Meet the Team Behind Your Journey
Experienced ABA consutling team and BCBAs.
Former educators. Compassionate partners supporting families every step of the way.
Meet Your Team
Our ABA consulting team brings decades of combined experience supporting families, schools, and communities.
Katie Teresi
Chief Executive Office - Founder
Katie Teresi, M.Ed., BCBA, LBS1, LBA, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and educator with over 17 years of experience supporting individuals with autism and related disabilities. She partners with families and schools to create practical supports that build independence, confidence, and meaningful real-world skills.
Learn More About Katie
I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Illinois Licensed Behavior Analyst with over 17 years of professional experience supporting individuals with autism and related developmental disabilities across school, home, and community settings. I am the founder of Journey Behavioral Consulting, where I partner with families, educators, and professionals to create meaningful, socially valid outcomes for the individuals they support.
I hold a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and maintain a Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1) certification. My professional background uniquely blends expertise in both education and applied behavior analysis, allowing me to design supports that are evidence-based, practical, and aligned with real-world environments.
Throughout my career, I have worked with learners ranging from early childhood through young adulthood in transition programs, giving me a deep understanding of developmental progression and long-term planning. I have served as a special education teacher, behavior consultant, and home-based therapy provider, and I bring extensive experience collaborating with school teams, related service providers, and families.
I am known for my relationship-centered approach. I believe that strong partnerships are the foundation of progress and that behavioral support should empower the people surrounding the learner—not just focus on the learner alone. My work emphasizes:
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Individualized, high-quality ABA services
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Family and team collaboration
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Functional skill development
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School readiness and successful transitions
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Building independence and confidence
I have lived in the south suburbs of Chicago my entire life and am also a wife and mother. My experiences both professionally and personally shape my compassionate, practical approach and deep respect for the trust families place in the professionals supporting their children.
Through Journey Behavioral Consulting, my mission is to equip families and professionals with the tools, strategies, and support they need to guide each individual on their unique journey toward growth and independence.
Heather M. Dickinson
Executive Director - Partner
Heather M. Dickinson, M.Ed., BCBA, LBS2-BIS, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 15 years of experience in ABA and special education. She specializes in behavior support, staff training, and family-centered services designed to help individuals thrive across home, school, and community settings.
Learn More About Heather
I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and special education teacher with over 15 years of experience supporting children, teens and families in the autism and disability community. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Benedictine University, my master’s degree in Multi-Categorical Special Education from Saint Xavier University, and completed master’s-level coursework in Behavior Analysis at Trinity Christian College.
I began my career in Applied Behavior Analysis as a Registered Behavior Technician in 2009 and later worked as a paraprofessional before becoming a self-contained special education teacher from 2018 to 2026. Throughout my career, I have developed a strong passion for staff training, classroom systems, and practical behavior supports that create meaningful and sustainable change.
I have lived in the south suburbs of Chicago my entire life. I am also a wife and mother of three young children, and I understand firsthand the importance of family-centered support. Helping families and individuals thrive has always been at the heart of my work. I believe effective therapy should focus on the whole child and the whole family — building skills, confidence, and independence that carry into everyday life.
I believe every child deserves support that is individualized, compassionate, and practical. My work focuses on creating behavior support plans and teaching strategies that fit naturally into daily routines at home, school, and in the community. I partner closely with caregivers and educators to ensure strategies are realistic, sustainable, and empowering for everyone involved.
“I’ve had the privilege of partnering with Katie Teresi and Heather Dickinson in supporting shared clients — they bring an incredibly thoughtful and collaborative presence to their work. They are truly family-centered and solutions-focused, always looking for practical, meaningful ways to help each child progress. Their forward-thinking and innovative approach makes them wonderful partners for both families and providers. I’m so grateful to collaborate with them as clinicians who care so deeply about the children and families we serve.”
Contact Us
Ask a question or book a consultation below or email us at info@journeybehavioralconsulting.com