Clinical Team

Lisette Leyva is Senior Clinical Supervisor at Creative Solutions for Hope. Lisette is working towards her first year with CSH. She  is responsible for managing and overseeing Case Managers and Clinical Supervisors. This includes consulting with the direct supervision and service staff (i.e., clinical and administrative staff). She also collaborates with other service providers, provides mentorship and professional development. She has experience in implementing 1:1 ABA therapy at the start of her career in 2004, conducting assessments, creating and managing treatment plans, developing and delivering trainings, implementing quality assurance measures, and leading focused groups to increase motivation in the workforce. She presented at the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSHA) titled “ABA meets Speech Therapy” and was voted in the Top 10 presentations for the 2018 Conference in Sacramento. Her goal is to expand applied behavior analysis to meet the changing needs of individuals with psychological problems for a multi-dimensional approach crossing into mindfulness constructs in the scope of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

 Lisette graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCS) and received her M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2011. She continued at TCS and is a PHD Candidate in Clinical Psychology. She  completed her coursework and successfully defended her Comprehensive Exams. She expects to return to complete her dissertation and clinical hours with a licensed psychologist. She has been a BCBA since 2012. During free time she likes to mediate and research new scientific discoveries releasing scientific dogmas.

Efrain is a Clinical Supervisor at Creative Solutions for Hope. After spending 4 years in the U.S. Army, Efrain graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, Law and Society in 1999. After working as a probation counselor in Orange County for several years, Efrain was drawn to the field of applied behavior analysis by a family with a child diagnosed with Autism. He subsequently earned his Master of Arts in Teaching, with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University in 2014. Efrain earned his BCBA credentialing in May of 2016.

Efrain has extensive experience in the use of Functional Communication Training, Discreet Trial Teaching (DTT), Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and Behavior Skills Training to support children and their families with socially significant skills and behaviors. He has experience conducting Functional Analyses (FAs), Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), and skill assessments (e.g., AFLS, VB-MAPP, Vineland, etc.) Efrain has worked with both children and adults with developmental disabilities but has a strong passion for early intervention. He has provided support to families in home, community, and school settings and enjoys collaborating with team members to ensure the interventions and strategies being implemented are generalized across people and settings.

Kirstie Gillespie joined the CSH family in 2016, and is currently working as a Clinical Supervisor providing support to direct therapy, staff oversight, program development, creation and implementation of behavior intervention plans, and Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) to clients and families with developmental disabilities, learning disabilities and related behavior disorders.  Kirstie graduated with her Bachelors of Arts in Behavioral Science with a focus in Childhood Health and Wellness in 2015. She received her Masters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2017, and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in November 2018. 

Prior to working at CSH, Kirstie worked in an integrated healthcare system, working directly with patients suffering from Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injuries, then later managing the Hospital’s Strategic Operations Center. Kirstie utilizes her education and experience in neuroscience and background in lean, supportive management systems as a staple in every team she is part of, and every family she works with. In her free time, Kirstie enjoys snowboarding, hiking, working out, and photography.

Candice Orejel is a Clinical Supervisor at Creative Solutions for Hope. Candice has been with CSH for 2 years. She is responsible for developing and implementing behavior intervention programs, writing reports, and supervising and supporting staff. Candice served as a Clinical Supervisor in school settings, for children who met eligibility for autism, emotional disturbance, learning disability, and intellectual delay for 7 years. Candice began working in the home setting in September 2016 and has gained valuable experience working in the home setting.

Candice graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Social Behavior in 2008. In 2013 she earned her Master of Arts in Psychology from Pepperdine University. Candice finished her BCBA coursework at the Florida Institute of Technology in March 2017 and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in May 2017. During her free time, she enjoys hiking and working out.

Stefanie Wimberly is a Case Supervisor at Creative Solutions for Hope. Stefanie has been with CSH for 8 of years. She is responsible for overseeing case managers and therapists as well as clientele. Stefanie also does other tasks other than overseeing staff and cases, she also heads the assessment department for the Inland Empire region. She has experience in developing and implementing behavioral intervention programs, 1:1 therapy, parent training and consultations. Stefanie also has a comprehensive training in the principle of behavior analysis and various methodologies such as: Verbal Behavior, Discrete Trial Training, Functional Communication Training, and Pivotal Response Training.

Stefanie graduated from California State University, Fullerton and received her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies. She also has her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. During Stefanie’s free time, she likes to exercise or run races such as various 5k’s, Spartans, Ragnar, half marathons, and mud runs.

Sheila Mojtabai M.S., LMFT is an Associate Clinical Supervisor at Creative Solution for Hope. Sheila has been with CSH for 1 year and is responsible for overseeing behavior staff as well as creating and overseeing ABA programs. Sheila also provides Parent training, IEP collaboration with school teams, and coordination of care between CSH and other community professionals.

Sheila has a combined experience of 11 years working children and adults with special needs in school and home settings. Additional experience includes clinical counseling for mental health disorders, IEP goal writing and knowledge, crisis management, and treatment planning.

Sheila graduated from California State University Northridge and received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2006. In addition, Sheila earned her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology in 2009 from California Lutheran University and became licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in 2016 from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. During her free time, Sheila likes to cook and spend time with family and friends.

Angie Truong is a Clinical Supervisor at Creative Solutions for Hope. Angie has been with CSH for 2 years, providing services for children and families diagnosed with Autism and other related disorders. She is responsible for managing, assessing, and evaluating treatment plans and progress along with training staff on implementing ABA strategies. Angie has experience in creating and implementing behavioral intervention programs, conducting 1:1 direct therapy, and parent consultation in the home, school and community setting. In addition, she also has experience conducting Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Pivotal Response Training (PRT), and Verbal Behavior (VB) such as Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).

Angie graduated from California State University, Long Beach in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Arts in the field of Psychology, and received her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism at Ball state University in 2017. The following year she earned her BCBA credentialing. During her free time, she enjoys staying active by taking her dog on hikes, or exercising at the gym. She also enjoys spending time with her friends and exploring new foods.

Whitney is an Early Start Clinical Supervisor at Creative Solutions for Hope and began working with the company in January of 2019. She works mainly with clients under three years of age. She is responsible for providing support to behavioral therapists, case managers, for implementing behavior intervention plans, conducting developmental assessments,  and providing support to parents.

Whitney began working with kids in special education in 2010 and ABA specifically since 2014. Her undergraduate was done at Cal State San Bernardino where she graduated with a Bachelor’s in psychology in 2011. A few years after graduating, Whitney attended National University where she received her Master’s in teaching with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis in June of 2017. Then, in August of 2018, Whitney became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).In her free time, Whitney likes to hang out with her friends and family, take acting/improv classes, and listen to music.