About Us

Caity Russ, M.Ed., BCBA, COBA

Caity is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She received her master’s degree in special education with a concentration in behavior intervention. During her supervision experience to become a BCBA, she was first an intervention specialist for students with autism and other behavioral challenges and then gained experience as a Registered Behavior Technician. She has experience in school, home and center-based settings and has worked with students across age ranges, disability categories and severity of behaviors. Her most meaningful experience was having the opportunity to be a caregiver to 3 individuals with disabilities.

Caity is passionate about parent and caregiver training. She believes that parent training should include prioritizing their wishes for their child, helping them find time for self-care and empowering them to make behavior changes. She values each member of the team to help service a learner. Caity’s areas of focus includes severe problem behavior, parent training, early intervention and adolescent behavior.

Caity loves to keep up on progressive research in Applied Behavior Analysis and share it with others. She uses and modifies many of Dr. Greg Hanley’s interventions to help clients achieve a happy, relaxed and engaged state. The invaluable and irreplaceable relationships she builds with her students and families are the best parts of her job. She has learned that teaching with strong rapport, play, and humility often improves the quality of life for clients and their caregivers.

Kelsey Bennett, M.Ed., BCBA

Kelsey is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). After obtaining her undergraduate degree in Special Education, Kelsey was awarded her graduate degree in Educational Administration from Augusta University and completed her BCBA coursework at Kent State University. Kelsey is a certified teacher in the state of Ohio, and before working for Mindful Steps, she had been in special education for six years as a licensed intervention specialist in high school and grades 3-5 for students with autism and other developmental disabilities and behavioral challenges. 

Kelsey has worked with learners across age ranges, disabilities, and severity of behaviors in home, community, and school settings for over ten years; providing intervention for academics, social skills, self-help skills, and other behavior skills based on the principles of applied behavior analysis.

Kelsey is passionate about providing evidence-based, individualized, compassionate therapy in order to help each learner meet their individual goals and reach maximum independence. She strives to create an environment in which the therapy team and family work together to help every child flourish and thrive. Kelsey has special interests in school consultation, food selectivity, and severe problem behavior (SPB). 

When Kelsey is not working, she is a wife and mama of a beautiful and adventurous 3-year-old girl. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing the piano, reading books, exercising, and looking for new crafts to make!

Kaitlin Hards, RBT

Kaitlin is a Registered Behavior Technician at Mindful Steps. She received a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and an Early Intervention certificate from Kent state University. She has been in the field of special education for 3 years as Registered Behavior Technician. Kaitlin is currently working towards obtaining her Behavior Intervention Specialist Certificate and a master’s in Special Education from Kent State University. Additionally, she is accruing supervision hours to become a BCBA. She enjoys working with parents and their children to build positive relationships in the home environment. Kaitlin has special interests in food selectivity training, preparation and transition to kindergarten, and sibling/family coaching. She enjoys spending time with her family, going on hikes, and spending time with her dog!

Brandy Hollis, RBT

Brandy is a Registered Behavior Technician at Mindful Steps. Her education includes a Master’s of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. Brandy has been in the ABA field for 3 years in the school setting, the center-based setting, and now the home setting.. She is currently working toward her BCBA certification. Brandy’s interest in ABA stems from her own personal life experiences. Her favorite part of working in this field is helping families find ways to communicate with one another, and sharing the joy of each new goal achieved.

Brandy is the mother of three adult sons and a very energetic little girl. In her spare time, Brandy enjoys being active and outdoors. Additional interests include reading, organizing, hiking with her dog, playing volleyball, and trying to do arts and crafts. Brandy is a firm believer in the quote by Colin Powell that “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure”.

Anna Faust, RBT

Anna is a Registered Behavior Technician at Mindful Steps. She received a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Cincinnati. She also received certification in Early Intervention from Kent State University. Anna is currently obtaining her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from Kent State University.

She has been in the field of special education for 1 year as a Registered Behavior Technician before working for Mindful Steps. Her favorite part of the field is providing therapy to children and their families in their natural environment. Anna has special interests in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD). 

In her free time, Anna enjoys long walks with her dog, spending time with family, and rearranging her home (again).