Meet our team!
Stacey Tomanik, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Stacey Tomanik is the owner and Executive Director of Kids ETC. She is a Registered psychologist with extensive experience treating families and children who present with a variety of behavioural, emotional, social and learning difficulties.
She has over 25 years of experience working with children with autism spectrum disorders and other behavioural difficulties. Dr. Tomanik received her initial clinical training at the University of California, Los Angeles Clinic for the Behavioural Treatment of Children and the Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention (LIFE). She worked under the supervision of Dr. Ivar Lovaas, Dr. Tristram Smith, Ph.D., and Dr. Jacqueline Wynn. During her time at UCLA she also contributed in the writing of the book, “Teaching Individuals with Developmental Delays: Basic Intervention Techniques” (2003) by O. Ivar Lovaas. While she was completing her graduate training, Dr. Tomanik helped found and direct a treatment program for children with autism at the University of Houston. She has lectured at UCLA and has taught courses at the University of Houston on the use of behavioural principles with children with autism spectrum disorders, as well as other childhood behaviour problems.
Dr. Tomanik received her Masters degree and Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston, in Houston, Texas. Her education and clinical training focused on psychopathology in children, adolescents and adults. She is experienced in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a variety of mental health disorders with particular emphasis on children with behaviour problems. She completed her residency at the University of Texas- Houston Health Science Center in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences.
Following her graduate training, Dr. Tomanik served as the Executive Director of Houston Behavioural Intervention and Training Services in Houston, TX. Upon returning to Calgary, she worked for Alberta Health Services at the Child Development Centre as part of a multidisciplinary team providing assessments and diagnosis for children with complex challenges.
Case Supervisors
Behaviour consultants assist in the start up and supervision of home-based ABA programs, provide instruction and training for behaviour aides and parents, implement discrete trial training with the child, and collaborate with other professionals.
Keelin Wolff, M.Sc., B.Sc.
Keelin is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. She has also completed her Master of Science degree in Medical Sciences and has a Bachelor of Science of degree in Biological Sciences with a Psychology minor from the University of Calgary. Keelin’s MSc focused on the neural reward pathways in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Her work has been published in both the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. Keelin joined the Kids ETC team in 2016 as a behavioural therapist. She provides behavioural consultation, program recommendations,
staff and parent training for children with autism spectrum disorders. Keelin enjoys working with children and seeing the beneficial impacts of applied behaviour analysis.
Christina Duhnych, M.Sc., BCBA.
Christina is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) She earned her Master of Science in Applied Behavioural Analysis at Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Mount Royal University in Calgary. Christina’s research in the area of Inner Speech has been published in Applied Cognitive Psychology and the Journal of Constructivist Psychology, in 2018 and 2020 respectively. She has been invited to present her findings with her team several times by a diverse group of educators and practitioners around the world. She uses her knowledge about the self and her training as a behaviour analyst to better understand behavioural learning. Christina joined the Kids ETC team in 2019 performing home-based
Laryssa Belsey, BA
Laryssa received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Science, with a major in psychology,
from Ambrose University in Calgary. Laryssa joined the Kids ETC team in 2020 as a behavioural
aide and then quickly transitioned into senior aide role supporting new aides in acquiring
behavioral skills. She is currently a case supervisor responsible for overseeing home-based ABA
programs for children with autism spectrum disorders and other behavioural challenges. She
supports clients in home, clinic and community settings and provides ongoing behavioural
training for staff and parents. Laryssa is eager to share her knowledge and experience with new
behavioural aides and support our clients and their families in all areas of their lives and the
continued growth of the clinic.
Laryssa enjoys spending time with her friends, family and pets. She also enjoys cooking and
loves to travel.
Kayla Merrifield, BA
Kayla received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in psychology, from the University in
Calgary. She has also achieved Level 10 piano through the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Kayla joined the Kids ETC team in 2019 as a behavioural aide, providing in-home one-to-one
behavioural therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders and related behavioral
challenges. In addition to being a skilled aide, Kayla coordinates Kids ETC client and staff
schedules, a task for which she is very well-suited since scheduling requires a keen attention to
detail, strong technical skills, and the ability to multitask.
Kayla is a talented musician who plays and teaches the piano, as well as the acoustic guitar and
bass. She enjoys drawing, digital art, graphic design and video editing.
Behavioural Aides
Behavioural aides are trained in the principles of ABA and implement these techniques in a one-to-one setting with the child under Dr. Tomanik’s supervision. They are responsible for providing direct instruction to the child, implementing behaviour plans and collecting data on the child’s progress. Behavioural aides participate in team meetings with other professionals and parents to provide insight into the child’s progress and treatment plan.
