Meet the Team
Clinical Team
Dr. Kelly Norris, MS, PhD, BCBA
Dr. Kelly Norris is an owner and BCBA. She has over 20 years of experience in providing services to children and adults on the autism spectrum, and those with intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses. She has served these populations in ABA clinics, family home settings, group home settings, independent living environments, and other community settings. Dr. Norris has a wealth of experience in behavioral and skill assessment, program development and implementation, and coordination with caregivers on individualized care.
Dr. Norris has experience as an RBT, BCBA, and Clinical Director. Dr. Norris’s academic and research interests are in the areas of Mindfulness, Ethics, Verbal Behavior, and Implicit Racial Bias. Her educational background includes Masters and PhD degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
In her free time, Kelly enjoys running, coaching cheerleading, and spending time with her children and dogs.
Megan Norris MS CCC-SLP
Megan Norris is an owner and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who is passionate about helping others improve their communication skills. Megan received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and her Master’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from New York University. In addition to working with children, she has worked with adults in rehab centers and hospitals, with school-age children, and with adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities over the past seven years. Megan has assisted individuals with a range of communication, cognitive, language, swallowing, articulation, and literacy disorders. She has knowledge and experience with a variety of alternative and augmentative communication methods and devices. Additionally, she has studied American Sign Language. Megan believes in total communication through all modes and the importance of individualized goals and treatment plans for each child and their family.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and playing kickball with her friends.
Rachel Sullivan, BCBA
Rachel Sullivan is an owner and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Close Knit Therapy, LLC. She received her undergraduate in Speech-Language Pathology and went on to receive her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Rachel has worked as a paraprofessional, direct therapist, case manager, and BCBA in a variety of settings (clinic, school, and in-home) with children ages 2-13. Her interests include functional communication training, assent withdrawal, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Rachel promises to focus on the individual child with an emphasis on collaboration with parents and other professionals to create a comprehensive, individualized program for each of her clients.
In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her husband and two young boys. You can also find her working out, reading, or hanging out with family and friends.
Ashley Dejnowski
Ashley Dejnowski is a registered behavior technician (RBT) and case manger at Close Knit Therapy. She has been an RBT for 3 years in-home and clinical settings but has worked with the disability community since she was in high school. Ashley has a Bachelors in Disability studies and a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis.
In her free time, Ashley enjoys hiking, reading and spending time with her friends and family.
Rachel Sherbondy
Rachel is our Lead Registered Behavior technician (RBT) and Summer Camp Lead. She has been an RBT for 5 years. She received her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Human Development with a minor in Children's Studies. She has worked in clinical and home based settings. Additionally, she has previously been a Case Manager for an adult day program and worked in the Chicago Park District as a Special Rec Instructor/Special Olympics Coach.
In her free time she enjoys taking walks by the lake, hiking, and trying new restaurants
Lauren Lonergan OTR/L
Lauren Lonergan is a registered and licensed pediatric occupational therapist. Lauren received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Dayton and her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Rush University. With nine years of experience working in both school and early intervention settings, she has developed a strong passion for using a holistic approach for supporting children and their families to achieve their fullest potential.
Specializing in working with children from birth through teenage years, Lauren has experience working with a variety of diagnoses, including developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, and neurological conditions. She provides individualized treatment plans to support children's development in fine and visual motor skills, sensory integration, self-care skills, and executive functioning skills. She is also trained in a responsive feeding approach that offers a highly successful method for the integrated treatment of infants and young children with pediatric feeding disorders of mild to complex etiologies. Lauren loves helping children build essential skills in a fun and nurturing environment.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, and baking.
