support individuals within the Food Bank program through the Safe Space Communication program. Rosie also has completed her 40-hours RBT training course and her first-aid training.
Treesa Bose
Behavior Consultant
Treesa Bose
Behavior Consultant
Treesa holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from India.She has finished my BCaBA and Qasp-s coursework from Florida Institute of Technology. She is very experienced working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental delays, emotional and mental health challenges, Learning disabilities and other chilhood disabilities. She have acquired necessary skills such as reviewing behavioral interventions and managing treatment plans, along with documenting client progress, maintaining communication with clients and their families. Furthermore, Treesa has a background of success working with diverse client populations and connecting them with community resources. Her work includes conducting Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), skills assessment (VB-Map, ABELLS, AFLS, ESDM), creating and implementing Individualized education plan (IEP) etc. In addition, She also provides training for parents while providing them with evidence-based behavior strategies and techniques.
Yuyan Zhao
Behavior Consultant
Yuyan Zhao
Behavior Consultant
Yuyan Zhao is an accomplished professional in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and special education. Graduating with a degree in Psychology from Simon Fraser University in 2019, she furthered her education by obtaining a Master’s degree in Special Education with a specialization in ABA from Arizona State University.
Yuyan has been actively engaged in the Behavior Analytical field while working with children ranging from 3 to 18 years old. Her diverse experience includes providing support in clinic as well as home-based settings, as well as in elementary and high schools within the Surrey School District.Yuyan oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Behavior Analytic programs, ensuring that they meet the developmental needs of children in her role as a Behavior Consultant at Symbiosis.
Anwesha Roy
Behavior Consultant
Anwesha Roy
Behavior Consultant
Anwesha graduated with a degree in Psychology in 2015 and furthered her education by obtaining a Master’s degree in Master’s in Social Work (Medical and Psychiatric
Social Work)
She is currently persuing her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis
from Florida Institute of Technology.
Anwesha has been actively engaged in the Behavior Analytical field while working with children ranging from 3 to 18 years old. Her diverse experience includes providing support, planning, implementation, and evaluation of Behavior Analytic programs, ensuring that they meet the developmental needs of children in her role as a Behavior Consultant at Symbiosis.
Swapnali Apte
Behavior Consultant
Swapnali Apte
Behavior Consultant
Swapnali is currently working as a Behavior Consultant at Symbiosis. She had completed her Masters in Clinical Psychology from India. She also completed Level 3 of Dance Movement Therapy certified by The International Dance Council, Paris. She also published a research about how movement can positively affect the self esteem, anxiety and social skills in children with special needs.
Swapnali has previous experience of working as a Pychologist and a School counsellor for 9 years dealing with a varied age group of Pre School to Grade 12 in India. She is always ready to learn new things may it be from children, peers or superiors. She believes that play and movement can be the best way to introduce and implement interventions with children.
Manpreet Kaur
Behavior Consultant
Manpreet Kaur
Behavior Consultant
Manpreet completed her Ph.D. (Education) in 2021 after completing her Masters in Economics and Education in India.
Manpreet began working as a Behavior Interventionist after migrating to Canada and supporting the children. Currently, she assists families and children at our Delta Clinic as a Behavior Consultant. She is fluent in both English but can provide support to parents upon request in other South-Asian languages (Hindi and Punjabi).
Dorothy Macsabejon
Behavior Consultant
Dorothy Macsabejon
Behavior Consultant
Anjali currently persuing her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis – University of North Texas and working as a Behavior Consultant at Symbiosis-Abbotsford.
Anjali began working as a Behavior Interventionist in 2020 while completing her Bachelor’s of Child and Youth Care from the University of Fraser Valley, supporting the children. Currently, she assists families and children at our Abbotsford Clinic. She is fluent in both English but can provide support to parents upon request in other South-Asian languages (Hindi and Punjabi).
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. He currently is the Director of Clinical Operations and oversees the clinical departments of all the clinics. He has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Sumanta started his professional career as an Occupational Therapist in 1997 after his graduation in Bachelor of Occupational Therapy followed by Post Graduation in Developmental Rehabilitation as well as Health Management.
Sumanta is certified in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) as well as Sensory Integration (SI). He furthered his education by completing his Masters in Education (M.Ed.) – Special Education in 2017 and his BACB coursework from Florida Institute of Technology.
Sumanta is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Sumanta facilitates the growth of the behavior program and supervises Behavior Consultants with the creation and implementation of sound behavioral intervention plans for the children attending Symbiosis Clinics. Some of the team-based intervention which he incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), and SCERTS – a treatment program for children with Autism.
Sumanta had previously worked extensively with children with special needs in school systems, private clinics, and home-based interventions in various countries including India and Singapore. He was actively involved in setting up two pediatric departments in Singapore and was the chairperson of the Pediatric Special Interest Group (SIG) under the umbrella of the Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists for two years.
Sumanta has made numerous presentations at international conferences and is well experienced in conducting workshops for parents, teachers as well as other health care professionals. He was the first recipient of the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Mentorship Scholarship which provides premier treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents, and adults with SPD in Denver, Colorado.
Sumanta is a father of two boys. While understanding the developmental needs of the children, he makes sure that children who receive services through Symbiosis see it as a place they can have fun at and enjoy coming to.
Sumanta spends his spare time pursuing various leisure activities with his family including playing badminton, swimming, hiking and camping.
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She currently oversees the clinical and administrative departments of Symbiosis. Shalini has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Shalini completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy specializing in Pediatric Neurology in 2000. She also has her Masters degree in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from The Pennsylvania State University. Shalini is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Shalini has extensive clinical experience with assessment and program development that is designed to treat challenging behaviors, build communication, and functional life skills. Some of the team-based intervention which she incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), SCERTS, DIR®/Floor time model, etc.
Shalini has trained & supervised several teams of therapists, parents, and other professionals on evidence-based behavioral strategies to improve the quality of life for the children. She also assists with the development and implementation of evidence-based treatment approaches, in addition to providing clinical guidance and mentorship to the Behavioral Intervention team.
Shalini is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) from the University of Southern California and in Neuro-Developmental Therapy (NDT) from NDT Association, USA.
She also enjoys working with children in Symbiosis embracing different therapy models while viewing the challenges faced by the children through the developmental framework.
Shalini is the mother of two children and understands the importance of considering the needs and wants of all members of the family when establishing therapy goals.
She spends her spare time with her children and husband, reading, traveling, and cooking different recipes from around the world.
Kristine Balisacan
Assistant Director (Clinical) and OT Clinical Lead
Kristine Balisacan
Assistant Director (Clinical) and OT Clinical Lead
Kristine is the Assistant Director of Clinical Services and Occupational Therapy Clinical Lead for Symbiosis Clinics. She has a decade-plus of enriched experience working with neurodivergent children and other developmental disabilities. Her professional journey has been fueled by profound curiosity and empathy about how children navigate and thrive in their environments.
Her approach revolves around empathy and collaboration, fostering safe spaces where children feel empowered to explore and flourish. She’s a firm believer in the power of play-based therapy, trauma-sensitive practice, and forging strong partnerships with families and other professionals.
She has attended various professional courses (Handwriting Without Tears Pre-K & K-5, Integrated Listening System, Decoding the Autism Brain, Executive Functioning: Tackle Homework and Classwork with these Helpful Strategies! The Zones of Regulation®: A Framework to Foster Self-Regulation and Emotional Control, Facing Your Fears Training, More Than 4 Wheels: Complex seating and mobility assessment and prescription for all ages, Art of Therapy and Connection, Managing the Anxious Symptoms of Children and Adolescents with ASD: Practical Strategies, Becoming a Behavioral Detective, BEST strategies for self-care, productivity and leisure using a strengths-based and neurodiversity-friendly lens, etc.) which provides further depth to her clinical knowledge and experiences that she shares with the families and the multidisciplinary team at Symbiosis.
Beyond her professional life, Kristine cherishes spending time with her family and dogs, nurturing her relationships, and creating lasting memories. She also volunteers at her local church and non-profit organizations, lending a helping hand to those in need and giving back to her community.
Aarti Pereira
Occupational Therapist
Aarti Pereira
Occupational Therapist
Aarti completed her Masters degree in Pediatric Occupational Therapy from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York (USA) after receiving her Bachelors degree in Occupational Therapy from India. She has over 15 years’ experience of working with children with various neurological and mental health conditions in outpatient clinics as well as the school systems both in India and USA. She has also been a faculty member at the University at Buffalo where she taught Occupational Therapy courses to undergraduate students.
Aarti has experience working in early intervention centres, preschools and special education schools, while providing occupational therapy to children with developmental delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and sensory processing difficulties.Aarti has completed courses in DIR Floortime Approach, Family Systems Theory, Brain Gym, and Basic Counselling Skills besides numerous other seminars and workshops related to Occupational Therapy practices with children. She enjoys working with children and their families and has a keen interest in building connections and enhancing relationships between children and their parents.
Kia Goossen
Occupational Therapist
Kia Goossen
Occupational Therapist
Kia completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MScOT) from the University of Manitoba after her Bachelor of Science from Simon Fraser University (SFU). She has experience working in private clinics,school settings as well as non-profit organization that services children with autism and other developmental disorders. She is passionate about supporting the development and well-being of children and utilizes multisensory approaches, self-regulation strategies, scaffolding strategies, and assistive devices to prepare children for success in school and life. Jennifer takes a strength-based and family-centered approach to foster engagement. She uses her energetic personality to foster playful opportunities and play-based learning to motivate children to engage in therapeutic treatment.
Nina Heins
Occupational Therapist
Nina Heins
Occupational Therapist
Nina brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team, having worked in a range of Occupational Therapy settings in both pediatrics and adult population. Prior to joining Symbiosis, she had worked at the Chilliwack School District # 33 as an Occupational Therapist.
Nina is passionate about supporting children of all ages to achieve their Occupational Therapy goals, with a strong focus on evidence-based practice and a goal-based approach. She has experience working with children with different diagnoses like Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down’s Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder, and Sensory Processing Disorder among others.
Noelle Alava
Occupational Therapist
Noelle Alava
Occupational Therapist
Noelle started working at Symbiosis as an Occupational Therapist since 2014is current working as a consulting Occupational Therapist at Symbiosis. .She is also working at the the Centre for Child Development in Surrey.She has extensive experience in clinical fieldwork experience in pediatrics and is familiar with all the challenges, children may face in an array of situations.She have been a practising occupational therapist for more than 14 years and worked within a variety of settings including schools, early intervention centres, and private clinics. Noelle is very passionate about empowering children with skills that are relevant and meaningful to them in their daily lives. I especially enjoy supporting school-aged children who struggle to reach their full potential due to executive function differences.
Danica Brown
Occupational Therapist
Danica Brown
Occupational Therapist
Danica is working as an Occupational Therapist at Symbiosis-Surrey and Abbotsford. She completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Queen’s University. She wants to specialize in pediatric care, focusing on children facing various developmental challenges.
Working closely with children diagnosed with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Learning Disabilities (LD), and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), among others, has been a significant part of her professional journey.
My approach to therapy emphasizes personalized interventions tailored to each child’s unique needs. Utilizing techniques such as sensory integration therapy, cognitive interventions, and adaptive equipment, I aim to empower children to enhance their skills and achieve their developmental goals.
My passion lies in advocating for and supporting children as they navigate their journey towards independence and improved quality of life. Through compassionate care and evidence-based practices, I strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families I serve.
Sarah Joseph
Occupational Therapist
Sarah Joseph
Occupational Therapist
Sarah is currently working as an Occupational Therapist at Symbiosis since 2023. She had completed her Master of Occupational Therapy in Neurosciences in Occupational Therapy in 2011 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in 2008.While working at Symbiosis, Sarah brings her exceptional ability of working with children and engaging them in therapeutic activities. She has experience in conducting various assessment, therapeutic activity planning and implementing a tailored treatment plan for children with sensory, motor, neurological and developmental conditions. Sarah is always very helpful in providing support to the children which improves their functional independence in all performance areas where they face some challenges in their everyday activitites.
Jobitha
Occupational Therapist
Jobitha
Occupational Therapist
Jobitha had completed her graduation as an Occupational Therapy in 2016. She also received a Graduate Certificate in Allied Health Science from
Algoma University, Ontario, Canada in 2020.
While working at Symbiosis, Jobitha brings her exceptional ability of working with children and engaging them in therapeutic activities. She has experience in conducting various assessment, therapeutic activity planning and implementing a tailored treatment plan for children with sensory, motor, neurological and developmental conditions. Sarah is always very helpful in providing support to the children which improves their functional independence in all performance areas where they face some challenges in their everyday activitites.
Jobitha is skilled in conducting assessments,
developing individualized treatment plans, and leading Occupational Therapy Assistants to deliver holistic, evidence-based care. She is well recognized for
strong clinical reasoning, interprofessional collaboration, and
commitment to promoting functional independence and the client
well-being.
Sneha Sanap
Occupational Therapist
Sneha Sanap
Occupational Therapist
Sneha is currently working as an Occupational Therapist at Symbiosis Abbotsford. She had completed her Master of Occupational Therapy from Seth
G.S. Medical College & K.E.M.H. in
2017 after her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy (B.O.Th) from the same college.
While working at Symbiosis, Sneha is well experienced in evaluating, assessing, and pproviding therapy services to pediatric
population with diverse developmental disabilities like autism spectrum disorder,
specific learning disorders, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, sensory processing
dysfunctions, behavioural problems, feeding problems etc.
Sneha adopts a child-centered approach in her work with children and young people. She works collaboratively with their families, schools and other community partners, as required. This is complemented by her ability to establish strong partnerships with the different stakeholders in the community.
Desiree D'Silva
Counsellor
Desiree D'Silva
Counsellor
Desiree D’silva joined Symbiosis team as a Counsellor. She is a EMDR and Play based therapist who works with children, youth and adults. She is deeply committed to providing a safe and non-judgmental space where her clients can explore their emotions, gain insight into their experiences, and develop effective coping strategies.
Desiree’s therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, respect, and collaboration, as she believes that the therapeutic relationship is a crucial aspect of any healing process.
Komal C. Dhokiya
Clinial Lead, Speech Language Pathologist
Komal C. Dhokiya
Clinial Lead, Speech Language Pathologist
Komal completed her degree in Speech -Language Pathology from the School of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Pune, India. She has vast experience working with children of all ages including preschoolers and school aged children. Her strong belief in evidence-based practice has guided her therapy intervention to the children and their families and believes in client-centered care.Prior to moving to Canada Komal had worked in settings providing treatment of children with a variety of diagnosis including, but not limited to, Dysphagia, Speech, Language, and communication including AAC.
Pooja Parmar
Speech and Language Pathologist
Pooja Parmar
Speech and Language Pathologist
Pooja Parmar is a registered SLP with the CSHBC. She completed her Master of Speech Pathology from Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for
the Hearing Handicapped, Mumbai,
India after her
Bachelor Degree in Speech and Audiology from Audiology and Speech Therapy
School, T.N. Medical College and
B.Y. L. Nair Charitable Hospital, India.
Pooja is an accomplished Speech Language Pathologist with extensive
education and 7+ years of experience in Evaluating and Treating
Language, Communication and Swallowing disorders. She believes in early intervention, holistic therapy approach, advocates neurodiversity affirming therapy, and she prioritizes patient-centered care. She brings dedication and creativity to her work, making therapy sessions enjoyable and effective. With excellent communication skills. Pooja collaborates effectively with all members of multidisciplinary teams, as well as with children and their families.
Pooja provides intervention in both individual and group settings, focusing on enhancing social-pragmatic skills. She also delivers education, and training to families and caregivers, while designing personalized programs to maximize the effectiveness of speech therapy.
While continuously updating her knowledge base, Pooja remains committed to supporting children and their families in improving their quality of life.
Fasina Suneer
Speech and Language Pathologist
Fasina Suneer
Speech and Language Pathologist
Fasina completed her graduation in Audiology And Speech Language and her Master’s In healthcare leadership from the Trinity Western University. She has 8 years of experience in hospital and special school settings in India as a Speech Language Pathologist.
Fasina is well versed with all the pediatric speech assessments and able to perform evaluations to determine the child’s functional level of their Speech and Language skills. She can develop individual treatment plans of care and provides individual therapy programs for children of all ages presenting with a variety of abilities and needs. She coordinates with other multi-disciplinary team members, both through formal and informal care conferences, to assure sufficient flow of information to support care of the children under her therapy caseload. She demonstrates her ability to foster engagement with children and their families and exhibit strong interpersonal skills and dedication to contributing to a supportive team environment.
Jesjiven Pannu
Speech and Language Pathologist
Jesjiven Pannu
Speech and Language Pathologist
Jesjiven graduated with her Masters in Speech and Language Therapy from the University City of London after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia in 2010.
Prior to moving to Canada, Jesjiven has experience working in various setting in United Kingdom (UK) with children diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Autism Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities (LD) in both 1:1 and group settings. She has experience administering formal (e.g., CELF and RAPT) and informal assessment of language and social skills.
Jesjiven has used many Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to support children’s communication including whiteboards, objects, symbols, and basic Makaton. I created resources using Board maker. She has worked collaboratively with families and other staff to assess children, create goals, and set care plans for the therapy assistants (Tas) and parents to implement, including communication partner training.
She believes in using a holistic approach and working with families as the key to achieving the best outcomes with children. Her goal is to facilitate change whilst maintaining a fun and engaging environment.
Michelle Nightingale
Speech and Language Pathologist
Michelle Nightingale
Speech and Language Pathologist
Michelle completed her Master of Science in Speech from the University of Southwestern Louisiana – Los Angeles, CA in 1996 after completing her Baccalaureate in Speech from the University of North Dakota – Grand Forks, ND in 1994 and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Winnipeg – Winnipeg, MB in 1993.
Michelle has vast experience conducting assessment, diagnosis, treatment and consultative services to preschoolers of varying abilities including Autism Spectrum Disorders. Her treatment focused on improving communication, language and speech skills to maximize the child’s cognitive, social and emotional growth using client-centered goals.
Michelle has completed her training in DIR- Floortime level 101 and 201, which can be implemented with children who need to strengthen their Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities in areas such as in Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has worked closely with the caregivers to ensure follow through and growth in communication skills and as part of multi-disciplinary teams consisting of Case managers, Occupational therapist, Behavior Consultants and Child Development Worker.
Sheba Mathew
Speech and Language Pathologist
Sheba Mathew
Speech and Language Pathologist
Sheeba graduated with Masters in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology from Manipal University, India. Prior to that she completed her Bachelors in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology in 2016.
Sheeba has more than 6 years of experience working as a Speech Language Pathologist in various Pediatric Rehabilitation Centers and volunteering in hospitals and retirement living facilities. She has many International Certifications in Oral Placement Therapy (Level 1 and 2), PROMPT (Level 1 trained) and Hanen: More than Words. She is a highly effective communicator and an efficient time manager with excellent problem solving and organizational skills. She is also an empathetic collaborator who is known for thinking out-of-the-box and taking initiatives.As a highly sensitive individual, Sheeba possess a unique ability to understand the needs of her clients, even when they may struggle to articulate them. She firmly believes in the power of play as a means of learning, particularly for children. Through play, children not only acquire valuable skills but also retain them for a lifetime. In her Speech therapy sessions at Symbiosis,she strives to create an engaging and enjoyable environment while ensuring that therapeutic goals are effectively met. Her approach blends creativity with evidence-based practices to provide holistic support to each child she works in the clinic.
Aimy Eldhose
Speech Language Pathologist
Aimy Eldhose
Speech Language Pathologist
Aimy is current working as a consultant Speech-Language Pathologist at Symbiosisas well as the Surrey School District. She graduated with Master of Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology in 2014 after completing her Bachelor of Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology in 2011. She has experience in providing Speech and language intervention to Preschoolers and school-aged children. She is welll versed in planing, implementing and work collaboratively with a multi-professional team to secure tangible outcomes for the children she works in the clinic.She also work along with the child’s parents/guardians to ensure continuity of skills at home.
Vangmayee Venkatasubban
Speech Language Pathologist
Vangmayee Venkatasubban
Speech Language Pathologist
Candice completed her BSc Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Cape Town prior to graduating with MSc in Speech Language Pathology. She has vast experience working with children of all ages including neonates and school aged children in both the acute hospital setting as well as school environments. Her strong belief in evidence-based practice has guided her therapy intervention to the children and their families and believes in patient-centered care.Prior to moving to Canada from South Africa, Candice has work in both in a clinical and academic setting. She was the Clinical Supervisor and Lecturer at the University of Cape Town where she taught students in the Learners with Special Educational Needs school and clinical setting for the treatment of children with a variety of diagnosis including, but not limited to, Dysphagia, Speech, Language, and communication including AAC. She also had worked in a private practice, part-time, managing adults and children with a variety of disorders ranging from ASD, feeding and swallowing disorders, fluency and voice, and management of many other speech related challenges.
Candice Payne
Speech and Language Pathologist
Candice Payne
Speech and Language Pathologist
Candice completed her BSc Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Cape Town prior to graduating with MSc in Speech Language Pathology. She has vast experience working with children of all ages including neonates and school aged children in both the acute hospital setting as well as school environments. Her strong belief in evidence-based practice has guided her therapy intervention to the children and their families and believes in patient-centered care.Prior to moving to Canada from South Africa, Candice has work in both in a clinical and academic setting. She was the Clinical Supervisor and Lecturer at the University of Cape Town where she taught students in the Learners with Special Educational Needs school and clinical setting for the treatment of children with a variety of diagnosis including, but not limited to, Dysphagia, Speech, Language, and communication including AAC. She also had worked in a private practice, part-time, managing adults and children with a variety of disorders ranging from ASD, feeding and swallowing disorders, fluency and voice, and management of many other speech related challenges.
Celestial
Speech and Language Pathologist
Celestial
Speech and Language Pathologist
Candice completed her BSc Speech-Language Pathology from Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped (AYJNIHH), India, in 2017. She went on to complete her MSc in Speech Language Pathology from All India Institute of Speech and Hearing,India in 2019. She has vast experience working with children of all ages including preschoolers and school aged children in clinical setting as well as school environments. Her strong belief in evidence-based practice has guided her therapy intervention to the children and their families and believes in patient-centered care.
Celestial has expertise in
conducting, designing, and executing suitable Speech and Language assessments and providing treatment strategies for
children of diverse age ranges. She is very skilled in organizing and executing tasks in an
efficient, systematic manner, and always open to constructive feedback and dedicated to continuous
professional development.
Archana Shrinivasachar
Speech and Language Pathologist
Archana Shrinivasachar
Speech and Language Pathologist
Archana completed her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from the Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bangalore University in 2009. Prior to moving to Canada from India, she has work in both in a clinical and academic setting. Her duties involved
conducting assessments and intervention for varied speech-communication disorders
(delayed speech, articulation disorder, stammering, aphasia, autism, voice problem, hearing
problem), also providing family based intervention program.
Chelsea Lim
Behavior Interventionist
Chelsea Lim
Behavior Interventionist
Chelsea is currently working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis clinic. She is enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program at UBC. She has experience working with neurodiverse children in both homel and clinic environments.One of her favourite ways to target therapy goals for children is through play. Whether it’s pretending to cook food or going on a treasure hunt and practicing speech sounds – play is her tool.
Rebekah Greenhalgh
Speech Therapy assistant
Rebekah Greenhalgh
Speech Therapy assistant
Rebekah holds a degree in Applied Linguistics with a minor in French Language and Literature. She is currently working as a Speech-Language pathlogy Assistant(SLP-A) at Symbiosis. She has a passion for language, and loves working with children with various diagnoses like Autism ADHD, learning disabilities etc.She plan to enrol for a Master’s degree to become a Speech-Language Pathologist in the near future.
Bhanupriya Naveenkumar
Therapy Assistant
Bhanupriya Naveenkumar
Therapy Assistant
Bhanupriya graduated with Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from S.R.M. College of Occupational Therapy, India in 2007. She is also a Certified Child Birth Educator by Academy of Certified Birth Educators and Labor Support Professionals, USA.
Bhanupriya is experienced in implementing therapy goals for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays and/or motor delays. She works under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist to the children in our Delta clinic.
Bhanupriya loves to work within an multi-disciplinary team while providing an engaging and positive client experience in a fast paced and frequently changing environment.
Jasmine Heer
Behavior Interventionist
Jasmine Heer
Behavior Interventionist
Jasmine is currently working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She is currently enrolled for her Bachelor’s degree from Simon Fraser University.
Jasmine has gained valuable experience and knowledge while working with children diagnosed with developmental delays, Autism, Learning Disabilities etc under the supervision of Behavior Analysts and other multi-disciplinary team members. She provides one-on-one clinic-based Behavior Intervention sessions targeting play, academics, social skills, communication, self-management, and self-care skills at Symbiosis.
Disha Sanghvi
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Disha Sanghvi
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Disha completed her Masters of
Occupational Therapy (Developmental
Disabilities) Seth G. S. Medical
College & KEMH, Mumbai in 2018. Previously she had completed her Bachelor of
Occupational in 2014.
She is experienced working under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist and and implementing treatment plans, documentation, reporting,
goal setting, and taking case notes.
She is well versed in providing family centered intervention using ethical and best practices. She also has experience in supporting and training family members and caregivers along with the Therapists..
Jessica Sheffield
Therapy assistant
Jessica Sheffield
Therapy assistant
Jessica joined Symbiosis as an Occupational Therapy Assistant after completing her Kinesiology Degree with a minor in Psychology from the University of the Fraser Valley.
Jessica shows a strong devotion while working with children and youth with developmental disabilities and their families. She takes a special interest in creating functional life skills for her clients to use in their natural environment to reach their individual goals. She embraces each child with compassion and understanding to provide fun, successful treatment sessions.
Parveen
Therapy assistant
Parveen
Therapy assistant
Parveen holds a Masters in Physiotherapy degree specializing in musculoskeletal condition. He is currently working as a Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. He is dedicated to providing personalized care to the children with a passion for helping them as he has a wealth of expertise in therapy techniques specifically used for children with Autism and other developmental diagnoses.
Ella Pagara
Occupational Therapy assistant
Ella Pagara
Occupational Therapy assistant
Faith completed her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational therapy in March 2020.
While she is in the process of getting licensed as an Occupational Therapist, she is currently implementing interventions for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays and/or motor delays as an Therapy assistant.
Faits is experienced in executing OT plans developed and supervised by a Registered Occupational Therapist to clients at Symbiosis. She loves working in an multi-disciplinary team while providing an engaging and positive client experience in a fast paced and frequently changing environment.
Virdevinder Deol
Behavior Interventionist
Virdevinder Deol
Behavior Interventionist
Virdevinder Deol is working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis and also as Teacher Assistant with Abbotsford School District She completed her certification course to work as an Education Assistant from Western community college. Previously she completed her Master’s Degree in English (2009-2010) after completing her Bachelors of Education from India. She has many years experience teaching children in the middle school in India.
Mayar Soliman
Behavior Interventionist
Mayar Soliman
Behavior Interventionist
Mayar is a dedicated Behavioral Interventionist working at Symbiosis. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2024. As a Behavioral Interventionist, she is very committed to making a positive impact in the lives of children with diagnoses(Autism and other developmental delays) and their families. She believes in the power of personalized approaches and collaboration to support each child’s unique needs and foster growth and development.Mayar has assisted children during their sessions, following the specific behavior programs designed for them by the Behavior Consultants. Her focus has always been on enhancing their social and developmental skills, integrating new learning concepts, and creating a fun, creative learning environment tailored to each child’s needs.
Erin Cheng
Behavior Interventionist
Erin Cheng
Behavior Interventionist
Erin is current working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis while she is currently enrolled in Bachelor of Arts: Psychology from the University of British Columbia (UBC).She has worked for more than 2 years as BI and she enjoys working with neurodivergent kids. She is dedicated in providing personalized care to the children with a passion for helping them while working along with multi-disciplinary team while providing intervention to children diagnosed with Autism and other developmental diagnoses.
Eryn Ng
Speech Therapy Assistant
Eryn Ng
Speech Therapy Assistant
Eryn is currently working as a Speech Therapy assistant at Symbiosis while currently enrolled at Simon Fraser University (SFU) under the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and graduating
in Linguistics as her major subject.
Eryn had previously worked as a tutor, assistant swimming coach as well as as a behavior interventionist since 2022.
Amandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Amandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Amandeep began her work as a behaviour interventionist at Symbiosis and gained experience working with children diagnosed with ASD and their families in clinical and home-based settings.She is well versed to confidently implement the behavioural support plans developed by a Board Certfied Behavior Analysts or Behaviour Consultants. She has a strong interest in early childhood education and successful inclusion of children with autism in early development programs.
Amol Sekhon
Behavior Interventionist
Amol Sekhon
Behavior Interventionist
Amol began her work as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She has experience working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and implementing Behavior programs and individualized plans aimed to help reduce their behavioral challenges.
Amol had completed her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology as well as Postgraduate diploma in Counselling and Clinical Psychology from India prior to completing her coursework for Registered Behavior Technician(RBT) from the Institute of Behavioral Training from South Carolina.
Amol assists the Behavior Analysts and Behavior Consultants to implement the behavior skill acquisition treatment plans and also supports the children monitor the behavior while implementing the strategies, record and collect data on their progress, and communicate with the families.
Anmol (Molly) Gill
Behavior Interventionist
Anmol (Molly) Gill
Behavior Interventionist
Amol began her work as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She is enrolled in Bachelor of Science in Food Nutrition and Health at University of British Columbia since 2024.
Anmol has experience working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and implementing Behavior programs and individualized plans aimed to help reduce their behavioral challenges.
Amol assists the Behavior Analysts and Behavior Consultants to implement the behavior skill acquisition treatment plans and also supports the children monitor the behavior while implementing the strategies, record and collect data on their progress, and communicate with the families.
Anum Chaudhry
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Anum Chaudhry
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Anum completed her Bachelor’s degree in Criminology & Minor In Counselling Psychology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in 2020. She has experience working as a Behaviour Interventionist since May 2019. She has assisted children during their Intervention sessions following the specific behavior programs designed for them focusing on social and development skills; integrating new learning concepts; creating a fun, creative learning environment for the child.
Anupreet Parmar
Speech Language Pathology assistant/Behavior Interventionist
Anupreet Parmar
Speech Language Pathology assistant/Behavior Interventionist
Anupreet is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and Behaviour Interventionist at the Surrey, Burnaby, and Delta Clinics. She is completing her Linguistics Degree with a Minor in Learning and Developmental Disabilities from Simon Fraser University. Anupreet has supported children in their sessions by adhering to the particular behaviour plans created for them, prioritizing social and developmental skills, incorporating fresh ideas, and fostering an enjoyable, imaginative learning atmosphere.
Arshnoor Saini
Behavior Interventionist
Arshnoor Saini
Behavior Interventionist
Anupreet is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and Behaviour Interventionist at the Surrey, Burnaby, and Delta Clinics. She is completing her Linguistics Degree with a Minor in Learning and Developmental Disabilities from Simon Fraser University. Anupreet has supported children in their sessions by adhering to the particular behaviour plans created for them, prioritizing social and developmental skills, incorporating fresh ideas, and fostering an enjoyable, imaginative learning atmosphere.
Astik Bhan
Behavior Interventionist
Astik Bhan
Behavior Interventionist
Astik completed his M.A. Clinical Psychology from India and currently persuing M.A. Leadership in Healthcare from Trinity Western University. He is currently working as a behavior Interventionist at our Port Coquitlam location. He is very passionate about play-based learning, relationship building & fully supporting the importance of co-regulation & self-regulation. His primary responsibility is providing intervention for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays and/or motor delays supervised by an Behavior Consultant. He works as part of the multi-disciplinary team while providing an engaging and positive experience to the children.
Chanpreet Khangura
Behavior Interventionist
Chanpreet Khangura
Behavior Interventionist
Chanpreet graduated with a Bachelor of science from UBC(majoring in Biology). She wants to pursue a career in medicine or mental health.She provides support in individual and group sessions under the supervision of Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Consultants at Symbiosis. She also assists in the implementation of recommendations of the Behavior plan of Intervention and carry out sessions based on the specific therapy goals established by the supervising BC.
Georgia Rowland
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Georgia Rowland
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Gorgia’ is currently working as Speech Therapy assistant ay Symbiosis-Surrey. She completed her Bachelor of Arts, Linguistics Major, Business Administration and Psychology Minor from Trinity Western University
in 2023. Her work experience includes working with preschoolers, elementary-school-aged learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder focusing on speech and communication goals, behavioral, and social-emotional learning goals.
Gurpreet Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Gurpreet Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Gurpreet is currently working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis and as a Education assistant in Pacific Academy. Gurpreet consistently demonstrated the ability to collaborate effectively with Symbiosis team members, displaying excellent communication and interpersonal skills. She is always willing to lend a hand and has a positive, supportive attitude towards her peers. Gurpreet actively listens to others’ ideas and is open-minded, encouraging constructive feedback to improve the team’s performance Guurpreet completed her Bachelor of Education, Masters in Music (Instrumental) from India as well as her Education Assistant Diploma from the Western Community College, Surrey.
Gurpreet (Kiran) Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Gurpreet (Kiran) Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
At Symbiosis, Gurpreet provide/assist with Behavior program activities in the areas of self-help, communication, social, cognitive, motor and behavior to provide her services for children with Autism.She fosters learning and skill development through play and engagement with children during her intervention sessions.
Hiba Al Sahi
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Hiba Al Sahi
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Hiba is currently enrolled in Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Fraser Valley Abbotsford( Major in Criminology and Criminal Justice).
Having experience in handling different pediatric cases as a Behavior Interventionist, she is able to support the children and their families to implement strategies to overcome the functional difficulties, while not only help them achieve the goals but also keeping them engaged and having a fun experience.
Kristine Amomonpon
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kristine Amomonpon
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kristine have been working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy and is also a registered Early Childhood Educator in BC for almost 6 years now.She believes that children are full of potentials and with time, she is committed to support the children she works with reach the potential.She has experience in working with children with various diagnoses (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disabilities, ADHD, Global Development Delay etc.).
Mandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Mandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
With a master and doctoral degree in Education, Mandeep have been working with children for the last 10 years. She have enumerable experience related to conducting evidence based research, providing early interventions and counselling for the overall well-being of children. During my doctoral studies at Panjab University, she focused her research on children with aggressive behavior and applied a psychoeducational intervention called Aggression Replacement Training (ART) which equipped her with a deep understanding of the underlying causes of aggression in children and adolescents, as well as effective strategies for intervention and behavior modification. She also taught Guidance and Counselling, Education Psychology, and took some practical sessions of conducting psychology tests and have developed strong teaching skills through various teaching assignments, where she engaged with students from diverse backgrounds and facilitated their learning effectively.
Mandeep also worked as a Counsellor/teacher at a school and institute, while addressing a wide range of challenges, providing support and guidance to students while ensuring their academic success along with their mental well-being. This experience has honed her ability to tailor interventions to diverse individual needs. She love to work with children and bring a positive change in their behaviour through different kinds of research based interventions so that they become self reliant.
Mandeep Toor
Behavior Interventionist
Mandeep Toor
Behavior Interventionist
Mandeep is currenty working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She had completed her Bachelor’s degree of Economics and is a Certified Education Assistant and working as a IESW in Surrey School district. She love working with children and help them to learn and develop new skills. She values working collaboratively with families and other professionals and is very passionate about helping children and their families achieve their goals
Jasmine Heer
Behavior Interventionist
Jasmine Heer
Behavior Interventionist
Jasmine is currently working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She had completed her Bachelor’s degree of Economics and is a Certified Education Assistant and working as a IESW in Surrey School district. She love working with children and help them to learn and develop new skills. She values working collaboratively with families and other professionals and is very passionate about helping children and their families achieve their goals
Kajalpreet Kaur
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kajalpreet Kaur
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kajalpreet Kaur is currently working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis Surrey. She completed her Undergraduate diploma in Health and Fitness Program in Dec 2023
from Seneca Polytechnics, Toronto ON .
Kajalpreet provide Occupational therapy therapeutic interventions and therapy care plans in order to meet client’s level of function as per guidelines established by the supervising Occupational Therapist
Kirpriya Gill
Behavior Interventionist
Kirpriya Gill
Behavior Interventionist
Kirpriya completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the Fraser Valley (Psychology major) in April 2024.
During her work as a Behavior Interventionist, she plays a crucial role in providing support and guidance to children with behavioral challenges. She has experience in implementing the Positive Behavior plans and strategies to promote growth and development of neurodivergent children during her sessions through play.
Mital Patel
Behavior Interventionist
Mital Patel
Behavior Interventionist
Mital is currenty working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy clinic. She has a Post Basic B.SC. Nursing degree. She has experience working as a staff nurse since 1997 and also as a Child care provider for more than 4 years. She is well versed in preparing treatment materials in collaboration with the Behavior Consultant, implementing behavior plan of intervention, monitoring their behavior and keeping detailed logs of observations throughout the day. She like adapting her instruction and play skills based on individual child’s needs while assessing their strengths to develop appropriate strategies for addressing issues.
Nanaki Dhaliwal
Behavior Interventionist
Nanaki Dhaliwal
Behavior Interventionist
Nanaki is currenty working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis.She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Psychology and Linguistics. Her professional interest is focused on child development, language acquisition and behavioral studies. Nanaki has experience working with children with development delays/disorders, and conducting speech related research.
Prabhsimar Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Prabhsimar Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Prabhsimar holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in Counselling. Currently, she is furthering her expertise by pursuing a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. She is a dedicated Behaviour Interventionist with a heart full of passion for working with kids. For over four years, she had the privilege of guiding and supporting the the children and their families through their unique journeys. She finds her inspiration in their curiosity, resilience, and boundless energy which has laid the foundation for her understanding of human behaviour and the importance of mental health.When I’m not working with kids, she is engaged in strumming her guitar. Music, much like her work, is a source of joy and creativity in her life.
Preety Sian
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Preety Sian
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Preety completed my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology minor in Health science at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Since July 2021, she has been working as a therapy Assistant and Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis, where she finds great joy in working with children with diagnosis of Autism and offering her empathetic, kind, passionate and understanding nature to help them thrive.She uses her play skills based on individual child’s needs while assessing their strengths to develop appropriate strategies for addressing issues.
Manya Mutreja
Behavior Interventionist
Manya Mutreja
Behavior Interventionist
Manya is currently working as a Bbehavior Interventionist ay Symbiosis while she is completing her Bachelor’s degree in Health science(Psychology as Major) at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Manya finds great joy in working with children with diagnosis of Autism and offering them an empathetic, kind, passionate support while helping them thrive.She uses her play skills based on individual child’s needs while assessing their strengths to develop appropriate strategies for addressing issues.
Rachana Ravikanti
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Rachana Ravikanti
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Rachana is currently working as a therapy assistant and Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis clinic. She hold a Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy degree from India as well as Diploma in Kinesiology from Langara college. As a healthcare professional in physiotherapy, she specialize in integrating rehabilitation with behavioral health strategies to promote holistic well-being in children. Her approach focuses on individualized care plans that address both physical and psychological needs, helping children with Autisn and other diagnoses achieve their health goals and improve their quality of life.
Rupa Chakraborty
Behavior Interventionist
Rupa Chakraborty
Behavior Interventionist
Rupa has over five years experience working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She graduated with a Master of Science in Anthropology from Visva -Bharati University, India. She also has a Bachelor of Education from University of Calcutta, India as well as a Diploma in Counseling from Oxford Learning College, U.K. Rupa completed her RBT course in 2021.
Rupa is passionate for working with children to implement their personal goals in a playful environment, and help them develop their communication, functional and socio-emotional skills to improve their daily lives.
Safinaz Yekta
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Safinaz Yekta
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Safinaz is currently working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. As a Behaviour Interventionist (BI), her responsibility includes implementing Behaviour plan of interventions for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or other learning and development delays. She is well versed to execute intervention plans developed and supervised by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to children attending therapy services at Symbiosis. She works within an interdisciplinary team to support skill acquisition while providing an engaging and positive experience to the children and families.
Malika Josan
Speech Therapy Assistant
Malika Josan
Speech Therapy Assistant
Malika is currently working as a Speech Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis while she is enrolled at Simon Fraser University to graduate in Bachelor of Linguistics. As a SLP-A, her responsibility includes implementing speech and communication goals for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or other learning and development delays. She is well versed to execute intervention plans developed and supervised by a registered Speech-Language Pathologist for the children attending therapy services at Symbiosis. She works with an multi-disciplinary team to support skill acquisition while providing an engaging and positive experience to the children and families.
Sahithi Naini
Behavior Interventionist
Sahithi Naini
Behavior Interventionist
Sahiti hold a Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy and currently pursuing a Diploma in Kinesiology at Langara college in Vancouver. As a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis,She has experience working one-on-one with the child under the supervision of a Behaviour Analyst. She implements specific programs/goals as outlined in the child’s Behaviour Plan of intervention in a very efficnet manner in a fun and engaging environment. She engages with the child and uses specific teaching strategies to target goals, collect and monitor data for progress review which focuses on speech, communication, social skills, play, and self-help skills.
Sophia Ahmed
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sophia Ahmed
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sophia graduated from Simon Fraser University with her Bachelor’s degree with a major in Psychology. Since May 2022, she has been part of the Symbiosis team, where she has gained valuable experience and knowledge while working with children diagnosed with developmental delays, Autism, Learning Disabilities etc. She has experience working one-on-one clinic-based Behavior Intervention sessions targeting play, academics, social skills, communication, self-management, and self-care skills at Symbiosis.
Nandini Kaushal
Speech Therapy Assistant/Behaviou Interventionist
Nandini Kaushal
Speech Therapy Assistant/Behaviou Interventionist
Nandini is enrolled in Bachelors of Science in Population and Quantitative health sciences at the Simon Fraser University since 2000 in Burnaby, BC. She has been part of the Symbiosis team, where she has gained valuable experience and knowledge while working with children diagnosed with developmental delays, Autism, Learning Disabilities etc. She has experience working one-on-one clinic-based conducting Speech therapy sessions/ Behavior Intervention sessions under guidance of a Registered SLP targeting play, academics, social skills, communication, self-management, and self-care skills.
Suzeth Sanares (Maria)
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Suzeth Sanares (Maria)
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Maria has completed her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Philippines in 2000 and currently working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. With a decade of experience as well as her love & passion working with kids, she have gained a deep understanding on how to support the needs of the children and their families. She is very passionate about play-based learning, relationship building & fully supporting the importance of co-regulation & self-regulation. In addition,Suzeth have also attended various professional courses & workshops (Handwriting Without Tears, Anxiety Management, RBT, Behavior & Self-regulation, etc.). She takes joy in working collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team & displays a friendly & positive attitude working with children at Symbiosis. She takes pride when she looks at the their smiles on the faces of the children as well as their parents knowing that she contributes some part in their journey too.It is her desire to support them at the fullest capabilities so that one day the children can spread their wings & live their fullest potential. Outside Symbiosis, Suzeth finds her inspiration & joy in nature, music and doing Church-related activities.
Swapnali Apte
Behavior Interventionist
Swapnali Apte
Behavior Interventionist
Swapnali is currently working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She had completed her Masters in Clinical Psychology from India. She also completed Level 3 of Dance Movement Therapy certified by The International Dance Council, Paris. She also published a research about how movement can positively affect the self esteem, anxiety and social skills in children with special needs.
Swapnali has previous experience of working as a Pychologist and a School counsellor for 9 years dealing with a varied age group of Pre School to Grade 12 in India. She is always ready to learn new things may it be from children, peers or superiors. She believes that play and movement can be the best way to introduce and implement interventions with children.
Mayar Soliman
Behavior Interventionist
Mayar Soliman
Behavior Interventionist
Mayar is currently working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She is currently enrolled in Bachelor of Science in Biology – University of the Fraser Valley.
Mayar is always ready to learn new things may it be from children, peers or superiors. She believes that play and movement can be the best way to introduce and implement interventions with children.
Zeba Bhagat
Behavior Interventionist
Zeba Bhagat
Behavior Interventionist
My name is Zeba I currently attend the University of British Columbia as a second year student. I am acquiring a degree in psychology with a minor in behavioural neuroscience.
I have grown passionate about working with youth through previous programs I have partaken in, such as The next 100 years program, YMCA, and receiving my babysitting certification through the REACH program which allowed me to work with various youth of different backgrounds in their developmental behaviour.
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She currently oversees the clinical and administrative departments of Symbiosis. Shalini has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Shalini completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy specializing in Pediatric Neurology in 2000. She also has her Masters degree in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from The Pennsylvania State University. Shalini is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Shalini has extensive clinical experience with assessment and program development that is designed to treat challenging behaviors, build communication, and functional life skills. Some of the team-based intervention which she incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), SCERTS, DIR®/Floor time model, etc.
Shalini has trained & supervised several teams of therapists, parents, and other professionals on evidence-based behavioral strategies to improve the quality of life for the children. She also assists with the development and implementation of evidence-based treatment approaches, in addition to providing clinical guidance and mentorship to the Behavioral Intervention team.
Shalini is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) from the University of Southern California and in Neuro-Developmental Therapy (NDT) from NDT Association, USA. She also enjoys working with children in Symbiosis embracing different therapy models while viewing the challenges faced by the children through the developmental framework.
Shalini is the mother of two children and understands the importance of considering the needs and wants of all members of the family when establishing therapy goals. She spends her spare time with her children and husband, reading, traveling, and cooking different recipes from around the world.
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai is currently the Assistant Director(Operations) for Symbiosis Clinics. She is also a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia and her Master of Education degree from Western University. She has worked in the field for 15 years, providing community, school, and clinic-based interventions. Mai is passionate about delivering services through a multidisciplinary approach, with a primary focus on early intervention and social skills development. Mai has worked with diverse children and youth and their families in a variety of settings, including pediatric, schools, and childcare/daycare centers. She provides assessment, parenting support, and consultation for children and young adults experiencing developmental, learning, emotional, and behavior problems.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, snowboarding, and camping.
Nushara Perera
Clinic Coordinator
Nushara Perera
Clinic Coordinator
Nushara is a very motivated person wiith a drive for serving as a dedicated support specialist and energetic team member at Symbiosis.
Nushara completed her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Canada West, Vancouver. She also received a Chartered Qualification in Human Resources Management (CQHRM) at the
Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, SL, the Qualification accredited by CIPD UK.
Chris Leong
Clinic Manager
Chris Leong
Clinic Manager
Chris joined Symbiosis to provide her support and ensure that our families and customers receive an excellent service experience while receiving the services in our Surrey clinic.
Chris is very enthusiastic, quick learner, eager to understand new concepts and overcome challenges in her work as Clinic Coordinator at the clinic. She is cheerful, empathetic and polite when interacting with children and their families, her team members and managers.
Chris ensures a consistent high level of service and clinical standards are maintained in the clinic. She supports in scheduling appointments and general administrative duties in the clinic assigned by the clinic supervisor/manager.
Gabriella Giacomini
Clinic Manager
Gabriella Giacomini
Clinic Manager
Gabriella (Gabi)is working at Symbiosis as a Clinic Manager at our Abbotsford clinic. She demonstrates immense capability to handle a wide range of administrative tasks while ensuring the smooth operation of daily activities at the clinic.
Gabi brings her previous work experience which helps her to enhance the processes and sometimes drive the necessary changes, all in service of improving both employee and family experiences while visiting the clinic.
Gurpreet (Preeti)
Clinic Manager
Gurpreet (Preeti)
Clinic Manager
Preeti is currently working as the clinic Manager at our Symbiosis Abbotsford clinic. She ensures that both families and therapists have what they need each day. She implements workflows and procedures to ensure that everything runs smoothly in the very busy clinical environment.
Ericka Rancourt
Funding Manager
Ericka Rancourt
Funding Manager
Meet Ericka, Funding Manager extraordinaire at Symbiosis Surrey. Starting as a Clinic Coordinator back in 2019, she took the responsibility of streamlining operations and keeping everything on track for efficient working across different department and professionals in the clinic.
While juggling the duties at the Clinic, she is also diving into the world of bookkeeping. Erika is always eager to learn while balancing her work and studies with finesse.With her finger on the pulse of the clinic, Ericka ensures top-notch patient care and maintains a tight ship behind the scenes. From coordinating schedules to diving into finances, she does it all with a smile.
Ravneet Kaur
Clinic Coordinator
Ravneet Kaur
Clinic Coordinator
Ravneet ensures that the day-to-day operations at our Surrey Clinic are carried out smoothly, including providing high level of customer including greeting and welcoming the children and families, assisting with any inquiries.
Ravneet manages the therapy appointments, maintaining a clean working area, process payments, coordinating with professionals, and assisting with administrative tasks
Jatinder Kaur
Clinic Manager
Jatinder Kaur
Clinic Manager
Jatinder is working at Symbiosis-Surrey as a clinic manager at our Surrey clinic. She is highly efficient in handling a wide range of administrative tasks while ensuring the smooth operation of daily activities at the clinic.
Jatinder brings her previous work experience as an senior executive which helps her to enhance the processes and sometimes drive the necessary changes, all in service of improving both employee and family experiences while visiting the clinic.
Sonal Sakhuja
Clinic Coordinator
Sonal Sakhuja
Clinic Coordinator
Sonal is currently workin as the Clinic Coordinator, primarily working out of the Delta location focusing on all the clinic and administrative needs for the Delta, Burnaby & Port Coquitlam locations.
Sonal coordinates the operational planning and implementation of the clinic procedures in conjunction with the practice leaders across various Symbiosis clinics.She leads the clinic in delivering outstanding client experience, executing effective and efficient clinical programs, and ensuring successful attainment of clinical excellence.
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. He has dual qualification as a Board Certified Behavior Consultant as well as an Occupational Therapist and a RASP Category A service provider.
He currently is the Director of Clinical Operations and oversees the clinical departments of all the clinics. He has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Sumanta started his professional career as an Occupational Therapist in 1997 after his graduation in Bachelor of Occupational Therapy followed by Post Graduation in Developmental Rehabilitation as well as Health Management.
Sumanta is certified in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) as well as Sensory Integration (SI). He furthered his education by completing his Masters in Education (M.Ed.) – Special Education in 2017 and his BACB coursework from Florida Institute of Technology.
Sumanta is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Sumanta facilitates the growth of the behavior program and supervises Behavior Consultants with the creation and implementation of sound behavioral intervention plans for the children attending Symbiosis Clinics. Some of the team-based intervention which he incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), and SCERTS – a treatment program for children with Autism.
Sumanta had previously worked extensively with children with special needs in school systems, private clinics, and home-based interventions in various countries including India and Singapore. He was actively involved in setting up two pediatric departments in Singapore and was the chairperson of the Pediatric Special Interest Group (SIG) under the umbrella of the Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists for two years.
Sumanta has made numerous presentations at international conferences and is well experienced in conducting workshops for parents, teachers as well as other health care professionals. He was the first recipient of the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Mentorship Scholarship which provides premier treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents, and adults with SPD in Denver, Colorado.
Sumanta is a father of two boys. While understanding the developmental needs of the children, he makes sure that children who receive services through Symbiosis see it as a place they can have fun at and enjoy coming to.
Sumanta spends his spare time pursuing various leisure activities with his family including playing badminton, swimming, hiking and camping.
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini is one of the Co-founders and Director/s of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She has dual qualification as a Board Certified Behavior Consultant as well as an Occupational Therapist and a RASP Category A service provider.
Shalini currently oversees the clinical and administrative departments of Symbiosis.
Shalini has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Shalini completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy specializing in Pediatric Neurology in 2000. She also has her Masters degree in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from The Pennsylvania State University.
Shalini has extensive clinical experience with assessment and program development that is designed to treat challenging behaviors, build communication, and functional life skills. Some of the team-based intervention which she incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), SCERTS, DIR®/Floor time model, etc.
Shalini has trained & supervised several teams of therapists, parents, and other professionals on evidence-based behavioral strategies to improve the quality of life for the children. She also assists with the development and implementation of evidence-based treatment approaches, in addition to providing clinical guidance and mentorship to the Behavioral Intervention team.
Shalini is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) from the University of Southern California and in Neuro-Developmental Therapy (NDT) from NDT Association, USA. She also enjoys working with children in Symbiosis embracing different therapy models while viewing the challenges faced by the children through the developmental framework.
Shalini is the mother of two children and understands the importance of considering the needs and wants of all members of the family when establishing therapy goals. She spends her spare time with her children and husband, reading, traveling, and cooking different recipes from around the world.
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai is currently the Assistant Director(Operations) for Symbiosis Clinics. She is also a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia and her Master of Education degree from Western University. She has worked in the field for 15 years, providing community, school, and clinic-based interventions. Mai is passionate about delivering services through a multidisciplinary approach, with a primary focus on early intervention and social skills development. Mai has worked with diverse children and youth and their families in a variety of settings, including pediatric, schools, and childcare/daycare centers. She provides assessment, parenting support, and consultation for children and young adults experiencing developmental, learning, emotional, and behavior problems.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, snowboarding, and camping.
Kristine Balisacan
Assistant Director (Clinical) and OT Clinical Lead
Kristine Balisacan
Assistant Director (Clinical) and OT Clinical Lead
Kristine is the Assistant Director of Clinical Services and Occupational Therapy Clinical Lead for Symbiosis Clinics. She has a decade-plus of enriched experience working with neurodivergent children and other developmental disabilities. Her professional journey has been fueled by profound curiosity and empathy about how children navigate and thrive in their environments.
Her approach revolves around empathy and collaboration, fostering safe spaces where children feel empowered to explore and flourish. She’s a firm believer in the power of play-based therapy, trauma-sensitive practice, and forging strong partnerships with families and other professionals.
She has attended various professional courses (Handwriting Without Tears Pre-K & K-5, Integrated Listening System, Decoding the Autism Brain, Executive Functioning: Tackle Homework and Classwork with these Helpful Strategies! The Zones of Regulation®: A Framework to Foster Self-Regulation and Emotional Control, Facing Your Fears Training, More Than 4 Wheels: Complex seating and mobility assessment and prescription for all ages, Art of Therapy and Connection, Managing the Anxious Symptoms of Children and Adolescents with ASD: Practical Strategies, Becoming a Behavioral Detective, BEST strategies for self-care, productivity and leisure using a strengths-based and neurodiversity-friendly lens, etc.) which provides further depth to her clinical knowledge and experiences that she shares with the families and the multidisciplinary team at Symbiosis.
Beyond her professional life, Kristine cherishes spending time with her family and dogs, nurturing her relationships, and creating lasting memories. She also volunteers at her local church and non-profit organizations, lending a helping hand to those in need and giving back to her community.
Rahilla Waheed
Occupational Therapist
Rahilla Waheed
Occupational Therapist
Rahilla is working as an Occupational Therapist at Symbiosis-Surrey and Burnaby hold both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy.Throughout my career, I’ve specialized in pediatric care, focusing on children facing various developmental challenges.
Working closely with children diagnosed with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Learning Disabilities (LD), and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), among others, has been a significant part of my professional journey.
My approach to therapy emphasizes personalized interventions tailored to each child’s unique needs. Utilizing techniques such as sensory integration therapy, cognitive interventions, and adaptive equipment, I aim to empower children to enhance their skills and achieve their developmental goals.
My passion lies in advocating for and supporting children as they navigate their journey towards independence and improved quality of life. Through compassionate care and evidence-based practices, I strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families I serve.
Sarah George
Occupational Therapist
Sarah George
Occupational Therapist
Sarah is currently working as an Occupational Therapist at Symbiosis since 2023. She had completed her Master of Occupational Therapy in Neurosciences in Occupational Therapy in 2011 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in 2008.While working at Symbiosis, Sarah brings her exceptional ability of working with children and engaging them in therapeutic activities. She has experience in conducting various assessment, therapeutic activity planning and implementing a tailored treatment plan for children with sensory, motor, neurological and developmental conditions. Sarah is always very helpful in providing support to the children which improves their functional independence in all performance areas where they face some challenges in their everyday activitites.
Elizabeth Hudson
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Elizabeth Hudson
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Liz is originally from the U.S. and started working in the field in 2005 right after graduating college from the University of Rochester. She began her career at The New England Center for Children (NECC), a school and research center for children with autism, just outside of Boston, and worked there for 14 years where she quickly grew to love the field of Behavior Analysis. During her time at NECC, Liz completed her MS in ABA from Northeastern University in 2012. She became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2013 and worked in various departments within the organization both in Boston and internationally in the Middle East. She has worked with a variety of students ranging from preschool age and younger in the Day Services Program to teenagers in the Residential and Staff-Intensive programs. Most recently, she worked at a school located in Abu Dhabi as the Assistant Program Director of the Secondary Department. Liz moved to Canada in August 2019 with her family and 4 children. She joined the Symbiosis Team in January 2021 overseeing the supervision of the Behavior department in the West. She is very passionate about supervision and bringing up new candidates that are seeking the BCBA credential. Her research interests include; assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior using Performance-Based Assessments and Skill-Based Treatments (developed by Dr. Greg Hanley), treatment of sleep issues, functional communication training, and Stimulus Equivalence. Liz also has experience in feeding/food exposure, video modeling, social skills, and toilet training. She is very passionate about staff and parent training and feels that this is a crucial part of the delivery of quality services to the clients and families.
Rui Heng
Clinical Lead; Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Rui Heng
Clinical Lead; Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Rui is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She has completed her Master of Education from George Mason University, Virginia (USA). She is currently the Clinic Lead for the Behavior Consultants working at Symbiosis Clinics and Supervisor for the BCBA candidates. She is very experienced in providing Behavior Consultation, developing quality Behavior Plan of Intervention, and conducting family and staff trainings apart from providing direct consultation to families.
Rui has experience working in children’s homes, schools, clinics, and communities and helping them reach their potential and supporting their families. Her mission is to provide high quality evidence-based Behavior Analysis services as well as provide resources to the families who are raising children with special needs.
Rui is excited to develop clinical and family programs in the clinic and hopes that they will make a positive impact in the lives of the children and families she serves in the community.
Rui is currently on her Maternity leave.
Aarti Pereira
Occupational Therapist
Aarti Pereira
Occupational Therapist
Aarti completed her Masters degree in Pediatric Occupational Therapy from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York (USA) after receiving her Bachelors degree in Occupational Therapy from India. She has over 15 years’ experience of working with children with various neurological and mental health conditions in outpatient clinics as well as the school systems both in India and USA. She has also been a faculty member at the University at Buffalo where she taught Occupational Therapy courses to undergraduate students.
Aarti has experience working in early intervention centres, preschools and special education schools, while providing occupational therapy to children with developmental delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and sensory processing difficulties.Aarti has completed courses in DIR Floortime Approach, Family Systems Theory, Brain Gym, and Basic Counselling Skills besides numerous other seminars and workshops related to Occupational Therapy practices with children. She enjoys working with children and their families and has a keen interest in building connections and enhancing relationships between children and their parents.
Jennifer Chen
Occupational Therapist
Jennifer Chen
Occupational Therapist
Jennifer completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MScOT) from the University of Alberta. She has experience working in school settings as well as non-profit organization that services children with autism and other developmental disorders. She is passionate about supporting the development and well-being of children and utilizes multisensory approaches, self-regulation strategies, scaffolding strategies, and assistive devices to prepare children for success in school and life. Jennifer takes a strength-based and family-centered approach to foster engagement. She uses her energetic personality to foster playful opportunities and play-based learning to motivate children to engage in therapeutic treatment.
Noelle Alava
Occupational Therapist
Noelle Alava
Occupational Therapist
Noelle started working at Symbiosis as an Occupational Therapist since 2014is current working as a consulting Occupational Therapist at Symbiosis. .She is also working at the the Centre for Child Development in Surrey.She has extensive experience in clinical fieldwork experience in pediatrics and is familiar with all the challenges, children may face in an array of situations.She have been a practising occupational therapist for more than 14 years and worked within a variety of settings including schools, early intervention centres, and private clinics. Noelle is very passionate about empowering children with skills that are relevant and meaningful to them in their daily lives. I especially enjoy supporting school-aged children who struggle to reach their full potential due to executive function differences.
Nina Heins
Occupational Therapist
Nina Heins
Occupational Therapist
Nina brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team, having worked in a range of Occupational Therapy settings in both pediatrics and adult population. Prior to joining Symbiosis, she had worked at the Chilliwack School District # 33 as an Occupational Therapist.
Nina is passionate about supporting children of all ages to achieve their Occupational Therapy goals, with a strong focus on evidence-based practice and a goal-based approach. She has experience working with children with different diagnoses like Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down’s Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder, and Sensory Processing Disorder among others.
Gabriella Giacomini
Clinic Manager
Gabriella Giacomini
Clinic Manager
Gabriella joined Symbiosis Abbotsford clinic as a Clinic Manager to ensure the quality in the delivery of client care, effective and efficient implementation and development of clinic and corporate standard operating procedures.
Gabriella brings with her 14+ years of versatile expertise in the luxury service industry while in the leadership, and administrative support roles. She has a proven track record of seamlessly aiding senior management in streamlining operations and fostering outstanding guest service. She is proficient in team leadership, operational management, and optimizing efficiency and brings her strategic insights and strong organizational skills to Symbiosis.
Gabriella acts as a liason between our clinic coordinators and our skilled practitioners for each discipline/therapy so that they can work together to provide a seamless and supportive experience for our families.
Tarak Makadia
Clinic Coordinator
Tarak Makadia
Clinic Coordinator
Tarak has completed his Bachelors in Dentistry in 2020 from India. Post his graduation, he started working in an Oncology research firm as a Clinical Data Analyst. He completed his Masters in Healthcare Leadership with an aim to provide operational support to healthcare organization. He aspires to efficiently streamline and automate the administrative workflow.
Chris Leong
Clinic Coordinator
Chris Leong
Clinic Coordinator
Chris joined Symbiosis to provide her support and ensure that our families and customers receive an excellent service experience while receiving the services in our Surrey clinic.She is very enthusiastic, quick learner, eager to understand new concepts and overcome challenges in her work as Clinic Coordinator at the clinic. She is cheerful, empathetic and polite when interacting with children and their families, her team members and managers.Chris ensures a consistent high level of service and clinical standards are maintained in the clinic. She supports in scheduling appointments and general administrative duties in the clinic assigned by the clinic supervisor/manager.
Ericka Rancourt
Clinic Manager
Ericka Rancourt
Clinic Manager
Meet Ericka, Clinic Manager extraordinaire at Symbiosis Surrey. Starting as a Clinic Coordinator back in 2019, she took the responsibility of streamlining operations and keeping everything on track for efficient working across different department and professionals in the clinic.
While juggling the duties at the Clinic, she is also diving into the world of bookkeeping. Erika is always eager to learn while balancing her work and studies with finesse.With her finger on the pulse of the clinic, Ericka ensures top-notch patient care and maintains a tight ship behind the scenes. From coordinating schedules to diving into finances, she does it all with a smile.
Gick Batth
Clinic Coordinator
Gick Batth
Clinic Coordinator
Gik ensures that the day-to-day operations at our Surrey Clinic are carried out smoothly, including providing high level of customer including greeting and welcoming the children and families, assisting with any inquiries. She also manages the therapy appointments, maintaining a clean working area, process payments, coordinating with professionals, and assisting with administrative tasks
Jatinder Kaur
Clinic Coordinator
Jatinder Kaur
Clinic Coordinator
Jatinder joined Symbiosis as a clinic coordinator at our Surrey clinic. She demonstrates emmense capability to handle a wide range of administrative tasks while ensuring the smooth operation of daily activities at the clinic.
Jatinder brings her previous work experience as an senior executive which helps her to enhance the processes and sometimes drive the necessary changes, all in service of improving both employee and family experiences while visiting the clinic.
Shashi
Human Resource (HR) Executive
Shashi
Human Resource (HR) Executive
Shashi is a very motivated Human Resources Professional with a drive for serving as a dedicated support specialist and energetic team member at Symbiosis. As an integral part of staff welfare and HR processes in the clinics,she assists with the recruitment of consultants, Therapist and support staff, maintenance of official records,onboarding, as well as the management of existing employees. She is experienced in managing employee and community outreach programs and dedicated to working towards the mission of Symbiosis clinics. Shashi completed her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Canada West, Vancouveras well as Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, India.
Katie
Clinic Manager
Katie
Clinic Manager
Katie is currently workin as the Clinic Manager, primarily working out of the Delta location focusing on all the clinic and administrative needs for the Delta, Burnaby & Port Coquitlam locations. She coordinates the operational planning and implementation of the clinic procedures in conjunction with the practice leaders across various Symbiosis clinics.She leads the clinic in delivering outstanding client experience, executing effective and efficient clinical programs, and ensuring successful attainment of clinical excellence.
Carla Emery
Speech Therapy assistant
Carla Emery
Speech Therapy assistant
Carla is currently working as a Speech-Language Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis clinic. She completed a Diploma in Speech-Language Assistant and also in Early Childhood Education. She has experience working with typical and neurodiverse children in both school and clinic environments.One of her favourite ways to target therapy goals for children is through play. Whether it’s targeting verbs or prepositions while playing with a farm or pretending to cook play food or going on a treasure hunt and practicing speech sounds – play is her vessel! In her free time, she likes to hang out with her family for kayaking or going on trail hikes. She also enjoys gardening, cycling, reading and baking during her leisure time.
Rebekah Greenhalgh
Speech Therapy assistant
Rebekah Greenhalgh
Speech Therapy assistant
Rebekah holds a degree in Applied Linguistics with a minor in French Language and Literature. She is currently working as a Speech-Language pathlogy Assistant(SLP-A) at Symbiosis. She has a passion for language, and loves working with children with various diagnoses like Autism ADHD, learning disabilities etc.She plan to enrol for a Master’s degree to become a Speech-Language Pathologist in the near future.
Sienna Maarhuis
Therapy assistant
Sienna Maarhuis
Therapy assistant
Sienna graduated with Bachelors of Science in Child Psychology, and has years of experience working with children in various settings. Some of her previous work experience includes working in Social services, Behaviour Intervention, and also as an Education Assistant. She loves Occupational Therapy because as she enjoy being able to help kids with different diagnisis (Autism, Learning disabilities, Developmental delays)reach their goals through movement and play. Outside of work, she really enjoy camping, hiking, traveling, and pretty much anything else that is active and outdoors.
Jasmine Heer
Behavior Interventionist
Jasmine Heer
Behavior Interventionist
Jasmine is currently working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She is currently enrolled for her bachelor’s degree from Simon Fraser University.She has gained valuable experience and knowledge while working with children diagnosed with developmental delays, Autism, Learning Disabilities etc under the supervision of Behavior Analysts and other multi-disciplinary team members. She provides one-on-one clinic-based Behavior Intervention sessions targeting play, academics, social skills, communication, self-management, and self-care skills at Symbiosis.
Jessica Sheffield
Therapy assistant
Jessica Sheffield
Therapy assistant
Jessica joined Symbiosis as an Occupational Therapy Assistant after completing her Kinesiology Degree with a minor in Psychology from the University of the Fraser Valley.
Jessica shows a strong devotion while working with children and youth with developmental disabilities and their families. She takes a special interest in creating functional life skills for her clients to use in their natural environment to reach their individual goals. She embraces each child with compassion and understanding to provide fun, successful treatment sessions.
Parveen
Therapy assistant
Parveen
Therapy assistant
Parveen holds a Masters in Physiotherapy degree specializing in musculoskeletal condition. He is currently working as a Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. He is dedicated to providing personalized care to the children with a passion for helping them as he has a wealth of expertise in therapy techniques specifically used for children with Autism and other developmental diagnoses.
Sweta Dixit
Speech therapy assistant
Sweta Dixit
Speech therapy assistant
She completed her Masters in Physiotherapy before pursuing a second Masters in Healthcare Management in Vancouver, Canada. With a career spanning over a decade, Sweta has honed her skills as a Assistant, gaining invaluable experience across various clinics and hospitals. In the past two years, she has dedicated herself to child therapy centers, serving as an OTA and SLPA.Her ultimate goal is to establish a multidisciplinary clinic, merging her expertise in rehabilitation with her managerial acumen to serve diverse healthcare needs. Beyond her professional endeavors, Sweta finds fulfillment in giving back to the community, volunteering with organizations like the Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Society of Canada.
Virdevinder Deol
Behavior Interventionist
Virdevinder Deol
Behavior Interventionist
Virdevinder Deol is working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis and also as Teacher Assistant with Abbotsford School District She completed her certification course to work as an Education Assistant from Western community college. Previously she completed her Master’s Degree in English (2009-2010) after completing her Bachelors of Education from India. She has many years experience teaching children in the middle school in India.
Mayar Soliman
Behavior Interventionist
Mayar Soliman
Behavior Interventionist
Mayar is a dedicated Behavioral Interventionist working at Symbiosis. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2024. As a Behavioral Interventionist, she is very committed to making a positive impact in the lives of children with diagnoses(Autism and other developmental delays) and their families. She believes in the power of personalized approaches and collaboration to support each child’s unique needs and foster growth and development.Mayar has assisted children during their sessions, following the specific behavior programs designed for them by the Behavior Consultants. Her focus has always been on enhancing their social and developmental skills, integrating new learning concepts, and creating a fun, creative learning environment tailored to each child’s needs.
Anmol Gill
Therapy assistant
Anmol Gill
Therapy assistant
Anmol is current working as a Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. She is currently a Kinesiology student attending Langara college and University of British Columbia (UBC).She started her career as a support worker for one on one support in swimming and skating, where she really realized that she enjoy working with kids. She is dedicated to providing personalized care to the children with a passion for helping them while working along with miulti-disciplinary team whiel providing therapy to children with Autism and other developmental diagnoses.
Rupi Chowhan
Therapy assistant
Rupi Chowhan
Therapy assistant
Rupi is curently working as a therapy assistant at Symbiosis. She is deeply passionate about giving back to the community by helping individuals recover and enhance their quality of life through targeted rehabilitation and therapy. She thrives in interactive environments and look forward to forming close connections with the children aith Autisn and their families, while directly impacting their well-being and daily lives.
Amandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Amandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Amandeep began her work as a behaviour interventionist at Symbiosis and gained experience working with children diagnosed with ASD and their families in clinical and home-based settings.She is well versed to confidently implement the behavioural support plans developed by a Board Certfied Behavior Analysts or Behaviour Consultants. She has a strong interest in early childhood education and successful inclusion of children with autism in early development programs.
Amol Sekhon
Behavior Interventionist
Amol Sekhon
Behavior Interventionist
Amol began her work as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She has experience working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and implementing Behavior programs and individualized plans aimed to help reduce their behavioral challenges.
Amol had completed her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology as well as Postgraduate diploma in Counselling and Clinical Psychology from India prior to completing her coursework for Registered Behavior Technician(RBT) from the Institute of Behavioral Training from South Carolina.
Amol assists the Behavior Analysts and Behavior Consultants to implement the behavior skill acquisition treatment plans and also supports the children monitor the behavior while implementing the strategies, record and collect data on their progress, and communicate with the families.
Anum Chaudhry
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Anum Chaudhry
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Anum completed her Bachelor’s degree in Criminology & Minor In Counselling Psychology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in 2020. She has experience working as a Behaviour Interventionist since May 2019. She has assisted children during their Intervention sessions following the specific behavior programs designed for them focusing on social and development skills; integrating new learning concepts; creating a fun, creative learning environment for the child.
Anupreet Parmar
Speech Language Pathology assistant/Behavior Interventionist
Anupreet Parmar
Speech Language Pathology assistant/Behavior Interventionist
Anupreet is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and Behaviour Interventionist at the Surrey, Burnaby, and Delta Clinics. She is completing her Linguistics Degree with a Minor in Learning and Developmental Disabilities from Simon Fraser University. Anupreet has supported children in their sessions by adhering to the particular behaviour plans created for them, prioritizing social and developmental skills, incorporating fresh ideas, and fostering an enjoyable, imaginative learning atmosphere.
Arshnoor Saini
Behavior Interventionist
Arshnoor Saini
Behavior Interventionist
Anupreet is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and Behaviour Interventionist at the Surrey, Burnaby, and Delta Clinics. She is completing her Linguistics Degree with a Minor in Learning and Developmental Disabilities from Simon Fraser University. Anupreet has supported children in their sessions by adhering to the particular behaviour plans created for them, prioritizing social and developmental skills, incorporating fresh ideas, and fostering an enjoyable, imaginative learning atmosphere.
Ashley Abellanos
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Ashley Abellanos
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Ashley completed her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Philippines and currently working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. She is very passionate about play-based learning, relationship building & fully supporting the importance of co-regulation & self-regulation. Her primary responsibility is providing therapy for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays and/or motor delays supervised by an Occupational Therapist. She wokr as part of the multi-disciplinary team while providing an engaging and positive experience to the children she works in the clinic environment at Symbiosis.
Chanpreet Khangura
Behavior Interventionist
Chanpreet Khangura
Behavior Interventionist
Chanpreet graduated with a Bachelor of science from UBC(majoring in Biology). She wants to pursue a career in medicine or mental health.She provides support in individual and group sessions under the supervision of Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Consultants at Symbiosis. She also assists in the implementation of recommendations of the Behavior plan of Intervention and carry out sessions based on the specific therapy goals established by the supervising BC.
Georgia Rowland
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Georgia Rowland
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Gorgia’s experience includes working with preschoolers, elementary-school-aged learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder focusing on behavioral, and social-emotional learning goals as per the Behavior Plan of Intervention.
Gurpreet Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Gurpreet Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Gurpreet is currently working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis and as a Education assistant in Pacific Academy. Gurpreet consistently demonstrated the ability to collaborate effectively with Symbiosis team members, displaying excellent communication and interpersonal skills. She is always willing to lend a hand and has a positive, supportive attitude towards her peers. Gurpreet actively listens to others’ ideas and is open-minded, encouraging constructive feedback to improve the team’s performance Guurpreet completed her Bachelor of Education, Masters in Music (Instrumental) from India as well as her Education Assistant Diploma from the Western Community College, Surrey.
Gurpreet (Kiran) Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Gurpreet (Kiran) Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
At Symbiosis, Gurpreet provide/assist with Behavior program activities in the areas of self-help, communication, social, cognitive, motor and behavior to provide her services for children with Autism.She fosters learning and skill development through play and engagement with children during her intervention sessions.
Jewel Galacgac
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Jewel Galacgac
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Jewel graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy in 2017. Working in Symbiosis as Therapist Assistant, she is currently in the process of obtaining the professional license to work as a Physiotherapist in Canada as well. Having experience in handling different paediatric cases, while she is able to support the children and their families to identify movement challenges and functional difficulties, while not only help them achieve the goals but also keeping them engaged and having a fun experience while learning.
Jillian Woudzia
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Jillian Woudzia
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Jillian is completing her 4th year at SFU completing a major in psychology and an extended minor in linguistics. She has 3+ years of experience working with children diagnosed with Autism(ASD). She is committed to helping & guiding the growth of each and every individual she works with, through compassion, engagement, and most of all fun. She has experience in working with children with various diagnoses (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down’s syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Global Development Delay etc.).
Kristine Amomonpon
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kristine Amomonpon
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kristine have been working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy and is also a registered Early Childhood Educator in BC for almost 6 years now.She believes that children are full of potentials and with time, she is committed to support the children she works with reach the potential.She has experience in working with children with various diagnoses (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disabilities, ADHD, Global Development Delay etc.).
Mandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Mandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
With a master and doctoral degree in Education, Mandeep have been working with children for the last 10 years. She have enumerable experience related to conducting evidence based research, providing early interventions and counselling for the overall well-being of children. During my doctoral studies at Panjab University, she focused her research on children with aggressive behavior and applied a psychoeducational intervention called Aggression Replacement Training (ART) which equipped her with a deep understanding of the underlying causes of aggression in children and adolescents, as well as effective strategies for intervention and behavior modification. She also taught Guidance and Counselling, Education Psychology, and took some practical sessions of conducting psychology tests and have developed strong teaching skills through various teaching assignments, where she engaged with students from diverse backgrounds and facilitated their learning effectively.
Mandeep also worked as a Counsellor/teacher at a school and institute, while addressing a wide range of challenges, providing support and guidance to students while ensuring their academic success along with their mental well-being. This experience has honed her ability to tailor interventions to diverse individual needs. She love to work with children and bring a positive change in their behaviour through different kinds of research based interventions so that they become self reliant.
Mandeep Toor
Behavior Interventionist
Mandeep Toor
Behavior Interventionist
Mandeep is currenty working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She had completed her Bachelor’s degree of Economics and is a Certified Education Assistant and working as a IESW in Surrey School district. She love working with children and help them to learn and develop new skills. She values working collaboratively with families and other professionals and is very passionate about helping children and their families achieve their goals
Michelle Nightingale
Speech Therapy Assistant
Michelle Nightingale
Speech Therapy Assistant
Michelle completed her Master of Science in Speech from the University of Southwestern Louisiana – Los Angeles, CA in 1996 after completing her Baccalaureate in Speech from the University of North Dakota – Grand Forks, ND in 1994 and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Winnipeg – Winnipeg, MB in 1993.
Michelle has vast experience conducting assessment, diagnosis, treatment and consultative services to preschoolers of varying abilities including Autism Spectrum Disorders. Her treatment focused on improving communication, language and speech skills to maximize the child’s cognitive, social and emotional growth using client-centered goals.
Michelle has completed her training in DIR- Floortime level 101 and 201, which can be implemented with children who need to strengthen their Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities in areas such as in Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has worked closely with the caregivers to ensure follow through and growth in communication skills and as part of multi-disciplinary teams consisting of Case managers, Occupational therapist, Behavior Consultants and Child Development Worker.
Mital Patel
Behavior Interventionist
Mital Patel
Behavior Interventionist
Mital is currenty working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy clinic. She has a Post Basic B.SC. Nursing degree. She has experience working as a staff nurse since 1997 and also as a Child care provider for more than 4 years. She is well versed in preparing treatment materials in collaboration with the Behavior Consultant, implementing behavior plan of intervention, monitoring their behavior and keeping detailed logs of observations throughout the day. She like adapting her instruction and play skills based on individual child’s needs while assessing their strengths to develop appropriate strategies for addressing issues.
Nanaki Dhaliwal
Behavior Interventionist
Nanaki Dhaliwal
Behavior Interventionist
Nanaki is currenty working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis.She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Psychology and Linguistics. Her professional interest is focused on child development, language acquisition and behavioral studies. Nanaki has experience working with children with development delays/disorders, and conducting speech related research.
Prabhsimar Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Prabhsimar Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Prabhsimar holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in Counselling. Currently, she is furthering her expertise by pursuing a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. She is a dedicated Behaviour Interventionist with a heart full of passion for working with kids. For over four years, she had the privilege of guiding and supporting the the children and their families through their unique journeys. She finds her inspiration in their curiosity, resilience, and boundless energy which has laid the foundation for her understanding of human behaviour and the importance of mental health.When I’m not working with kids, she is engaged in strumming her guitar. Music, much like her work, is a source of joy and creativity in her life.
Preety Sian
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Preety Sian
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Preety completed my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology minor in Health science at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Since July 2021, she has been working as a therapy Assistant and Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis, where she finds great joy in working with children with diagnosis of Autism and offering her empathetic, kind, passionate and understanding nature to help them thrive.She uses her play skills based on individual child’s needs while assessing their strengths to develop appropriate strategies for addressing issues.
Rachana Ravikanti
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Rachana Ravikanti
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Rachana is currently working as a therapy assistant and Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis clinic. She hold a Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy degree from indian as well as Diploma in Kinesiology from Langara college. As a healthcare professional in physiotherapy, she specialize in integrating rehabilitation with behavioral health strategies to promote holistic well-being in children. Her approach focuses on individualized care plans that address both physical and psychological needs, helping children with Autisn and other diagnoses achieve their health goals and improve their quality of life.
Rupa Chakraborty
Behavior Interventionist
Rupa Chakraborty
Behavior Interventionist
Rupa has over five years experience working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She graduated with a Master of Science in Anthropology from Visva -Bharati University, India. She also has a Bachelor of Education from University of Calcutta, India as well as a Diploma in Counseling from Oxford Learning College, U.K. Rupa completed her RBT course in 2021.
Rupa is passionate for working with children to implement their personal goals in a playful environment, and help them develop their communication, functional and socio-emotional skills to improve their daily lives.
Safinaz Yekta
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Safinaz Yekta
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Safinaz is currently working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. As a Behaviour Interventionist (BI), her responsibility includes implementing Behaviour plan of interventions for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or other learning and development delays. She is well versed to execute intervention plans developed and supervised by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to children attending therapy services at Symbiosis. She works within an interdisciplinary team to support skill acquisition while providing an engaging and positive experience to the children and families.
Sahithi Naini
Behavior Interventionist
Sahithi Naini
Behavior Interventionist
Sahiti hold a Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy and currently pursuing a Diploma in Kinesiology at Langara college in Vancouver. As a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis,She has experience working one-on-one with the child under the supervision of a Behaviour Analyst. She implements specific programs/goals as outlined in the child’s Behaviour Plan of intervention in a very efficnet manner in a fun and engaging environment. She engages with the child and uses specific teaching strategies to target goals, collect and monitor data for progress review which focuses on speech, communication, social skills, play, and self-help skills.
Sophia Ahmed
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sophia Ahmed
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sophia graduated from Simon Fraser University with her Bachelor’s degree with a major in Psychology. Since May 2022, she has been part of the Symbiosis team, where she has gained valuable experience and knowledge while working with children diagnosed with developmental delays, Autism, Learning Disabilities etc. She has experience working one-on-one clinic-based Behavior Intervention sessions targeting play, academics, social skills, communication, self-management, and self-care skills at Symbiosis.
Suzeth Sanares (Maria)
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Suzeth Sanares (Maria)
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Maria has completed her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Philippines in 2000 and currently working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. With a decade of experience as well as her love & passion working with kids, she have gained a deep understanding on how to support the needs of the children and their families. She is very passionate about play-based learning, relationship building & fully supporting the importance of co-regulation & self-regulation. In addition,Suzeth have also attended various professional courses & workshops (Handwriting Without Tears, Anxiety Management, RBT, Behavior & Self-regulation, etc.). She takes joy in working collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team & displays a friendly & positive attitude working with children at Symbiosis. She takes pride when she looks at the their smiles on the faces of the children as well as their parents knowing that she contributes some part in their journey too.It is her desire to support them at the fullest capabilities so that one day the children can spread their wings & live their fullest potential. Outside Symbiosis, Suzeth finds her inspiration & joy in nature, music and doing Church-related activities.
Swapnali Apte
Behavior Interventionist
Swapnali Apte
Behavior Interventionist
Swapnali is currently working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She had completed her Masters in Clinical Psychology from India. She also completed Level 3 of Dance Movement Therapy certified by The International Dance Council, Paris. She also published a research about how movement can positively affect the self esteem, anxiety and social skills in children with special needs.
Swapnali has previous experience of working as a Pychologist and a School counsellor for 9 years dealing with a varied age group of Pre School to Grade 12 in India. She is always ready to learn new things may it be from children, peers or superiors. She believes that play and movement can be the best way to introduce and implement interventions with children.
Zeba Bhangat
Behavior Interventionist
Zeba Bhangat
Behavior Interventionist
My name is Zeba I currently attend the University of British Columbia as a second year student. I am acquiring a degree in psychology with a minor in behavioural neuroscience.
I have grown passionate about working with youth through previous programs I have partaken in, such as The next 100 years program, YMCA, and receiving my babysitting certification through the REACH program which allowed me to work with various youth of different backgrounds in their developmental behaviour.
Kristy Musumeche
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Kristy Musumeche
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Kristy is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst(BCBA) and has experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities. She completed her Master of Exceptional Student Education with Applied Behaviour Analysis,University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL after graduating with Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.
Kristy is dedicated to providing Behavior Consultancy to the families with the best support. She enjoys supporting clients to develop independence in their personal care and communication skills but is also passionate about the development of social skills. She has experience in implementing Behavior Plan of Intervention (BPI) and working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Kristy collaborates and communicate with client’s families to make positive impacts on their client’s behaviour and treatment needs by chairing team meetings, training/educating family members, working collaboratively with community professionals, identifying and developing necessary supports for the child and providing Positive Behavior strategies to address maladaptive behaviors.
Rosie Martins
Behavior Consultant
Rosie Martins
Behavior Consultant
Rosie is currently enrolled at Arizona State University completing her Master’s in Special Education with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelors of Arts degree from SFU with a Major in Psychology and Minor in Counseling and Human Development. Rosie has been working for Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy for 3 years. She is currently working as a Behavior Consultant under the supervision of Liz Hudson.
In the past, Rosie has volunteered in local elementary schools as a teacher assistant to support children on developmental skills and reflect on personal thoughts and emotions. In addition, she worked with North Burnaby Neighborhood House to support individuals within the Food Bank program through the Safe Space Communication program. Rosie also has completed her 40-hours RBT training course and her first-aid training.
Treesa Bose
Behavior Consultant
Treesa Bose
Behavior Consultant
Treesa holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from India.She has finished my BCaBA and Qasp-s coursework from Florida Institute of Technology. She is very experienced working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental delays, emotional and mental health challenges, Learning disabilities and other chilhood disabilities. She have acquired necessary skills such as reviewing behavioral interventions and managing treatment plans, along with documenting client progress, maintaining communication with clients and their families. Furthermore, Treesa has a background of success working with diverse client populations and connecting them with community resources. Her work includes conducting Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), skills assessment (VB-Map, ABELLS, AFLS, ESDM), creating and implementing Individualized education plan (IEP) etc. In addition, She also provides training for parents while providing them with evidence-based behavior strategies and techniques.
Yuyan Zhao
Behavior Consultant
Yuyan Zhao
Behavior Consultant
Yuyan Zhao is an accomplished professional in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and special education. Graduating with a degree in Psychology from Simon Fraser University in 2019, she furthered her education by obtaining a Master’s degree in Special Education with a specialization in ABA from Arizona State University.
Yuyan has been actively engaged in the Behavior Analytical field while working with children ranging from 3 to 18 years old. Her diverse experience includes providing support in clinic as well as home-based settings, as well as in elementary and high schools within the Surrey School District.Yuyan oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Behavior Analytic programs, ensuring that they meet the developmental needs of children in her role as a Behavior Consultant at Symbiosis.
Ruijie (Rosie) Jiang
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Ruijie (Rosie) Jiang
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Ruijie (Rosie) is currently enrolled in Master of Arts – MA, Behavior Analysis Practice from the Florida Institute of Technology and which will complete in 2022. She also had her Bachelor of Arts – BA, Psychology from Simon Fraser University and Post-baccalaureate Certificate, Applied Behavior Analysis from the Capilano University.Ruijie (Rosie) shows her passion while working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder and other challenges. She is well versed using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and plans and implements each child’s clinical treatment programming and behavior strategies by providing 1:1 direct intervention and therapy services.Ruijie (Rosie) also provide Autism related training and ABA education and to the primary caregivers and family members and produces required administrative and clinical paperwork with accuracy and timeliness of the execution of the Behavior Plans of Intervention made by her. She demonstrates her ability to foster engagement with children and their families and exhibit strong interpersonal skills and dedication to contributing to a supportive team environment.
Michelle Wong
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Michelle Wong
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Michelle is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She has completed her Master of Professional Education (Applied Behavior Analysis)from the University of Western Ontario. She also has a Diploma of Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis from the Douglas College. Michelle is well versed in designing Individualized Behavior plans based on individual client’s objectives. She efficiently monitors the implementation of plan, while providing feedback and training as necessary to Behaviour Interventionists and Registered Behaviour Technicians. She is a great team player and communicates with all the team members consisting of all the Occupational Therapist and Speech Therapist in her team, and all other team members regarding all developments, problems or concerns as needed.
She also conducts and develop training workshops for families, Registered Behaviour Technicians as well as other Autism Service providers.
Archana Shrinivasachar
Speech Therapist
Archana Shrinivasachar
Speech Therapist
Archana, is a registered SLP with the CSHBC, is also a certified member of SAC and is registered with RASP. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing from the University of Mysore before obtaining her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Bangalore University, India in 2009.
Archana believes in early intervention, holistic therapy approach, advocates neurodiversity affirming therapy, and she prioritizes patient-centered care. She brings dedication and creativity to her work, making therapy sessions enjoyable and effective. With excellent communication skills, Archana collaborates effectively with all members of multidisciplinary teams, as well as with children and their families.
Before her relocation to Canada from India, Archana served as a Senior SLP and Research Officer. Her contributions include a published chapter in an American Psychological Association volume on ‘Cognition and Brain Development’. She gathers vast clinical experience and specializes in Early Intervention and comprehensive Speech-Language Assessment and Intervention for individuals facing diverse communication challenges, including but not limited to ASD, ADHD, fluency, and articulation disorders.
Archana provides intervention in both individual and group settings, focusing on enhancing social-pragmatic skills. She also delivered counseling, education, and training to families and caregivers, while designing personalized home-based programs to maximize the effectiveness of speech therapy.
While continuously updating her knowledge base, Archana remains committed to supporting children and their families in improving their quality of life.
Fasina Suneer
Speech Therapist
Fasina Suneer
Speech Therapist
Fasina completed her graduation in Audiology And Speech Language and her Master’s In healthcare leadership from the Trinity Western University. She has 8 years of experience in hospital and special school settings in India as a Speech Language Pathologist.
Fasina is well versed with all the pediatric speech assessments and able to perform evaluations to determine the child’s functional level of their Speech and Language skills. She can develop individual treatment plans of care and provides individual therapy programs for children of all ages presenting with a variety of abilities and needs. She coordinates with other multi-disciplinary team members, both through formal and informal care conferences, to assure sufficient flow of information to support care of the children under her therapy caseload. She demonstrates her ability to foster engagement with children and their families and exhibit strong interpersonal skills and dedication to contributing to a supportive team environment.
Jesjiven Pannu
Speech Therapist
Jesjiven Pannu
Speech Therapist
Jesjiven graduated with her Masters in Speech and Language Therapy from the University City of London after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia in 2010.
Prior to moving to Canada, Jesjiven has experience working in various setting in United Kingdom (UK) with children diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Autism Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities (LD) in both 1:1 and group settings. She has experience administering formal (e.g., CELF and RAPT) and informal assessment of language and social skills.
Jesjiven has used many Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to support children’s communication including whiteboards, objects, symbols, and basic Makaton. I created resources using Board maker. She has worked collaboratively with families and other staff to assess children, create goals, and set care plans for the therapy assistants (Tas) and parents to implement, including communication partner training.
She believes in using a holistic approach and working with families as the key to achieving the best outcomes with children. Her goal is to facilitate change whilst maintaining a fun and engaging environment.
Michelle Nightingale
Speech Therapist
Michelle Nightingale
Speech Therapist
Michelle completed her Master of Science in Speech from the University of Southwestern Louisiana – Los Angeles, CA in 1996 after completing her Baccalaureate in Speech from the University of North Dakota – Grand Forks, ND in 1994 and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Winnipeg – Winnipeg, MB in 1993.
Michelle has vast experience conducting assessment, diagnosis, treatment and consultative services to preschoolers of varying abilities including Autism Spectrum Disorders. Her treatment focused on improving communication, language and speech skills to maximize the child’s cognitive, social and emotional growth using client-centered goals.
Michelle has completed her training in DIR- Floortime level 101 and 201, which can be implemented with children who need to strengthen their Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities in areas such as in Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has worked closely with the caregivers to ensure follow through and growth in communication skills and as part of multi-disciplinary teams consisting of Case managers, Occupational therapist, Behavior Consultants and Child Development Worker.
Sheba Mathew
Speech Therapist
Sheba Mathew
Speech Therapist
Sheeba graduated with Masters in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology from Manipal University, India. Prior to that she completed her Bachelors in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology in 2016.
Sheeba has more than 6 years of experience working as a Speech Language Pathologist in various Pediatric Rehabilitation Centers and volunteering in hospitals and retirement living facilities. She has many International Certifications in Oral Placement Therapy (Level 1 and 2), PROMPT (Level 1 trained) and Hanen: More than Words. She is a highly effective communicator and an efficient time manager with excellent problem solving and organizational skills. She is also an empathetic collaborator who is known for thinking out-of-the-box and taking initiatives.As a highly sensitive individual, Sheeba possess a unique ability to understand the needs of her clients, even when they may struggle to articulate them. She firmly believes in the power of play as a means of learning, particularly for children. Through play, children not only acquire valuable skills but also retain them for a lifetime. In her Speech therapy sessions at Symbiosis,she strives to create an engaging and enjoyable environment while ensuring that therapeutic goals are effectively met. Her approach blends creativity with evidence-based practices to provide holistic support to each child she works in the clinic.
Aimy
Speech Therapist
Aimy
Speech Therapist
Aimy is current working as a consultant Speech-Language Pathologist at Symbiosisas well as the Surrey School District. She graduated with Master of Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology in 2014 after completing her Bachelor of Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology in 2011. She has experience in providing Speech and language intervention to Preschoolers and school-aged children. She is welll versed in planing, implementing and work collaboratively with a multi-professional team to secure tangible outcomes for the children she works in the clinic.She also work along with the child’s parents/guardians to ensure continuity of skills at home.
Candice Payne
Speech Therapist
Candice Payne
Speech Therapist
Candice completed her BSc Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Cape Town prior to graduating with MSc in Speech Language Pathology. She has vast experience working with children of all ages including neonates and school aged children in both the acute hospital setting as well as school environments. Her strong belief in evidence-based practice has guided her therapy intervention to the children and their families and believes in patient-centered care.Prior to moving to Canada from South Africa, Candice has work in both in a clinical and academic setting. She was the Clinical Supervisor and Lecturer at the University of Cape Town where she taught students in the Learners with Special Educational Needs school and clinical setting for the treatment of children with a variety of diagnosis including, but not limited to, Dysphagia, Speech, Language, and communication including AAC. She also had worked in a private practice, part-time, managing adults and children with a variety of disorders ranging from ASD, feeding and swallowing disorders, fluency and voice, and management of many other speech related challenges.
Chengg Sung Yau (Stacey)
Speech Therapist
Chengg Sung Yau (Stacey)
Speech Therapist
Stacey is registered with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia and the certified member of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC). She completed the Bachelor degree in Psychology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2012 and master degree in Educational Speech-Language Pathology and Learning Disabilities at the Education University of Hong Kong in 2020.Stacey believes in behavioral approach and is passionate to work with children. She enjoys using creativity to make therapy fun. She has good communication skills and is able to work effectively and collaboratively with all members of the multidisciplinary team, with the children and their families. She is an organized problem solver and good at handling changing caseloads and other therapy-related duties at Symbiosis.
Vangmayee Venkatasubban
Speech-Language Pathologist
Vangmayee Venkatasubban
Speech-Language Pathologist
Obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Dr. S. R. Chandrasekhar Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bangalore, India, in 2016, followed by a Master’s degree from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (KMC Mangalore) in 2019. Additionally, I hold certifications in Avaz AAC, Oral Placement Therapy (level 1 and level 2), and PROMPT. My work is fueled by a profound passion for helping children, grounded in the belief in the transformative power of early intervention and compassionate care, employing play-based approaches to therapy.I am a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist with over 5 years of experience in pediatric speech therapy. My journey in this field began with
Maryanne Thiga
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Maryanne Thiga
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Maryanne Thiga( also known as Mariana) is a dedicated and experienced Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a commitment to enhance the lives of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She has worked with people of all ages, from toddlers to adults, to address social, communication, adaptive, cognitive, and behavioral deficits. She understands that each person with ASD is special in their own way. Her aim is not to make them different, or “normal” but to work with them to address their struggles, allowing them to fully participate in day-to-day life.
Besides her BCBA certification, Maryanne also has a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, which helps her better understand and support her clients. As an author, she share her insights and strategies to empower others in the field and advocate for people with ASD and their families. She is also a mom to two daughters, one of whom has ASD. This personal experience drives her commitment to advocacy. She enjoy spending quality time with her loved ones, indulging in her love for writing, exploring spiritual and educational content, and finding solace in the simplicity of cleaning and organizing.
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She currently oversees the clinical and administrative departments of Symbiosis. Shalini has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Shalini completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy specializing in Pediatric Neurology in 2000. She also has her Masters degree in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from The Pennsylvania State University. Shalini is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Shalini has extensive clinical experience with assessment and program development that is designed to treat challenging behaviors, build communication, and functional life skills. Some of the team-based intervention which she incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), SCERTS, DIR®/Floor time model, etc.
Shalini has trained & supervised several teams of therapists, parents, and other professionals on evidence-based behavioral strategies to improve the quality of life for the children. She also assists with the development and implementation of evidence-based treatment approaches, in addition to providing clinical guidance and mentorship to the Behavioral Intervention team.
Shalini is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) from the University of Southern California and in Neuro-Developmental Therapy (NDT) from NDT Association, USA. She also enjoys working with children in Symbiosis embracing different therapy models while viewing the challenges faced by the children through the developmental framework.
Shalini is the mother of two children and understands the importance of considering the needs and wants of all members of the family when establishing therapy goals. She spends her spare time with her children and husband, reading, traveling, and cooking different recipes from around the world.
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. He currently is the Director of Clinical Operations and oversees the clinical departments of all the clinics. He has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Sumanta started his professional career as an Occupational Therapist in 1997 after his graduation in Bachelor of Occupational Therapy followed by Post Graduation in Developmental Rehabilitation as well as Health Management.
Sumanta is certified in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) as well as Sensory Integration (SI). He furthered his education by completing his Masters in Education (M.Ed.) – Special Education in 2017 and his BACB coursework from Florida Institute of Technology.
Sumanta is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Sumanta facilitates the growth of the behavior program and supervises Behavior Consultants with the creation and implementation of sound behavioral intervention plans for the children attending Symbiosis Clinics. Some of the team-based intervention which he incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), and SCERTS – a treatment program for children with Autism.
Sumanta had previously worked extensively with children with special needs in school systems, private clinics, and home-based interventions in various countries including India and Singapore. He was actively involved in setting up two pediatric departments in Singapore and was the chairperson of the Pediatric Special Interest Group (SIG) under the umbrella of the Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists for two years.
Sumanta has made numerous presentations at international conferences and is well experienced in conducting workshops for parents, teachers as well as other health care professionals. He was the first recipient of the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Mentorship Scholarship which provides premier treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents, and adults with SPD in Denver, Colorado.
Sumanta is a father of two boys. While understanding the developmental needs of the children, he makes sure that children who receive services through Symbiosis see it as a place they can have fun at and enjoy coming to.
Sumanta spends his spare time pursuing various leisure activities with his family including playing badminton, swimming, hiking and camping.
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai is currently the Assistant Director(Operations) for Symbiosis Clinics. She is also a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia and her Master of Education degree from Western University. She has worked in the field for 15 years, providing community, school, and clinic-based interventions. Mai is passionate about delivering services through a multidisciplinary approach, with a primary focus on early intervention and social skills development. Mai has worked with diverse children and youth and their families in a variety of settings, including pediatric, schools, and childcare/daycare centers. She provides assessment, parenting support, and consultation for children and young adults experiencing developmental, learning, emotional, and behavior problems.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, snowboarding, and camping.
Kristine Balisacan
Clinical Lead, Occupational Therapist
Kristine Balisacan
Clinical Lead, Occupational Therapist
Kristine is the Assistant Director of Clinical Services and Occupational Therapy Clinical Lead for Symbiosis Clinics. She has a decade-plus of enriched experience working with neurodivergent children and other developmental disabilities. Her professional journey has been fueled by profound curiosity and empathy about how children navigate and thrive in their environments.
Her approach revolves around empathy and collaboration, fostering safe spaces where children feel empowered to explore and flourish. She’s a firm believer in the power of play-based therapy, trauma-sensitive practice, and forging strong partnerships with families and other professionals.
She has attended various professional courses (Handwriting Without Tears Pre-K & K-5, Integrated Listening System, Decoding the Autism Brain, Executive Functioning: Tackle Homework and Classwork with these Helpful Strategies! The Zones of Regulation®: A Framework to Foster Self-Regulation and Emotional Control, Facing Your Fears Training, More Than 4 Wheels: Complex seating and mobility assessment and prescription for all ages, Art of Therapy and Connection, Managing the Anxious Symptoms of Children and Adolescents with ASD: Practical Strategies, Becoming a Behavioral Detective, BEST strategies for self-care, productivity and leisure using a strengths-based and neurodiversity-friendly lens, etc.) which provides further depth to her clinical knowledge and experiences that she shares with the families and the multidisciplinary team at Symbiosis.
Beyond her professional life, Kristine cherishes spending time with her family and dogs, nurturing her relationships, and creating lasting memories. She also volunteers at her local church and non-profit organizations, lending a helping hand to those in need and giving back to her community.
Elizabeth Hudson
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Elizabeth Hudson
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Liz is originally from the U.S. and started working in the field in 2005 right after graduating college from the University of Rochester. She began her career at The New England Center for Children (NECC), a school and research center for children with autism, just outside of Boston, and worked there for 14 years where she quickly grew to love the field of Behavior Analysis. During her time at NECC, Liz completed her MS in ABA from Northeastern University in 2012. She became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2013 and worked in various departments within the organization both in Boston and internationally in the Middle East. She has worked with a variety of students ranging from preschool age and younger in the Day Services Program to teenagers in the Residential and Staff-Intensive programs. Most recently, she worked at a school located in Abu Dhabi as the Assistant Program Director of the Secondary Department. Liz moved to Canada in August 2019 with her family and 4 children. She joined the Symbiosis Team in January 2021 overseeing the supervision of the Behavior department in the West. She is very passionate about supervision and bringing up new candidates that are seeking the BCBA credential. Her research interests include; assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior using Performance-Based Assessments and Skill-Based Treatments (developed by Dr. Greg Hanley), treatment of sleep issues, functional communication training, and Stimulus Equivalence. Liz also has experience in feeding/food exposure, video modeling, social skills, and toilet training. She is very passionate about staff and parent training and feels that this is a crucial part of the delivery of quality services to the clients and families.
Kristy Musumeche
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Kristy Musumeche
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Rui is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She has completed her Master of Education from George Mason University, Virginia (USA). She is currently the Clinic Lead for the Behavior Consultants working at Symbiosis Clinics and Supervisor for the BCBA candidates. She is very experienced in providing Behavior Consultation, developing quality Behavior Plan of Intervention, and conducting family and staff trainings apart from providing direct consultation to families.
Rui has experience working in children’s homes, schools, clinics, and communities and helping them reach their potential and supporting their families. Her mission is to provide high quality evidence-based Behavior Analysis services as well as provide resources to the families who are raising children with special needs.
Rui is excited to develop clinical and family programs in the clinic and hopes that they will make a positive impact in the lives of the children and families she serves in the community.
Komal C. Dhokiya
Clinical Lead, Speech Language Pathologist
Komal C. Dhokiya
Clinical Lead, Speech Language Pathologist
Komal completed her degree in Speech -Language Pathology from the School of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Pune, India. She has vast experience working with children of all ages including preschoolers and school aged children. Her strong belief in evidence-based practice has guided her therapy intervention to the children and their families and believes in client-centered care.Prior to moving to Canada Komal had worked in settings providing treatment of children with a variety of diagnosis including, but not limited to, Dysphagia, Speech, Language, and communication including AAC.
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She currently oversees the clinical and administrative departments of Symbiosis. Shalini has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Shalini completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy specializing in Pediatric Neurology in 2000. She also has her Masters degree in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from The Pennsylvania State University. Shalini is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Shalini has extensive clinical experience with assessment and program development that is designed to treat challenging behaviors, build communication, and functional life skills. Some of the team-based intervention which she incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), SCERTS, DIR®/Floor time model, etc.
Shalini has trained & supervised several teams of therapists, parents, and other professionals on evidence-based behavioral strategies to improve the quality of life for the children. She also assists with the development and implementation of evidence-based treatment approaches, in addition to providing clinical guidance and mentorship to the Behavioral Intervention team.
Shalini is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) from the University of Southern California and in Neuro-Developmental Therapy (NDT) from NDT Association, USA. She also enjoys working with children in Symbiosis embracing different therapy models while viewing the challenges faced by the children through the developmental framework.
Shalini is the mother of two children and understands the importance of considering the needs and wants of all members of the family when establishing therapy goals. She spends her spare time with her children and husband, reading, traveling, and cooking different recipes from around the world.
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. He currently is the Director of Clinical Operations and oversees the clinical departments of all the clinics. He has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Sumanta started his professional career as an Occupational Therapist in 1997 after his graduation in Bachelor of Occupational Therapy followed by Post Graduation in Developmental Rehabilitation as well as Health Management.
Sumanta is certified in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) as well as Sensory Integration (SI). He furthered his education by completing his Masters in Education (M.Ed.) – Special Education in 2017 and his BACB coursework from Florida Institute of Technology.
Sumanta is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Sumanta facilitates the growth of the behavior program and supervises Behavior Consultants with the creation and implementation of sound behavioral intervention plans for the children attending Symbiosis Clinics. Some of the team-based intervention which he incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), and SCERTS – a treatment program for children with Autism.
Sumanta had previously worked extensively with children with special needs in school systems, private clinics, and home-based interventions in various countries including India and Singapore. He was actively involved in setting up two pediatric departments in Singapore and was the chairperson of the Pediatric Special Interest Group (SIG) under the umbrella of the Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists for two years.
Sumanta has made numerous presentations at international conferences and is well experienced in conducting workshops for parents, teachers as well as other health care professionals. He was the first recipient of the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Mentorship Scholarship which provides premier treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents, and adults with SPD in Denver, Colorado.
Sumanta is a father of two boys. While understanding the developmental needs of the children, he makes sure that children who receive services through Symbiosis see it as a place they can have fun at and enjoy coming to.
Sumanta spends his spare time pursuing various leisure activities with his family including playing badminton, swimming, hiking and camping.
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai is currently the Assistant Director(Operations) for Symbiosis Clinics. She is also a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia and her Master of Education degree from Western University. She has worked in the field for 15 years, providing community, school, and clinic-based interventions. Mai is passionate about delivering services through a multidisciplinary approach, with a primary focus on early intervention and social skills development. Mai has worked with diverse children and youth and their families in a variety of settings, including pediatric, schools, and childcare/daycare centers. She provides assessment, parenting support, and consultation for children and young adults experiencing developmental, learning, emotional, and behavior problems.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, snowboarding, and camping.
Elizabeth Hudson
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Elizabeth Hudson
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Liz is originally from the U.S. and started working in the field in 2005 right after graduating college from the University of Rochester. She began her career at The New England Center for Children (NECC), a school and research center for children with autism, just outside of Boston, and worked there for 14 years where she quickly grew to love the field of Behavior Analysis. During her time at NECC, Liz completed her MS in ABA from Northeastern University in 2012. She became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2013 and worked in various departments within the organization both in Boston and internationally in the Middle East. She has worked with a variety of students ranging from preschool age and younger in the Day Services Program to teenagers in the Residential and Staff-Intensive programs. Most recently, she worked at a school located in Abu Dhabi as the Assistant Program Director of the Secondary Department. Liz moved to Canada in August 2019 with her family and 4 children. She joined the Symbiosis Team in January 2021 overseeing the supervision of the Behavior department in the West. She is very passionate about supervision and bringing up new candidates that are seeking the BCBA credential. Her research interests include; assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior using Performance-Based Assessments and Skill-Based Treatments (developed by Dr. Greg Hanley), treatment of sleep issues, functional communication training, and Stimulus Equivalence. Liz also has experience in feeding/food exposure, video modeling, social skills, and toilet training. She is very passionate about staff and parent training and feels that this is a crucial part of the delivery of quality services to the clients and families.
Rui Heng
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Rui Heng
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Rui is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She has completed her Master of Education from George Mason University, Virginia (USA). She is currently the Clinic Lead for the Behavior Consultants working at Symbiosis Clinics and Supervisor for the BCBA candidates. She is very experienced in providing Behavior Consultation, developing quality Behavior Plan of Intervention, and conducting family and staff trainings apart from providing direct consultation to families.
Rui has experience working in children’s homes, schools, clinics, and communities and helping them reach their potential and supporting their families. Her mission is to provide high quality evidence-based Behavior Analysis services as well as provide resources to the families who are raising children with special needs.
Rui is excited to develop clinical and family programs in the clinic and hopes that they will make a positive impact in the lives of the children and families she serves in the community.
Maryanne Thiga
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Maryanne Thiga
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Maryanne Thiga( also known as Mariana) is a dedicated and experienced Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a commitment to enhance the lives of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She has worked with people of all ages, from toddlers to adults, to address social, communication, adaptive, cognitive, and behavioral deficits. She understands that each person with ASD is special in their own way. Her aim is not to make them different, or “normal” but to work with them to address their struggles, allowing them to fully participate in day-to-day life.
Besides her BCBA certification, Maryanne also has a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, which helps her better understand and support her clients. As an author, she share her insights and strategies to empower others in the field and advocate for people with ASD and their families. She is also a mom to two daughters, one of whom has ASD. This personal experience drives her commitment to advocacy. She enjoy spending quality time with her loved ones, indulging in her love for writing, exploring spiritual and educational content, and finding solace in the simplicity of cleaning and organizing.
Kristy Musumeche
Clinical Lead; Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Kristy Musumeche
Clinical Lead; Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Kristy is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst(BCBA) and has experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities. She completed her Master of Exceptional Student Education with Applied Behaviour Analysis,University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL after graduating with Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.
Kristy is dedicated to providing Behavior Consultancy to the families with the best support. She enjoys supporting clients to develop independence in their personal care and communication skills but is also passionate about the development of social skills. She has experience in implementing Behavior Plan of Intervention (BPI) and working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Kristy collaborates and communicate with client’s families to make positive impacts on their client’s behaviour and treatment needs by chairing team meetings, training/educating family members, working collaboratively with community professionals, identifying and developing necessary supports for the child and providing Positive Behavior strategies to address maladaptive behaviors.
Ruijie (Rosie) Jiang
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Ruijie (Rosie) Jiang
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Ruijie (Rosie) is currently enrolled in Master of Arts – MA, Behavior Analysis Practice from the Florida Institute of Technology and which will complete in 2022. She also had her Bachelor of Arts – BA, Psychology from Simon Fraser University and Post-baccalaureate Certificate, Applied Behavior Analysis from the Capilano University.Ruijie (Rosie) shows her passion while working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder and other challenges. She is well versed using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and plans and implements each child’s clinical treatment programming and behavior strategies by providing 1:1 direct intervention and therapy services.Ruijie (Rosie) also provide Autism related training and ABA education and to the primary caregivers and family members and produces required administrative and clinical paperwork with accuracy and timeliness of the execution of the Behavior Plans of Intervention made by her. She demonstrates her ability to foster engagement with children and their families and exhibit strong interpersonal skills and dedication to contributing to a supportive team environment.
Michelle Wong
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Michelle Wong
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Michelle is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She has completed her Master of Professional Education (Applied Behavior Analysis)from the University of Western Ontario. She also has a Diploma of Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis from the Douglas College. Michelle is well versed in designing Individualized Behavior plans based on individual client’s objectives. She efficiently monitors the implementation of plan, while providing feedback and training as necessary to Behaviour Interventionists and Registered Behaviour Technicians. She is a great team player and communicates with all the team members consisting of all the Occupational Therapist and Speech Therapist in her team, and all other team members regarding all developments, problems or concerns as needed.
She also conducts and develop training workshops for families, Registered Behaviour Technicians as well as other Autism Service providers.
Rosie White
Behavior Consultant
Rosie White
Behavior Consultant
Rosie is currently enrolled at Arizona State University completing her Master’s in Special Education with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelors of Arts degree from SFU with a Major in Psychology and Minor in Counseling and Human Development. Rosie has been working for Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy for 3 years. She is currently working as a Behavior Consultant under the supervision of Liz Hudson.
In the past, Rosie has volunteered in local elementary schools as a teacher assistant to support children on developmental skills and reflect on personal thoughts and emotions. In addition, she worked with North Burnaby Neighborhood House to support individuals within the Food Bank program through the Safe Space Communication program. Rosie also has completed her 40-hours RBT training course and her first-aid training.
Treesa Bose
Behavior Consultant
Treesa Bose
Behavior Consultant
Treesa holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from India.She has finished my BCaBA and Qasp-s coursework from Florida Institute of Technology. She is very experienced working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental delays, emotional and mental health challenges, Learning disabilities and other chilhood disabilities. She have acquired necessary skills such as reviewing behavioral interventions and managing treatment plans, along with documenting client progress, maintaining communication with clients and their families. Furthermore, Treesa has a background of success working with diverse client populations and connecting them with community resources. Her work includes conducting Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), skills assessment (VB-Map, ABELLS, AFLS, ESDM), creating and implementing Individualized education plan (IEP) etc. In addition, She also provides training for parents while providing them with evidence-based behavior strategies and techniques.
Yuyan Zhao
Behavior Consultant
Yuyan Zhao
Behavior Consultant
Yuyan Zhao is an accomplished professional in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and special education. Graduating with a degree in Psychology from Simon Fraser University in 2019, she furthered her education by obtaining a Master’s degree in Special Education with a specialization in ABA from Arizona State University.
Yuyan has been actively engaged in the Behavior Analytical field while working with children ranging from 3 to 18 years old. Her diverse experience includes providing support in clinic as well as home-based settings, as well as in elementary and high schools within the Surrey School District.Yuyan oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Behavior Analytic programs, ensuring that they meet the developmental needs of children in her role as a Behavior Consultant at Symbiosis.
Anwesha Roy
Behavior Consultant
Anwesha Roy
Behavior Consultant
Anwesha graduated with a degree in Psychology in 2015 and furthered her education by obtaining a Master’s degree in Master’s in Social Work (Medical and Psychiatric
Social Work)
She is currently persuing her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis
from Florida Institute of Technology.
Anwesha has been actively engaged in the Behavior Analytical field while working with children ranging from 3 to 18 years old. Her diverse experience includes providing support, planning, implementation, and evaluation of Behavior Analytic programs, ensuring that they meet the developmental needs of children in her role as a Behavior Consultant at Symbiosis.
Swapnali Apte
Behavior Consultant
Swapnali Apte
Behavior Consultant
Swapnali is currently working as a Behavior Consultant at Symbiosis. She had completed her Masters in Clinical Psychology from India. She also completed Level 3 of Dance Movement Therapy certified by The International Dance Council, Paris. She also published a research about how movement can positively affect the self esteem, anxiety and social skills in children with special needs.
Swapnali has previous experience of working as a Pychologist and a School counsellor for 9 years dealing with a varied age group of Pre School to Grade 12 in India. She is always ready to learn new things may it be from children, peers or superiors. She believes that play and movement can be the best way to introduce and implement interventions with children.
Manpreet Kaur
Behavior Consultant
Manpreet Kaur
Behavior Consultant
Manpreet completed her Ph.D. (Education) in 2021 after completing her Masters in Economics and Education in India.
Manpreet began working as a Behavior Interventionist after migrating to Canada and supporting the children. Currently, she assists families and children at our Delta Clinic as a Behavior Consultant. She is fluent in both English but can provide support to parents upon request in other South-Asian languages (Hindi and Punjabi).
Dorothy Macsabejon
Behavior Consultant
Dorothy Macsabejon
Behavior Consultant
Anjali currently persuing her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis – University of North Texas and working as a Behavior Consultant at Symbiosis-Abbotsford.
Anjali began working as a Behavior Interventionist in 2020 while completing her Bachelor’s of Child and Youth Care from the University of Fraser Valley, supporting the children. Currently, she assists families and children at our Abbotsford Clinic. She is fluent in both English but can provide support to parents upon request in other South-Asian languages (Hindi and Punjabi).
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. He currently is the Director of Clinical Operations and oversees the clinical departments of all the clinics. He has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Sumanta started his professional career as an Occupational Therapist in 1997 after his graduation in Bachelor of Occupational Therapy followed by Post Graduation in Developmental Rehabilitation as well as Health Management.
Sumanta is certified in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) as well as Sensory Integration (SI). He furthered his education by completing his Masters in Education (M.Ed.) – Special Education in 2017 and his BACB coursework from Florida Institute of Technology.
Sumanta is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Sumanta facilitates the growth of the behavior program and supervises Behavior Consultants with the creation and implementation of sound behavioral intervention plans for the children attending Symbiosis Clinics. Some of the team-based intervention which he incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), and SCERTS – a treatment program for children with Autism.
Sumanta had previously worked extensively with children with special needs in school systems, private clinics, and home-based interventions in various countries including India and Singapore. He was actively involved in setting up two pediatric departments in Singapore and was the chairperson of the Pediatric Special Interest Group (SIG) under the umbrella of the Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists for two years.
Sumanta has made numerous presentations at international conferences and is well experienced in conducting workshops for parents, teachers as well as other health care professionals. He was the first recipient of the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Mentorship Scholarship which provides premier treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents, and adults with SPD in Denver, Colorado.
Sumanta is a father of two boys. While understanding the developmental needs of the children, he makes sure that children who receive services through Symbiosis see it as a place they can have fun at and enjoy coming to.
Sumanta spends his spare time pursuing various leisure activities with his family including playing badminton, swimming, hiking and camping.
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She currently oversees the clinical and administrative departments of Symbiosis. Shalini has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Shalini completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy specializing in Pediatric Neurology in 2000. She also has her Masters degree in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from The Pennsylvania State University. Shalini is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Shalini has extensive clinical experience with assessment and program development that is designed to treat challenging behaviors, build communication, and functional life skills. Some of the team-based intervention which she incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), SCERTS, DIR®/Floor time model, etc.
Shalini has trained & supervised several teams of therapists, parents, and other professionals on evidence-based behavioral strategies to improve the quality of life for the children. She also assists with the development and implementation of evidence-based treatment approaches, in addition to providing clinical guidance and mentorship to the Behavioral Intervention team.
Shalini is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) from the University of Southern California and in Neuro-Developmental Therapy (NDT) from NDT Association, USA.
She also enjoys working with children in Symbiosis embracing different therapy models while viewing the challenges faced by the children through the developmental framework.
Shalini is the mother of two children and understands the importance of considering the needs and wants of all members of the family when establishing therapy goals.
She spends her spare time with her children and husband, reading, traveling, and cooking different recipes from around the world.
Kristine Balisacan
Assistant Director (Clinical) and OT Clinical Lead
Kristine Balisacan
Assistant Director (Clinical) and OT Clinical Lead
Kristine is the Assistant Director of Clinical Services and Occupational Therapy Clinical Lead for Symbiosis Clinics. She has a decade-plus of enriched experience working with neurodivergent children and other developmental disabilities. Her professional journey has been fueled by profound curiosity and empathy about how children navigate and thrive in their environments.
Her approach revolves around empathy and collaboration, fostering safe spaces where children feel empowered to explore and flourish. She’s a firm believer in the power of play-based therapy, trauma-sensitive practice, and forging strong partnerships with families and other professionals.
She has attended various professional courses (Handwriting Without Tears Pre-K & K-5, Integrated Listening System, Decoding the Autism Brain, Executive Functioning: Tackle Homework and Classwork with these Helpful Strategies! The Zones of Regulation®: A Framework to Foster Self-Regulation and Emotional Control, Facing Your Fears Training, More Than 4 Wheels: Complex seating and mobility assessment and prescription for all ages, Art of Therapy and Connection, Managing the Anxious Symptoms of Children and Adolescents with ASD: Practical Strategies, Becoming a Behavioral Detective, BEST strategies for self-care, productivity and leisure using a strengths-based and neurodiversity-friendly lens, etc.) which provides further depth to her clinical knowledge and experiences that she shares with the families and the multidisciplinary team at Symbiosis.
Beyond her professional life, Kristine cherishes spending time with her family and dogs, nurturing her relationships, and creating lasting memories. She also volunteers at her local church and non-profit organizations, lending a helping hand to those in need and giving back to her community.
Aarti Pereira
Occupational Therapist
Aarti Pereira
Occupational Therapist
Aarti completed her Masters degree in Pediatric Occupational Therapy from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York (USA) after receiving her Bachelors degree in Occupational Therapy from India. She has over 15 years’ experience of working with children with various neurological and mental health conditions in outpatient clinics as well as the school systems both in India and USA. She has also been a faculty member at the University at Buffalo where she taught Occupational Therapy courses to undergraduate students.
Aarti has experience working in early intervention centres, preschools and special education schools, while providing occupational therapy to children with developmental delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and sensory processing difficulties.Aarti has completed courses in DIR Floortime Approach, Family Systems Theory, Brain Gym, and Basic Counselling Skills besides numerous other seminars and workshops related to Occupational Therapy practices with children. She enjoys working with children and their families and has a keen interest in building connections and enhancing relationships between children and their parents.
Kia Goossen
Occupational Therapist
Kia Goossen
Occupational Therapist
Kia completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MScOT) from the University of Manitoba after her Bachelor of Science from Simon Fraser University (SFU). She has experience working in private clinics,school settings as well as non-profit organization that services children with autism and other developmental disorders. She is passionate about supporting the development and well-being of children and utilizes multisensory approaches, self-regulation strategies, scaffolding strategies, and assistive devices to prepare children for success in school and life. Jennifer takes a strength-based and family-centered approach to foster engagement. She uses her energetic personality to foster playful opportunities and play-based learning to motivate children to engage in therapeutic treatment.
Nina Heins
Occupational Therapist
Nina Heins
Occupational Therapist
Nina brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team, having worked in a range of Occupational Therapy settings in both pediatrics and adult population. Prior to joining Symbiosis, she had worked at the Chilliwack School District # 33 as an Occupational Therapist.
Nina is passionate about supporting children of all ages to achieve their Occupational Therapy goals, with a strong focus on evidence-based practice and a goal-based approach. She has experience working with children with different diagnoses like Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down’s Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder, and Sensory Processing Disorder among others.
Noelle Alava
Occupational Therapist
Noelle Alava
Occupational Therapist
Noelle started working at Symbiosis as an Occupational Therapist since 2014is current working as a consulting Occupational Therapist at Symbiosis. .She is also working at the the Centre for Child Development in Surrey.She has extensive experience in clinical fieldwork experience in pediatrics and is familiar with all the challenges, children may face in an array of situations.She have been a practising occupational therapist for more than 14 years and worked within a variety of settings including schools, early intervention centres, and private clinics. Noelle is very passionate about empowering children with skills that are relevant and meaningful to them in their daily lives. I especially enjoy supporting school-aged children who struggle to reach their full potential due to executive function differences.
Danica Brown
Occupational Therapist
Danica Brown
Occupational Therapist
Danica is working as an Occupational Therapist at Symbiosis-Surrey and Abbotsford. She completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Queen’s University. She wants to specialize in pediatric care, focusing on children facing various developmental challenges.
Working closely with children diagnosed with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Learning Disabilities (LD), and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), among others, has been a significant part of her professional journey.
My approach to therapy emphasizes personalized interventions tailored to each child’s unique needs. Utilizing techniques such as sensory integration therapy, cognitive interventions, and adaptive equipment, I aim to empower children to enhance their skills and achieve their developmental goals.
My passion lies in advocating for and supporting children as they navigate their journey towards independence and improved quality of life. Through compassionate care and evidence-based practices, I strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families I serve.
Sarah Joseph
Occupational Therapist
Sarah Joseph
Occupational Therapist
Sarah is currently working as an Occupational Therapist at Symbiosis since 2023. She had completed her Master of Occupational Therapy in Neurosciences in Occupational Therapy in 2011 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in 2008.While working at Symbiosis, Sarah brings her exceptional ability of working with children and engaging them in therapeutic activities. She has experience in conducting various assessment, therapeutic activity planning and implementing a tailored treatment plan for children with sensory, motor, neurological and developmental conditions. Sarah is always very helpful in providing support to the children which improves their functional independence in all performance areas where they face some challenges in their everyday activitites.
Jobitha
Occupational Therapist
Jobitha
Occupational Therapist
Jobitha had completed her graduation as an Occupational Therapy in 2016. She also received a Graduate Certificate in Allied Health Science from
Algoma University, Ontario, Canada in 2020.
While working at Symbiosis, Jobitha brings her exceptional ability of working with children and engaging them in therapeutic activities. She has experience in conducting various assessment, therapeutic activity planning and implementing a tailored treatment plan for children with sensory, motor, neurological and developmental conditions. Sarah is always very helpful in providing support to the children which improves their functional independence in all performance areas where they face some challenges in their everyday activitites.
Jobitha is skilled in conducting assessments,
developing individualized treatment plans, and leading Occupational Therapy Assistants to deliver holistic, evidence-based care. She is well recognized for
strong clinical reasoning, interprofessional collaboration, and
commitment to promoting functional independence and the client
well-being.
Sneha Sanap
Occupational Therapist
Sneha Sanap
Occupational Therapist
Sneha is currently working as an Occupational Therapist at Symbiosis Abbotsford. She had completed her Master of Occupational Therapy from Seth
G.S. Medical College & K.E.M.H. in
2017 after her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy (B.O.Th) from the same college.
While working at Symbiosis, Sneha is well experienced in evaluating, assessing, and pproviding therapy services to pediatric
population with diverse developmental disabilities like autism spectrum disorder,
specific learning disorders, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, sensory processing
dysfunctions, behavioural problems, feeding problems etc.
Sneha adopts a child-centered approach in her work with children and young people. She works collaboratively with their families, schools and other community partners, as required. This is complemented by her ability to establish strong partnerships with the different stakeholders in the community.
Desiree D'Silva
Counsellor
Desiree D'Silva
Counsellor
Desiree D’silva joined Symbiosis team as a Counsellor. She is a EMDR and Play based therapist who works with children, youth and adults. She is deeply committed to providing a safe and non-judgmental space where her clients can explore their emotions, gain insight into their experiences, and develop effective coping strategies.
Desiree’s therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, respect, and collaboration, as she believes that the therapeutic relationship is a crucial aspect of any healing process.
Komal C. Dhokiya
Clinial Lead, Speech Language Pathologist
Komal C. Dhokiya
Clinial Lead, Speech Language Pathologist
Komal completed her degree in Speech -Language Pathology from the School of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Pune, India. She has vast experience working with children of all ages including preschoolers and school aged children. Her strong belief in evidence-based practice has guided her therapy intervention to the children and their families and believes in client-centered care.Prior to moving to Canada Komal had worked in settings providing treatment of children with a variety of diagnosis including, but not limited to, Dysphagia, Speech, Language, and communication including AAC.
Pooja Parmar
Speech and Language Pathologist
Pooja Parmar
Speech and Language Pathologist
Pooja Parmar is a registered SLP with the CSHBC. She completed her Master of Speech Pathology from Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for
the Hearing Handicapped, Mumbai,
India after her
Bachelor Degree in Speech and Audiology from Audiology and Speech Therapy
School, T.N. Medical College and
B.Y. L. Nair Charitable Hospital, India.
Pooja is an accomplished Speech Language Pathologist with extensive
education and 7+ years of experience in Evaluating and Treating
Language, Communication and Swallowing disorders. She believes in early intervention, holistic therapy approach, advocates neurodiversity affirming therapy, and she prioritizes patient-centered care. She brings dedication and creativity to her work, making therapy sessions enjoyable and effective. With excellent communication skills. Pooja collaborates effectively with all members of multidisciplinary teams, as well as with children and their families.
Pooja provides intervention in both individual and group settings, focusing on enhancing social-pragmatic skills. She also delivers education, and training to families and caregivers, while designing personalized programs to maximize the effectiveness of speech therapy.
While continuously updating her knowledge base, Pooja remains committed to supporting children and their families in improving their quality of life.
Fasina Suneer
Speech and Language Pathologist
Fasina Suneer
Speech and Language Pathologist
Fasina completed her graduation in Audiology And Speech Language and her Master’s In healthcare leadership from the Trinity Western University. She has 8 years of experience in hospital and special school settings in India as a Speech Language Pathologist.
Fasina is well versed with all the pediatric speech assessments and able to perform evaluations to determine the child’s functional level of their Speech and Language skills. She can develop individual treatment plans of care and provides individual therapy programs for children of all ages presenting with a variety of abilities and needs. She coordinates with other multi-disciplinary team members, both through formal and informal care conferences, to assure sufficient flow of information to support care of the children under her therapy caseload. She demonstrates her ability to foster engagement with children and their families and exhibit strong interpersonal skills and dedication to contributing to a supportive team environment.
Jesjiven Pannu
Speech and Language Pathologist
Jesjiven Pannu
Speech and Language Pathologist
Jesjiven graduated with her Masters in Speech and Language Therapy from the University City of London after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia in 2010.
Prior to moving to Canada, Jesjiven has experience working in various setting in United Kingdom (UK) with children diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Autism Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities (LD) in both 1:1 and group settings. She has experience administering formal (e.g., CELF and RAPT) and informal assessment of language and social skills.
Jesjiven has used many Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to support children’s communication including whiteboards, objects, symbols, and basic Makaton. I created resources using Board maker. She has worked collaboratively with families and other staff to assess children, create goals, and set care plans for the therapy assistants (Tas) and parents to implement, including communication partner training.
She believes in using a holistic approach and working with families as the key to achieving the best outcomes with children. Her goal is to facilitate change whilst maintaining a fun and engaging environment.
Michelle Nightingale
Speech and Language Pathologist
Michelle Nightingale
Speech and Language Pathologist
Michelle completed her Master of Science in Speech from the University of Southwestern Louisiana – Los Angeles, CA in 1996 after completing her Baccalaureate in Speech from the University of North Dakota – Grand Forks, ND in 1994 and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Winnipeg – Winnipeg, MB in 1993.
Michelle has vast experience conducting assessment, diagnosis, treatment and consultative services to preschoolers of varying abilities including Autism Spectrum Disorders. Her treatment focused on improving communication, language and speech skills to maximize the child’s cognitive, social and emotional growth using client-centered goals.
Michelle has completed her training in DIR- Floortime level 101 and 201, which can be implemented with children who need to strengthen their Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities in areas such as in Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has worked closely with the caregivers to ensure follow through and growth in communication skills and as part of multi-disciplinary teams consisting of Case managers, Occupational therapist, Behavior Consultants and Child Development Worker.
Sheba Mathew
Speech and Language Pathologist
Sheba Mathew
Speech and Language Pathologist
Sheeba graduated with Masters in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology from Manipal University, India. Prior to that she completed her Bachelors in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology in 2016.
Sheeba has more than 6 years of experience working as a Speech Language Pathologist in various Pediatric Rehabilitation Centers and volunteering in hospitals and retirement living facilities. She has many International Certifications in Oral Placement Therapy (Level 1 and 2), PROMPT (Level 1 trained) and Hanen: More than Words. She is a highly effective communicator and an efficient time manager with excellent problem solving and organizational skills. She is also an empathetic collaborator who is known for thinking out-of-the-box and taking initiatives.As a highly sensitive individual, Sheeba possess a unique ability to understand the needs of her clients, even when they may struggle to articulate them. She firmly believes in the power of play as a means of learning, particularly for children. Through play, children not only acquire valuable skills but also retain them for a lifetime. In her Speech therapy sessions at Symbiosis,she strives to create an engaging and enjoyable environment while ensuring that therapeutic goals are effectively met. Her approach blends creativity with evidence-based practices to provide holistic support to each child she works in the clinic.
Aimy Eldhose
Speech Language Pathologist
Aimy Eldhose
Speech Language Pathologist
Aimy is current working as a consultant Speech-Language Pathologist at Symbiosisas well as the Surrey School District. She graduated with Master of Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology in 2014 after completing her Bachelor of Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology in 2011. She has experience in providing Speech and language intervention to Preschoolers and school-aged children. She is welll versed in planing, implementing and work collaboratively with a multi-professional team to secure tangible outcomes for the children she works in the clinic.She also work along with the child’s parents/guardians to ensure continuity of skills at home.
Vangmayee Venkatasubban
Speech Language Pathologist
Vangmayee Venkatasubban
Speech Language Pathologist
Candice completed her BSc Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Cape Town prior to graduating with MSc in Speech Language Pathology. She has vast experience working with children of all ages including neonates and school aged children in both the acute hospital setting as well as school environments. Her strong belief in evidence-based practice has guided her therapy intervention to the children and their families and believes in patient-centered care.Prior to moving to Canada from South Africa, Candice has work in both in a clinical and academic setting. She was the Clinical Supervisor and Lecturer at the University of Cape Town where she taught students in the Learners with Special Educational Needs school and clinical setting for the treatment of children with a variety of diagnosis including, but not limited to, Dysphagia, Speech, Language, and communication including AAC. She also had worked in a private practice, part-time, managing adults and children with a variety of disorders ranging from ASD, feeding and swallowing disorders, fluency and voice, and management of many other speech related challenges.
Candice Payne
Speech and Language Pathologist
Candice Payne
Speech and Language Pathologist
Candice completed her BSc Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Cape Town prior to graduating with MSc in Speech Language Pathology. She has vast experience working with children of all ages including neonates and school aged children in both the acute hospital setting as well as school environments. Her strong belief in evidence-based practice has guided her therapy intervention to the children and their families and believes in patient-centered care.Prior to moving to Canada from South Africa, Candice has work in both in a clinical and academic setting. She was the Clinical Supervisor and Lecturer at the University of Cape Town where she taught students in the Learners with Special Educational Needs school and clinical setting for the treatment of children with a variety of diagnosis including, but not limited to, Dysphagia, Speech, Language, and communication including AAC. She also had worked in a private practice, part-time, managing adults and children with a variety of disorders ranging from ASD, feeding and swallowing disorders, fluency and voice, and management of many other speech related challenges.
Celestial
Speech and Language Pathologist
Celestial
Speech and Language Pathologist
Candice completed her BSc Speech-Language Pathology from Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped (AYJNIHH), India, in 2017. She went on to complete her MSc in Speech Language Pathology from All India Institute of Speech and Hearing,India in 2019. She has vast experience working with children of all ages including preschoolers and school aged children in clinical setting as well as school environments. Her strong belief in evidence-based practice has guided her therapy intervention to the children and their families and believes in patient-centered care.
Celestial has expertise in
conducting, designing, and executing suitable Speech and Language assessments and providing treatment strategies for
children of diverse age ranges. She is very skilled in organizing and executing tasks in an
efficient, systematic manner, and always open to constructive feedback and dedicated to continuous
professional development.
Archana Shrinivasachar
Speech and Language Pathologist
Archana Shrinivasachar
Speech and Language Pathologist
Archana completed her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from the Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bangalore University in 2009. Prior to moving to Canada from India, she has work in both in a clinical and academic setting. Her duties involved
conducting assessments and intervention for varied speech-communication disorders
(delayed speech, articulation disorder, stammering, aphasia, autism, voice problem, hearing
problem), also providing family based intervention program.
Chelsea Lim
Behavior Interventionist
Chelsea Lim
Behavior Interventionist
Chelsea is currently working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis clinic. She is enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program at UBC. She has experience working with neurodiverse children in both homel and clinic environments.One of her favourite ways to target therapy goals for children is through play. Whether it’s pretending to cook food or going on a treasure hunt and practicing speech sounds – play is her tool.
Rebekah Greenhalgh
Speech Therapy assistant
Rebekah Greenhalgh
Speech Therapy assistant
Rebekah holds a degree in Applied Linguistics with a minor in French Language and Literature. She is currently working as a Speech-Language pathlogy Assistant(SLP-A) at Symbiosis. She has a passion for language, and loves working with children with various diagnoses like Autism ADHD, learning disabilities etc.She plan to enrol for a Master’s degree to become a Speech-Language Pathologist in the near future.
Bhanupriya Naveenkumar
Therapy Assistant
Bhanupriya Naveenkumar
Therapy Assistant
Bhanupriya graduated with Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from S.R.M. College of Occupational Therapy, India in 2007. She is also a Certified Child Birth Educator by Academy of Certified Birth Educators and Labor Support Professionals, USA.
Bhanupriya is experienced in implementing therapy goals for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays and/or motor delays. She works under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist to the children in our Delta clinic.
Bhanupriya loves to work within an multi-disciplinary team while providing an engaging and positive client experience in a fast paced and frequently changing environment.
Jasmine Heer
Behavior Interventionist
Jasmine Heer
Behavior Interventionist
Jasmine is currently working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She is currently enrolled for her Bachelor’s degree from Simon Fraser University.
Jasmine has gained valuable experience and knowledge while working with children diagnosed with developmental delays, Autism, Learning Disabilities etc under the supervision of Behavior Analysts and other multi-disciplinary team members. She provides one-on-one clinic-based Behavior Intervention sessions targeting play, academics, social skills, communication, self-management, and self-care skills at Symbiosis.
Disha Sanghvi
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Disha Sanghvi
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Disha completed her Masters of
Occupational Therapy (Developmental
Disabilities) Seth G. S. Medical
College & KEMH, Mumbai in 2018. Previously she had completed her Bachelor of
Occupational in 2014.
She is experienced working under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist and and implementing treatment plans, documentation, reporting,
goal setting, and taking case notes.
She is well versed in providing family centered intervention using ethical and best practices. She also has experience in supporting and training family members and caregivers along with the Therapists..
Jessica Sheffield
Therapy assistant
Jessica Sheffield
Therapy assistant
Jessica joined Symbiosis as an Occupational Therapy Assistant after completing her Kinesiology Degree with a minor in Psychology from the University of the Fraser Valley.
Jessica shows a strong devotion while working with children and youth with developmental disabilities and their families. She takes a special interest in creating functional life skills for her clients to use in their natural environment to reach their individual goals. She embraces each child with compassion and understanding to provide fun, successful treatment sessions.
Parveen
Therapy assistant
Parveen
Therapy assistant
Parveen holds a Masters in Physiotherapy degree specializing in musculoskeletal condition. He is currently working as a Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. He is dedicated to providing personalized care to the children with a passion for helping them as he has a wealth of expertise in therapy techniques specifically used for children with Autism and other developmental diagnoses.
Ella Pagara
Occupational Therapy assistant
Ella Pagara
Occupational Therapy assistant
Faith completed her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational therapy in March 2020.
While she is in the process of getting licensed as an Occupational Therapist, she is currently implementing interventions for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays and/or motor delays as an Therapy assistant.
Faits is experienced in executing OT plans developed and supervised by a Registered Occupational Therapist to clients at Symbiosis. She loves working in an multi-disciplinary team while providing an engaging and positive client experience in a fast paced and frequently changing environment.
Virdevinder Deol
Behavior Interventionist
Virdevinder Deol
Behavior Interventionist
Virdevinder Deol is working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis and also as Teacher Assistant with Abbotsford School District She completed her certification course to work as an Education Assistant from Western community college. Previously she completed her Master’s Degree in English (2009-2010) after completing her Bachelors of Education from India. She has many years experience teaching children in the middle school in India.
Mayar Soliman
Behavior Interventionist
Mayar Soliman
Behavior Interventionist
Mayar is a dedicated Behavioral Interventionist working at Symbiosis. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2024. As a Behavioral Interventionist, she is very committed to making a positive impact in the lives of children with diagnoses(Autism and other developmental delays) and their families. She believes in the power of personalized approaches and collaboration to support each child’s unique needs and foster growth and development.Mayar has assisted children during their sessions, following the specific behavior programs designed for them by the Behavior Consultants. Her focus has always been on enhancing their social and developmental skills, integrating new learning concepts, and creating a fun, creative learning environment tailored to each child’s needs.
Erin Cheng
Behavior Interventionist
Erin Cheng
Behavior Interventionist
Erin is current working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis while she is currently enrolled in Bachelor of Arts: Psychology from the University of British Columbia (UBC).She has worked for more than 2 years as BI and she enjoys working with neurodivergent kids. She is dedicated in providing personalized care to the children with a passion for helping them while working along with multi-disciplinary team while providing intervention to children diagnosed with Autism and other developmental diagnoses.
Eryn Ng
Speech Therapy Assistant
Eryn Ng
Speech Therapy Assistant
Eryn is currently working as a Speech Therapy assistant at Symbiosis while currently enrolled at Simon Fraser University (SFU) under the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and graduating
in Linguistics as her major subject.
Eryn had previously worked as a tutor, assistant swimming coach as well as as a behavior interventionist since 2022.
Amandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Amandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Amandeep began her work as a behaviour interventionist at Symbiosis and gained experience working with children diagnosed with ASD and their families in clinical and home-based settings.She is well versed to confidently implement the behavioural support plans developed by a Board Certfied Behavior Analysts or Behaviour Consultants. She has a strong interest in early childhood education and successful inclusion of children with autism in early development programs.
Amol Sekhon
Behavior Interventionist
Amol Sekhon
Behavior Interventionist
Amol began her work as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She has experience working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and implementing Behavior programs and individualized plans aimed to help reduce their behavioral challenges.
Amol had completed her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology as well as Postgraduate diploma in Counselling and Clinical Psychology from India prior to completing her coursework for Registered Behavior Technician(RBT) from the Institute of Behavioral Training from South Carolina.
Amol assists the Behavior Analysts and Behavior Consultants to implement the behavior skill acquisition treatment plans and also supports the children monitor the behavior while implementing the strategies, record and collect data on their progress, and communicate with the families.
Anmol (Molly) Gill
Behavior Interventionist
Anmol (Molly) Gill
Behavior Interventionist
Amol began her work as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She is enrolled in Bachelor of Science in Food Nutrition and Health at University of British Columbia since 2024.
Anmol has experience working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and implementing Behavior programs and individualized plans aimed to help reduce their behavioral challenges.
Amol assists the Behavior Analysts and Behavior Consultants to implement the behavior skill acquisition treatment plans and also supports the children monitor the behavior while implementing the strategies, record and collect data on their progress, and communicate with the families.
Anum Chaudhry
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Anum Chaudhry
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Anum completed her Bachelor’s degree in Criminology & Minor In Counselling Psychology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in 2020. She has experience working as a Behaviour Interventionist since May 2019. She has assisted children during their Intervention sessions following the specific behavior programs designed for them focusing on social and development skills; integrating new learning concepts; creating a fun, creative learning environment for the child.
Anupreet Parmar
Speech Language Pathology assistant/Behavior Interventionist
Anupreet Parmar
Speech Language Pathology assistant/Behavior Interventionist
Anupreet is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and Behaviour Interventionist at the Surrey, Burnaby, and Delta Clinics. She is completing her Linguistics Degree with a Minor in Learning and Developmental Disabilities from Simon Fraser University. Anupreet has supported children in their sessions by adhering to the particular behaviour plans created for them, prioritizing social and developmental skills, incorporating fresh ideas, and fostering an enjoyable, imaginative learning atmosphere.
Arshnoor Saini
Behavior Interventionist
Arshnoor Saini
Behavior Interventionist
Anupreet is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and Behaviour Interventionist at the Surrey, Burnaby, and Delta Clinics. She is completing her Linguistics Degree with a Minor in Learning and Developmental Disabilities from Simon Fraser University. Anupreet has supported children in their sessions by adhering to the particular behaviour plans created for them, prioritizing social and developmental skills, incorporating fresh ideas, and fostering an enjoyable, imaginative learning atmosphere.
Astik Bhan
Behavior Interventionist
Astik Bhan
Behavior Interventionist
Astik completed his M.A. Clinical Psychology from India and currently persuing M.A. Leadership in Healthcare from Trinity Western University. He is currently working as a behavior Interventionist at our Port Coquitlam location. He is very passionate about play-based learning, relationship building & fully supporting the importance of co-regulation & self-regulation. His primary responsibility is providing intervention for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays and/or motor delays supervised by an Behavior Consultant. He works as part of the multi-disciplinary team while providing an engaging and positive experience to the children.
Chanpreet Khangura
Behavior Interventionist
Chanpreet Khangura
Behavior Interventionist
Chanpreet graduated with a Bachelor of science from UBC(majoring in Biology). She wants to pursue a career in medicine or mental health.She provides support in individual and group sessions under the supervision of Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Consultants at Symbiosis. She also assists in the implementation of recommendations of the Behavior plan of Intervention and carry out sessions based on the specific therapy goals established by the supervising BC.
Georgia Rowland
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Georgia Rowland
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Gorgia’ is currently working as Speech Therapy assistant ay Symbiosis-Surrey. She completed her Bachelor of Arts, Linguistics Major, Business Administration and Psychology Minor from Trinity Western University
in 2023. Her work experience includes working with preschoolers, elementary-school-aged learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder focusing on speech and communication goals, behavioral, and social-emotional learning goals.
Gurpreet Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Gurpreet Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Gurpreet is currently working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis and as a Education assistant in Pacific Academy. Gurpreet consistently demonstrated the ability to collaborate effectively with Symbiosis team members, displaying excellent communication and interpersonal skills. She is always willing to lend a hand and has a positive, supportive attitude towards her peers. Gurpreet actively listens to others’ ideas and is open-minded, encouraging constructive feedback to improve the team’s performance Guurpreet completed her Bachelor of Education, Masters in Music (Instrumental) from India as well as her Education Assistant Diploma from the Western Community College, Surrey.
Gurpreet (Kiran) Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Gurpreet (Kiran) Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
At Symbiosis, Gurpreet provide/assist with Behavior program activities in the areas of self-help, communication, social, cognitive, motor and behavior to provide her services for children with Autism.She fosters learning and skill development through play and engagement with children during her intervention sessions.
Hiba Al Sahi
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Hiba Al Sahi
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Hiba is currently enrolled in Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Fraser Valley Abbotsford( Major in Criminology and Criminal Justice).
Having experience in handling different pediatric cases as a Behavior Interventionist, she is able to support the children and their families to implement strategies to overcome the functional difficulties, while not only help them achieve the goals but also keeping them engaged and having a fun experience.
Kristine Amomonpon
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kristine Amomonpon
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kristine have been working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy and is also a registered Early Childhood Educator in BC for almost 6 years now.She believes that children are full of potentials and with time, she is committed to support the children she works with reach the potential.She has experience in working with children with various diagnoses (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disabilities, ADHD, Global Development Delay etc.).
Mandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Mandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
With a master and doctoral degree in Education, Mandeep have been working with children for the last 10 years. She have enumerable experience related to conducting evidence based research, providing early interventions and counselling for the overall well-being of children. During my doctoral studies at Panjab University, she focused her research on children with aggressive behavior and applied a psychoeducational intervention called Aggression Replacement Training (ART) which equipped her with a deep understanding of the underlying causes of aggression in children and adolescents, as well as effective strategies for intervention and behavior modification. She also taught Guidance and Counselling, Education Psychology, and took some practical sessions of conducting psychology tests and have developed strong teaching skills through various teaching assignments, where she engaged with students from diverse backgrounds and facilitated their learning effectively.
Mandeep also worked as a Counsellor/teacher at a school and institute, while addressing a wide range of challenges, providing support and guidance to students while ensuring their academic success along with their mental well-being. This experience has honed her ability to tailor interventions to diverse individual needs. She love to work with children and bring a positive change in their behaviour through different kinds of research based interventions so that they become self reliant.
Mandeep Toor
Behavior Interventionist
Mandeep Toor
Behavior Interventionist
Mandeep is currenty working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She had completed her Bachelor’s degree of Economics and is a Certified Education Assistant and working as a IESW in Surrey School district. She love working with children and help them to learn and develop new skills. She values working collaboratively with families and other professionals and is very passionate about helping children and their families achieve their goals
Jasmine Heer
Behavior Interventionist
Jasmine Heer
Behavior Interventionist
Jasmine is currently working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She had completed her Bachelor’s degree of Economics and is a Certified Education Assistant and working as a IESW in Surrey School district. She love working with children and help them to learn and develop new skills. She values working collaboratively with families and other professionals and is very passionate about helping children and their families achieve their goals
Kajalpreet Kaur
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kajalpreet Kaur
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kajalpreet Kaur is currently working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis Surrey. She completed her Undergraduate diploma in Health and Fitness Program in Dec 2023
from Seneca Polytechnics, Toronto ON .
Kajalpreet provide Occupational therapy therapeutic interventions and therapy care plans in order to meet client’s level of function as per guidelines established by the supervising Occupational Therapist
Kirpriya Gill
Behavior Interventionist
Kirpriya Gill
Behavior Interventionist
Kirpriya completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the Fraser Valley (Psychology major) in April 2024.
During her work as a Behavior Interventionist, she plays a crucial role in providing support and guidance to children with behavioral challenges. She has experience in implementing the Positive Behavior plans and strategies to promote growth and development of neurodivergent children during her sessions through play.
Mital Patel
Behavior Interventionist
Mital Patel
Behavior Interventionist
Mital is currenty working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy clinic. She has a Post Basic B.SC. Nursing degree. She has experience working as a staff nurse since 1997 and also as a Child care provider for more than 4 years. She is well versed in preparing treatment materials in collaboration with the Behavior Consultant, implementing behavior plan of intervention, monitoring their behavior and keeping detailed logs of observations throughout the day. She like adapting her instruction and play skills based on individual child’s needs while assessing their strengths to develop appropriate strategies for addressing issues.
Nanaki Dhaliwal
Behavior Interventionist
Nanaki Dhaliwal
Behavior Interventionist
Nanaki is currenty working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis.She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Psychology and Linguistics. Her professional interest is focused on child development, language acquisition and behavioral studies. Nanaki has experience working with children with development delays/disorders, and conducting speech related research.
Prabhsimar Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Prabhsimar Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Prabhsimar holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in Counselling. Currently, she is furthering her expertise by pursuing a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. She is a dedicated Behaviour Interventionist with a heart full of passion for working with kids. For over four years, she had the privilege of guiding and supporting the the children and their families through their unique journeys. She finds her inspiration in their curiosity, resilience, and boundless energy which has laid the foundation for her understanding of human behaviour and the importance of mental health.When I’m not working with kids, she is engaged in strumming her guitar. Music, much like her work, is a source of joy and creativity in her life.
Preety Sian
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Preety Sian
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Preety completed my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology minor in Health science at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Since July 2021, she has been working as a therapy Assistant and Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis, where she finds great joy in working with children with diagnosis of Autism and offering her empathetic, kind, passionate and understanding nature to help them thrive.She uses her play skills based on individual child’s needs while assessing their strengths to develop appropriate strategies for addressing issues.
Manya Mutreja
Behavior Interventionist
Manya Mutreja
Behavior Interventionist
Manya is currently working as a Bbehavior Interventionist ay Symbiosis while she is completing her Bachelor’s degree in Health science(Psychology as Major) at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Manya finds great joy in working with children with diagnosis of Autism and offering them an empathetic, kind, passionate support while helping them thrive.She uses her play skills based on individual child’s needs while assessing their strengths to develop appropriate strategies for addressing issues.
Rachana Ravikanti
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Rachana Ravikanti
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Rachana is currently working as a therapy assistant and Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis clinic. She hold a Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy degree from India as well as Diploma in Kinesiology from Langara college. As a healthcare professional in physiotherapy, she specialize in integrating rehabilitation with behavioral health strategies to promote holistic well-being in children. Her approach focuses on individualized care plans that address both physical and psychological needs, helping children with Autisn and other diagnoses achieve their health goals and improve their quality of life.
Rupa Chakraborty
Behavior Interventionist
Rupa Chakraborty
Behavior Interventionist
Rupa has over five years experience working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She graduated with a Master of Science in Anthropology from Visva -Bharati University, India. She also has a Bachelor of Education from University of Calcutta, India as well as a Diploma in Counseling from Oxford Learning College, U.K. Rupa completed her RBT course in 2021.
Rupa is passionate for working with children to implement their personal goals in a playful environment, and help them develop their communication, functional and socio-emotional skills to improve their daily lives.
Safinaz Yekta
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Safinaz Yekta
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Safinaz is currently working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. As a Behaviour Interventionist (BI), her responsibility includes implementing Behaviour plan of interventions for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or other learning and development delays. She is well versed to execute intervention plans developed and supervised by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to children attending therapy services at Symbiosis. She works within an interdisciplinary team to support skill acquisition while providing an engaging and positive experience to the children and families.
Malika Josan
Speech Therapy Assistant
Malika Josan
Speech Therapy Assistant
Malika is currently working as a Speech Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis while she is enrolled at Simon Fraser University to graduate in Bachelor of Linguistics. As a SLP-A, her responsibility includes implementing speech and communication goals for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or other learning and development delays. She is well versed to execute intervention plans developed and supervised by a registered Speech-Language Pathologist for the children attending therapy services at Symbiosis. She works with an multi-disciplinary team to support skill acquisition while providing an engaging and positive experience to the children and families.
Sahithi Naini
Behavior Interventionist
Sahithi Naini
Behavior Interventionist
Sahiti hold a Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy and currently pursuing a Diploma in Kinesiology at Langara college in Vancouver. As a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis,She has experience working one-on-one with the child under the supervision of a Behaviour Analyst. She implements specific programs/goals as outlined in the child’s Behaviour Plan of intervention in a very efficnet manner in a fun and engaging environment. She engages with the child and uses specific teaching strategies to target goals, collect and monitor data for progress review which focuses on speech, communication, social skills, play, and self-help skills.
Sophia Ahmed
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sophia Ahmed
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sophia graduated from Simon Fraser University with her Bachelor’s degree with a major in Psychology. Since May 2022, she has been part of the Symbiosis team, where she has gained valuable experience and knowledge while working with children diagnosed with developmental delays, Autism, Learning Disabilities etc. She has experience working one-on-one clinic-based Behavior Intervention sessions targeting play, academics, social skills, communication, self-management, and self-care skills at Symbiosis.
Nandini Kaushal
Speech Therapy Assistant/Behaviou Interventionist
Nandini Kaushal
Speech Therapy Assistant/Behaviou Interventionist
Nandini is enrolled in Bachelors of Science in Population and Quantitative health sciences at the Simon Fraser University since 2000 in Burnaby, BC. She has been part of the Symbiosis team, where she has gained valuable experience and knowledge while working with children diagnosed with developmental delays, Autism, Learning Disabilities etc. She has experience working one-on-one clinic-based conducting Speech therapy sessions/ Behavior Intervention sessions under guidance of a Registered SLP targeting play, academics, social skills, communication, self-management, and self-care skills.
Suzeth Sanares (Maria)
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Suzeth Sanares (Maria)
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Maria has completed her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Philippines in 2000 and currently working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. With a decade of experience as well as her love & passion working with kids, she have gained a deep understanding on how to support the needs of the children and their families. She is very passionate about play-based learning, relationship building & fully supporting the importance of co-regulation & self-regulation. In addition,Suzeth have also attended various professional courses & workshops (Handwriting Without Tears, Anxiety Management, RBT, Behavior & Self-regulation, etc.). She takes joy in working collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team & displays a friendly & positive attitude working with children at Symbiosis. She takes pride when she looks at the their smiles on the faces of the children as well as their parents knowing that she contributes some part in their journey too.It is her desire to support them at the fullest capabilities so that one day the children can spread their wings & live their fullest potential. Outside Symbiosis, Suzeth finds her inspiration & joy in nature, music and doing Church-related activities.
Swapnali Apte
Behavior Interventionist
Swapnali Apte
Behavior Interventionist
Swapnali is currently working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She had completed her Masters in Clinical Psychology from India. She also completed Level 3 of Dance Movement Therapy certified by The International Dance Council, Paris. She also published a research about how movement can positively affect the self esteem, anxiety and social skills in children with special needs.
Swapnali has previous experience of working as a Pychologist and a School counsellor for 9 years dealing with a varied age group of Pre School to Grade 12 in India. She is always ready to learn new things may it be from children, peers or superiors. She believes that play and movement can be the best way to introduce and implement interventions with children.
Mayar Soliman
Behavior Interventionist
Mayar Soliman
Behavior Interventionist
Mayar is currently working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She is currently enrolled in Bachelor of Science in Biology – University of the Fraser Valley.
Mayar is always ready to learn new things may it be from children, peers or superiors. She believes that play and movement can be the best way to introduce and implement interventions with children.
Zeba Bhagat
Behavior Interventionist
Zeba Bhagat
Behavior Interventionist
My name is Zeba I currently attend the University of British Columbia as a second year student. I am acquiring a degree in psychology with a minor in behavioural neuroscience.
I have grown passionate about working with youth through previous programs I have partaken in, such as The next 100 years program, YMCA, and receiving my babysitting certification through the REACH program which allowed me to work with various youth of different backgrounds in their developmental behaviour.
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She currently oversees the clinical and administrative departments of Symbiosis. Shalini has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Shalini completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy specializing in Pediatric Neurology in 2000. She also has her Masters degree in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from The Pennsylvania State University. Shalini is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Shalini has extensive clinical experience with assessment and program development that is designed to treat challenging behaviors, build communication, and functional life skills. Some of the team-based intervention which she incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), SCERTS, DIR®/Floor time model, etc.
Shalini has trained & supervised several teams of therapists, parents, and other professionals on evidence-based behavioral strategies to improve the quality of life for the children. She also assists with the development and implementation of evidence-based treatment approaches, in addition to providing clinical guidance and mentorship to the Behavioral Intervention team.
Shalini is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) from the University of Southern California and in Neuro-Developmental Therapy (NDT) from NDT Association, USA. She also enjoys working with children in Symbiosis embracing different therapy models while viewing the challenges faced by the children through the developmental framework.
Shalini is the mother of two children and understands the importance of considering the needs and wants of all members of the family when establishing therapy goals. She spends her spare time with her children and husband, reading, traveling, and cooking different recipes from around the world.
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai is currently the Assistant Director(Operations) for Symbiosis Clinics. She is also a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia and her Master of Education degree from Western University. She has worked in the field for 15 years, providing community, school, and clinic-based interventions. Mai is passionate about delivering services through a multidisciplinary approach, with a primary focus on early intervention and social skills development. Mai has worked with diverse children and youth and their families in a variety of settings, including pediatric, schools, and childcare/daycare centers. She provides assessment, parenting support, and consultation for children and young adults experiencing developmental, learning, emotional, and behavior problems.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, snowboarding, and camping.
Nushara Perera
Clinic Coordinator
Nushara Perera
Clinic Coordinator
Nushara is a very motivated person wiith a drive for serving as a dedicated support specialist and energetic team member at Symbiosis.
Nushara completed her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Canada West, Vancouver. She also received a Chartered Qualification in Human Resources Management (CQHRM) at the
Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, SL, the Qualification accredited by CIPD UK.
Chris Leong
Clinic Manager
Chris Leong
Clinic Manager
Chris joined Symbiosis to provide her support and ensure that our families and customers receive an excellent service experience while receiving the services in our Surrey clinic.
Chris is very enthusiastic, quick learner, eager to understand new concepts and overcome challenges in her work as Clinic Coordinator at the clinic. She is cheerful, empathetic and polite when interacting with children and their families, her team members and managers.
Chris ensures a consistent high level of service and clinical standards are maintained in the clinic. She supports in scheduling appointments and general administrative duties in the clinic assigned by the clinic supervisor/manager.
Gabriella Giacomini
Clinic Manager
Gabriella Giacomini
Clinic Manager
Gabriella (Gabi)is working at Symbiosis as a Clinic Manager at our Abbotsford clinic. She demonstrates immense capability to handle a wide range of administrative tasks while ensuring the smooth operation of daily activities at the clinic.
Gabi brings her previous work experience which helps her to enhance the processes and sometimes drive the necessary changes, all in service of improving both employee and family experiences while visiting the clinic.
Gurpreet (Preeti)
Clinic Manager
Gurpreet (Preeti)
Clinic Manager
Preeti is currently working as the clinic Manager at our Symbiosis Abbotsford clinic. She ensures that both families and therapists have what they need each day. She implements workflows and procedures to ensure that everything runs smoothly in the very busy clinical environment.
Ericka Rancourt
Funding Manager
Ericka Rancourt
Funding Manager
Meet Ericka, Funding Manager extraordinaire at Symbiosis Surrey. Starting as a Clinic Coordinator back in 2019, she took the responsibility of streamlining operations and keeping everything on track for efficient working across different department and professionals in the clinic.
While juggling the duties at the Clinic, she is also diving into the world of bookkeeping. Erika is always eager to learn while balancing her work and studies with finesse.With her finger on the pulse of the clinic, Ericka ensures top-notch patient care and maintains a tight ship behind the scenes. From coordinating schedules to diving into finances, she does it all with a smile.
Ravneet Kaur
Clinic Coordinator
Ravneet Kaur
Clinic Coordinator
Ravneet ensures that the day-to-day operations at our Surrey Clinic are carried out smoothly, including providing high level of customer including greeting and welcoming the children and families, assisting with any inquiries.
Ravneet manages the therapy appointments, maintaining a clean working area, process payments, coordinating with professionals, and assisting with administrative tasks
Jatinder Kaur
Clinic Manager
Jatinder Kaur
Clinic Manager
Jatinder is working at Symbiosis-Surrey as a clinic manager at our Surrey clinic. She is highly efficient in handling a wide range of administrative tasks while ensuring the smooth operation of daily activities at the clinic.
Jatinder brings her previous work experience as an senior executive which helps her to enhance the processes and sometimes drive the necessary changes, all in service of improving both employee and family experiences while visiting the clinic.
Sonal Sakhuja
Clinic Coordinator
Sonal Sakhuja
Clinic Coordinator
Sonal is currently workin as the Clinic Coordinator, primarily working out of the Delta location focusing on all the clinic and administrative needs for the Delta, Burnaby & Port Coquitlam locations.
Sonal coordinates the operational planning and implementation of the clinic procedures in conjunction with the practice leaders across various Symbiosis clinics.She leads the clinic in delivering outstanding client experience, executing effective and efficient clinical programs, and ensuring successful attainment of clinical excellence.
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Sumanta Das is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. He has dual qualification as a Board Certified Behavior Consultant as well as an Occupational Therapist and a RASP Category A service provider.
He currently is the Director of Clinical Operations and oversees the clinical departments of all the clinics. He has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Sumanta started his professional career as an Occupational Therapist in 1997 after his graduation in Bachelor of Occupational Therapy followed by Post Graduation in Developmental Rehabilitation as well as Health Management.
Sumanta is certified in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) as well as Sensory Integration (SI). He furthered his education by completing his Masters in Education (M.Ed.) – Special Education in 2017 and his BACB coursework from Florida Institute of Technology.
Sumanta is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.
Sumanta facilitates the growth of the behavior program and supervises Behavior Consultants with the creation and implementation of sound behavioral intervention plans for the children attending Symbiosis Clinics. Some of the team-based intervention which he incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), and SCERTS – a treatment program for children with Autism.
Sumanta had previously worked extensively with children with special needs in school systems, private clinics, and home-based interventions in various countries including India and Singapore. He was actively involved in setting up two pediatric departments in Singapore and was the chairperson of the Pediatric Special Interest Group (SIG) under the umbrella of the Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists for two years.
Sumanta has made numerous presentations at international conferences and is well experienced in conducting workshops for parents, teachers as well as other health care professionals. He was the first recipient of the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Mentorship Scholarship which provides premier treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents, and adults with SPD in Denver, Colorado.
Sumanta is a father of two boys. While understanding the developmental needs of the children, he makes sure that children who receive services through Symbiosis see it as a place they can have fun at and enjoy coming to.
Sumanta spends his spare time pursuing various leisure activities with his family including playing badminton, swimming, hiking and camping.
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini Das
Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist
Shalini is one of the Co-founders and Director/s of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She has dual qualification as a Board Certified Behavior Consultant as well as an Occupational Therapist and a RASP Category A service provider.
Shalini currently oversees the clinical and administrative departments of Symbiosis.
Shalini has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.
Shalini completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy specializing in Pediatric Neurology in 2000. She also has her Masters degree in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from The Pennsylvania State University.
Shalini has extensive clinical experience with assessment and program development that is designed to treat challenging behaviors, build communication, and functional life skills. Some of the team-based intervention which she incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), SCERTS, DIR®/Floor time model, etc.
Shalini has trained & supervised several teams of therapists, parents, and other professionals on evidence-based behavioral strategies to improve the quality of life for the children. She also assists with the development and implementation of evidence-based treatment approaches, in addition to providing clinical guidance and mentorship to the Behavioral Intervention team.
Shalini is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) from the University of Southern California and in Neuro-Developmental Therapy (NDT) from NDT Association, USA. She also enjoys working with children in Symbiosis embracing different therapy models while viewing the challenges faced by the children through the developmental framework.
Shalini is the mother of two children and understands the importance of considering the needs and wants of all members of the family when establishing therapy goals. She spends her spare time with her children and husband, reading, traveling, and cooking different recipes from around the world.
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai Ho
Assistant Director (Operations) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mai is currently the Assistant Director(Operations) for Symbiosis Clinics. She is also a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia and her Master of Education degree from Western University. She has worked in the field for 15 years, providing community, school, and clinic-based interventions. Mai is passionate about delivering services through a multidisciplinary approach, with a primary focus on early intervention and social skills development. Mai has worked with diverse children and youth and their families in a variety of settings, including pediatric, schools, and childcare/daycare centers. She provides assessment, parenting support, and consultation for children and young adults experiencing developmental, learning, emotional, and behavior problems.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, snowboarding, and camping.
Kristine Balisacan
Assistant Director (Clinical) and OT Clinical Lead
Kristine Balisacan
Assistant Director (Clinical) and OT Clinical Lead
Kristine is the Assistant Director of Clinical Services and Occupational Therapy Clinical Lead for Symbiosis Clinics. She has a decade-plus of enriched experience working with neurodivergent children and other developmental disabilities. Her professional journey has been fueled by profound curiosity and empathy about how children navigate and thrive in their environments.
Her approach revolves around empathy and collaboration, fostering safe spaces where children feel empowered to explore and flourish. She’s a firm believer in the power of play-based therapy, trauma-sensitive practice, and forging strong partnerships with families and other professionals.
She has attended various professional courses (Handwriting Without Tears Pre-K & K-5, Integrated Listening System, Decoding the Autism Brain, Executive Functioning: Tackle Homework and Classwork with these Helpful Strategies! The Zones of Regulation®: A Framework to Foster Self-Regulation and Emotional Control, Facing Your Fears Training, More Than 4 Wheels: Complex seating and mobility assessment and prescription for all ages, Art of Therapy and Connection, Managing the Anxious Symptoms of Children and Adolescents with ASD: Practical Strategies, Becoming a Behavioral Detective, BEST strategies for self-care, productivity and leisure using a strengths-based and neurodiversity-friendly lens, etc.) which provides further depth to her clinical knowledge and experiences that she shares with the families and the multidisciplinary team at Symbiosis.
Beyond her professional life, Kristine cherishes spending time with her family and dogs, nurturing her relationships, and creating lasting memories. She also volunteers at her local church and non-profit organizations, lending a helping hand to those in need and giving back to her community.
Rahilla Waheed
Occupational Therapist
Rahilla Waheed
Occupational Therapist
Rahilla is working as an Occupational Therapist at Symbiosis-Surrey and Burnaby hold both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy.Throughout my career, I’ve specialized in pediatric care, focusing on children facing various developmental challenges.
Working closely with children diagnosed with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Learning Disabilities (LD), and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), among others, has been a significant part of my professional journey.
My approach to therapy emphasizes personalized interventions tailored to each child’s unique needs. Utilizing techniques such as sensory integration therapy, cognitive interventions, and adaptive equipment, I aim to empower children to enhance their skills and achieve their developmental goals.
My passion lies in advocating for and supporting children as they navigate their journey towards independence and improved quality of life. Through compassionate care and evidence-based practices, I strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families I serve.
Sarah George
Occupational Therapist
Sarah George
Occupational Therapist
Sarah is currently working as an Occupational Therapist at Symbiosis since 2023. She had completed her Master of Occupational Therapy in Neurosciences in Occupational Therapy in 2011 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in 2008.While working at Symbiosis, Sarah brings her exceptional ability of working with children and engaging them in therapeutic activities. She has experience in conducting various assessment, therapeutic activity planning and implementing a tailored treatment plan for children with sensory, motor, neurological and developmental conditions. Sarah is always very helpful in providing support to the children which improves their functional independence in all performance areas where they face some challenges in their everyday activitites.
Elizabeth Hudson
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Elizabeth Hudson
Clinical Lead, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Liz is originally from the U.S. and started working in the field in 2005 right after graduating college from the University of Rochester. She began her career at The New England Center for Children (NECC), a school and research center for children with autism, just outside of Boston, and worked there for 14 years where she quickly grew to love the field of Behavior Analysis. During her time at NECC, Liz completed her MS in ABA from Northeastern University in 2012. She became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2013 and worked in various departments within the organization both in Boston and internationally in the Middle East. She has worked with a variety of students ranging from preschool age and younger in the Day Services Program to teenagers in the Residential and Staff-Intensive programs. Most recently, she worked at a school located in Abu Dhabi as the Assistant Program Director of the Secondary Department. Liz moved to Canada in August 2019 with her family and 4 children. She joined the Symbiosis Team in January 2021 overseeing the supervision of the Behavior department in the West. She is very passionate about supervision and bringing up new candidates that are seeking the BCBA credential. Her research interests include; assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior using Performance-Based Assessments and Skill-Based Treatments (developed by Dr. Greg Hanley), treatment of sleep issues, functional communication training, and Stimulus Equivalence. Liz also has experience in feeding/food exposure, video modeling, social skills, and toilet training. She is very passionate about staff and parent training and feels that this is a crucial part of the delivery of quality services to the clients and families.
Rui Heng
Clinical Lead; Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Rui Heng
Clinical Lead; Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Rui is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She has completed her Master of Education from George Mason University, Virginia (USA). She is currently the Clinic Lead for the Behavior Consultants working at Symbiosis Clinics and Supervisor for the BCBA candidates. She is very experienced in providing Behavior Consultation, developing quality Behavior Plan of Intervention, and conducting family and staff trainings apart from providing direct consultation to families.
Rui has experience working in children’s homes, schools, clinics, and communities and helping them reach their potential and supporting their families. Her mission is to provide high quality evidence-based Behavior Analysis services as well as provide resources to the families who are raising children with special needs.
Rui is excited to develop clinical and family programs in the clinic and hopes that they will make a positive impact in the lives of the children and families she serves in the community.
Rui is currently on her Maternity leave.
Aarti Pereira
Occupational Therapist
Aarti Pereira
Occupational Therapist
Aarti completed her Masters degree in Pediatric Occupational Therapy from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York (USA) after receiving her Bachelors degree in Occupational Therapy from India. She has over 15 years’ experience of working with children with various neurological and mental health conditions in outpatient clinics as well as the school systems both in India and USA. She has also been a faculty member at the University at Buffalo where she taught Occupational Therapy courses to undergraduate students.
Aarti has experience working in early intervention centres, preschools and special education schools, while providing occupational therapy to children with developmental delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and sensory processing difficulties.Aarti has completed courses in DIR Floortime Approach, Family Systems Theory, Brain Gym, and Basic Counselling Skills besides numerous other seminars and workshops related to Occupational Therapy practices with children. She enjoys working with children and their families and has a keen interest in building connections and enhancing relationships between children and their parents.
Jennifer Chen
Occupational Therapist
Jennifer Chen
Occupational Therapist
Jennifer completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MScOT) from the University of Alberta. She has experience working in school settings as well as non-profit organization that services children with autism and other developmental disorders. She is passionate about supporting the development and well-being of children and utilizes multisensory approaches, self-regulation strategies, scaffolding strategies, and assistive devices to prepare children for success in school and life. Jennifer takes a strength-based and family-centered approach to foster engagement. She uses her energetic personality to foster playful opportunities and play-based learning to motivate children to engage in therapeutic treatment.
Noelle Alava
Occupational Therapist
Noelle Alava
Occupational Therapist
Noelle started working at Symbiosis as an Occupational Therapist since 2014is current working as a consulting Occupational Therapist at Symbiosis. .She is also working at the the Centre for Child Development in Surrey.She has extensive experience in clinical fieldwork experience in pediatrics and is familiar with all the challenges, children may face in an array of situations.She have been a practising occupational therapist for more than 14 years and worked within a variety of settings including schools, early intervention centres, and private clinics. Noelle is very passionate about empowering children with skills that are relevant and meaningful to them in their daily lives. I especially enjoy supporting school-aged children who struggle to reach their full potential due to executive function differences.
Nina Heins
Occupational Therapist
Nina Heins
Occupational Therapist
Nina brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team, having worked in a range of Occupational Therapy settings in both pediatrics and adult population. Prior to joining Symbiosis, she had worked at the Chilliwack School District # 33 as an Occupational Therapist.
Nina is passionate about supporting children of all ages to achieve their Occupational Therapy goals, with a strong focus on evidence-based practice and a goal-based approach. She has experience working with children with different diagnoses like Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down’s Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder, and Sensory Processing Disorder among others.
Gabriella Giacomini
Clinic Manager
Gabriella Giacomini
Clinic Manager
Gabriella joined Symbiosis Abbotsford clinic as a Clinic Manager to ensure the quality in the delivery of client care, effective and efficient implementation and development of clinic and corporate standard operating procedures.
Gabriella brings with her 14+ years of versatile expertise in the luxury service industry while in the leadership, and administrative support roles. She has a proven track record of seamlessly aiding senior management in streamlining operations and fostering outstanding guest service. She is proficient in team leadership, operational management, and optimizing efficiency and brings her strategic insights and strong organizational skills to Symbiosis.
Gabriella acts as a liason between our clinic coordinators and our skilled practitioners for each discipline/therapy so that they can work together to provide a seamless and supportive experience for our families.
Tarak Makadia
Clinic Coordinator
Tarak Makadia
Clinic Coordinator
Tarak has completed his Bachelors in Dentistry in 2020 from India. Post his graduation, he started working in an Oncology research firm as a Clinical Data Analyst. He completed his Masters in Healthcare Leadership with an aim to provide operational support to healthcare organization. He aspires to efficiently streamline and automate the administrative workflow.
Chris Leong
Clinic Coordinator
Chris Leong
Clinic Coordinator
Chris joined Symbiosis to provide her support and ensure that our families and customers receive an excellent service experience while receiving the services in our Surrey clinic.She is very enthusiastic, quick learner, eager to understand new concepts and overcome challenges in her work as Clinic Coordinator at the clinic. She is cheerful, empathetic and polite when interacting with children and their families, her team members and managers.Chris ensures a consistent high level of service and clinical standards are maintained in the clinic. She supports in scheduling appointments and general administrative duties in the clinic assigned by the clinic supervisor/manager.
Ericka Rancourt
Clinic Manager
Ericka Rancourt
Clinic Manager
Meet Ericka, Clinic Manager extraordinaire at Symbiosis Surrey. Starting as a Clinic Coordinator back in 2019, she took the responsibility of streamlining operations and keeping everything on track for efficient working across different department and professionals in the clinic.
While juggling the duties at the Clinic, she is also diving into the world of bookkeeping. Erika is always eager to learn while balancing her work and studies with finesse.With her finger on the pulse of the clinic, Ericka ensures top-notch patient care and maintains a tight ship behind the scenes. From coordinating schedules to diving into finances, she does it all with a smile.
Gick Batth
Clinic Coordinator
Gick Batth
Clinic Coordinator
Gik ensures that the day-to-day operations at our Surrey Clinic are carried out smoothly, including providing high level of customer including greeting and welcoming the children and families, assisting with any inquiries. She also manages the therapy appointments, maintaining a clean working area, process payments, coordinating with professionals, and assisting with administrative tasks
Jatinder Kaur
Clinic Coordinator
Jatinder Kaur
Clinic Coordinator
Jatinder joined Symbiosis as a clinic coordinator at our Surrey clinic. She demonstrates emmense capability to handle a wide range of administrative tasks while ensuring the smooth operation of daily activities at the clinic.
Jatinder brings her previous work experience as an senior executive which helps her to enhance the processes and sometimes drive the necessary changes, all in service of improving both employee and family experiences while visiting the clinic.
Shashi
Human Resource (HR) Executive
Shashi
Human Resource (HR) Executive
Shashi is a very motivated Human Resources Professional with a drive for serving as a dedicated support specialist and energetic team member at Symbiosis. As an integral part of staff welfare and HR processes in the clinics,she assists with the recruitment of consultants, Therapist and support staff, maintenance of official records,onboarding, as well as the management of existing employees. She is experienced in managing employee and community outreach programs and dedicated to working towards the mission of Symbiosis clinics. Shashi completed her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Canada West, Vancouveras well as Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, India.
Katie
Clinic Manager
Katie
Clinic Manager
Katie is currently workin as the Clinic Manager, primarily working out of the Delta location focusing on all the clinic and administrative needs for the Delta, Burnaby & Port Coquitlam locations. She coordinates the operational planning and implementation of the clinic procedures in conjunction with the practice leaders across various Symbiosis clinics.She leads the clinic in delivering outstanding client experience, executing effective and efficient clinical programs, and ensuring successful attainment of clinical excellence.
Carla Emery
Speech Therapy assistant
Carla Emery
Speech Therapy assistant
Carla is currently working as a Speech-Language Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis clinic. She completed a Diploma in Speech-Language Assistant and also in Early Childhood Education. She has experience working with typical and neurodiverse children in both school and clinic environments.One of her favourite ways to target therapy goals for children is through play. Whether it’s targeting verbs or prepositions while playing with a farm or pretending to cook play food or going on a treasure hunt and practicing speech sounds – play is her vessel! In her free time, she likes to hang out with her family for kayaking or going on trail hikes. She also enjoys gardening, cycling, reading and baking during her leisure time.
Rebekah Greenhalgh
Speech Therapy assistant
Rebekah Greenhalgh
Speech Therapy assistant
Rebekah holds a degree in Applied Linguistics with a minor in French Language and Literature. She is currently working as a Speech-Language pathlogy Assistant(SLP-A) at Symbiosis. She has a passion for language, and loves working with children with various diagnoses like Autism ADHD, learning disabilities etc.She plan to enrol for a Master’s degree to become a Speech-Language Pathologist in the near future.
Sienna Maarhuis
Therapy assistant
Sienna Maarhuis
Therapy assistant
Sienna graduated with Bachelors of Science in Child Psychology, and has years of experience working with children in various settings. Some of her previous work experience includes working in Social services, Behaviour Intervention, and also as an Education Assistant. She loves Occupational Therapy because as she enjoy being able to help kids with different diagnisis (Autism, Learning disabilities, Developmental delays)reach their goals through movement and play. Outside of work, she really enjoy camping, hiking, traveling, and pretty much anything else that is active and outdoors.
Jasmine Heer
Behavior Interventionist
Jasmine Heer
Behavior Interventionist
Jasmine is currently working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She is currently enrolled for her bachelor’s degree from Simon Fraser University.She has gained valuable experience and knowledge while working with children diagnosed with developmental delays, Autism, Learning Disabilities etc under the supervision of Behavior Analysts and other multi-disciplinary team members. She provides one-on-one clinic-based Behavior Intervention sessions targeting play, academics, social skills, communication, self-management, and self-care skills at Symbiosis.
Jessica Sheffield
Therapy assistant
Jessica Sheffield
Therapy assistant
Jessica joined Symbiosis as an Occupational Therapy Assistant after completing her Kinesiology Degree with a minor in Psychology from the University of the Fraser Valley.
Jessica shows a strong devotion while working with children and youth with developmental disabilities and their families. She takes a special interest in creating functional life skills for her clients to use in their natural environment to reach their individual goals. She embraces each child with compassion and understanding to provide fun, successful treatment sessions.
Parveen
Therapy assistant
Parveen
Therapy assistant
Parveen holds a Masters in Physiotherapy degree specializing in musculoskeletal condition. He is currently working as a Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. He is dedicated to providing personalized care to the children with a passion for helping them as he has a wealth of expertise in therapy techniques specifically used for children with Autism and other developmental diagnoses.
Sweta Dixit
Speech therapy assistant
Sweta Dixit
Speech therapy assistant
She completed her Masters in Physiotherapy before pursuing a second Masters in Healthcare Management in Vancouver, Canada. With a career spanning over a decade, Sweta has honed her skills as a Assistant, gaining invaluable experience across various clinics and hospitals. In the past two years, she has dedicated herself to child therapy centers, serving as an OTA and SLPA.Her ultimate goal is to establish a multidisciplinary clinic, merging her expertise in rehabilitation with her managerial acumen to serve diverse healthcare needs. Beyond her professional endeavors, Sweta finds fulfillment in giving back to the community, volunteering with organizations like the Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Society of Canada.
Virdevinder Deol
Behavior Interventionist
Virdevinder Deol
Behavior Interventionist
Virdevinder Deol is working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis and also as Teacher Assistant with Abbotsford School District She completed her certification course to work as an Education Assistant from Western community college. Previously she completed her Master’s Degree in English (2009-2010) after completing her Bachelors of Education from India. She has many years experience teaching children in the middle school in India.
Mayar Soliman
Behavior Interventionist
Mayar Soliman
Behavior Interventionist
Mayar is a dedicated Behavioral Interventionist working at Symbiosis. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2024. As a Behavioral Interventionist, she is very committed to making a positive impact in the lives of children with diagnoses(Autism and other developmental delays) and their families. She believes in the power of personalized approaches and collaboration to support each child’s unique needs and foster growth and development.Mayar has assisted children during their sessions, following the specific behavior programs designed for them by the Behavior Consultants. Her focus has always been on enhancing their social and developmental skills, integrating new learning concepts, and creating a fun, creative learning environment tailored to each child’s needs.
Anmol Gill
Therapy assistant
Anmol Gill
Therapy assistant
Anmol is current working as a Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. She is currently a Kinesiology student attending Langara college and University of British Columbia (UBC).She started her career as a support worker for one on one support in swimming and skating, where she really realized that she enjoy working with kids. She is dedicated to providing personalized care to the children with a passion for helping them while working along with miulti-disciplinary team whiel providing therapy to children with Autism and other developmental diagnoses.
Rupi Chowhan
Therapy assistant
Rupi Chowhan
Therapy assistant
Rupi is curently working as a therapy assistant at Symbiosis. She is deeply passionate about giving back to the community by helping individuals recover and enhance their quality of life through targeted rehabilitation and therapy. She thrives in interactive environments and look forward to forming close connections with the children aith Autisn and their families, while directly impacting their well-being and daily lives.
Amandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Amandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Amandeep began her work as a behaviour interventionist at Symbiosis and gained experience working with children diagnosed with ASD and their families in clinical and home-based settings.She is well versed to confidently implement the behavioural support plans developed by a Board Certfied Behavior Analysts or Behaviour Consultants. She has a strong interest in early childhood education and successful inclusion of children with autism in early development programs.
Amol Sekhon
Behavior Interventionist
Amol Sekhon
Behavior Interventionist
Amol began her work as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She has experience working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and implementing Behavior programs and individualized plans aimed to help reduce their behavioral challenges.
Amol had completed her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology as well as Postgraduate diploma in Counselling and Clinical Psychology from India prior to completing her coursework for Registered Behavior Technician(RBT) from the Institute of Behavioral Training from South Carolina.
Amol assists the Behavior Analysts and Behavior Consultants to implement the behavior skill acquisition treatment plans and also supports the children monitor the behavior while implementing the strategies, record and collect data on their progress, and communicate with the families.
Anum Chaudhry
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Anum Chaudhry
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Anum completed her Bachelor’s degree in Criminology & Minor In Counselling Psychology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in 2020. She has experience working as a Behaviour Interventionist since May 2019. She has assisted children during their Intervention sessions following the specific behavior programs designed for them focusing on social and development skills; integrating new learning concepts; creating a fun, creative learning environment for the child.
Anupreet Parmar
Speech Language Pathology assistant/Behavior Interventionist
Anupreet Parmar
Speech Language Pathology assistant/Behavior Interventionist
Anupreet is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and Behaviour Interventionist at the Surrey, Burnaby, and Delta Clinics. She is completing her Linguistics Degree with a Minor in Learning and Developmental Disabilities from Simon Fraser University. Anupreet has supported children in their sessions by adhering to the particular behaviour plans created for them, prioritizing social and developmental skills, incorporating fresh ideas, and fostering an enjoyable, imaginative learning atmosphere.
Arshnoor Saini
Behavior Interventionist
Arshnoor Saini
Behavior Interventionist
Anupreet is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and Behaviour Interventionist at the Surrey, Burnaby, and Delta Clinics. She is completing her Linguistics Degree with a Minor in Learning and Developmental Disabilities from Simon Fraser University. Anupreet has supported children in their sessions by adhering to the particular behaviour plans created for them, prioritizing social and developmental skills, incorporating fresh ideas, and fostering an enjoyable, imaginative learning atmosphere.
Ashley Abellanos
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Ashley Abellanos
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Ashley completed her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Philippines and currently working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. She is very passionate about play-based learning, relationship building & fully supporting the importance of co-regulation & self-regulation. Her primary responsibility is providing therapy for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays and/or motor delays supervised by an Occupational Therapist. She wokr as part of the multi-disciplinary team while providing an engaging and positive experience to the children she works in the clinic environment at Symbiosis.
Chanpreet Khangura
Behavior Interventionist
Chanpreet Khangura
Behavior Interventionist
Chanpreet graduated with a Bachelor of science from UBC(majoring in Biology). She wants to pursue a career in medicine or mental health.She provides support in individual and group sessions under the supervision of Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Consultants at Symbiosis. She also assists in the implementation of recommendations of the Behavior plan of Intervention and carry out sessions based on the specific therapy goals established by the supervising BC.
Georgia Rowland
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Georgia Rowland
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Gorgia’s experience includes working with preschoolers, elementary-school-aged learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder focusing on behavioral, and social-emotional learning goals as per the Behavior Plan of Intervention.
Gurpreet Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Gurpreet Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Gurpreet is currently working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis and as a Education assistant in Pacific Academy. Gurpreet consistently demonstrated the ability to collaborate effectively with Symbiosis team members, displaying excellent communication and interpersonal skills. She is always willing to lend a hand and has a positive, supportive attitude towards her peers. Gurpreet actively listens to others’ ideas and is open-minded, encouraging constructive feedback to improve the team’s performance Guurpreet completed her Bachelor of Education, Masters in Music (Instrumental) from India as well as her Education Assistant Diploma from the Western Community College, Surrey.
Gurpreet (Kiran) Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Gurpreet (Kiran) Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
At Symbiosis, Gurpreet provide/assist with Behavior program activities in the areas of self-help, communication, social, cognitive, motor and behavior to provide her services for children with Autism.She fosters learning and skill development through play and engagement with children during her intervention sessions.
Jewel Galacgac
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Jewel Galacgac
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Jewel graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy in 2017. Working in Symbiosis as Therapist Assistant, she is currently in the process of obtaining the professional license to work as a Physiotherapist in Canada as well. Having experience in handling different paediatric cases, while she is able to support the children and their families to identify movement challenges and functional difficulties, while not only help them achieve the goals but also keeping them engaged and having a fun experience while learning.
Jillian Woudzia
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Jillian Woudzia
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Jillian is completing her 4th year at SFU completing a major in psychology and an extended minor in linguistics. She has 3+ years of experience working with children diagnosed with Autism(ASD). She is committed to helping & guiding the growth of each and every individual she works with, through compassion, engagement, and most of all fun. She has experience in working with children with various diagnoses (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down’s syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Global Development Delay etc.).
Kristine Amomonpon
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kristine Amomonpon
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kristine have been working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy and is also a registered Early Childhood Educator in BC for almost 6 years now.She believes that children are full of potentials and with time, she is committed to support the children she works with reach the potential.She has experience in working with children with various diagnoses (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disabilities, ADHD, Global Development Delay etc.).
Mandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Mandeep Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
With a master and doctoral degree in Education, Mandeep have been working with children for the last 10 years. She have enumerable experience related to conducting evidence based research, providing early interventions and counselling for the overall well-being of children. During my doctoral studies at Panjab University, she focused her research on children with aggressive behavior and applied a psychoeducational intervention called Aggression Replacement Training (ART) which equipped her with a deep understanding of the underlying causes of aggression in children and adolescents, as well as effective strategies for intervention and behavior modification. She also taught Guidance and Counselling, Education Psychology, and took some practical sessions of conducting psychology tests and have developed strong teaching skills through various teaching assignments, where she engaged with students from diverse backgrounds and facilitated their learning effectively.
Mandeep also worked as a Counsellor/teacher at a school and institute, while addressing a wide range of challenges, providing support and guidance to students while ensuring their academic success along with their mental well-being. This experience has honed her ability to tailor interventions to diverse individual needs. She love to work with children and bring a positive change in their behaviour through different kinds of research based interventions so that they become self reliant.
Mandeep Toor
Behavior Interventionist
Mandeep Toor
Behavior Interventionist
Mandeep is currenty working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She had completed her Bachelor’s degree of Economics and is a Certified Education Assistant and working as a IESW in Surrey School district. She love working with children and help them to learn and develop new skills. She values working collaboratively with families and other professionals and is very passionate about helping children and their families achieve their goals
Michelle Nightingale
Speech Therapy Assistant
Michelle Nightingale
Speech Therapy Assistant
Michelle completed her Master of Science in Speech from the University of Southwestern Louisiana – Los Angeles, CA in 1996 after completing her Baccalaureate in Speech from the University of North Dakota – Grand Forks, ND in 1994 and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Winnipeg – Winnipeg, MB in 1993.
Michelle has vast experience conducting assessment, diagnosis, treatment and consultative services to preschoolers of varying abilities including Autism Spectrum Disorders. Her treatment focused on improving communication, language and speech skills to maximize the child’s cognitive, social and emotional growth using client-centered goals.
Michelle has completed her training in DIR- Floortime level 101 and 201, which can be implemented with children who need to strengthen their Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities in areas such as in Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has worked closely with the caregivers to ensure follow through and growth in communication skills and as part of multi-disciplinary teams consisting of Case managers, Occupational therapist, Behavior Consultants and Child Development Worker.
Mital Patel
Behavior Interventionist
Mital Patel
Behavior Interventionist
Mital is currenty working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy clinic. She has a Post Basic B.SC. Nursing degree. She has experience working as a staff nurse since 1997 and also as a Child care provider for more than 4 years. She is well versed in preparing treatment materials in collaboration with the Behavior Consultant, implementing behavior plan of intervention, monitoring their behavior and keeping detailed logs of observations throughout the day. She like adapting her instruction and play skills based on individual child’s needs while assessing their strengths to develop appropriate strategies for addressing issues.
Nanaki Dhaliwal
Behavior Interventionist
Nanaki Dhaliwal
Behavior Interventionist
Nanaki is currenty working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis.She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Psychology and Linguistics. Her professional interest is focused on child development, language acquisition and behavioral studies. Nanaki has experience working with children with development delays/disorders, and conducting speech related research.
Prabhsimar Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Prabhsimar Kaur
Behavior Interventionist
Prabhsimar holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in Counselling. Currently, she is furthering her expertise by pursuing a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. She is a dedicated Behaviour Interventionist with a heart full of passion for working with kids. For over four years, she had the privilege of guiding and supporting the the children and their families through their unique journeys. She finds her inspiration in their curiosity, resilience, and boundless energy which has laid the foundation for her understanding of human behaviour and the importance of mental health.When I’m not working with kids, she is engaged in strumming her guitar. Music, much like her work, is a source of joy and creativity in her life.
Preety Sian
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Preety Sian
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Preety completed my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology minor in Health science at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Since July 2021, she has been working as a therapy Assistant and Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis, where she finds great joy in working with children with diagnosis of Autism and offering her empathetic, kind, passionate and understanding nature to help them thrive.She uses her play skills based on individual child’s needs while assessing their strengths to develop appropriate strategies for addressing issues.
Rachana Ravikanti
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Rachana Ravikanti
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Rachana is currently working as a therapy assistant and Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis clinic. She hold a Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy degree from indian as well as Diploma in Kinesiology from Langara college. As a healthcare professional in physiotherapy, she specialize in integrating rehabilitation with behavioral health strategies to promote holistic well-being in children. Her approach focuses on individualized care plans that address both physical and psychological needs, helping children with Autisn and other diagnoses achieve their health goals and improve their quality of life.
Rupa Chakraborty
Behavior Interventionist
Rupa Chakraborty
Behavior Interventionist
Rupa has over five years experience working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She graduated with a Master of Science in Anthropology from Visva -Bharati University, India. She also has a Bachelor of Education from University of Calcutta, India as well as a Diploma in Counseling from Oxford Learning College, U.K. Rupa completed her RBT course in 2021.
Rupa is passionate for working with children to implement their personal goals in a playful environment, and help them develop their communication, functional and socio-emotional skills to improve their daily lives.
Safinaz Yekta
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Safinaz Yekta
Behavior Interventionist/Speech Therapy Assistant
Safinaz is currently working as a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. As a Behaviour Interventionist (BI), her responsibility includes implementing Behaviour plan of interventions for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder or other learning and development delays. She is well versed to execute intervention plans developed and supervised by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to children attending therapy services at Symbiosis. She works within an interdisciplinary team to support skill acquisition while providing an engaging and positive experience to the children and families.
Sahithi Naini
Behavior Interventionist
Sahithi Naini
Behavior Interventionist
Sahiti hold a Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy and currently pursuing a Diploma in Kinesiology at Langara college in Vancouver. As a behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis,She has experience working one-on-one with the child under the supervision of a Behaviour Analyst. She implements specific programs/goals as outlined in the child’s Behaviour Plan of intervention in a very efficnet manner in a fun and engaging environment. She engages with the child and uses specific teaching strategies to target goals, collect and monitor data for progress review which focuses on speech, communication, social skills, play, and self-help skills.
Sophia Ahmed
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sophia Ahmed
Behavior Interventionist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sophia graduated from Simon Fraser University with her Bachelor’s degree with a major in Psychology. Since May 2022, she has been part of the Symbiosis team, where she has gained valuable experience and knowledge while working with children diagnosed with developmental delays, Autism, Learning Disabilities etc. She has experience working one-on-one clinic-based Behavior Intervention sessions targeting play, academics, social skills, communication, self-management, and self-care skills at Symbiosis.
Suzeth Sanares (Maria)
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Suzeth Sanares (Maria)
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Maria has completed her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Philippines in 2000 and currently working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Symbiosis. With a decade of experience as well as her love & passion working with kids, she have gained a deep understanding on how to support the needs of the children and their families. She is very passionate about play-based learning, relationship building & fully supporting the importance of co-regulation & self-regulation. In addition,Suzeth have also attended various professional courses & workshops (Handwriting Without Tears, Anxiety Management, RBT, Behavior & Self-regulation, etc.). She takes joy in working collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team & displays a friendly & positive attitude working with children at Symbiosis. She takes pride when she looks at the their smiles on the faces of the children as well as their parents knowing that she contributes some part in their journey too.It is her desire to support them at the fullest capabilities so that one day the children can spread their wings & live their fullest potential. Outside Symbiosis, Suzeth finds her inspiration & joy in nature, music and doing Church-related activities.
Swapnali Apte
Behavior Interventionist
Swapnali Apte
Behavior Interventionist
Swapnali is currently working as a Behavior Interventionist at Symbiosis. She had completed her Masters in Clinical Psychology from India. She also completed Level 3 of Dance Movement Therapy certified by The International Dance Council, Paris. She also published a research about how movement can positively affect the self esteem, anxiety and social skills in children with special needs.
Swapnali has previous experience of working as a Pychologist and a School counsellor for 9 years dealing with a varied age group of Pre School to Grade 12 in India. She is always ready to learn new things may it be from children, peers or superiors. She believes that play and movement can be the best way to introduce and implement interventions with children.
Zeba Bhangat
Behavior Interventionist
Zeba Bhangat
Behavior Interventionist
My name is Zeba I currently attend the University of British Columbia as a second year student. I am acquiring a degree in psychology with a minor in behavioural neuroscience.
I have grown passionate about working with youth through previous programs I have partaken in, such as The next 100 years program, YMCA, and receiving my babysitting certification through the REACH program which allowed me to work with various youth of different backgrounds in their developmental behaviour.
Kristy Musumeche
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Kristy Musumeche
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Kristy is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst(BCBA) and has experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities. She completed her Master of Exceptional Student Education with Applied Behaviour Analysis,University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL after graduating with Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.
Kristy is dedicated to providing Behavior Consultancy to the families with the best support. She enjoys supporting clients to develop independence in their personal care and communication skills but is also passionate about the development of social skills. She has experience in implementing Behavior Plan of Intervention (BPI) and working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Kristy collaborates and communicate with client’s families to make positive impacts on their client’s behaviour and treatment needs by chairing team meetings, training/educating family members, working collaboratively with community professionals, identifying and developing necessary supports for the child and providing Positive Behavior strategies to address maladaptive behaviors.
Rosie Martins
Behavior Consultant
Rosie Martins
Behavior Consultant
Rosie is currently enrolled at Arizona State University completing her Master’s in Special Education with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelors of Arts degree from SFU with a Major in Psychology and Minor in Counseling and Human Development. Rosie has been working for Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy for 3 years. She is currently working as a Behavior Consultant under the supervision of Liz Hudson.
In the past, Rosie has volunteered in local elementary schools as a teacher assistant to support children on developmental skills and reflect on personal thoughts and emotions. In addition, she worked with North Burnaby Neighborhood House to support individuals within the Food Bank program through the Safe Space Communication program. Rosie also has completed her 40-hours RBT training course and her first-aid training.
Treesa Bose
Behavior Consultant
Treesa Bose
Behavior Consultant
Treesa holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from India.She has finished my BCaBA and Qasp-s coursework from Florida Institute of Technology. She is very experienced working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental delays, emotional and mental health challenges, Learning disabilities and other chilhood disabilities. She have acquired necessary skills such as reviewing behavioral interventions and managing treatment plans, along with documenting client progress, maintaining communication with clients and their families. Furthermore, Treesa has a background of success working with diverse client populations and connecting them with community resources. Her work includes conducting Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), skills assessment (VB-Map, ABELLS, AFLS, ESDM), creating and implementing Individualized education plan (IEP) etc. In addition, She also provides training for parents while providing them with evidence-based behavior strategies and techniques.
Yuyan Zhao
Behavior Consultant
Yuyan Zhao
Behavior Consultant
Yuyan Zhao is an accomplished professional in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and special education. Graduating with a degree in Psychology from Simon Fraser University in 2019, she furthered her education by obtaining a Master’s degree in Special Education with a specialization in ABA from Arizona State University.
Yuyan has been actively engaged in the Behavior Analytical field while working with children ranging from 3 to 18 years old. Her diverse experience includes providing support in clinic as well as home-based settings, as well as in elementary and high schools within the Surrey School District.Yuyan oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Behavior Analytic programs, ensuring that they meet the developmental needs of children in her role as a Behavior Consultant at Symbiosis.
Ruijie (Rosie) Jiang
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Ruijie (Rosie) Jiang
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Ruijie (Rosie) is currently enrolled in Master of Arts – MA, Behavior Analysis Practice from the Florida Institute of Technology and which will complete in 2022. She also had her Bachelor of Arts – BA, Psychology from Simon Fraser University and Post-baccalaureate Certificate, Applied Behavior Analysis from the Capilano University.Ruijie (Rosie) shows her passion while working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder and other challenges. She is well versed using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and plans and implements each child’s clinical treatment programming and behavior strategies by providing 1:1 direct intervention and therapy services.Ruijie (Rosie) also provide Autism related training and ABA education and to the primary caregivers and family members and produces required administrative and clinical paperwork with accuracy and timeliness of the execution of the Behavior Plans of Intervention made by her. She demonstrates her ability to foster engagement with children and their families and exhibit strong interpersonal skills and dedication to contributing to a supportive team environment.
Michelle Wong
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Michelle Wong
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Michelle is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and a Registered Autism Service Provider (Category A). She has completed her Master of Professional Education (Applied Behavior Analysis)from the University of Western Ontario. She also has a Diploma of Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis from the Douglas College. Michelle is well versed in designing Individualized Behavior plans based on individual client’s objectives. She efficiently monitors the implementation of plan, while providing feedback and training as necessary to Behaviour Interventionists and Registered Behaviour Technicians. She is a great team player and communicates with all the team members consisting of all the Occupational Therapist and Speech Therapist in her team, and all other team members regarding all developments, problems or concerns as needed.
She also conducts and develop training workshops for families, Registered Behaviour Technicians as well as other Autism Service providers.
Archana Shrinivasachar
Speech Therapist
Archana Shrinivasachar
Speech Therapist
Archana, is a registered SLP with the CSHBC, is also a certified member of SAC and is registered with RASP. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing from the University of Mysore before obtaining her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Bangalore University, India in 2009.
Archana believes in early intervention, holistic therapy approach, advocates neurodiversity affirming therapy, and she prioritizes patient-centered care. She brings dedication and creativity to her work, making therapy sessions enjoyable and effective. With excellent communication skills, Archana collaborates effectively with all members of multidisciplinary teams, as well as with children and their families.
Before her relocation to Canada from India, Archana served as a Senior SLP and Research Officer. Her contributions include a published chapter in an American Psychological Association volume on ‘Cognition and Brain Development’. She gathers vast clinical experience and specializes in Early Intervention and comprehensive Speech-Language Assessment and Intervention for individuals facing diverse communication challenges, including but not limited to ASD, ADHD, fluency, and articulation disorders.
Archana provides intervention in both individual and group settings, focusing on enhancing social-pragmatic skills. She also delivered counseling, education, and training to families and caregivers, while designing personalized home-based programs to maximize the effectiveness of speech therapy.
While continuously updating her knowledge base, Archana remains committed to supporting children and their families in improving their quality of life.
Fasina Suneer
Speech Therapist
Fasina Suneer
Speech Therapist
Fasina completed her graduation in Audiology And Speech Language and her Master’s In healthcare leadership from the Trinity Western University. She has 8 years of experience in hospital and special school settings in India as a Speech Language Pathologist.
Fasina is well versed with all the pediatric speech assessments and able to perform evaluations to determine the child’s functional level of their Speech and Language skills. She can develop individual treatment plans of care and provides individual therapy programs for children of all ages presenting with a variety of abilities and needs. She coordinates with other multi-disciplinary team members, both through formal and informal care conferences, to assure sufficient flow of information to support care of the children under her therapy caseload. She demonstrates her ability to foster engagement with children and their families and exhibit strong interpersonal skills and dedication to contributing to a supportive team environment.
Jesjiven Pannu
Speech Therapist
Jesjiven Pannu
Speech Therapist
Jesjiven graduated with her Masters in Speech and Language Therapy from the University City of London after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia in 2010.
Prior to moving to Canada, Jesjiven has experience working in various setting in United Kingdom (UK) with children diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Autism Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities (LD) in both 1:1 and group settings. She has experience administering formal (e.g., CELF and RAPT) and informal assessment of language and social skills.
Jesjiven has used many Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to support children’s communication including whiteboards, objects, symbols, and basic Makaton. I created resources using Board maker. She has worked collaboratively with families and other staff to assess children, create goals, and set care plans for the therapy assistants (Tas) and parents to implement, including communication partner training.
She believes in using a holistic approach and working with families as the key to achieving the best outcomes with children. Her goal is to facilitate change whilst maintaining a fun and engaging environment.
Michelle Nightingale
Speech Therapist
Michelle Nightingale
Speech Therapist
Michelle completed her Master of Science in Speech from the University of Southwestern Louisiana – Los Angeles, CA in 1996 after completing her Baccalaureate in Speech from the University of North Dakota – Grand Forks, ND in 1994 and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Winnipeg – Winnipeg, MB in 1993.
Michelle has vast experience conducting assessment, diagnosis, treatment and consultative services to preschoolers of varying abilities including Autism Spectrum Disorders. Her treatment focused on improving communication, language and speech skills to maximize the child’s cognitive, social and emotional growth using client-centered goals.
Michelle has completed her training in DIR- Floortime level 101 and 201, which can be implemented with children who need to strengthen their Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities in areas such as in Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has worked closely with the caregivers to ensure follow through and growth in communication skills and as part of multi-disciplinary teams consisting of Case managers, Occupational therapist, Behavior Consultants and Child Development Worker.
Sheba Mathew
Speech Therapist
Sheba Mathew
Speech Therapist
Sheeba graduated with Masters in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology from Manipal University, India. Prior to that she completed her Bachelors in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology in 2016.
Sheeba has more than 6 years of experience working as a Speech Language Pathologist in various Pediatric Rehabilitation Centers and volunteering in hospitals and retirement living facilities. She has many International Certifications in Oral Placement Therapy (Level 1 and 2), PROMPT (Level 1 trained) and Hanen: More than Words. She is a highly effective communicator and an efficient time manager with excellent problem solving and organizational skills. She is also an empathetic collaborator who is known for thinking out-of-the-box and taking initiatives.As a highly sensitive individual, Sheeba possess a unique ability to understand the needs of her clients, even when they may struggle to articulate them. She firmly believes in the power of play as a means of learning, particularly for children. Through play, children not only acquire valuable skills but also retain them for a lifetime. In her Speech therapy sessions at Symbiosis,she strives to create an engaging and enjoyable environment while ensuring that therapeutic goals are effectively met. Her approach blends creativity with evidence-based practices to provide holistic support to each child she works in the clinic.
Aimy
Speech Therapist
Aimy
Speech Therapist
Aimy is current working as a consultant Speech-Language Pathologist at Symbiosisas well as the Surrey School District. She graduated with Master of Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology in 2014 after completing her Bachelor of Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology in 2011. She has experience in providing Speech and language intervention to Preschoolers and school-aged children. She is welll versed in planing, implementing and work collaboratively with a multi-professional team to secure tangible outcomes for the children she works in the clinic.She also work along with the child’s parents/guardians to ensure continuity of skills at home.
Candice Payne
Speech Therapist
Candice Payne
Speech Therapist
Candice completed her BSc Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Cape Town prior to graduating with MSc in Speech Language Pathology. She has vast experience working with children of all ages including neonates and school aged children in both the acute hospital setting as well as school environments. Her strong belief in evidence-based practice has guided her therapy intervention to the children and their families and believes in patient-centered care.Prior to moving to Canada from South Africa, Candice has work in both in a clinical and academic setting. She was the Clinical Supervisor and Lecturer at the University of Cape Town where she taught students in the Learners with Special Educational Needs school and clinical setting for the treatment of children with a variety of diagnosis including, but not limited to, Dysphagia, Speech, Language, and communication including AAC. She also had worked in a private practice, part-time, managing adults and children with a variety of disorders ranging from ASD, feeding and swallowing disorders, fluency and voice, and management of many other speech related challenges.
Chengg Sung Yau (Stacey)
Speech Therapist
Chengg Sung Yau (Stacey)
Speech Therapist
Stacey is registered with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia and the certified member of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC). She completed the Bachelor degree in Psychology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2012 and master degree in Educational Speech-Language Pathology and Learning Disabilities at the Education University of Hong Kong in 2020.Stacey believes in behavioral approach and is passionate to work with children. She enjoys using creativity to make therapy fun. She has good communication skills and is able to work effectively and collaboratively with all members of the multidisciplinary team, with the children and their families. She is an organized problem solver and good at handling changing caseloads and other therapy-related duties at Symbiosis.
Vangmayee Venkatasubban
Speech-Language Pathologist
Vangmayee Venkatasubban
Speech-Language Pathologist
Obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Dr. S. R. Chandrasekhar Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bangalore, India, in 2016, followed by a Master’s degree from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (KMC Mangalore) in 2019. Additionally, I hold certifications in Avaz AAC, Oral Placement Therapy (level 1 and level 2), and PROMPT. My work is fueled by a profound passion for helping children, grounded in the belief in the transformative power of early intervention and compassionate care, employing play-based approaches to therapy.I am a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist with over 5 years of experience in pediatric speech therapy. My journey in this field began with
Maryanne Thiga
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Maryanne Thiga
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Maryanne Thiga( also known as Mariana) is a dedicated and experienced Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a commitment to enhance the lives of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She has worked with people of all ages, from toddlers to adults, to address social, communication, adaptive, cognitive, and behavioral deficits. She understands that each person with ASD is special in their own way. Her aim is not to make them different, or “normal” but to work with them to address their struggles, allowing them to fully participate in day-to-day life.
Besides her BCBA certification, Maryanne also has a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, which helps her better understand and support her clients. As an author, she share her insights and strategies to empower others in the field and advocate for people with ASD and their families. She is also a mom to two daughters, one of whom has ASD. This personal experience drives her commitment to advocacy. She enjoy spending quality time with her loved ones, indulging in her love for writing, exploring spiritual and educational content, and finding solace in the simplicity of cleaning and organizing.