About Us
Carolyn Sorial
I am Carolyn Sorial, founder and Clinical Director of Stepping Stones Consultants. I have been working in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis and Autism since 2008, supporting children as young as 2 years to 16 years old. I have two Bachelors’ degrees with specialties in Psychology, Kinesiology, and Early Childhood Education from Simon Fraser University. I am an elementary school teacher supporting children with challenges and helping to integrate them in the classroom by creating Individualized Education Plans. Additionally, I support children and their families in home-based settings, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. My philosophy, and that behind Stepping Stones, is that learning needs to be fun and engaging, while using evidence-based practices to develop and strengthen children’s skills.
Our Behavior Consultants
Melea Pueschner
I am a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). I completed my Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2016 at UBC and obtained my Masters of Education, specializing in Autism and Developmental Disabilities in 2020 at UBC. I have experience supporting children with Autism and other developmental disabilities in home, daycare, and community settings. I have also worked with the Canucks Autism Network supporting children with ASD in recreational programs.
Sheila Bakhtiani
I am a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) with 10 years experience supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Enriching, nurturing, and empowering individuals with ASD has been an ongoing passion of mine. I have a Masters of Education with a focus on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and use a holistic approach to ABA tailored to each learner. I am adept at analyzing behaviour and putting effective interventions into place that bring about appropriate and functional change, so children can lead independent lives and achieve their full potential.
Laila Saleh
I am a behavior consultant with a Masters of Arts in Behavior Analysis Practice from Florida Institute of Technology. I have a certificate in Disability and Applied Behavior Analysis (DABA) from Douglas College and I am a certified Early Childhood Educator. I have many years of experience working with children under 5 years of age. My passion is to help children be more independent and join mainstream education classes with their peers.
Joan Cauguiran
I am Joan Cauguiran and I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), currently in good standing. I began working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities in 2007. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia in 2009. I also received an advanced certificate in Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis from Douglas College in 2011. In 2020, I completed a Master of Professional Education degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Western University. My experience has greatly shaped how I am able to help others. I understand the strengths and limitations of different behaviour-based assessments and treatment methods, which has motivated me to pursue further research and learning to fill the gaps.
Shabnam Charkhchi
Shabnam has her Master's in Education in Curriculum & Instruction (Teaching and Learning) with a concentration in Applied Behavioral Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Shabnam is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She is a 'Category A' Behavior Consultant on the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP). Shabnam has been a Behavior Consultant since 2017. Prior to working as a behavior consultant, Shabnam had worked as a Behavior Interventionist and educational assistant. Shabnam is passionate about early intervention and providing parent training to address and support the unique needs of each child and family. She is fluent in both English and Farsi and can provide services in Farsi upon request.
Joanna Ro
I am a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) specializing in supporting children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. My commitment to continuous personal and professional development is evident through my academic achievements and ongoing engagement in relevant seminars and conferences. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a Post-Baccalaureate degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Capilano University. Additionally, I have completed a Master's Degree in Special Education with a concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities from UBC. With seven years of hands-on clinical experience, I have honed my expertise in working directly with children and families affected by ASD. As a behaviour consultant, I prioritize building positive and trustworthy relationships with my clients while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. To ensure the maximum benefit for my clients, I implement a client-centred approach by collaborating closely with a multidisciplinary team, including school staff, behaviour interventionists, Speech Language Pathologists, and Occupational Therapists.
Our Clinical Counsellor
Isabelle Marier
I am a graduate of the Masters’ in Counselling Psychology program from Trinity
Western University and am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#24908) with the BCACC.
I have experience working with a variety of clients including children, youth, and adults
in areas of anxiety, depression, stress, shame, neurodivergence, attachment repair,
eating disorders, and grief and loss.
I approach each client with genuine care and use an integrated approach of attachment
theory, person-centered, systemic, and psychodynamic theories to ensure each
individual receives the care best suited to them. I also deeply value the power of human
connection and believe that joy, laughter, and togetherness play a significant role in
healing. I am committed to participating in ongoing professional development to ensure
that I provide the best possible care for those I have the privilege of working with. I
hope to build a strong connection and establish a therapeutic environment that feels
safe and welcoming. As beginning therapy can feel intimidating or uncertain, I embrace
collaboration to find what works uniquely best.
Our Behaviour Interventionists
