At APEX Consulting, our staff of highly-trained BCBA’s maintain a close, tight-knit group of clients, in order to offer each individual completely personalized attention and service.

Executive Team

Leslie Deutchman, MS, BCBA, LABA, Executive Director
With over 35 years of experience in the field, Leslie is the President and Executive Director at APEX Behavioral Consulting. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from the University of Vermont and her Master of Science degree from the University of Oregon. Leslie has held many positions within the field, including: teacher, therapist, researcher, consultant, program director, and now Executive Director. Her background gives her the unique ability to connect with staff, families, and other professionals at a personal level, enabling her to design individualized programs that teach socially significant skills within a nurturing, positive environment. She specializes in Direct Instruction and Verbal Behavior methodology, as well as reduction of maladaptive behavior through the use of Applied Behavior Analysis principles. Leslie is committed to excellence, and strives to provide exceptional service to enrich the lives of children with developmental disabilities and their families.

Andrea Barruch, M.Ed., BCBA, LABA, Vice President, Executive Clinical Director

Andrea received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a concentration in applied behavior analysis from SUNY Binghamton, and her Master of Education degree in Special Education-Severe from Fitchburg State University. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Andrea has been with APEX since 2006. Prior to joining the APEX team, Andrea worked within public and private schools as a Behavior Analyst and Program Coordinator, primarily working with children with learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and autism.

Chelsey Upton, Executive Director of Operations
Chelsey received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Northeastern University. Chelsey has been a part of the APEX Behavioral Consulting team since 2012 when she began as a therapist. She is now the Executive Director of Operations where she oversees the office staff, manages the client insurance process, executes all accounting and finance for the business, and leads all problem solving initiatives.

Supervision Team

Kara Bayles, MS, LABA, Director of Client and Staff Services
Kara received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Salve Regina University and her Master of Science degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University. She is a licensed Applied Behavior Analyst. Kara has been part of the APEX Consulting team since 2009. During that time she worked as a therapist, a supervisor, and is now the Director of Client and Staff Services. She conducts orientations for new therapists and provides staff and supervisor training. She is a certified instructor for Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and physical management and is also a certified instructor for the American Red Cross. Before coming to APEX, Kara worked as a classroom supervisor, teacher, 1:1 assistant at a private school for children with autism.

Derik Martel MS, BCBA, LABA, Behavior Analyst
Derik received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and his Master of Science degree from Bay Path University. He is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. He started working for APEX in 2013 as a direct therapist, and now is a behavior analyst. Prior to joining the APEX team, Derik worked as a therapist at a day program for adults with developmental disabilities.

Michaela Eldridge, MA, BCBA, LABA, Behavior Analyst
Michaela received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and her Master of Arts degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Salve Regina University. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst. Michaela first joined Apex as a direct therapist in 2015 and then came on full time as a BCBA. She supervises home and school ABA programs. Michaela has attended workshops in verbal behavior and language development.

Krystina Langlois, M.Ed., BCBA, LABA, Behavior Analyst
Krystina received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and her Master of Education degree in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis from Endicott College. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Krystina began working for APEX in 2012 as a therapist and is now a consultant. She supervises home and school ABA programs. Before working at APEX, Krystina worked as a 1:1 instructor and assistant teacher within clinic and private school settings.

Shelby McManis, MA, BCBA, LABA, Behavior Analyst

Shelby received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Vermont and her Masters of Science in Behavior Analysis from Simmons University. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst. Shelby first joined Apex as a direct therapist in 2021 and then came on as a full time BCBA. She supervises home and school ABA programs.