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About Us

Meet The Team

At DEPS, we’re a compassionate team dedicated to helping children and families thrive. With a warm and collaborative approach, we provide expert care in psychological assessments, therapy, and ongoing support tailored to each child’s unique needs. Get to know the people behind the work—because who you work with matters

Carol McLean, Ph.D., HSP

 

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. McLean founded Developmental & Educational Psychological Services over 20 years ago in order to provide individuals and their families the best of both clinical and educational psychological services in a private setting. She is committed to providing the highest quality of psychological assessments. She collaborates with schools, psychiatrists, neurologists, pediatricians, surgeons, and other mental health providers to help individuals access the services and interventions needed in order to reach their full potential.

Dr. McLean graduated from Indiana State University in 2001 with a Ph.D. in Psychology. She is a licensed psychologist specializing in psychological assessment from birth throughout the lifespan. She specializes in numerous developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Specific Learning Disabilities. In addition, she specializes in medical clearance evaluations for bariatric patients and pain patients.

Dr. McLean is a member of the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. The National Register has stringent requirements for education, internship and experience as a health care professional in order to qualify for membership. Dr. McLean is a member of the American Psychological Association, Arizona Psychological Association and is the former President of the Scottsdale Psychological Society.

Kellie Band

DBH, LBA, BCBA

Executive Director of Therapy Services

Dr. Kellie Band is the Executive Director of Therapy Services. She has been in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2005. During her career, Dr. Band has evolved, from pediatrics to Organizational Behavior Management and business development. She believes culture, accountability, and transparency are the utmost importance and a foundation to success in any business. She holds a Doctorate in Behavioral Health, which focuses on integrated care, and has sat on the Arizona Association for Behavior Analysis board, holding a variety of roles ranging from Treasurer to different committee chairs. Kellie has been a graduate professor with Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, and Purdue Global University teaching in the Master’s of Psychology department. This has helped her to grow her knowledge and skills with performance management and the dissemination of Applied Behavior Analysis in various of capacities.

Laura Mayrath, M.Ed.

Educational Specialist

Laura has 20 years experience of expertise in special education. Her passion is working with students, families, and educators to identify and address special learning needs and develop successful educational strategies for students with ADHD, Learning Disabilities, and Autism. She holds a Master’s degree in Education and is certified by the Arizona Board of Education in both Elementary and Early Childhood Special Education. Laura has served as an Associate Faculty member at the College of Education at The University of Phoenix for the past 15 years. She is a certified Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule administrator and is currently a doctoral student in clinical psychology.

Kate Purdy, ED.S., NCSP

Psychological Associate

Kate Purdy is a psychology associate with over ten years of experience supporting students and families in public schools. She began her career in education after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Arizona State University in 2001 and teaching second grade in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kate graduated with a master’s degree in educational psychology in 2014 and an educational specialist degree in school psychology in 2016, both from Argosy University. As a state and nationally certified school psychologist, Kate worked within the Arizona public school system before joining DEPS. Her experience includes supporting a campus kindergarten through eighth-grade autism specialized program, working on a district-level preschool assessment team, supervising school psychology interns, and mentoring new school psychologists. Kate is a certified administrator of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and is passionate about helping families navigate the evaluation process. She is committed to empowering parents and caregivers, ensuring they feel confident and informed in supporting their children both during and after evaluation and diagnosis.

Jenny Rhodes, M.Ed.

Educational Specialist

Jenny has over ten years experience in special education including working in private placements and public-school systems. She holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Human Development (Family Studies), with a minor in sociology, from Washington State University and a Master’s in Special Education (Cross Categorical), from Grand Canyon University. Jenny is a certified administrator of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). She has significant experience working in private placements, severe and profound placements, behavioral classrooms, self-contained, and resource classes working with students with Autism, developmental delays, specific learning disabilities, ADHD, visual impairments, and emotional disabilities. She also has experience and knowledge implementing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). She has a passion for supporting and developing amazing teachers and mentored seven student teachers while working in the public-school setting. She was named Scottsdale Charros Elementary Teacher of the Year, for Arcadia Neighborhood Learning Center (now Echo Canyon School), in 2017. Jenny served as the Special Education Team Lead for over five years and was part of the school’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), behavior committee. Jenny’s passion is to work with children, families, service providers, and educators to identify and address students’ individual needs so that they can reach their full potential at home, in the classroom, and in life.

Stacy DeMaranville

M.Ed., LBA, BCBA

I started my ABA journey as a psych undergrad working in The Young Autism Project at UCLA under Dr. Ivar Lovaas. I was inspired his research, by the growth I saw in the children, and by the trust and dedication of the families. That experience completely set my course! I completed a post-doc program at Cal State Northridge for Transdisciplinary Early Intervention / Special Education and ultimately earned my M.Ed. at ASU, followed by my Board certification. I’ve worked with all ages and all developmental levels, but I’d say my greatest satisfaction comes from supporting and educating families, and from helping young children gain the ability communicate and access their environment. I’m also passionate about teaching self-advocacy at an early age to set the stage for a better, more equitable future.

Chelsey Maxson, Ph.D.

 

Clinical Psychology Associate

Dr. Chelsey Maxson earned her doctorate from the University of Montana in 2023. She has specialized training in cognitive and neuropsychological assessment, neurorehabilitation, bariatrics, trauma work, as well as somatic- and mindfulness-based interventions. Dr. Maxson completed a one-year pre-doctoral internship in Neuropsychology in Oregon state, followed by a 16-month residency in Neuropsychological Neurorehabilitation at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ. Her specialized training equips her with a deep understanding of brain-behavior relationships, and she is excited to apply her expertise in the assessment and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders in both children and adults.

Mariah Locke

M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst

Mariah AKA B has been working in the field of ABA since 2011. She graduated from Arizona State University and received her BCBA in 2016. Mariah has provided therapy for patients ages 18 months – 18 years old across various environments such as, in home, clinic, community and in school. Mariah is passionate about assent-based care, naturalistic teaching, and coordination of care across providers. She is trained in Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), an intervention supporting vocal communication using natural motivation. Mariah has prior experience as a Clinical Director and Mentor BCBA. She enjoys developing skills both clinically and organizationally. Mariah also highly values workplace culture, as well as an engaging and fun environment for staff and patients. Outside of work, Mariah is a Mom of 2 who loves to travel, spend time with family and watch reality TV.

Gabrielle Demby

M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst

Gabrielle Demby grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and migrated to Arizona in 2013. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in December 2016 and joined a master’s program shortly after. Gabrielle graduated with a master’s degree in special education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis in May of 2020 and became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in October of that year. Before joining DEPS, Gabrielle spent the last several years supporting learners from 2 years old all the way to 18. Gabrielle has a strong passion for helping exceptional individuals and does so by embodying the strength of determination, perseverance, and advocacy for all. Gabrielle welcomes variety into her life with loving arms and accepts every challenge that comes her way. When Gabrielle is not working, she stays busy with her daughter and dogs. She enjoys spending time outside, being with friends and family, and reading a good book.

Dr. Barbara Jacoboski

CsD, CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Dr. Barbara Jacoboski, an ASHA-certified speech language pathologist with over 20 years of experience, specializes in helping school-aged children develop effective communication skills. She collaborates with families and professionals, using evidence-based practices to create supportive and engaging interventions. Her mission is to empower children to express themselves confidently and reach their full potential.

Lauren Trainor

M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst

Lauren is a newly certified BCBA, LBA with experience providing ABA services, with specialization in pediatrics, since 2017. Her experience includes a particular focus on naturalistic behavioral interventions in inclusive environments, including clinic, home, school, and community. She is passionate about mentorship and parent training and values continuous learning. Lauren is inspired daily by every child’s fullest potential. She loves that each day of work is different and to have the opportunity to see each child’s unfiltered joy and curiosity and ability to see the world with wonder. This motivates her to bring creativity, fun, compassion and sincerity into her work.

Katy Saxer

MS, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Katy Saxer, MS, OTR/L has been a pediatric occupational therapist for over 25 years. She has worked in various settings, including schools, outpatient clinic, and home-based therapy. Katy specializes in treating children and adolescents with autism and developmental delays, and prides herself on child-directed therapy, parent education, and community-based service delivery. In addition to being the OT team lead at DEPS, Katy owns and operates Honeybee Home, LLC, a novel outdoor therapy venue which allows children with special needs the opportunity to experience meaningful sensory activities in a motivating and memorable environment.