Our Staff

Hayden Consultation Services Associates

All HCS associates have college degrees in psychology, special education, or a related field. Most either have advanced degrees or are in process of attaining advanced degrees. HCS associates have an average of 10 years of experience working with individuals with special and unique needs. All associates are personally supervised by either Dr. or Mr. Hayden in areas specific to the settings in which they work.

Amber Bharoocha, M.Ed.

Amber Bharoocha is a currently pursuing her PhD in Special Education Disabilities and Risk Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She recently completed her Master’s of Education in Counseling, Clinical, School Psychology and is accruing hours towards the Pupil Personnel Services Credential to practice School Psychology. She is presently working towards the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification. Prior to joining the Hayden team, Amber worked as a behavior consultant and program supervisor providing direct services to families of children with autism as well as training and supervision to clinical staff for four and a half years. She also worked as an instructional assistant for preschool inclusion programs and as a substitute teacher for preschool special education programs for four years. Her research areas of interest include intervention for students with autism, school-based special education services, and improving the family-professional partnership.

Angelica Peralta, B.A.

Angelica Peralta earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Westmont College, Santa Barbara. Prior to joining the Hayden team, Angelica worked for 2 years as a behavioral consultant providing direct services to children with autism as well as toddlers through adults diagnosed with various developmental disabilities. Angelica has worked as an instructional assistant for a special education K-2 classroom specifically for children with autism, as well as completed an internship at Cottage Hospital as an assistant to the Child Life Specialist where she promoted effective coping strategies through play therapy, preparation, education, and self-expression activities.

Jennifer Forbes, B.A.

Jennifer Forbes graduated with a B.A. from Westmont College and immediately began working in various educational and after school programs in the Santa Barbara area. She began working as a Special Ed. Instructional Aid in 2009, working in the special day class, inclusion program, and Center for Therapeutic Education (CTE) program at Goleta Valley Jr. High School, as well as other schools in the district. She is CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) certified, and has experience working with Autism, intellectual disability, emotional disturbance, and other various developmental disabilities in both school and home settings. Jennifer uses Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques, picture exchange communication systems (PECS), sign language, social stories, and strong client-consultant rapport to improve the skills and quality of life of the individuals with whom she works.

Joanna R. Crookston, B.A.

Joanna Crookston earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Applied Psychology from The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She is currently working on her masters degree in Special Education, Disability and Risk Studies (SPEDR) in the Education Department of UCSB. Her primary focus in graduate school is positive behavioral therapy (PBS). Additionally, her research includes evaluating the use of Person Centered Thinking/Planning (PCT/PCP) to support individuals with disabilities and their families and Relationship Social Skills Training for individuals recovering from an acquired brain injury (ABI). Joanna has 5 years of professional experience working with adults recovering from Acquired Brain Injury in both a rehabilitation setting and a social community based non-profit. Along with her professional experience, Joanna has the unique insight of having lived with a brain injured person in her immediate family.

Keiko Otsuru, B.A.

Keiko Otsuru is pursuing a credential to become an Education Specialist to help people with moderate/severe disabilities. She came to the United States from Japan to continue her education. Struggling with the language barrier, she aspired to help people who have communication problems. She received a bachelor degree in Psychology in New Hampshire and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Special Education. Keiko has over 8 years of experience teaching students with autism, mental retardation, and other special needs. Her experience includes implementing Picture Activity Schedules and other ABA strategies. For 5 years, while living in Massachusetts , using the Daily Life Therapy technique, she taught at Boston Higashi School which focused on children with autism. She provided the students with systematic education through group dynamics. She taught the students academics as well as basic life skills in both the school program and the residential program. For the past 3 years, she has worked as a Para-Educator Professional working primarily with special needs children. While continuing this work, she is pursuing her goal of getting her teacher’s credentials so she can continue to work with children in a public school setting.

Kristen Bitter, B.A.

Kirsten Bitter earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Applied Psychology from The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She is presently working towards the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification and a Master’s of Arts in Counseling Psychology. In conjunction with Hayden, Kirsten works as an instructional assistant for a pre-primary classroom at a local Montessori school. Prior to joining the Hayden team, Kirsten worked as a clinician providing services to children with autism, down syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia, central auditory processing disorder, and various language and learning disabilities. She also conducted research, through UCSB, on teaching basic problem solving skills to primary-age elementary students.

Lindsey Morguelan, B.A.

Lindsey Morguelan has a B.A. in history from Cal State Northridge, where she graduated Cum Laude. Mrs. Morguelan is also trained and certified in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) by the highly regarded Lovaas Institute of UCLA, where she worked for 2 yrs, after working with Comprehensive Autism Related Education (C.A.R.E.), and who currently works as a special education instructional assistant for the Goleta Union School District. Mrs. Morguelan’s experience with caring for those with disabilities goes back to her youth as she has a brother who was blind since birth, and helped teach him all sorts of skills and behaviors all her life! Mrs. Morguelan is currently beginning work toward her BCaBA. She is dedicated to helping people with special needs, as she’s had practice with her whole life.

Monique Mouchamel, M.A., MFT Intern # 61694

Monique Mouchamel earned her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology from UCLA in 2007. She earned her Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University , Santa Barbara in 2009. Monique has experience tutoring children and adolescents with special needs. Monique has provided behavioral therapy for children with autism along with children and adults diagnosed with a variety of mental health disorders.

Sonia Esparza, M.Ed, ESC

Stacey Smith, M.Ed., ESC

Stacey Smith earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a minor in Education from the University of California, Irvine. She is currently working towards her Moderate/Severe Education Specialist teaching credential and her Master’s of Education at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Prior to working for Hayden Consultants, Stacey worked for 2 years as an instructional assistant in high school special education classrooms and has 3 years experience working as a behavior therapist for children using ABA based methods. She has worked with a variety of children with special needs, in both home and school settings.