Our Clinical Team

Deanna Marchese-Cunningham, M.Ed., BCBAOwner & Clinical SupervisorDeanna graduated from the University of Windsor in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Developmental Psychology. She then went on to pursue her Autism and Behavioural Science Graduate Diploma from St. Clair College and graduated in 2013. After graduation, she began working as an Educational Assistant with the Greater Essex County District School Board, along with a position as an ABA Therapist for a young adult with autism. Deanna began working as a Behaviour Therapist providing private in-home ABA services, under the supervision of a BCBA, to children with autism in 2017. In August of 2020, Deanna graduated from Endicott College with a Master of Education in Autism and Applied Behaviour Analysis and became a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) in October of 2020. As of 2021, Deanna has 8 years of experience working in the ABA field with children and youth with autism within a school setting and within the private sector. She is passionate about educating others about ABA, teaching functional and essential life skills, the assessment and treatment of challenging behaviours, and working towards a more progressive and trauma-informed approach to ABA services. She is also the current President of Abode Respite Services Inc.’s Board of Directors.

Deanna Marchese-Cunningham, M.Ed., BCBA, R.B.A. (Ont.)

Owner & Clinical Supervisor (Registered Behaviour Analyst)

Deanna graduated from the University of Windsor in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Developmental Psychology. She then went on to pursue her Autism and Behavioural Science Graduate Diploma from St. Clair College and graduated in 2013. After graduation, she began working as an Educational Assistant with the Greater Essex County District School Board, along with a position as an ABA Therapist for a young adult with autism. Deanna began working as a Behaviour Therapist providing private in-home ABA services, under the supervision of a BCBA, to children with autism in 2017. In August of 2020, Deanna graduated from Endicott College with a Master of Education in Autism and Applied Behaviour Analysis and became a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) in October of 2020. As of 2024, Deanna has 11 years of experience working in the ABA field with children and youth with autism. She is passionate about educating others about ABA, teaching functional and essential life skills, the assessment and treatment of challenging behaviours, and working towards a more progressive and trauma-informed approach to ABA services. In January of 2023, Deanna began coursework through Endicott College to pursue a certificate in Childhood Clinical Disorders. She previously served as the President of Abode Respite Services Inc.’s Board of Directors.

Our Instructor Therapists

Behaviour Essentials currently has some of the most dedicated, hardworking, fun, and knowledgeable Instructor Therapists that provide one-on-one ABA services to our clients. All of our Instructor Therapists meet the qualifications for Front Line Therapists under the Ontario Autism Program guidelines.

Our Instructor Therapists engage in the following tasks (and so much more):

  • Conducting assessments in collaboration with our Clinical Staff

  • Providing evidence-based services directly to our clients based on their Treatment Plans

  • Parent Coaching

  • Data Collection

  • Attending Team Meetings

  • Making program materials tailored to the interests of our clients