Company Information

 

Clinical Directors
Clinical directors at Mustard Seeds oversee the clinical management of your child’s program. They attend the initial assessments as well as monitor overall progress and participate in the ongoing development assessments and parent consultations.

Mark Matthews, PhD - A clinical psychologist with degrees from Baylor University and the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University, Mark brings tremendous strengths not only in the areas of behavior assessment but in psychodynamic psychotherapy. By knowing the child as well as counseling the older siblings and parents, Mark is able to derive a holistic picture not only the specific needs of each child, but how their environment/family play a role in treatment and how to maximize the benefit to the family unit. Mark also teaches psychotherapy at Argosy University and has held a private practice counseling families for over 10 years. Mark is currently supervising a graduate dissertation on "The Effects of Equine Therapy on Asocial Youths".

Manish Vaidya, PhD – A Professor at University of North Texas and a Graduate of the University of Florida, Manish is also a former President of the Texas Association for Behavior Analysis. His work in basic stimulus control processes, memory and cognitive deficits, and behavior analysis are complimented by his interest in technology transfer and organizational behavior management. This multidimensional perspective aides in developing a unified delivery framework for all of the therapies offered by Mustard Seeds.

Therapists
Therapists provide one-on-one intervention in the classroom. Therapists have a BA or MA in a related field and are experienced in autism and ABA principles. All therapists must have documented clinical experience in working with children with autism or children with a related disorder prior to employment by Mustard Seeds. Therapists are heavily involved in the development of classroom activities and of course are responsible for your child’s initial needs assessment as well as regular development assessments.



Lisa Malachi is the Special Education teacher at Mustard Seeds, with over 15 years classroom experience in Texas and California. She has taught children with a wide variety of special needs, not only academic subjects, but also developing the appropriate life and social skills necessary to function successfully in the school, home, and in the community. Lisa spent nearly two years in the California school system employed as an ABA-trained Intensive Behavior Intervention tutor for student with autism spectrum disorders. Her duties ranged from an in-home tutor for Pre-Kindergarten students with autism to being a one-on- one tutor for a student with Asperger's Syndrome who was mainstreamed in a regular class setting. Lisa joined Mustard Seeds in early 2011.

Nanaa Wancata graduated from University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She attended Ohio State to get her special education certificate in Ohio and has received her Special Education degree in Texas. She has worked with Special Needs children for over 20 years through volunteering, respite care and Public Schools. She especially loves working with children on the autism spectrum. Nanaa has worked with children of all ages, from 3 to High School age. She feels it is very important to help the children as early as possible. She has worked with the STAAC classroom in the Keller ISD and the PPCD program in Grapevine Colleyville ISD. Nanaa loves to work closely with each child to ensure they learn to play and socialize with other children, learn to follow directions, potty training, making friends, and being part of the classroom. She feels it is important for children to learn to work independently and completing work as well as learning to request and follow directions.

Erin Hall is a student at Texas Woman’s University. She is currently working on her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, and is doing her practicum here at Mustard Seeds. She has had years of experience working with children of all ages, and in the past few years she has been working with special needs children of all types. Erin has a true passion for children, especially those with disabilities. After graduating in August she will be starting her Master’s in Counseling with a specialty in Autism at Texas A&M McKinney.










Amanda Ratheal is pursuing the path of a certified Art Therapist. Receiving two degrees from the University of North Texas in Ceramics and Rehabilitation Studies, along with diverse experiences in teaching art and working with children with varying needs and disabilities has been her journey thus far. Her experience working with individuals with disabilities began at a young age helping in areas such as the Special Olympics, and in high school teaching at a church camp for individuals with physical and mental disabilities. In the coming months, she plans to begin a graduate program for Art Therapy. Amanda believes strongly in the effectiveness of art to heal the mind and soul by helping an individual cope and gain better understanding of the self and situation.









Staci Daniel, CCC/SLP holds an undergraduate degree in Behavioral Science and earned her Master of Science degree at Abilene Christian University and provides treatment and assessment for children with a variety of disorders, including: Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Angelman’s Syndrome, Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Mental retardation, Global developmental delays, Developmental delays resulting from prematurity, etc. Staci is also experienced with very specialized areas such as feeding and swallowing therapy, augmentative, alternative communication, language articulation and fluency therapy... All of which we utilize here at Mustard-Seeds when needed. Having worked for a variety of Pediatric Home Health Agencies including: Angels of Care, Eleos Community Care, Care Options for Kids and Home Health Specialties - Staci has provided treatment and assessment to students in early childhood through middle school with variety of communication disorders including: articulation., phonology, language, fluency, pragmatics, and dysphagia.





A licensed Occupational Therapist, Valerie brings almost two decades of experience and a tremendous amount of heart to her work. A graduate of Texas Woman's University with a BS in Occupattional Therapy, she works collaboratively with the other members of the Mustard Seeds therapy team to implement individualized care plans that compliment the overall goals for each child. A Clinical Supervisor for college level I & II, and OT Practicum Interns, Valerie also engineers therapeutic environment including adaptive/assistive equipment and still finds time to do weekend volunteer work as well.






An accomplished and people-oriented professional, Tera has years of extensive experience in all facets of Behavioral Therapy. A graduate of Texas Woman's University with a Master's of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Terah is adept a quickly cultivating and establish trusting and productive relationships. Terah's goal in pursuing her LPC was to be able to work A compassionate and caring individual with the families, parent(s), and extended families of children with special needs in order to help them cope with their child's diagnosis as well as to enhance the families' quality of life. As with our other therapists, Terah's compassionate and caring nature shines through with every person she helps.









Allison Villalobos
Allison Villalobos is a recent graduate of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She studied elementary education and has had many opportunities to work with children of all different ages. Since moving back to Dallas, she is lucky to say that Mustard Seeds has been her biggest blessing! She is excited to utilize her special education training in working with her kids at Mustard Seeds.

Cassidy Lay
Cassidy Lay is a graduate of Tarleton State University where she received a degree in special Education. Over the years, she has worked with children of all ages in both academic and social skills development. Cassidy is a firm believer that every child deserves the chance to succeed. She has had the opportunity to work in a variety of schools for autism and could not be happier to call Mustard Seeds her home.

Lynn Poston
Lynn Poston is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She received bother her Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has over 12 years of experience in working with children and adolescents in the public schools, as well as, in counseling at-risk youth in northeast Tarrant County. Additionally, Lynn has managerial and teaching experience within a pre-school setting using the A BEKA curriculum. Lynn has a true passion for helping children reach their full potential in order to lead happy, productive lives.

Trista Estill
Trista Estill is a graduate of the University of North Texas. While attending UNT, she earned a bachelor degree in psychology with a particular focus in child development. She plans to attend graduate school at UNT in the coming year.

Trista began working with children at the young age of 14 as a tutor and mentor. She has spent the last year doing volunteer work for organizations that benefit children with disabilities. Trista truly enjoys every moment here at Mustard Seeds, as she has the priviledge of seeing first-hand the benefits of this therapy program.

Big Sister & Big Brother
Big Brother and Sister are therapy assistants that are looked up to by the kids, so we can reach them sometimes better with the big brother and sister to get the kids to participate more willingly in some of the therapies, such as soccer for social and gross motor skills and swimming/water volleyball or pretend play with a dollhouse, for example.

BIG Brother Mitchell	BIG Sister Ava

Goldie, Pet therapy
Goldie has 14 years of working as a therapy dog with the blind and developmentally challenged. She is very gentle and patient. She brings a friendly smile to our kids who need a little help with social skills and transitioning.



Family / Parent Counseling
Whether as a single parent or a struggling couple, too often our needs get lost in the focus of the day-to-day challenges of our amazing children. Our neighbors, friends, coworkers, even our parents usually “just don’t get it”. Sadly the numbers speak for themselves with higher rates of divorce, alcoholism and addiction amongst the parents of autistic children. Mustard Seeds believes in treating the family in addition to the child and as a result, offers individual, family, and marriage counseling for parents facing these incredible challenges. Whether confronting a devastating diagnosis that confirms a parent’s worst fears or struggling with the burden of the long struggle, Mustard Seeds wants parents to realize that they aren’t alone and give parents someone to talk with who truly understands their situation and is eager to help.






COUNSELORS JOINING US SOON!

A VA licensed professional counselor, Raymond Power received his undergraduate degree in Psychology and then obtained a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. Raymond draws upon his personal experience in dealing with handicaps and life challenges in the family in his work as a licensed marriage and family therapist. He has a strong understanding of the terrible strains that can confront a family as a whole and the huge pressures that can drive so many marriages apart and works effectively and with great empathy to help support the family supporting the special needs child.Raymond "Chris", is also on our Board of Directors. Raymond has over 30 years of counseling experience.






Nancy Power has years of experience in working with special needs children, whether as an in-home counselor, case manager for psychiatric services and mental retardation, intake clinician, or a therapist at a training center for multi-handicapped kids newly diagnosed with Autism or Mental Retardation. Nan holds a BS in Social Work, a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and is devoted to her work in helping individuals and families cope with the challenges that they are facing. Nancy has over 30 years of counseling experience.









Classroom Leads
Classroom leads are responsible for your child’s day by day experience in the classroom. The leads work closely with each child as well as the therapy assistants working in the group as well. The Classroom lead ensures that the weekly lesson plans are followed while monitoring individual child performance and working with therapists and assistants to make necessary modifications during the day/week to better support your child.

Your involvement is critical!
Parent involvement is a key component of Mustard Seed’s Therapy. Training is provided so that you can carry on the good work in the classroom and help your child at home. When you are involved in your child’s therapy, research shows that:

Acquisition of skills increases

There are increased opportunities for learning (both structured and unstructured)

Children are more independent with self-help skills

Critical stimulation and cognitive brain development accelerates

Quality of life improves for both parents and children

Isolation fades as family and friends visit more frequently