Colleen Cairns, M.R.C., B.A., M.S., A.B.A., BCBA
Associate
Private Practice in Applied Behaviour Analysis - 25 years experience. Applications include behavioural therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy for children and adults, consultation to provide behavioural observations to assist psychiatrists with diagnosis and treatment. Also, offering assistance for parents dealing with difficult to serve children including those with forensic issues.
Academic:
Master of Science Degree (MSc.), Applied Behavior Analysis, School of Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL (2002)
Bachelor of Arts Degree, Queen's University, Kingston, ON (1999)
Mental Retardation Counselor, Humber College of Applied Arts & Technology, Toronto, ON (1980)
Certifications:
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (B.C.B.A.) with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. BACB since 2001. Certificant Number: 1-02-1044.
Certified Associate Behavior Analyst (C.A.B.A.), State of Florida, USA (June, 2001)
Previous Employment:
Ongwanada, Kingston, Ontario. Manager, Southeastern Regional Transitional Treatment Home for people with developmental disabilities and severe mental health or behaviour problems from June 2007 to December 2008. I had the main supervisory role in staff interviewing, hiring and training and in the design and supervision of treatment.
Bayfield Homes, Consecon, Ontario . Clinical Coordinator. I conducted and supervised therapy for children and adolescents in residential care from April 2003 to June 2007. As part of an interdisciplinary team, I conducted individual and group behavioural or cognitive-behavioural therapy to treat a broad range of complex behavioural, psychiatric, and social problems, some life threatening.
Intervention Services Inc. (Florida) I was employed by Intervention Services from February 2001 to May 2002. Supplied behavior services to children with conduct, AD/HD, developmental and learning disabilities and their parents in home and school. This work served as my supervised Internship in Applied Behavior at Analysis at Florida Tech.
Consulting my private practice provided outcome-driven applied behavior analysis and cognitive-behavior therapy to people suffering with severe (sometimes even life-threatening) disabilities, such as acquired brain injuries, autism and developmental delay, and clinical (psychiatric) levels of depression and anxiety. I collaborated with psychiatrists, psychologists, and community organizations to provide this range of services. I employed and supervised several assistants in this work both in my office and in the community. Also, I trained and supervised community workers, counselors, St. Lawrence College and Queen's University students in behavior analysis work placements.
Intensive Behavioural Intervention Autism Project . Clinical Supervisor. Established standard treatment program and assessment for 27 clients. (June – October 2002).
St. Lawrence College. Part-time faculty member in the Behavioral Science Technology program for three semesters. I taught Mediator-Training and Behavioral Interviewing to third-year students, Treatment Design and Program Writing, and I supervised the Behavioral Science Field Placement for 14 second-year students.
Regional Community Brain Injury Services Kingston General Hospital . Volunteer (October 1993 - March 1994); part-time rehabilitation counselor (March 1994 - October 1995). I provided the usual counseling services and advised on the application of behavior analysis.
Applied Behavior Analysis Consultant Private practice consulting to parents, teachers, and the Kingston & District Association for Community Living (1991 - 1995)
Kingston & District Association for Community Living Part-time residential counselor and adviser on the application of behavior analysis (1988 - 1995).
York South Association for Community Living Supervisor of several specialized programs (three group homes, two large work programs, and one Section 16 Classroom) serving children and adults with developmental disabilities and severe mental health or behavior problems. Specialist at supervision and training of staff in non-confrontational methods of applied behavior analysis (1981 - 1987).
Research:
I coordinated a large-scale longitudinal research project (Vulnerability and Resiliency of Children with, or at Risk for, Delays in Development to Behavioral Disorders) in collaboration with Drs. Maurice Feldman and Patricia Minnes (October 1995 - August 2000). The project tracked the development of children between the ages of two and four and explored family interactions. We assessed risk of behavior disorder in children subject to early diagnosis.
The project was funded at several hundred thousand dollars by the Strategic Fund for Children's Mental Health, Health and Welfare Canada. I employed several assistants and supervised several Queen's students in this project. Also, I participated as author in a publication arising from this important work.
Publication:
Feldman, Maurice A. , Hancock, Christie L., Rielly, Nicole, Minnes, Patricia, & Cairns, Colleen. Behavior Problems in Young Children With or At Risk for Developmental Delay. "Journal of Child and Family Studies", Vol. 9. No. 2, 2000, pp. 247-261.
Professional Affiliations:
Association for Behavior Analysis International—ABA International™
Ontario Association for Behavior Analysis, An Affiliate Chapter of ABA International™
Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists (O.A.C.C.P.P. Mental Health Professionals). Membership Number: 2991-G.
