MAYLENE APRIL VISAYA, LPC

30 Jan 2018

Maylene April Visaya is licensed Professional Counseling and became a National Credited Counselor in 2014. She received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Denver and then earned her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health in 2010. Throughout college Maylene received many academic honors and was a part of Psi Chi. She also volunteered at various organizations to broaden her knowledge and experience in the area of psychology. She volunteered at residential treatment homes, tutored at-risk youth, and helped adults with disabilities transition into independent vocational programs. However, it was her volunteer work as a para-educator for children with autism that sparked her interest in working with this population.

After graduation Maylene started working at Breakthrough Interventions in order pursue her desire of working with children with autism. Under the supervision and guidance of Dr. Annette Nunez, Maylene was trained in Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Floortime, and the Social Competence Inclusive Play (SCIP) model. She has over 10 years of experience working with children on the spectrum. This experience includes working in 1:1 in-home settings, transitioning children from home to school environments, and consulting with various school districts. Maylene also participated in Dr. Nunez’s research in which she was an integral part of the data collection and item development of the Children’s Social Competence Scale.

Currently, she trains and supervises all Breakthrough Interventions senior staff, conducts assessments, and writes individualized treatment plans for all clients. Maylene co-authored the book Friendship Is … and is co-owner of AMPublishing along with Dr. Annette Nunez. She will continue to write books aimed to influence positive change. In addition, she and Dr. Nunez own of a private practice that provides effective counseling to individuals and couples. Maylene will continue to pursue her passion in helping people achieve healthy and positive mindsets.

J.R.'s Story

When I first met JR at the age of 4 he was running around his house screaming with cars in his hands screaming. His parents were told by professionals to get used to the fact that he may never be invited to birthday parties, or navigate a classroom independently. Rather than focusing on the negatives of autism such as, “your child will never, can’t, etc.” I focus on the positives. All I saw in J.R. was a child with lots of potential. When I started with J.R. I set the expectations high and his parents were immediately onboard and trusted me to safely push their son outside of his comfort zone. JR worked very hard and each day there were different challenges as well as successes. Not only did JR have to put in the work but his parents did too, as they followed through with the implemented plans and homework. Twelve years later, JR. is attending a private high school independently. Has an amazing group of friends and he is the manager of the football team where he encourages his teammates to do their best. Although J.R. has to sometimes work harder than his peers he does it with ease and he is happy. He loves sports, traveling, Buffalo Wild Wings, Snapchat, and doing all the things a teenage boy at 16 loves to do. He has told his parents that he is working hard because he wants to go to college. Recently, I asked him, “Did you believe in my approach when I started working with you?”

His response, “At first I didn’t believe in you and the things you wanted me to do. I didn’t like it, but now I believe in you because you make me feel happy, like I’m myself, and my life… I have a beautiful life.”

Success for me is not what I can do for your child. Success is when parents trust and support the process no matter how hard it can be. Success is when I have the privilege to watch my clients realize their full potential and have a positive outlook on life and their future.