Who We Are

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Tiffany Michels is the Founder and Executive Director of Helianthus Positive Behavior Supports LLC. She founded the company in 2020 after learning that ABA resources were lacking in her local area of North Carolina. Tiffany graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at ODU and a Master of Education in Special Education with a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at GMU. She started in the field after working for an organization who specialized in working with children with a diagnosis of Emotionally Disturbed, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectually Disabled, Operationally Defiant Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder, as a Special Education teacher assistant in an inclusion classroom. It was there she had discovered the world of Behavior Modification and Management. She became intrigued and began her journey into the ABA field. She has worked in the ABA field specifically for over 7 years providing direct services, supervision and case management services, parent training and assessment services to young children and adolescents whom have varying diagnoses and their families. After moving to North Carolina in 2018 she decided it was time to expand ABA services for families in North Carolina. Tiffany strives to better her community, serving others in need, and lending a helping hand. She takes pride in her work and loves to grow and progress in the field. When she has time, she loves researching, attending conferences and webinars and finding advancements to better her practice. Outside of work, Tiffany enjoys living on a farm, spending time with her family and is a HUGE animal lover.

Bethany Patterson is a BCBA, LBA-VA and the Assistant Director with Helianthus Positive Behavior Supports LLC and has experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis working with children 18 months old to adults 45 years of age. She has worked with all different diagnosis from Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, TBIs, Bi-Polar, Fragile X, Seizure disorders, Schizophrenia, and trauma cases to name a few. She has worked as a BCBA in numerous locations from school districts, in-home, day schools, CDCs, residential locations, and in the community. Bethany has a Master of Science in Education and currently in a Doctoral Program for Educational Psychology and Technology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Bethany is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed as a Behavior Analyst in the State of Virginia. She specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and trauma and stress related disorders. Bethany is also a member and affiliated with the following organizations Kappa Delta Phi Society of Education, Association of Behavioral Analysis International, Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis, North Carolina for Behavior Analysts, International Behavior Analysis Organization, Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, Association for Educational Communication Technology, and American Psychological Association. Bethany has served on the board of Family Readiness Group for the USS Helena in Norfolk, VA, the board of Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis, and former leader for the Do Better Movement. Outside of HPBS Bethany is a mother of 2, military spouse, owner of two German Shepards, and published author of a Children's Book Daddy's Submarine. With her family she loves to off road, hike, kayak, and play board games.

Samantha Byrnes is a BCBA, VA-LBA with Helianthus Positive Behavior Supports LLC. Samantha graduated with her Bachelor of Science: Mild to Moderate Special Education at Westfield State University, as well as graduating with a Master of Science: Severe Special Education at Bay Path University. She completed a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at Florida Institute of Technology. She fell into the field of ABA while teaching special education in a residential school for children with Autism in Massachusetts in 2013. Samantha transitioned into teaching in the public schools as a severe special education teacher in 2016, implementing behavior analytic strategies. After relocating to Virginia in 2017, Samantha began practicing as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst in Virginia. Samantha is passionate about providing quality services to achieve socially significant goals with people with different abilities. Outside of HPBS, Samantha is passionate about nutrition and wellness. She enjoys taking weekend trips, baking, cooking and spending time with her family.

We look forward to meeting and serving you!