Clinical Staff – East Coast

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Norah L. Wilson, Psy.D., BCBA-D
Clinical Director

Norah’s background in Autism is of a personal nature; she has an aunt diagnosed with Autism. Norah’s formal training began on the East Coast while she was completing her bachelor’s degree from St. Leo College. Upon completing her Master’s Degree in 1995, Norah moved to California to begin work on her doctorate at United States International University in Clinical Psychology. Norah was employed by the Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention as a Senior Therapist before launching B.E.S.T Services, Inc in 1998. Since that time Norah has attended numerous trainings, seminars and workshops to ensure integration of current research into practices.

Most recent attendance has included:

  • PECS 2-day training workshop by Andy Bondy, Ph.D.
  • Structured Play by Pamela Wolfberg
  • Verbal Behavior and the ABBLS by Vincent Carbone, Ph.D.

Dr. Wilson’s strengths include program development for in-home clients as well as structuring school based interventions for children diagnosed with Autism. Dr. Wilson has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2006. To contact Dr. Norah Wilson please

E-mail her at [email protected].


Breanna Anderson, M.A., BCBA
Case Supervisor

Coming from a family that works in special education, Breanna has been around children with Autism and other special needs since she was young. Inspired by these experiences, she went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from San Diego State University, and then her Master’s in Teaching with an emphasis in Applied behavior Analysis. She joined B.E.S.T. Services, Inc. in 2007 and was promoted to Advising Tutor in 2008, and then to Regional Manager of San Diego and Riverside Counties in June of 2011. She received her BCBA in 2013. Breanna transferred to the East Coast in February 2016.

E-mail Breanna Anderson at [email protected].


Kelly Gilpatrick, ME.d, BCBA
Clinical Manager

Kelly has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism the last three years. After completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Chaminade University, she started working as a Behavior Therapist II at a center-based autism program and was quickly promoted to a Lead Therapist. From there, she moved to Northern California and worked as a Behavior Assistant for a new Early Intervention program before finally settling in Virginia.

Kelly started working with B.E.S.T. Service in 2010 as a tutor and was promoted to a Senior Case Advisor for the Virginia and North Carolina areas. She is currently pursuing further education and wants to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

E-mail Kelly Gipatrick at [email protected].


Meaghan Darden, M.S., BCBA
Case Supervisor

Meaghan Barry graduated from Longwood University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. Upon graduation Meaghan took a teaching position with Fairfax County Public Schools in Northern Virginia where she taught Physical Education and Health for two years at the middle school level. During her time in the Fairfax County Public School System, she also earned her certificate to teach Drivers Education from George Mason University. In 2006 Meaghan moved to Virginia Beach where she taught Physical Education and enrolled at Old Dominion University to pursue her passion of working with children.

Meaghan taught Children with Autism in Virginia Beach Public School System for five years while working on her M.S. degree in Special Education. She joined the B.E.S.T. Services Team in October 2013, working as an in-home Tutor. In 2014 Meaghan earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education and was awarded the Autism Certificate. More recently through B.E.S.T. Services, Meaghan became certified as a Registered Behavior Technician.

Meaghan Barry is most content when teaching children and this has become her passion in life. She has concentrated recently on working with in-home clients and recently received her BCBA certification.

E-mail Meaghan Darden at [email protected].


Denise WrightDenise Wright, B.A., BCBA
Case Supervisor

Denise knew from a young age that she wanted to help educate young children. In 2009, she was given the opportunity to work with children with autism as a paraprofessional for Stafford County Public Schools. It wasn’t until she moved to Virginia Beach in 2015, that she began working with B.E.S.T. Services and became a Registered Behavior Technician. In April of 2018 she was promoted to Senior RBT and since that time she graduated from Western Governors University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Educational Studies. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. Her ultimate professional goal is to become a BCBA.

E-mail Denise Wright at [email protected]


Kate Overholtzer, M.Ed, BCBA
Case Supervisor

Born and raised in Alaska, Kate has lived in several diverse regions across the United States. Believing that every child has potential, Kate has advocated for children with special needs since 2011. In August of 2013, Kate received her Bachelor of Sciences in Psychology from Auburn University, Montgomery. While working for B.E.S.T. as a Registered Behavior Technician, Kate completed a Masters of Education with an emphasis in special education and applied behavior analysis from the University of Pennsylvania. Kate’s ultimate goal is to become board certified and will sit for her exam in the near future.

E-mail Kate Overholtzer at [email protected]


Rachel Sinotte, MEd, BCBA
Case Supervisor

Rachel Sinotte graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Penn State University. In 2014, Rachel moved to Virginia and began teaching at Northampton County Public Schools, while completing her masters degree in education from Messiah College. Rachel then taught at Norfolk Public Schools for 5 years. In 2017 Rachel joined B.E.S.T Services. After becoming a RBT and enjoying working with children in a new setting, she went on to earn her certification in Applied behavior Analysis from Old Dominion University. Rachel became a BCBA in 2021 and is currently working as a case supervisor.

E-mail Rachel Sinotte at [email protected]


Sujey Pelikan, M.A. RBT
Senior Behavior Technician

Sujey Rangel Pelikan graduated from the University of Texas A&M in 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Communication and Science Disorders, and received a minor in Psychology. She then practiced as a licensed Speech Language Pathologist Assistant in Texas for four years before moving to Chesapeake, Virginia. In Virginia she began to explore the field of ABA as a Registered Behavior Technician, RBT. She joined the B.E.S.T Services team in November 2016, working as a RBT. Her experience working in the field of ABA influenced her knowledge and curiosity of behavior itself; a key component that was always over looked in her experience working as a speech therapist. In August 2020, Sujey completed a Master of Arts Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. She will be sitting for her board exam in hopes to gain her credentials as a BCBA in January 2022.

E-mail Sujey Pelikan at [email protected]