graduated from Kaplan University (now Perdue University) with a Master of Science in Psychology, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis, and has worked in a variety of settings in Montreal and surrounding areas, ranging from in-center and in-home direct therapy to consulting with parents, schools, and daycare learning centers. She also oversees a dynamic team of ABA therapists, serving families affected by autism. Prior to starting her graduate career, she was engaged in various research projects, one of which was a published work, “The  Meaning-Making of Negative Life Events”. Following interviewing hundreds of participants and hearing challenging personal experiences, it was her mission to help others live their best lives possible. She began working with the elderly at The Douglas Hospital, where the goal was to encourage individuals with mental health issues to participate in daily living activities using positive reinforcement strategies. She fell in love with motivating others to participate in these activities when these tasks were very difficult for them to accomplish.

With her lifelong desire for working with children, Cheryl proceeded to gain various training with Psychologists and Behavior Analysts in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, so she could gain experience working with children with special needs and autism. Her experiences have included working with children with severe behaviors, early intervention, social skills, verbal behavior training, parent and staff training, independent life skills training, and supervising intervention programs in person and remotely via online services. With her clients, she focuses on providing meaningful behavior changes which are based on evidence-based practices so that the learner reaches their full potential.

Effie is a passionate mommy of a 6 year old boy. Her mother’s intuition had her seeking guidance and advocating to have her son tested as early as 1 years old. Her son was diagnosed with Autism when he was 2 and a half years old.
The news, like for many families, was hard to hear. Not knowing much more than what is portrayed on television regarding autism, the family did not know what to expect. After some research online, Effie found Cheryl, and a beautiful relationship began.
The process has been a long one, but the most rewarding in her life. She has watched her little baby turn into a big boy. He now will talk your ear off about anything science related where only a few years ago he wasn’t able to ask for water. Throughout the pandemic Effie was homeschooling her son and working with Cheryl via zoom so that we could continue ABA therapy. This allowed her to get a very hands-on understanding of how the program worked and also made it much simpler to implement into their daily lives.
Her son is her reason for going to Cheryl with the idea of La Ruche (The Hive) through online chats and her facebook group Pieces of the Puzzle, as well as meeting other families in person through activities, Effie came to realize that more help is needed.
The dream of La Ruche (The HIve) is to help the entire family unit. From Guiding Parents on how to properly fill out the necessary paperwork, having discussions about the stress of a special needs family member, allowing siblings a chance to be heard and feel appreciated for their own individuality, as well as having multiple therapies available at one centralized location. The goal is to help the family as a whole.
Effie’s background is in project management, having worked in various industries, she has gained knowledge on how to ensure a project meets its milestones with ease and has honed her problem solving skills.

Cheryl is passionate about this mission and seeks to empower individuals with autism and their families, providing tools to reach developmental milestones. Our highest mission is to provide a holistic approach to treating the entire family  so no parent or caregiver has to navigate the world of autism alone. Cheryl has been dedicated to providing unparalleled compassionate care, exceptional quality, and greater access to care for families and children for over 10 years. With a deep understanding of the child’s unique needs, she partners with the parent to co-create individualized goals and focuses on encouraging family involvement.

Cheryl graduated from Kaplan University (now Perdue University) with a Masters of Science in Psychology, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis and has worked in a variety of settings in Montreal and surrounding areas, ranging from in-center and in-home direct therapy, to consulting with parents, schools, and daycare learning centers. She also oversees a dynamic team of ABA therapists, serving families affected by autism. Prior to starting her graduate career, she was engaged in various research projects, one of which was a published work, “The  Meaning-Making of Negative Life Events”. Following interviewing hundreds of participants and hearing challenging personal experiences, it was her mission to help others live their best lives possible. She began working with the elderly at The Douglas Hospital, where the goal was to encourage individuals with mental health issues to participate in daily living activities using positive reinforcement strategies. She fell in love with  motivating others to participate in these activities, when these tasks were very difficult for them to accomplish.

With her lifelong desire for working with children, Cheryl proceeded to gain various training with Psychologists and Behavior Analysts in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, so she could gain experience working with children with special needs and autism. Her experiences have included working with children with severe behaviors, early intervention, social skills, verbal behavior training, parent and staff training, independent life skills training, and supervising intervention programs in person and remotely via online services. With her clients, she focuses on providing meaningful behavior changes which are based on evidence-based practices so that the learner reaches their full potential.