Behind every success story is a team that cares.

Michelle Castaños is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over two decades of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), advocacy, and policy reform. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in special education from the University of North Florida and has dedicated her career to developing high-quality, individualized services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.

Michelle began her career in 2004 as a behavior technician, working hands-on with children and families. At just 19 years old in 2007, she founded Peace of Mind Jax, a company offering behavior-based babysitting services for children with autism. What started as a small venture has since evolved into South Florida Behavior, a leading ABA provider serving families across South Florida.

Beyond her work as a clinician and business owner, Michelle has been a dedicated advocate for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. She is a co-founder of THRIVE, Florida’s first post-secondary college support program for degree-seeking students with ASD at the University of North Florida. Her experience spans mobile crisis teams, foster care, and educational settings, where she has worked to create inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities. She has also played a vital role in helping adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and dual diagnoses transition from institutional care to community-based living. Additionally, Michelle has provided sex education for adults with IDD/ASD, ensuring they have the knowledge and resources to make informed, autonomous decisions.

Michelle is a recognized leader in ABA policy and advocacy. She has been instrumental in ABA policy reform and Medicaid accessibility in Florida, working to ensure ethical, high-quality services for families. She currently serves as the President of SOFABA, the South Florida Chapter of the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis (FABA), and previously held a three-year elected term as a Member-at-Large on the FABA board. She is also the founder and moderator of the Florida Medicaid ABA Facebook forum, a platform dedicated to advocacy and policy discussions.

With nearly two decades of experience, Michelle continues to lead South Florida Behavior with a passion for advocacy, inclusion, and empowering individuals to thrive.

Laura Herrera is the Clinical Director for South Florida Behavior’s Doral Center and Miami-Dade County services. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of all ABA services, ensuring that services we render are individualized, effective, and aligned with the highest ethical and clinical standards. She is responsible for training and mentoring behavior analysts, supervising treatment teams, and collaborating with families to provide the best possible outcomes for each client. Laura’s dedication to evidence-based care, leadership, and mentorship continues to drive the growth and success of South Florida Behavior’s Miami-Dade services.

Laura’s career in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) began in 2012 when she volunteered at a summer camp in Pennsylvania, supporting children with diverse needs. This transformative experience ignited her passion for helping others, leading her to explore opportunities in the field. From 2012 to 2014, she worked as a teacher assistant at Emory Autism Center’s Childhood Program in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was first introduced to ABA and witnessed firsthand the power of evidence-based interventions in helping children thrive.

Eager to expand her experience beyond early childhood, Laura volunteered as a peer mentor with Choices for Adults at Emory Autism Center in 2014, guiding young adults as they transitioned from high school to college. That same year, she took on a role as a behavior technician at Marcus Autism Center, initially working in the Severe Autism Program, providing intensive interventions for individuals with complex behavioral challenges. She later transitioned to the Language and Learning Program, where she continued to develop her expertise in functional communication and skill-building interventions.

Determined to further her knowledge and impact, Laura moved to Boston in 2015 to pursue her Master of Science in ABA at Regis College. While completing her graduate studies, she worked full-time at Crossroads School (now Crossroads Continuum), gaining invaluable experience working with students of varying ages and skill levels. There, she focused on implementing individualized treatment plans, developing functional communication skills, and addressing challenging behaviors through evidence-based interventions. In May 2017, she earned her master’s degree, and by August 2017, she became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

In October 2017, Laura returned to Miami, a place she had called home since high school, to continue growing in her career and making an impact in the local community. Since April 2018, she has been a dedicated clinician at South Florida Behavior, where she has played a key role in supporting families and advancing high-quality ABA services.

Stephanie Miceli is the Clinical Director of South Florida Center for Behavioral Health’s Weston location, where she oversees all clinical operations, ensuring the highest standards of care for clients and families. Since joining SFB in 2019, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the center’s clinical programs, supervising behavior analysts and technicians, conducting comprehensive assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, and ensuring the seamless implementation of evidence-based ABA practices.

Stephanie’s journey with SFB began as an intern, and over the past six years, she has grown within the organization, advancing through roles as an RBT, BCaBA, and BCBA. Her dedication to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is evident in her hands-on approach to mentorship, staff training, and fostering a collaborative environment where both clients and clinicians thrive.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University (FIU) and completed her BCBA coursework at the University of West Florida. Specializing in early intervention, Stephanie is passionate about integrating naturalistic teaching methods to create meaningful, lasting progress for the individuals and families she serves.

From a young age, Stephanie knew her calling was working with children. When she discovered ABA, she immediately recognized its potential to transform lives, and she has been committed ever since to providing compassionate, individualized support. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges families face, she strives to make every interaction not only therapeutic but also enriching and empowering.

Zaira Santana is the Practicum Student Coordinator at South Florida Behavior, where she oversees the training and supervision of over 20 graduate students each semester. In this role, she provides mentorship, hands-on experience, and professional development to future behavior analysts, helping to shape the next generation of ABA professionals.

Zaira has been a dedicated clinician at South Florida Behavior since 2019, bringing over 30 years of experience in mental health and a deep personal connection to ABA as the mother of a child on the autism spectrum. Her dual perspective—as both a clinician and a parent—allows her to bring compassion, insight, and expertise to her work, helping families navigate their ABA journey with understanding and support.

She earned her degree in Psychology from the Universidad Católica Andres Bello in Caracas, Venezuela, and completed specialized training in Health Psychology at J.M. de los Ríos Pediatric Hospital. For nearly a decade, she worked as a psychologist in the hospital’s Mental Health Service, supporting children and families while also serving as a part-time psychologist in a private special education school.

After immigrating to the United States, Zaira pursued further education, earning a master’s degree in Special Education and completing the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program at Florida Institute of Technology. She worked as a Development Specialist for the Early Steps program, supporting young children in early intervention. In 2010, she became a BCBA and has since dedicated her career to applying evidence-based ABA strategies to help individuals with autism and developmental disabilities thrive.

Zaira specializes in early intervention with an emphasis on verbal behavior and early language development. She also has extensive experience working with severe problem behavior, helping to implement functional, individualized interventions that improve quality of life for individuals and their families.

Her dedication, leadership, and passion for ABA continue to make a lasting impact on both the clients she serves and the future of the field.

Daniela Noguera is the Administrative Director at South Florida Behavior, where she has been a key member of the leadership team since March 2021. In her role, she oversees the authorization and credentialing departments while also supervising the human resources department, ensuring that daily operations run smoothly and efficiently. Her expertise in business operations, compliance, and organizational leadership helps support both the staff and the families SFB serves.

Daniela is currently pursuing a Bachelors in Business Administration at Miami Dade College and holds a General Business Certificate and Business Specialist Certification. With a strong focus on efficiency, strategic management, and operational excellence, she is dedicated to ensuring that South Florida Behavior maintains seamless administrative processes that uphold the highest standards of care and service.