Meet Our Staff

Meet the Founders of Applied Learning Institute

Headshot of Casey Falen.

Casey Falen, M.A., BCBA, COBA


CEO, Director of Business Operations

Casey Falen received her Masters of Arts from Western Michigan University in Psychology/Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in both Organizational Behavior Management and Professional Psychology (Autism) and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Behavior Analyst. Upon graduating from WMU, she was recruited to work for a private agency in Ontario, Canada, which specialized in autism services. After three years abroad, Casey returned to the U.S. where she has worked as a behavior analyst in the states of California, New York, and Ohio providing in-home services, behavioral consultation, staff training, parent training, and more, both with agencies and privately. She has worked with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities for over fifteen years. Casey’s passion for helping others has led her to link arms with other leading behavior analysts to co-found two ABA therapeutic agencies including the Autism Behavior Consulting firm in New York and most recently, Applied Learning Institute in Ohio.

Headshot of Holly Rittenhouse-Cea.

Holly Rittenhouse-Cea, Ph.D. BCBA, COBA


COO, Director of Clinical Operations

Dr. Holly Rittenhouse-Cea received her PhD from Fordham University in Language, Literacy, and Learning specifically related to students with disabilities, and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has worked in clinics, public and private schools, and in home programs for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities for over 15 years. As a behavior analyst, she has served the Ohio, Chicago, and Greater New York areas. Holly taught in the Division of Curriculum and Teaching at Fordham University training special education teaching candidates in behavioral methodologies for eight years, and in the Department of Special Education at Hunter College for three years. After spending the majority of her career out of state, Holly’s devotion to her home community of Dayton, Ohio led her back. She is currently the Director of the Master of Applied Behavior Analysis program at the University of Dayton, where she trains future behavior analysts and conducts research in applied behavior analysis. Holly is committed to expanding high quality treatment options for individuals with ASD in Ohio, as the Co-Founder of Applied Learning Institute.

Holly Rittenhouse-Cea, Ph.D. BCBA, COBA


COO, Director of Clinical Operations

Dr. Holly Rittenhouse-Cea received her PhD from Fordham University in Language, Literacy, and Learning specifically related to students with disabilities, and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has worked in clinics, public and private schools, and in home programs for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities for over 15 years. As a behavior analyst, she has served the Ohio, Chicago, and Greater New York areas. Holly taught in the Division of Curriculum and Teaching at Fordham University training special education teaching candidates in behavioral methodologies for eight years, and in the Department of Special Education at Hunter College for three years. After spending the majority of her career out of state, Holly’s devotion to her home community of Dayton, Ohio led her back. She is currently the Director of the Master of Applied Behavior Analysis program at the University of Dayton, where she trains future behavior analysts and conducts research in applied behavior analysis. Holly is committed to expanding high quality treatment options for individuals with ASD in Ohio, as the Co-Founder of Applied Learning Institute.

Headshot of Holly Rittenhouse-Cea.

Qualified Professionals Who Care

At ALI, we employ only the most qualified behavior technicians with extensive knowledge and experience in treating a wide range of issues. Each ALI behavior technician has undergone extensive training in ABA and autism spectrum disorder. All ALI staff receive ongoing training to ensure that ALI services reflect best practices.

Our staff exemplify a passion for implementing high quality, evidence-based ABA services. We work diligently to support our clients at every stage of development and are dedicated to ensuring our clients and their families can learn, grow, and thrive with the therapeutic care we provide. 

Each ALI family comes to us with a unique set of needs. Our board certified behavior analysts will conduct skill based and functional assessments to identify the specific needs of each client to develop an individualized curriculum. Our data-based approach ensures that clients are making advances toward the best possible outcomes.

Alexis Stedman

Position: Registered Behavior Technician
Categories: Registered Behavior Technician
  • Favorite Aspects of the Field: Watching the kids hit their goals and watching them grow
  • Hobbies: Hiking and paddle boarding with her dog Winter

Alexis Stedman

Registered Behavior Technician

-

Brynna Hays

Position: Registered Behavior Technician
Categories: Registered Behavior Technician
  • Favorite Aspects of the Field: Being able to be a part of all the kiddos’ growth and accomplishments, both big and small
  • Hobbies: Reading and hiking

Brynna Hays

Registered Behavior Technician

-

Carly Luken

Position: Registered Behavior Technician
Categories: Registered Behavior Technician
  • Favorite Aspects of the Field: Feeling like I’m making an impact in the lives of the kids I work with.
  • Hobbies: Reading

Carly Luken

Registered Behavior Technician

-

Jen Al Abdulhai

Position: Registered Behavior Technician
Categories: Registered Behavior Technician
  • Favorite Aspects of the Field: Watching clients grow and seeing them make progress
  • Hobbies: Diamond painting, mosaics, and hiking

Jen Al Abdulhai

Registered Behavior Technician

-

Savannah Hughbanks

Position: Registered Behavior Technician
Categories: Registered Behavior Technician
  • Favorite Aspects of the Field: Working with all the kids and seeing their transformations throughout their journey
  • Hobbies: Exploring all the local hiking trails with her puppy

Savannah Hughbanks

Registered Behavior Technician

-

Savannah Johnson

Position: Registered Behavior Technician
Categories: Registered Behavior Technician
  • Favorite Aspects of the Field: Watching the kids grow socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Hearing nonverbal kids say their first words is indescribable and heartwarming.
  • Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family, and coaching color guard

Savannah Johnson

Registered Behavior Technician

-

Taylor Trent

Position: Registered Behavior Technician
Categories: Registered Behavior Technician
  • Favorite Aspects of the Field: I love how everyday is a new adventure & a new learning experience. I enjoy helping kids grow and thrive in a supportive and engaging environment.
  • Hobbies: Spending time with my cats & reading

Taylor Trent

Registered Behavior Technician

-

Yesenia Rodriguez Arvelo

Position: Registered Behavior Technician
Categories: Registered Behavior Technician
  • Favorite Aspects of the Field: One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is witnessing the relief that parents feel when their children show improvement.
  • Hobbies: Reading, solving puzzles, and painting

Yesenia Rodriguez Arvelo

Registered Behavior Technician

-

We employ therapists that are energetic and passionate about working with individuals with ASD. Visit our Careers page to learn more about the positions available on our team.
Scroll to Top
Skip to content