Axis - Ankeny | Axis Therapy Centers

Axis – Ankeny

Phone: (515) 261-2402

info@axisaba.com

220 W 1st Street

Suite 100

Ankeny, Iowa 50023

Services Available

Social Skills Groups

Speech Therapy

Feeding Therapy

ABA Therapy

Parent Training

Occupational Therapy

Our online Intake Form is created to help our team understand your interest in services. Submitting the form creates a profile for your child and adds them to the waitlist based off of the services that you have indicated an interest in. Availability for services is always changing as we rapidly work to meet the needs of the communities that we serve. We look forward to meeting your family and contacting you with availability as it may arise. Please note that wait times depend on many factors and we may not be able to provide estimates for wait times at all locations. If you have any questions, we are happy to assist

Online Intake Form

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Clinical Director

Kristin Hanson

M.A., BCBA, LBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Axis Clinical Director

Kristin’s Bio

Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA)

Kallie Shear

M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Ankeny Clinic Supervisor

Kallie’s Bio

Occupational Therapist

Jenna scheckel

COTA/L

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Jenna’s Bio

Breanna Ruby

COTA/L

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Breanna’s Bio

Speech Therapists

Lexi Myli

M.A., CF-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Lexi’s Bio

Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs)

Tatiana Leclair

Registered Behavior Technician

Behavior Technician

Emmaa’s Bio

Ankeny Clinic coordination Team

Kim Ness

Clinic Coordinator

Kim’s Bio

Christine Villalobos

Billing Specialist

Chirstine’s Bio

Kayla Longren

Insurance Specialist

Kayla’s Bio

Genna Bertram

Clinical Scheduler

Genna’s Bio

Join Our Team

Axis is always looking for highly-motivated, passionate, and energetic individuals to join our team!

Apply Today

Kristin is the CEO, Founder, and Clinical Director of Axis. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and a Licensed Behavior Analyst under the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Grand View University, and her Master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Most of Kristin's clinical experience has been focused on the early detection and intervention of autism spectrum disorder and specializing in early intervention. She has completed advanced training in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and has experience testing toddlers and children for autism spectrum disorder. She is on the Board of Directors for the Autism Society of Iowa, on the Autism Expert Panel for the Iowa Regional Autism Assistance Program, and is an active member of the Iowa Association for Behavior Analysis and Autism Speaks Iowa.

Kristin founded Axis in 2017 on her passion for serving children and families living with autism and special needs. Since building Axis side-by-side with her family from the ground up in 2017, Kristin couldn’t be prouder of the team, culture, and organization that it has become. As a family helping families, Axis looks for opportunities that will make the largest impact and create significant and life-changing outcomes for clients, families, and her staff. Kristin is dedicated to the mission of Axis and is committed to her own leadership development and actively participates in advanced training, mentoring, and deep self-exploration on how to live out her purpose to love and support her family and help others reach their full potential.

In her free time, she enjoys going to major league baseball games (Go Cubs and Go Braves!), watching Iowa Hawkeyes football, attending concerts, playing slow pitch softball, volleyball, coaching her children’s sports teams, listening to true crime and leadership podcasts, and spending time with her husband and their three children.

Kallie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and a Licensed Behavior Analyst under the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science. Kallie is the Site Supervisor of our Ankeny location, and is a part of Axis’ Ethics Committee. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Iowa State University, majoring in Criminal Justice and Sociology, and received her Master of Education degree in the Foundations of Behavior Analysis through the University of Cincinnati.

Kallie has experience working with challenging behaviors in a residential setting with youth ages 0 to 17, and also experience working with students in the Intensive Behavior Support classroom in a school setting. Through the many kids she has gotten the privilege of knowing over the years, Kallie has found her passion for working with children with different needs, and helping them become successful at home, school, and in the community. In her free time, Kallie enjoys biking, running, trying new restaurants, and traveling.

Jenna is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant licensed in the state of Iowa. She received her Associate of Arts degree after attending the University of Dubuque and NICC in Dubuque, IA. She then received her OTA degree from Ross College in Davenport, IA. She has always been passionate about working with kids from watching her mom work as a Teacher’s Aid in the Special Education program to volunteering in the Special Education program while enrolled at DeWitt High School. It was during that experience she knew she had found her passion for helping others, watching the kids grow and break out of their shells. In her spare time Jenna enjoys singing, writing poetry, reading, binge watching her favorite TV series, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her friends, family, and cats. She is a Disney fanatic and a frequent concert goer- she loves live music. Her guilty pleasures are iced vanilla lattes, ice cream, and mac-n-cheese with peas and BBQ chips (don’t knock it till you try it!) Her goal one day is to learn to sail a boat, travel to Italy, and have her own sanctuary farm.

Bre is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, and is certified in SOS Feeding Therapy. She attended the Occupational Therapy Assisting program at Neosho County Community College in Ottawa, KS. Bre first became interested in Occupational Therapy and working with children with special needs while volunteering for a therapeutic horse ranch in high school.

One of Bre’s clinical rotations was in a school district where she learned how to provide therapy for students both in the classroom with their peers, and in one-on-one therapy sessions. After she graduated from OTA school, she spent time as a Paraeducator for the school district working with students who had a variety of diagnoses and needs. She really learned a lot about how to structure her students’ day based on their strengths so they could maintain independence, as well as interacting with same age peers. Bre has a certification in Astronaut Training!

Lexi is a Speech-Language Pathologist licensed in the state of Iowa. She received her bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from Iowa State University and her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Northern Iowa. Lexi has experience with children of all ages and various diagnoses. She has experience in a variety of settings including clinic, school, hospital, and private practice. Lexi lives in Des Moines with her roommate and during her free time, she likes to read, workout, and visit with friends and family. Lexi is excited to be a part of the Axis team!

Tatiana is a Registered Behavior Technician credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. She is also a certified instructor for the Professional Crisis Management Association. She has her Associate of Arts Degree from Des Moines Area Community College, and looks forward to continuing her education in Child and Adolescent Psychology. Tatiana has always been very passionate about working with children. She enjoys watching her Los Angeles Dodgers and Las Vegas Raiders, and once in a while, to keep her husband happy, the Red Sox and Patriots. She also loves spending time with her husband and baby boy. She has a love for the outdoors and likes to play disc golf and various sports. She also coaches youth soccer. She has a passion for art and loves to paint. Tatiana looks forward to making a difference and creating a positive change for children and families.

Cheyenne is a Registered Behavior Technician credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. She has her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Northern Iowa. She has 10 years’ experience working with children in both the preschool setting as well as in residential settings. She has always had a passion to work with children ever since she would visit her mother’s classroom when she was younger. Her future plans include continuing her education and working toward a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis . In her free time, Cheyenne enjoys powerlifting, trying new foods, going to farmers markets and festivals, and hiking.

Brittany is a Registered Behavior Technician credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology at Iowa State University and is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism through Ball State University. Brittany has experience working with individuals ages 6-20 in the school setting. She loves working with children and watching them succeed in their everyday lives. In Brittany’s free time she enjoys being with friends and family, grabbing an iced coffee, spending time with her cat, as well as helping grow and raise her family’s show pig herd.

Moira is a Registered Behavior Technician credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. She graduated in 2021 from Iowa State University with a degree in Kinesiology & Health and always knew she wanted to work with children in some capacity. Moira plans to go back to school for her Masters in Special Education to further her education in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. In her free time, she enjoys staying active, reading and spending time her cat, Theo. Moira is very happy to be part of the Axis Family and to grow along with the wonderful individuals who come through the doors of Axis!

Morgan currently attends Iowa State University and is majoring in Psychology and minoring in both Human Development and Family Studies, and Sociology. She is also involved with many campus organizations such as Psychology club, Psi Chi Honors Society, the YWCA College Bound Program and helps at Madrid Elementary by tutoring the students. Morgan plans on attending a graduate school program in Iowa and eventually becoming a School Psychologist. She loves working with children and has worked primarily in the school setting. She loves the relationships she gets to build with all the kids she meets. Morgan spends her free time staying active, spending time with friends and family and hanging out with her cat Nemo and her dog Gordie.

Anna is a Registered Behavior Technician credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 2021 and is currently working towards her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism through Ball State University. During her undergrad career she worked at a daycare where she gained experience working with kids with ASD, and Down Syndrome which led her to discover the field of ABA. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors with her fiancé and dog, Winston.

Sydney graduated in 2022 from Buena Vista University with a degree in Psychology and has always loved working in the mental health field. She plans go to back to school for her Masters in Mental Health Counseling. She has always had a passion for working with children and has experience in an in-patient setting. Sydney spends her free time staying active and spending time with family, friends, and her dog Beau.

Morgan is currently a Behavior Technician working toward certification. She plans on attending DMACC to study Sociology and Psychology. She’s always loved working with kids and has work experience with ages newborn to teens. She feels it is the most rewarding line of work! She is passionate about her work and is very grateful to be a part of Axis! In her free time, she likes to watch her siblings participate in sports and school events. She loves to spend time with her family, friends and two dogs.

Courtney is currently in her senior year at Iowa State University. She plans to graduate in the Spring of 2023 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. She has always enjoyed working with children and has spent the last few years working as an in-home child-care provider. Courtney enjoys working with children of all ages and is excited to gain a new skill set at Axis! In her free time, Courtney enjoys baking, spending time with friends & family, and playing with her dog, Jax!

Sophia is currently a Behavioral Technician working toward certification. She went to DMACC and transferred to Iowa state for Apparel, Merchandize and Design. After school, she decided that working with kids is her passion. Sophia has been working with kids since she was 16. Sophia enjoys draw, painting, riding bikes or playing disk golf with her boyfriend. She also enjoys spending time with family.

Caitlin recently graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in criminal justice. She plans to continue her education through an online master's program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has a big heart and passion for helping others. In her free time, she likes to read, watch TV, or play games with her friends and family. Back home she has a cat named Luna, and her fish she brought to college with her, Skittles. She spends most weekends spending time with her niece and nephew.

Emma is currently a Graduate student at Drake University studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She lives with her boyfriend and cockapoo puppy Charlie. She graduated from Iowa State University in May 2021 with her degree in Psychology with a minor in Womens and Gender Studies. In her free time, she loves going to farmers markets, hockey games, movies and trying out new restaurants! She also loves taking Charlie out and about on walks or to indoor dog parks.

Kim is our Ankeny Clinic Coordinator. She is the one that will greet you in the lobby, walk you through the intake process, and communicate any location updates. She is a Missouri native that moved to Maxwell in May 2021, sharing life with her significant other, Dennis. She two grown sons of her own who live in the Kansas City area (yes, she is a Chiefs fan!). They have given her two lovely daughters-in-law, and 5 beloved grands (4 silly little girls and one lone prince!). Dennis has three children, 2 grown and on their own, and one teenager that lives with them and has refreshed her memory of grocery shopping for teenagers! In her free time, Kim enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren and gardening. Kim strives to become a well-functioning cog in the wheel that helps Axis continue moving forward in its journey!

Christine has her Bachelor of Business Administration from The University of Iowa. She has many years of client relations experience starting in retail management and most recently in administration for an outpatient mental health office. Christine is passionate about being part of a team that supports providers so providers can offer the best care to their clients. When she’s not cheering on the Hawkeyes with her husband Chris, she enjoys trying out new food venues. Christine recently moved from Urbandale, IA to Fort Myers, FL and is looking forward to exploring all the area has to offer.

Kayla is the Insurance Specialist for Axis and she handles insurance benefit verifications, treatment authorizations, and anything else related to insurance. She came to us with several years of insurance and customer services experience. Kayla decided she wanted to be in a field where she could work with children after working in her small-town public library as their director where she planned all the activities for toddler time and their summer reading program. Kayla lives in Maxwell, IA with her significant other Chris and their 7 children. When not at work Kayla enjoys her time at the kids’ activities or home on the farm with a good book and country music.

Genna is the Axis Clinical Scheduler who handles scheduling for all three of our Axis locations. Genna started her career at Axis as one of our technicians and recently shifted her passion towards the administrative side of things. In her free time, Genna enjoys playing with her kitties Pepperjack and Chicken Sandwich, drinking coffee or listening to true crime podcasts. Genna loves seeing the kiddos come through the door everyday and saying hi to them in the hallways!