Meet Katie Topham, a clinician who has a passion for graceful implementation of scientific principles and a Director of Intensive ABA Services in Prince William County.  Katie received her BS in Psychology from Smith College in 2004, her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis at Northeastern University under Dr. Jason Bourret in 2008, and her PhD in Psychology with a concentration in Behavior Analysis under Dr. Brian Iwata in 2014.  Immediately following her undergraduate degree, she began working at The New England Center for Children in Southborough, Massachusetts.  Between 2004 and 2010 she held numerous positions each within the residential program.  During her PhD at the University of Florida, 2010-2014, Katie was a graduate instructor for numerous courses as well as the lab site coordinator at a local school for students with moderate to severe disabilities.  

Since moving to Virginia in 2016, Katie was the co-founder of Next Steps Behavioral Centers then, following it’s acquisition, assumed the role of Chief Clinical and Operations officer of Nest Life ABA.  In all of these roles, she has enjoyed shaping young clinicians and supporting families and their loved ones.  

Outside of ABA, Katie is the wife of a nurse, Mom to three girls and at least two fur babies, and enjoys volunteering for dog rescue.  

Given her experiences and training, Katie has benefited from the mentorship of top researchers and clinicians in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis.  With that excellent teaching, paired with mentorship and experience, Katie values shaping lives with the science of behavior analysis and the grace of the uniqueness of our histories.