ABA Therapy Providers
Meet our Team

Nicole Thomas, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Executive Director/CEO
Nicole is the founder and CEO of Family Hope Solutions. She has a Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Cross Categorical Special Education, a graduate-level certification in Autism Education from Regent University, and a graduate-level certification in Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. In 2003, She began working with children on the Autism spectrum as a Behavior Technician under a BCBA who worked with Vincent Carbone, a leading expert in the field. In addition to this, she has 4 years of experience as the lead teacher working in the Stafford County Public Schools Elementary Autism Program.
In 2012, Nicole began working as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She has serviced individuals aging from 18 months to 60 years from culturally diverse backgrounds with a wide range of medical and developmental disorders. Nicole has provided supervision for in-home and clinic-based services, as well as behavioral consultation for adults with the Virginia Medicaid waiver. She specializes in the implementation of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Natural Environment Training (NET), Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol, skill-based treatment, verbal behavior, school-based interventions, interdisciplinary collaboration, The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), and early and intensive behavior intervention.
Personally, Nicole is a mom to five spunky children who have taught her tremendously about child development and parenting. Through learning from her own experiences as a mother, Nicole has developed a passion for providing services with understanding and sensitivity to family dynamics. Family Hope Solutions shines by providing competent, person-centered, and hope-filled treatment for the individual and the family.

Emily Taylor, M.S., BCBA, LBA
Director of Administration and Compliance
With a passion for empowering individuals and fostering positive change, Emily Taylor is a dedicated Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Emily began her work in the field of ABA in 2016 and became a BCBA in 2020. Emily holds a master’s degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Southern Maine.
Throughout her career, Emily has worked with individuals with autism and other behavioral and developmental disabilities ranging from 2 years to adults across multiple settings. Emily has also worked on the administrative side of the ABA field since 2016 in both the school and private ABA sectors. Emily is experienced in and loves disseminating the teachings of ABA to anyone who wants to learn!
Emily has been trained in multiple protocols, including the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), Skill Based Treatment (SBT), and various feeding and toilet training protocols. She plans to pursue further training and certifications, such as sexual behavior support and adult support, in order to provide more specialized treatment to her clients. Emily values a team approach and works collaboratively with RBTs, parents, and other professionals, to ensure her clients receive the best and most comprehensive care in order to create supportive environments that promote growth, independence, and success. Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time with friends, cooking/baking, taking care of her cats, and reading great books.

Gina Porcelli, M.S., BCBA, LBA
Clinical Supervisor
Gina Porcelli began her career as a personal care attendant for an adult with autism eight years ago. She has been dedicated to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2018, starting as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). During this time, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Mary Washington. In 2022, Gina furthered her education at Shenandoah University, graduating with a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. She also holds training in Skill-Based Treatment (SBT).
Throughout her career, Gina has worked with diverse age groups, ranging from 2 to 30 years old, and has gained experience in various settings, including in-home, clinic, and group home environments. In her free time, Gina enjoys refinishing furniture and spending quality time with her cat.

Kristina Sipos, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Clinical Supervisor
Kristina Sipos is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) with over six years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. She holds a Master’s degree in ABA from Ball State University, along with certificates in both ABA and autism. Kristina is also certified in PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System).
Throughout her career, Kristina has worked with children and adolescents ranging from 2 to 18 years old in various settings, including home, school, and clinic environments, with a particular focus on younger children. Known for her patient and tailored approach, she uses evidence-based strategies to create individualized behavior intervention plans that promote meaningful progress for each client.
Kristina is fluent in Hungarian and considers herself well-cultured, enabling her to connect with a diverse range of clients and families. She values learning from different cultures and perspectives, which enhances her ability to support clients in various settings. In addition to her professional work, Kristina stays current in the field by earning credits to maintain her BCBA certification. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family, whether skiing in the mountains or relaxing by the beach.

Samantha Taylor, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Clinical Supervisor
Samantha’s passion for understanding children with unique needs began in upper elementary school. She had a friend who was on the spectrum, and found it challenging to connect with her due to the behavioral barriers. This sparked Samantha’s curiosity, and she started researching how to engage with neurodiverse peers. Today, one of her greatest joys in working with children with autism is seeing the world through their eyes and supporting them in achieving their goals using a more child-led ABA approach.
Samantha spent time teaching in the public school system as a lead special education teacher for grades K-5, and has four years of experience working in ABA with children ranging from ages 2 to 18.
In her free time, Samantha enjoys spending time with her family, reading fantasy novels and baking sweets.

Emely Frain, RBT
Clinical Operations Manager
Emely Frain is a “Senior Lead” Registered Behavior Technician with over 6 years of experience. Emely was introduced to the field shortly after finishing high school in 2018 and quickly obtained a passion for ABA. Emely first began working in the home setting and then transitioned to the clinic and school setting with an emphasis on early intervention. Emely is passionate about helping her clients learn and grow and finds joy in witnessing their daily achievements. Her commitment to fostering independence ensures that each child receives the support they need to thrive. Emely believes that every small success is a stepping stone toward a brighter future, and she is honored to be a part of her clients’ journeys.
Emely graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology in 2024. She is now working towards her Masters degree at Arizona State University with the goal of becoming a BCBA. Additionally, Emely is fluent in Spanish and English. In her free time, Emely enjoys spending time with her husband, son and 2 dogs soaking up the outdoors!

Julie Gazzoli
Clinical Operations Manager
Julie Gazzoli is a Registered Behavioral Technician with over 5 years of experience. She has experience with children with autism, cerebral palsy, and with physical limitations. She is devoted to helping children gain self-advocacy skills to communicate their wants and needs throughout their lives. Julie was introduced to the field when working as a preschool teacher and realized she wanted to provide client- centered assent-based treatment to all who need it as well as modeling this to others in the field .
Julie is currently working towards going back to school to complete requirements to become a BCBA and additionally also gain a license for SLP. In her free time Julie enjoys reading, aerial silks, and hiking.

Nate Willis M.A., BCBA, LBA
Clinical Supervisor
Nate Willis has been in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for over five years. With a longstanding passion for working with young learners, he began caretaking for children with unique needs during and after completing his bachelor’s degree. Working directly with clients and their families has been the most rewarding professional experience of his career. In his free time, Nate enjoys spending time with his family, listening to music, playing video games, and collecting Pokémon cards and items—something he proudly embraces.

Chris Lu, RBT
Analyst Assistant (AA)
Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Integrated Science and Technology from James Madison University in 2016 and became a Registered Behavior Technician in 2019. After a brief break to run a detailing business, Chris reconnected with the field in 2023 as a part-time RBT at Family Hope Solutions, where the leadership and mission inspired him to focus on serving individuals with autism, ranging from children to adults, and witnessing their progress firsthand.
Currently, Chris is pursuing a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at Ball State University. He is excited to continue this journey under the guidance of Family Hope Solutions and is passionate about promoting the company’s core values of Family, Hope, and Solutions in every aspect of his work.
In his free time, Chris serves as an executive member of a paintball team, collects trading cards, and enjoys socializing with friends.
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