Qualified, Experienced, Engaged
A Strong Clinical Team
At Kalyana Support Systems, our senior staff pursues excellence in client care, staff training, and collaboration with families. Members of our senior clinical team oversee all that a child receives in our care.
Catherine McConnell, MEd, RSW, BCBA, RBA (ONT)
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Catherine has been a provider of applied behavioural analysis services for more than 20 years, concentrating her practice in the area of early intervention for children with autism. Catherine was introduced to applied behaviour analysis as an instructor therapist in home-based intervention programs for children with autism and has extensive experience with a broad range of clients, from early learners to young adults. Catherine holds undergraduate degrees in psychology and social work from McMaster University and a Master's of Education - Special Education/Applied Behaviour Analysis from the University of Western Ontario. Her areas of interest in clinical practice include staff supervision, sleep interventions and diet expansion for individuals with restrictive diets. In her role as Clinical Director, Catherine supervises staff training, client programming and treatment implementation.
Angeline Savard, MSc, OCT, BCBA, RBA (ONT)
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Angeline began her career in psychology research, where she discovered Direct Instruction (DI). After seeing success with DI in tutoring settings, Angeline opened The Gregory School in order to be able to offer a comprehensive education, founded on research-proven techniques and curricula, to students with special needs. Her areas of interest in clinical practice include supporting Direct Instruction implementations for students with ASD, sleep interventions, and parent training around the management of severe problem behaviour. Angeline received a Bachelor of Science degree from McMaster University in 1992, a Bachelor of Education from Brock University in 1993, and a Master of Science in Psychology (Applied Behaviour Analysis) from Capella University in 2017. Angeline is a past executive director of the board of ONTABA (Secretary). She was a co-chair of ONTABA’s Education Task Force that produced the ABA Applications in Schools white paper.
Brier Pomfret, MADS, BCBA, RBA (ONT)
CLINICAL SUPERVISOR
Brier began his career in applied behaviour analysis in 2017 as an instructor therapist at the Gregory School. He holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Applied Disability Studies with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Brock University. He became a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst in 2023 and is a Registered Behaviour Analyst in the province of Ontario. As Clinical Supervisor, Brier oversees client programming, designs behaviour support plans, and provides clinical guidance to instructor therapists. He also coordinates the clinic’s music class, using music to foster engagement, social connection, and joy among learners. Brier’s clinical interests include trauma-informed care, the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) within ABA, and the use of Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) to support the development of functional communication and tolerance skills. He is committed to delivering compassionate, individualized care that honours each learner’s autonomy and dignity.
Julie Koudys, PhD, C.Psych, BCBA-D, RBA (ONT)
CONSULTING CLINICAL SUPERVISOR
Dr. Julie Koudys is a registered clinical psychologist. She completed her Ph. D. in Clinical Developmental Psychology at York University, with a focus on research and practice with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She has worked with individuals with ASD, intellectual/developmental disabilities, communication and behavioural disorders, and learning disabilities for over 15 years. Her clinical experience includes work within educational and residential services, children’s mental health, and hospital settings (i.e., McMaster Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Bloorview Kids Rehab), and government programs, including intensive behavioural intervention (IBI). Currently, Dr. Koudys is an Assistant Professor at Brock University in the Centre for Applied Disability Studies and teaches graduate level course work in ABA. She is also a consulting psychologist with Dalton Associates and provides behavioural treatment for children and adolescents, including clinical supervision for IBI/ABA programs.
Kate Harrison, BA
DIRECTOR OF RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING; SENIOR CASE MANAGER
Kate has been a member of Kalyana's instructional team for more than a decade, working with children of all ages and needs.She holds her Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Specialized Diploma in Social Work from the University of Waterloo.
As Director, Kate supports our recruitment and hiring process, trains new hires, monitors staff performance, and mentors new case managers and team leads. In her role as Case Manager, Kate is responsible for supporting client programming and behaviour treatment implementation under the supervision of the Clinical Directors. Kate is passionate about behaviour reduction strategies and helping children sleep.
Melanie Mueller, BA
DIRECTOR OF CLIENT CARE; SENIOR CASE MANAGER
Melanie began her career in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Kalyana in 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a specialization in Sociology from Wilfred Laurier University, as well as a Developmental Service Worker Diploma from Fanshawe College. Prior to joining the Kalyana team, Melanie supported adults with developmental disabilities.
As Intake Coordinator, Melanie first point of contact for families inquiring about services and helps support their transition into service. In her role as Case Manager, Melanie is responsible for supporting client programming and mentoring instructors under the supervision of the Clinical Directors.