THE THRIVE TEAM

Chelsia Massey LAtham, MS, BCBA, LBA
Owner/
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

I can't remember a time when my heart didn't long to teach children with special needs. In 3rd grade I would spend recess braiding Molly's hair and teaching her new words to use other than her usual "NO!" (Molly has Down syndrome). Then in fourth and fifth grade I would hurry to finish my class work so I could go down to the inclusion class. In High School I spent my service hours working with children throughout the community.

Following High-School my passion continued. I worked at a special needs learning center, and then worked as a 1:1 paraprofessional for a child with Autism. It was this work in particular that led me to research Applied Behavior Analysis. Immediately I was hooked. ABA merged my love of psychology and my love for children with special needs. From here the dream of the Communication Station was born, and for 4 years I owned and operated the Communication Station where I implemented ABA programs with 25+ families in and around Birmingham. Implementing programs wasn't enough. I knew that I needed to pursue a Graduate Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis to become a better advocate for families.

In January 2013 I graduated with a Masters Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Spalding University, Louisville, KY. After relocating to Birmingham, AL I opened Thrive Behavioral Services, LLC to serve families across Alabama and beyond. As the owner of Thrive Behavioral Services, LLC, I work with children touched by all sorts of Special needs; Autism Spectrum Disorders, Neurological Disorders, Behavior Disorders, Down Syndrome, and Learning Disorders to name a few. I can't think of a more awesome line of work than what I get to do everyday. I get to interact with some of the brightest children on the planet. I get to see the light bulbs go off in their little minds and the look that says " I finally get it"

"I Believe in Children! Most of all I believe all children are teachable! All children are capable of learning! Many are in need of a different sort of teaching. I believe I have that to offer. I look forward to working with you and your family!" -Chelsia Massey

Kimberlee Krubinski, MS, BCBA, LBA
Board certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA)

Kimberlee Krubinski is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She was awarded her Bachelors of Science with honors in Psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. While at UAB, she conducted her honors research thesis on Racial Disparities in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-II. In addition, she conducted research as part of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Lab and Pitt Hopkins research team under the supervision of Dr. Sarah O’Kelley and Dr. Kristi Guest. Throughout her undergraduate degree, Kimberlee gained valuable experience by working at Camp ASCCA, interning at the Autism Society of Alabama, and completing graduate coursework in Public Health. Kimberlee received her Masters of Science, with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Auburn University. During her time at Auburn University, she provided a variety of behavioral services throughout the Lee County community, including parent trainings, direct instruction, behavior reduction, and staff training on verbal behavior and incidental teaching. Kimberlee moved back home to Birmingham, Alabama and became employed with the Arc of Jefferson County where she provided a wide range of staff training and behavioral reduction services for adolescents and adults at both residential and day program settings. Following her fellowship at the Arc of Jefferson County, Kimberlee worked with Behavioral Pediatric Institute of Alabama where she provided functional behavior assessments for all-age children in the school setting. In February 2018, Kimberlee joined Thrive Behavioral Services. Kimberlee has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, explosive disorder, and other mood-based difficulties. Kimberlee looks forward to working with families, direct providers, and multi-disciplinary professional teams to provide a better understanding of individual’s behavioral needs and promote different skills to enhance opportunities for independence and inclusion.

Kimberlee is the proud mother of two dogs, Barklee and Bankston. In addition to providing behavioral services, Kimberlee enjoys teaching children of all ages how to swim. She is also serving as the Autism Society of Alabama Junior Board President. For her free time, she is always seeking new adventures in life, whether new foods/restaurants, traveling, or just exploring more of beautiful Birmingham with her fiancé.

Taylor Horst
REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN (RBT)

Taylor is a Registered Behavior Technician at Thrive Behavioral Services, LLC. From a very early age, Taylor knew she wanted to work with children. In 2006 she volunteered as a camp counselor at an MDA camp where she worked with children with Muscular Dystrophy. While there she participated in their 24 hour care and camp acitivites. That experience confirmed that she wanted to have a career working with children with special needs. From 2008-2012, Taylor worked as an after-school care and summer camp counselor at the YMCA, where she was head counselor for over 70 kids ages 9-11. In 2014, she began working as a paraprofessional in special education at a local school. It was during this opportunity where she got to see first hand how ABA therapy changed the life of one of her students. Seeing the student's amazing progress led Taylor to want to continue her career in Applied Behavior Analysis. Taylor is currently finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and soon after will pursue her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis.