Meet the Board
Rebekah Jordan
CO-BOARD CHAIR
Rebekah Jordan is the owner and director of Crossbridge, and passionate problem-solver. The primary focus of her work is helping students and families find the right school and therapeutic placements. Over the past 25 years in education, she has been a teacher, head of school, tutor, division head, consultant, board member, and advisor. Along the way, she's helped close to a thousand students and families find creative solutions to educational and mental health challenges.
Lisa Cheyette, PH.D.
CO-BOARD CHAIR
A licensed psychologist in the Atlanta area since 1995, Dr. Lisa Cheyette has dedicated over 10 years to working with children, teens, and adults locally, nationally, and internationally as a Therapeutic Consultant.
Dr. Cheyette is a recognized specialist in autism spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, and other complex psychological issues. Dr. Cheyette’s work as a Therapeutic Consultant integrates not only her clinical experience in diagnosis, assessment, and treatment but also her first-hand knowledge and experience of programs, schools, and other treatment options. This clinically informed approach allows Dr. Cheyette to provide valuable insight, perspective, compassion, and empathy to families as she partners with and advocates for her clients throughout their journey.
Dr. Cheyette’s commitment to ongoing professional development is an extension of her life-long passion for learning and a life-long commitment to sharing her knowledge and perspective with others.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Cheyette spends her downtime spinning, working out, road cycling, reading, and cherishing time at home with her family.
Amber Quintero
BOARD SECRETARY
Since 2011, Amber has dedicated herself to advocating for youth and their families. She began her clinical career as a patient care coordinator in a nationally known psychology clinic specializing in the treatment of OCD and anxiety-based disorders. It was there that Amber was introduced to AO Therapeutic Consulting when she used her fluency in Spanish to translate therapeutic cases for AO. These introductions to the fields of mental health treatment and independent consulting sparked Amber’s passion to serve those facing barriers to achieving their academic, emotional, or social potential, and journey to become an educational and therapeutic placement specialist.
Amber graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida International University where she also worked as an undergraduate research assistant at FIU’s Infant Development Laboratory. She also has a Master’s degree in Social Work from New York University. During her graduate training, Amber worked in both community and school-based settings in New York City, where she provided individual, family, and group therapy to children with a variety of emotional and behavioral challenges. Her specialties were completing comprehensive assessments and integrating each child’s family system into the therapeutic process. Upon graduation in 2014, Amber returned to Florida to join AO as a full-time consultant.
Missy Steffens
BOARD TREASURER
Missy began her career as a management consultant in the financial industry, eventually transitioning to executive coaching and consulting, working primarily with business owners. She has served on the Boards of several schools, specifically supporting Heads of Schools implement strategic plans and during reaccreditation processes.
Missy is certified in the Invitation to Change/CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) approach to working with families of individuals who struggle with substance use and mental health challenges. She is also trained in Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead curriculum.
Missy earned her B.A. in History and Education from Dartmouth College where she continues to stay involved via alumni interviewing and having served on the Alumni Council. She currently lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband, Drew. When not helping families, Missy loves creating community, learning, being outside, traveling and playing with art supplies.
Jamie Goodman
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Jamie Goodman, M.Ed., LPC, is the founder of Pilcrow Advisors and a licensed therapist based in Highland Park, Illinois. With over a decade of experience as a therapeutic and educational consultant, she has dedicated her career to visiting hundreds of schools and therapeutic programs across the country, ensuring her knowledge remains current and comprehensive.
Jamie is passionate about partnering with families to develop both short and long-term goals, considering each client's history and past interventions to provide informed recommendations. She believes in empowering parents with the information they need to make the best decisions for their children’s futures. Jamie values collaboration with her trusted colleagues, knowing that a team approach is essential for providing the most effective guidance and support.
Carson Parker
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Carson works in a solo practice in the Indianapolis area. Her focus is on kids, teens, and young adults with therapeutic support needs and learning differences. In 2019, Carson founded her practice following over 20 years of experience in the behavioral health and addiction field. She began her career as a social worker and mental health advocate before shifting to the therapeutic program space in 2005. Since then, Carson has taken on roles in community outreach, client assessment, and program development. Her extensive experience has shaped her collaborative approach, working closely with families, clinical professionals, and treatment programs to foster positive outcomes for both clients and their families.
Carson has been a member of TCA since 2022 and is also a professional member of IECA. She resides in Westfield, Indiana, with her three children and two dogs. In her free time, Carson is deeply involved in supporting her children's sports activities. She enjoys playing tennis, hiking, biking, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Heather Hayes
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Heather Hayes is the founder and CEO of Heather R. Hayes & Associates, Inc. She is a Master’s level Licensed Counselor in the State of Georgia, Board Registered Interventionist (CIP) and Certified ARISE Interventionist. Ms. Hayes earned her B.A. from Emory University and her M.Ed. from Antioch University in Counseling Psychology. A veteran of the behavioral health field, Heather has over 40+ years of experience in treating clients with complex mental health issues and the full spectrum of addictive disorders. She has also worked with clients of all ages and specializes in the treatment of adolescents/young adults, trauma, behavioral issues and eating disorders.
Outside of work, Heather uses her expertise to give back to her community by volunteering as the psychological profiler with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department Hostage Negotiation and SWAT Team.
Kellyn Smythe
PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE (NON-VOTING MEMBER)
Kellyn began working with youth in 2006 starting in the classroom. With a Masters in Applied Mathematics from the University of Washington he spent 9 years teaching college mathematics. Throughout those years, Kellyn found himself mentoring students who had experienced a failure to launch. Feeling a pull toward supporting students outside the classroom, Kellyn earned his certification as a Behavioral Coach. He spent eight years coaching underperforming students who struggled with anxiety, depression and waning motivation.
Kellyn also spent 5 years as the Director of Admissions at a nationally acclaimed residential young adult program. Kellyn’s experience in education, admissions and coaching has earned him an exceptional reputation in the treatment community, and his thorough and warm approach was a natural fit when he joined the Pacific Quest team as the Director of Admissions in 2014.
Kellyn is an accomplished outdoorsman and avid martial artist. He and his wife live in Oregon where they explore the outdoor magic of the Pacific Northwest with their two young boys.