Meet the Bloomington ABA Team | Possibilities ABA

Megan Merrell, PHD & BCBA-D

Clinical Director

Dr. Merrell’s experience in behavior analysis began in 2003 when she started working as a home-based behavior interventionist. She developed a quick love for the children she served and the steady progress they demonstrated, due in part to their ABA services. It inspired her to pursue a long-term career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, which she obtained in 2012.

Dr. Merrell earned a bachelor’s degree in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from Brigham Young University (2008), a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Science (2011) and a PhD in Behavioral Psychology (2013), both from the University of Kansas. Throughout her graduate school career, Dr. Merrell gained clinical and supervisory experience at residential, center-based, home-based, and university-based programs. After earning her PhD, Dr. Merrell gained 10 years of experience as a clinical director in Southern California. During that time, she helped ensure hundreds of learners received access to quality care, and she had the honor of mentoring over 65 BCBAs and aspiring BCBAs. Dr. Merrell has experience working with children, teenagers, and young adults with varying diagnoses. She is passionate about providing high quality, evidence-based services. In addition, she has love for teaching and mentorship. She takes pride in developing meaningful relationships with her team and in helping strengthen their clinical, professional, and supervisory repertoires. Dr. Merrell joined Possibilities as their St. George clinical director in 2024. Joining Possibilities allowed her to move to the beautiful area her family calls home. Dr. Merrell, her husband, and her 5 sons are thrilled to establish roots in the St. George area.

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Samantha Anderson

Care Coordinator

Originally from Northern Utah, Samantha has proudly called the St. George area home for nearly 10 years. With eight years of medical experience in both administrative and care support roles, she brings organization, compassion, and a strong attention to detail to her role as Care Coordinator at the Bloomington Center.

Samantha has always been drawn to working with children and knew early on that she wanted a career centered around helping others. In addition to her medical background, she has three years of volunteer experience with children’s summer camps and activity centers. She finds it incredibly rewarding to support families and be part of each child’s growth and progress.

Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending time with loved ones (and pets), being outdoors, photography, and health/fitness!

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Nikki Clyde

Behavior Analyst

Nikki (Nichole) Clyde is a dedicated Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) who embarked on a transformative journey after becoming a mother. Her passion for family and travel continues to be her guiding light.

Nikki holds a double bachelor’s degree in mild/moderate Special Education and Elementary Education from Southern Utah University and later earned a master’s degree in Severe and Profound Disabilities from the University of Utah. It was her personal experience as a mother that led Nikki to change her career path, driven by a newfound passion for understanding autism from a family perspective. With eight years of experience as a devoted teacherand her personal journey as a mother, Nikki is committed to furthering her knowledge and making a positive impact on the lives of individuals with autism and their families. Her ultimate goal is to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to bridge the gap between education and family support. Nikki finds fulfillment in each moment shared with her family, and her career change reflects her unwavering dedication to the autism community.

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Devin Guinn

Behavior Analyst

Devin Guinn has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2018. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science and a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis from Utah Valley University.

Devin has always had a passion for working with young children and teaching through play. Early on in Devin’s career, she received extensive training in naturalistic therapy strategies and using play and motivation to teach a wide variety of skills. Devin is passionate about creating inclusive environments in the community for all children, and has experience with collaborating with many different professionals to enable autistic children to access more environments in the community. Devin currently lives in Utah County and enjoys hiking and spending time with her nieces and nephews.

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Kristen Hoover

Behavior Analyst

Kristen Hoover is a dedicated and experienced professional in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis on Sports Medicine and Exercise Science from California Lutheran University, and a Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis.

Since entering the field of ABA in 2009, Kristen has accumulated over a decade of hands-on experience and has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) for 12 years. Her extensive background and expertise have enabled her to make significant contributions to the ABA community, helping numerous individuals improve their lives through effective behavioral interventions. Born and raised in Southern California, Kristen has always had a passion for learning, animals, and nature. She is passionate about applying evidence-based practices to support individuals with diverse needs. Her commitment to continuous learning and professional development ensures she stays at the forefront of advancements in the field. Kristen’s work is characterized by her dedication to ethical practice, compassionate care, and a strong emphasis on client-centered approaches.

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Jacob Hillman

Behavior Analyst

Jacob has been working in the field of ABA since 2010. He has a wide range of experience and a genuine passion for making a positive impact.

He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Utah State University and a Master’s Degree in Behavior Analysis from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. His expertise spans a spectrum of key areas, including behavior assessment, severe behavior, verbal behavior, individualized treatment, and caregiver training. Jacob’s commitment to tailoring interventions to meet the unique needs of individuals reflects his dedication to promoting independence and growth. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Jacob is well-versed in effective teaching methods, ensuring that learning is not only impactful but also personalized. He is delighted to have found a professional home that shares his values, providing him with a platform to contribute meaningfully to the lives of those he servces. Jacob remains a steadfast advocate for individualized care, providing unwavering support to inspire positive change and foster the development of crucial life skills. His approach combines professionalism with a genuine desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

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Sarah Sargeant, BCBA

Behavior Analyst

Sarah Sargeant has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for over 8 years. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from Stony Brook University in 2015; she has always been passionate about the importance of language and effective communication.

Soon after, and while she worked as a Registered Behavior Technician, she pursued graduate coursework from the Florida Institute of Technology and obtained her Board Certification as an Assistant Behavior Analyst in 2017. In 2018, she completed her Master’s degree in Exceptional Student Education/ABA from the University of West Florida and has been a BCBA since that same year. Sarah has substantial experience working with a variety of learners and their caregivers across settings to include, clinic, home, school and in the community. Sarah thoroughly enjoys collaborating with others, working as a team and believes that this is the key to progress and achieving goals. Sarah is excited to be part of the Possibilities team to deliver compassionate, individualized care to all learners and their families!

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Maddi Van De Bussche

Behavior Analyst

Madeline’s (Maddi’s) journey into Applied Behavior Analysis began post-Covid when she joined a preschool committed to inclusive education.

Transitioning from career uncertainty to a focus on ABA and early intervention, she conducted research in PCIT and earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Communication from West Virginia University. Relocating to Utah in May 2022, Maddi assumed the role of a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Arizona State University with the goal of becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Meet the Bloomington Team

Meet the Team

Megan Merrell, PHD & BCBA-D

Clinical Director

Samantha Anderson

Care Coordinator

Nikki Clyde

Behavior Analyst

Devin Guinn

Behavior Analyst

Kristen Hoover

Behavior Analyst

Jacob Hillman

Behavior Analyst

Sarah Sargeant, BCBA

Behavior Analyst

Maddi Van De Bussche

Behavior Analyst

Jenna Robbins

Clinical Coach

Brooke Mangis

Pod Lead

Savannah Dunn

Behavior Technician

Paige Utley

Behavior Technician