Our Therapists

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Sarena is the founder and CEO of Elevate Behavior Services.  Sarena is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst originally from Gainesville, Florida. She received her Masters Degree in Special Education from the University of Florida. After starting her career in the classroom, she was introduced to ABA and immediately began to pursue certification. Sarena completed her Applied Behavior Analysis coursework through Florida Institute of Technology. Since obtaining her certification, she has gained experience working with children with autism and related disabilities in home, clinic, and school settings, as well, as job coaching through Vocational Rehabilitation.

Cory is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the Director of Clinical Services at Elevate. He is from a small town in west Tennessee and moved to Chattanooga in 2009 to attend UTC. After earning his Bachelor's in Secondary English Education, he taught for the Hamilton County Department of Education for 5 years. While teaching, he obtained his Master’s Degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis from the University of Cincinnati in 2017. He obtained his Board Certification and licensure in 2019. Cory has recently completed his Doctor of Behavioral Health degree from Cummings Graduate Institute.

Emily worked as a BCaBA and RBT in Tampa before moving to Chattanooga in 2019 and joining the Elevate team. She’s been working in the field of applied behavior analysis for 8 years now. She completed her Masters degree in Exceptional Student Education with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of West Florida, and passed her BCBA exam in 2022! In her off time she enjoys hiking, gardening, and going to festivals and markets with her husband.

Tori has been an Elevate employee since May of 2019. She is the Director of Educations Services at Elevate. After receiving her bachelor's in Psychology from UTC and  years of providing ABA therapy and developing an intense appreciation for the field, she quickly realized her true passion was in Behavioral Analysis. She recently completed a master's degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis at The Florida Institute of Technology and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. In her free time, she enjoys trips to Walt Disney World, brunch with her husband and friends, and long drives listening to her favorite playlists.

Amanda was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. Go Vols! After completing her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Tennessee, Amanda spent eight years as a special education teacher.

In 2020, Amanda decided to transition to a new career path in ABA. She worked as a RBT while completing her coursework through Florida Institute of Technology, ultimately earning her certification as a BCBA in 2022.

In her free time, Amanda enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it's hiking through the mountains, kayaking on the lake, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee with her husband and their two-year-old son. 

Dacey comes to Elevate after working as a Clinical Director and Behavior Analyst in Nashville. Dacey began working as a therapist in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis in 2004.  She obtained her Master’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix and gained Board Certification in 2014. She has spent the past 10 years supporting children and adults in middle Tennessee across home, clinic, and community settings. In her spare time she enjoys camping, reading, travel and hiking with her dog and friends.

Larissa is from a small town outside of Knoxville and moved to Chattanooga to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at UTC. While completing her undergraduate studies, she began working as an RBT at Elevate and quickly developed an interest and passion for the field. Larissa went on to earn her Master’s in Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, hiking with her dog, and spending time with family and friends.

McKinley is originally from Athens, Georgia. She moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee to attend UTC where she obtained her Undergraduate Degree in Psychology. After graduating, she knew she was passionate about working with people with disabilities, but she was unsure where to begin. After being introduced to ABA Therapy, she knew this job would be a great fit. She received her Master in ABA at FIT and became a BCBA in 2025! In her free time, she enjoys serving her church, spending time with friends, and playing volleyball and pickle ball. 

Ashlynn Betcher is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has been part of the Elevate team since April 2022. Ashlynn is originally from Cookeville TN, but moved to Chattanooga to earn her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. While working as an RBT, Ashlynn quickly recognized her passion for the field, so she went on to complete her Master’s in Behavior Analysis Practice at Florida Institute of Technology.

Ashlynn is passionate about making meaningful connections with her clients and helping them grow through individualized, evidence-based support. When she’s not working, you can find her travelling, spending time with her husband and dog, cooking/baking something up in the kitchen, or spending time outside with friends. 

Fran King is Elevate Academy’s head teacher, specializing in personalized education for students with autism. She is dedicated to creating an inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environment tailored to students’ needs. She began her journey in the field of ABA as a RBT In October of 2022 right before she graduated with a  degree in Child and Family Studies from the UTC. She was born and raised in Chattanooga, and has always loved working with people and families. She spent a large majority of her high school and college years working as a nanny and server at Pizzeria Cortile. Outside of work, you can catch Fran spending time with friends or family, watching movies, or hanging with her tiny dogs Oscar and Steve!