PM-Ready Team

Laura Casey, Primary Investigator
lpcasey@memphis.edu

Laura Casey received her doctorate from Mississippi State University. Following coursework, she completed an internship in behavior analysis at May South, inc. a subsidiary of the May Institute affiliated with Hughes Spaulding Children's medical center in Atlanta. Prior to joining the University of Memphis's ABA program she was a visiting Assistant Professor in the psychology department. She has also worked as a behavior consultant in Georgia public schools, a behavior specialist in Mississippi public schools, and a children's behavior therapist for a community counseling agency in Mississippi. She has recently been published in Education and Training for Autism and Developmental Disabilities and the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and has published in The Encyclopedia of School psychology, ACA encyclopedia, Phi Delta Kappan, Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, Children & Schools, and The Family journal. Her research interests include assessment and early intervention for academic and behavioral difficulties, effective assessment and intervention for children diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, working with parents and families of exceptional children, and merging applied behavior analysis with other disciplines. She is on the board directors of the Autism Society of the Midsouth. She has been a BCBA since 2008.

Charmaine Sego, Program Coordinator
cssego@memphis.edu

Charmaine is a native Memphian and has been the Director of Early Intervention service programs at the University of Memphis since 2014. Charmaine has more than 3 decades of experience working with families in Memphis, she has been an Early Interventionist since 2000, primarily at the University of Memphis. Charmaine works closely with Project Memphis program sponsor, the Tennessee Department of Developmental Disabilities (DIDD)/Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), to enhance the mission and values of the University and to serve our community with high-quality service in a diverse and inclusive learning environment. Charmaine values inter-disciplinary and collaborative practices with Project Memphis staff, colleagues, and the early intervention community of Shelby County and Tennessee. She has 4 children, 1 grandchild, and enjoys gardening, listening to audiobooks, and cooking.

Rebekah Willliamson, Director of Interdisciplinary Clinical Services
rwhite8@memphis.edu

Rebekah is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) concentrating in early intervention, functional communication training, and social-emotional development. She is from the greater Memphis metropolitan area and received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Memphis. Her passion to serve children and their families began through her undergraduate experience at the University of Memphis where she earned a degree in Child Development and Family Studies. Rebekah earned a Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2020. She has clinical experience working with children from birth-15 years. Currently, she supervises clinical fieldwork for graduate students and is researching multidisciplinary approaches to early intervention. 

Darriel Westbrook, Family Support Specialist
dneely1@memphis.edu

Darriel Westbrook is a native Memphian with over nine years of childcare and social work experience in various settings. Darriel received her Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Leisure, Sports and Tourism Studies from Middle Tennessee State University and went on to obtain her Master of Social Work from Union University. She currently serves as a Temporary Family Support Specialist for the Project Memphis Ready program. She provides support to families that are a part of the program and helps facilitate family events. In this role, she is also providing center-based play therapy to students in the PM-Ready program. She truly enjoys the opportunity to work with children and families and finds deep gratitude for helping others break through barriers and enhancing the lives of those whom she serves. Outside of work, Darriel enjoys spending quality time with her husband and daughter, traveling, cooking, being active outside and reading good books. ed Clinical Social Worker and a Registered Play Therapist. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with her two dogs.

Matthew Davidson, BCBA, LBA, Intake and Compliance Coordinator
mdvison1@memphis.edu

Matthew Davidson received his Master of Science degree from the University of North Texas and has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2012. Matthew is also a Licensed Behavior Analyst in the state of Tennessee. Prior to earning his Master's degree, he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Mississippi. Matthew has also provided Behavior Analytic consultation in public schools in North Mississippi and Memphis-area charter schools and served as a Clinical Director of an ABA clinic in North Mississippi. He currently works with Project Memphis as the Director of Behavior Services, providing ABA therapy to underserved children and families in Memphis and Shelby county. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership, teaching undergraduate courses in Applied Behavior Analysis. Matthew's areas of interest include: Staff training and supervision, organizational behavior management, and nonlinear analysis of behavior.

Monica Reed, Early Interventionist
mdwllms1@memphis.edu

Monica Reed is a Developmental Therapist, with emphasis in Behavior, at PM-Ready. Monica’s understanding of child development and applied behavior analysis drives her creation of engaging interventions and supports for children and their families. Monica’s passion is in supporting children with autism spectrum disorders and developmental delays to develop both the academic and social emotional skills needed for success at school, home, and in the community. Monica earned a B.A. in Social Work and an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis, with distinction, both from the University of Memphis. Monica is skilled in understanding and interpreting social science research, which she utilizes to inform work with her clients, families, and clinical professionals. In her free time, Monica enjoys photography, sporting events, and spending time with her family.

Liberty Goranson, Early Interventionist
Liberty.Goranson@memphis.edu

Liberty (Libby) Goranson is a Developmental Therapist with an emphasis in behavior in our center-based interdisciplinary program. She began her journey at the University of Memphis by representing the university as a varsity softball player in 2011. She went on to graduate cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Psychology along with a minor in Criminal Justice in August of 2014. After graduation, she became a Community-Based Special Education teacher in her home county in Mississippi. She found her way back to the University of Memphis in 2019 after gaining employment with her alma mater as a part time Registered Behavior Technician at Project Memphis vendor services. Liberty has individual in-home, clinical, and center-based behavior and interdisciplinary group therapy working experience. She is now a lead therapist for PM-Ready extended option program where she provides support to children and families that qualify for the TEIS extended option service. She believes that working to enrich the lives of children and families is her purpose. She plans to further her education in the university's Education and Psychology Research Master's program in the spring of 2024.

Laken Edwards, Registered Behavior Technician

Laken Edwards works as a Registered Behavior Technician at PM-Ready where she provides center-based therapy. She also assists in data collection, communications, and preparations for therapy sessions. Laken received her master’s degree for Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Memphis. She has a deep appreciation for her opportunities in the program, and she is honored by the progress and gratitude that comes with helping clients.

Makayla Clements, Registered Behavior Technician

Makayla Clements works as a Registered Behavior Technician at Project Memphis Ready where she provides center-based therapy utilizing naturalistic teaching techniques. She received her undergraduate degree in Integrative Studies with a minor in ABA at the University of Memphis. She went on to expand upon her knowledge and skills in ABA and is now a second-year graduate student in the ABA program at the University of Memphis. There she is acquiring new concepts to be applied to our center.

Ania Mohn, Registered Behavior Technician

My name is Ania Mohn. I am an undergraduate student at the University of Memphis studying Education. My primary focus has been special education. I have three years of experience working with children from the ages of 2 to 17 years old, in various settings. I have a deep passion for education and the positive development of our youth. I love watching the progress made as you work with a child over time. When I am not at work, I enjoy taking my dog Zayne on long walks.

Briana Wynn, Registered Behavior Technician

Briana has been in the behavioral health field working with children for 7 years. Her master's is in Clinical Mental Health where she works as a therapist dealing with children and anger management. She has worked in several roles including supervisory roles with the Memphis Crisis Center and serves on the board of charity associations related to mental health and awareness. Currently, Briana is an RBT at Project Memphis while working on her doctorate at the University of Memphis for Applied Behavioral Analysis. Her research interests are children with autism and SIB.

Jasmine Blake, Graduate Clinical Assistant

Jasmine is a second-year doctoral student in the University of Memphis School Psychology Program. She is from Fayetteville, Arkansas. She received a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas in 2022. Her research interests focus on the experiences of school-aged youth and disproportionality broadly. In her free time, Jasmine likes to go to the gym, go for walks, travel, and spend time with friends and family.

Kaitlyn Alonso, Undergraduate Intern

My name is Kaitlyn Alonso, I am currently an undergraduate at the University of Memphis studying Psychology and Spanish. I am currently an intern at PM-Ready working as a Bilingual Behavior Technician, helping serve families with language barriers with the help of the Department of World Languages and Literatures. I am also working to get an RBT certification to further advance my knowledge in this field. I plan to continue my education either through the psychology graduate program at the University of Memphis or attend medical school at UTHSC.

Sydney Smith, Undergraduate Intern

My name is Sydney Smith and I recently graduated with my undergraduate degree in Child Development and Family Studies from the University of Memphis. I joined the Pm-Ready team as an intern, and I am continuing to work with children providing center-based play therapy. I am very passionate about working with children and providing support to parents and families. In the future, I plan to pursue becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist, but currently I am working on studying to get an RBT certification to expand my knowledge.

Kennedy Black, Undergraduate Intern

Kennedy Black is an undergraduate senior here at The University of Memphis graduating this Fall 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences and a minor in Child Development Health, Nutrition and Wellness. She is currently completing an internship with Project Memphis as a Behavior Therapist providing developmental therapy services and assessments per the child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). She is also working to complete the RBT certification to further educate herself and to continue to provide exceptional services to children in the center. Kennedy finds great joy working with children because she is able to witness their growth and excitement of new interests. In her free time, Kennedy enjoys cooking and spending time with family and friends. future, I plan to pursue becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist, but currently I am working on studying to get an RBT certification to expand my knowledge.