The Achievement Center for Therapy is pleased to offer a warm, well-trained staff to help your children learn and grow in a safe, nurturing environment. We offer innovative programs and therapies servicing an extensive variety of conditions, while specializing in Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Feeding Disorders, Autism, AAC, traumatic brain injury in California and Nevada. Members of our team regularly lecture nationwide on these topics, as well as special education advocacy, communication disorders, and iOS apps for communication skills. Our staff is dedicated to their craft, and look forward to working with you and your child.
Shawn Manvell
Founder
Shawn Manvell, MS, CCC-SLP, founder of the Achievement Center for Therapy, has been at the forefront of the industry for over 20 years, offering patients innovative therapies with a traditional and technological mix of treatments. She is a Pediatric Feeding Specialist, a Speech-Language Pathologist, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist, and an iOS app developer, creating apps that complement her practice. She graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from SUNY Fredonia and her Master’s degree in Communicative Disorders & Sciences from California State University Northridge.
Shawn has successfully provided services and therapies to infants, children, and adolescents with a variety of conditions and developmental disorders, and is sought after for consultation and public-speaking engagements in a variety of educational, medical, and community settings. She has lectured nationwide and internationally on a variety of topics including Pediatric Feeding Disorders, AAC & Children with Communication Needs, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, special education advocacy, and iOS apps for communication skills. She provides training to: Speech-Language Pathologists, university students nationwide, medical doctors and staff, special education teachers, administrators, related service staff, and parents to improve feeding abilities and communication skills in children and adolescents. Her professional interests include Pediatric Feeding Therapy, Autism, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, AAC, and traumatic brain injury.
Outside of her private practice, she enjoys raising her daughter, traveling, skiing, riding and showing horses.
Samantha T.
Lead Speech-LanguagePathologist, ACT-CA
Samantha is the Lead Speech-Language Pathologist at ACT – Camarillo. She obtained B.A. and M.S. in Communicative Disorders and Sciences from California State University, Northridge. She completed her clinical fellowship at ACT and attained her certificate of clinical competence through ASHA in December 2018. During her clinician fellowship, Samantha focused on the specialty of pediatric feeding and swallowing under the mentorship of ACT’s founder/owner and pediatric feeding specialist Shawn Manvell. Samantha was born and raised in Southern California and is a Disneyland Annual Pass holder. She spends her free time playing soccer, refereeing youth soccer games and hanging out with her 3 dogs.
Jessica J.
Speech-Language Pathologist, Clinical Fellow, ACT-CA
Jessica is a Speech-Language Pathologist – Clinical Fellow. She received her B.S. in Communication Disorders and Sciences at University of Oregon and M.S. at California State University Northridge. Jessica loves spending time with her family, being outside with her husband and her labradoodle Autzen. Her favorite thing about being an SLP is connecting with clients and reminding them of their strengths.
Lorie L.
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and Registered Behavior Technician, ACT-CA
Lorie is one of our SPLA’s at our Camarillo clinic . She also is a Registered Behavior Technician, working with children in our ABA department as well. Lori has always had a passion for working with kids! She received her BA in Communicative Disorders from CSUN and completed her SLPAfieldwork through Loma Linda. She was a behavior interventionist before working at ACT and has continued ABA with us as we have grown our newest program. Lori loves to travel, go out on new adventures, try new restaurants, and try new foods. She also loves spending time with family & friends in her free time.
Alyssa M.
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, ACT-CA
Alyssa received her B.A. in Communicative Disorders at California State University Northridge. She then attained her SLPA License-Certification with Loma Linda University. Alyssa has experience as a Behavior Interventionist and 3 years experience as a Preschool Lead Teacher. During her free time, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her husband and visiting family. Alyssa loves training at the gym, discovering new eateries, and exploring the beautiful Southern California culture in her Jeep.
Jenifer H.
Occupational Therapist, ACT-CA
Jenifer is our Occupational Therapist at the Achievement Center for Therapy, Camarillo. Jen received her master’s degree from University of Pittsburgh and has years of experience treating and evaluating kids from birth to early adulthood. Jen loves reading, being outside, watching sports and cooking. Her favorite thing about being an OT is seeing the joy on client’s and caregiver’s faces when progress is made and new skills are learned.
Teresa B.
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant- ACT-CA
Amanda C.
Administrative Assistant, ACT-CA
Amanda received her first bachelor’s degree in Communications from Channel Islands University in 2017. She is currently taking classes to receive her 2nd bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders to become a SLPA. Outside of works, Amanda loves spending time with her husband, family, and pets. She enjoys outdoor activities and likes to hike and travel.
Julia P.
Billing Manager, ACT-CA
Julia is our billing manager here at ACT. She received her license in nursing from Professional Medical Careers Institute and is currently continuing her education to bridge from LVN to RN. While she was going to school, she gained years of experience in insurance coordinating and billing in a dental office. In her free time, Julia likes to spend time with friends and family, play with her two dogs, or go skiing.
Rebecca V.
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst – ACT-CA
Rebecca is the lead BCBA for our ABA program in Camarillo, CA. She received her B.A. from San Diego State University in Psychology with a minor in Counseling and Social Change, her BCAT after she began practicing ABA, and received her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University. She loves to spend her free time reading and going to the beach with her friends.
Samantha R.
Registered Behavior Technician- ACT-CA
Samantha is an RBT for our ABA program in Camarillo, CA. She received her B.S in kinesiology at Cal State Fullerton. Sam loves supporting the clients she works with and seeing the positive changes that transfer over to the client’s personal life. Seeing a client graduate from their ABA program is such an accomplishment and brings her a lot of joy. On her free time Sam enjoys spending time with family and her dogs.
Stephanie B.
Registered Behavior Technician- ACT-CA
Stephanie is our Registered Behavior Technician for our ABA program. She attended Moorpark College where she received her Associate in Psychology and Child and Adolescent Development. Stephanie is currently attending Grand Canyon University where she is continuing her eduction. During her free time she enjoys riding, baking, and needle felting. Stephanie’s favorite thing about her job is working with such an amazing team and clients.
Selina B.
Registered Behavior Technician- ACT-CA
Selina is our Registered Behavior Technician for our ABA program. She graduated from University California Los Angeles with a B.S. in Psychobiology. Outside of work Selina enjoys painting, singing, and playing Fortnite with her friends. Selina’s favorite thing about her job is working with the kiddos and have a supportive staff.
Alexandra P.
Registered Behavior Technician, Front Desk, ACT-CA
Alexandra is an RBT for our ABA program in Camarillo, CA. She has dedicated her time to this field as she continues to pursue further education in psychology. Outside of work Alexandra enjoys spending time with her cat, Sirius, playing video games, and hanging out with family and friends. Her favorite thing about work is seeing all the kiddos grow and progress.
Ria W.
Office Manager- ACT-CA
Ria serves as our Office Manager and has 14 years of experience in the Medical Field as an Admin and Billing Specialist. During her free time Ria enjoys hiking, camping/ overlanding, traveling, watching movies, and plant shopping. Ria loves working with all the professional staff here at ACT and knowing that our Therapy Center is making a difference in all the kids’ lives.
Chrissy S.
Front Desk, Clinical Aid- ACT-CA
Chrissy is the clinical aid and an administrative assistant for our office. She has fifteen years experience working the medical field and received her Associates Degree from Ventura College. She enjoys going to concerts, hanging out with her family, camping, and taking her dog Leo out for walks. One of her favorite things about working here is being with all the kids because they bring her so much joy.
Kristi Jenceleski
Office Manager, ACT-NV
As a military mom, Kristi has worked in administrative positions all over the U.S. for over twenty years. She now resides in Las Vegas and oversees our Nevada office as our Office Manager. At any given moment during the week, you could find Kristi handling insurance and/or scheduling matters. In her free time, Kristi likes to spend time with her three kids, enjoying the warm weather in the mountains or by the pool. Cheering on the Michigan State Spartans and The Vegas Golden Knights is always at the top of her list of fun things to do.
Tori Tobin
Occupational Therapist, ACT-NV
Tori is our Occupational Therapist at Achievement Center for Therapy, Nevada. She received her undergraduate degree in Occupational Science and her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Saint Louis University. She is also certified in The Alert Program. Tori has clinical and in-home experience working with a wide age range of children with fine motor delays, visual motor delays, motor praxis difficulties, sensory processing difficulties, and self-regulation difficulties. Outside of work, Tori enjoys traveling, rollercoasters, drinking coffee and spending time with her dog.
Adrienne Pelkey
Speech-Language Pathologist, ACT-SD
Adrienne is a Speech-Language Pathologist at ACT-San Diego. She obtained her B.A. is Speech Communication at the University of Michigan-Flint and her M.S at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Adrienne is originally for Michigan but moved to California in 2016. She completed an externship rotation and Clinical Fellowship Year at ACT under the supervision of ACT Founder and Owner Shawn Manvell. During undergrad Adrienne was a Montessori Preschool teacher and dance instructor. Throughout her graduate school career, she taught English to students in China. In her free time, Adrienne enjoys curling up with a book with one of her three cats, traveling, watching movies, and doing home renovations.
Amy
Registered Behavior Technician, ACT- SD
Miss Amy is an RBT for our ABA program in San Diego. She’s been doing behavior interventions for 5 years. Amy has clinical, in home, and school experience working with a wide age range of children. She has both her BCAT and RBT. Her ultimate goal is to become a BCBA. On her free time she likes spending time with her family, going to the beach, and doing photography.
Katie
Registered Behavior Technician, ACT- SD
Miss Katie attended the University of Iowa where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation with a Human Relations minor. Currently, she attends the University of Arizona online where she is pursuing a Master’s in Early Childhood Education. She has worked with children with disabilities for the past eight years in outdoor education, school settings, clinics, and in home. She has been a registered behavior technician and worked specifically in ABA since the start of 2021. In her free time, she likes to be outside doing things like paddle boarding, skateboarding, biking, and rock climbing!
Isabella (Bella) Klopchin
Speech Language Pathologist- Clinical Fellow, ACT- SD
Bella is a pediatric speech-language pathologist clinical fellow licensed by the California Speech-Language Pathology Board with five years of education, training, and experience. She was born and raised in San Diego and graduated from the University of Redlands in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders, a minor in Spanish, and an emphasis in music. She earned a Master of Science Degree in Communication Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology) at California State University San Marcos and holds a Certificate of Vocology from Lamar University. When she is not working as a speech-language pathologist or teaching voice lessons, Bella loves going to the beach, hiking, baking, and spending time with her family and chocolate lab puppy, Moose!
Megan Theriault
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant, ACT-SD
Megan is one of our Occupational Therapy practitioners at ACT- San Diego. She received her B.A in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Bridgewater State University and her A.D in Occupational Therapy from St. Catherine University. Megan’s passions include creating fun and creative fine and gross motor strengthening activities, sensory regulation, silly play, and getting messy in the OT gym. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new restaurants around the city, hot yoga, and hikes with her dog.