Meet Our Staff
Tony Sweet,
Owner and President
Prior to starting Sweet Behavior, LLC in 2005, Tony served as a special education teacher, worked for multiple companies in the field of developmental disabilities, and provided behavior supports to those with developmental disabilities as an independent contractor. Sensing a need for a company in southern Indiana that would put the client's best interest first, Tony decided to establish a company that would do just that. Tony holds a Bachelor of Science in education, a Master of Science in education with a concentration in special education, and a Master of Liberal Studies from Indiana University Southeast.
Tony notes that he has been blessed to hire many behavior consultants, recreational therapists, and music therapists who share his same passion for serving others. On a personal note, Tony been married 40 plus years, has one son (who is also a behavior consultant at Sweet Behavior), and one granddaughter. Tony serves as an elder, treasurer, and trustee of his church, and has until recently taught adult Sunday school. His hobbies include American history, trivia, travel, and boating on the lake.
Tony can be reached at TonySweet@sweetbehavior.com
Ellen Ricks,
Co-Director of Music Therapy
Ellen is a graduate of the University of Louisville, where she earned her bachelor's degree in music therapy. She completed her internship in the Music Therapy Clinic at the University of Louisville. Ellen has experience with a variety of populations, including early childhood, children and adults with autism, genetic disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders, dementia and end of life care. During her undergraduate career, Ellen studied abroad in Katowice, Poland, where she studied music therapy, art therapy, drama therapy and general music studies as well as cultural implications in music therapy. She is an active member of the American Music Therapy Association Students, serving in 2013 as the Vice President. In her free time, Ellen enjoys running, traveling, shopping, and being with her family.
Ellen can be reached at ericks@sweetbehavior.com.
Susan Cunningham,
Director of Recreational Therapy
All of Susan’s life she has been involved in sports and physical activities, playing high school basketball, volleyball, and running track & cross-country. Because of this, Susan realizes first-hand the benefits of physical activities and how it contributes to an individual’s physical and mental well being. She feels very fortunate that her career as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Therapist (CTRS) has provided her the opportunity to help others achieve overall well-being.
Susan’s position allows her to share her passion and to help her clients live a healthy and fulfilling life. She graduated from Morehead State University with a degree in therapeutic recreation and has worked with people with intellectual disabilities for over ten years. Susan’s work in this field has earned her a reputation as an experienced, compassionate, and solution-oriented therapist. She is dedicated to providing exceptional care to children and adults alike that focuses on creative, individualized approaches. Susan notes that the best part of her job is how she is able to make growing and learning fun.
Jeremy Sweet,
Behavior Consultant
Harris Gardner,
Co-Director of Music Therapy
With a foundation in bluegrass and country music, Harris has been a session and touring musician for over ten years. He holds a bachelor's in marketing from Clemson University, a Music Therapy Equivalency degree from Charleston Southern University, and a Harmony and Counterpoint specialty certificate from Berklee School of Music. He completed his medical music therapy internship through Norton Healthcare, spending nine months at Norton Audubon hospital. For the last three years Harris has worked as a program coordinator for a local company providing care for kids that are medically fragile. During this time, he was able to establish and implement a music therapy program for over 200 kids across the state of Kentucky.
Courtney Castillo,
Behavior Consultant
Courtney is from Southeastern Indiana. She earned an Associates of Science from Ivy Tech Community College out of Lawrenceburg, Indiana and went on to earn her Bachelor of Social Work from Northern Kentucky University (NKU) in December 2019. Courtney finished up her Masters of Social Work from NKU in May 2022 after working at Sweet Behavior as an intern. Courtney began volunteering with the Special Olympics in 2016.
While working towards her Associate and Bachelor Degrees, Courtney worked at Amazon in Hebron, Kentucky for six years. She began working as a direct service professional (DSP) at BAWAC in Florence, Kentucky for a year and a half before moving back to Indiana. After her homecoming to Indiana, Courtney worked as a case manager with the Aged and Disabled population in Dillsboro, Indiana while pursuing her Master of Social Work degree.
Courtney completed her clinical internship at Sweet Behavior while working towards her MSW degree. Courtney got married in October 2018. In her spare time she enjoys crafting, spending time with family, going to concerts, and watching movies.
Courtney currently serves the following counties: Ripley, Ohio, Dearborn, Switzerland, Jefferson, Jennings, and Bartholomew (certain cities).
Marlene Thacker,
Behavior Consultant
Josh Garcia,
Behavior Consultant
Josue “Josh” Garcia has been in the field of behavior therapy for the last 17 years. Josh has worked as behavior interventionist/behavior technician, Behavior Manager, and Behavior Specialist for home and school programs. He has a degree in child development and a master’s degree in School Counseling. Josh also completed all necessary course work to sit for his BCBA exam. Josh also has extensive training in mental health and counseling. His career focus has been the intersection between mental health and behavior management. Josh lives in Louisville, KY with his wife and 3 pets. Proudly, Josh is Bilingual (Spanish-English speaker) and has extensive experience working with diverse background population. In his free time, Josh loves spending time with his family and watching television. He is an avid carpenter and has built multiple pieces of furniture around his home. Traveling is a great part of Josh’s life, and he has traveled to multiple countries across Latino America and Europe.
Michael Day, Psy.D,
Level 1 Behavior Consultant,
Clinical Supervisor
Dr. Day is a licensed psychologist in Indiana. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Spalding University and an MA and MTS from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. Dr. Day works on a consultation basis with Sweet Behavior Services, Saint Luke Center, and is the director of personal counseling and a member of the faculty at Indiana University Southeast. His experience includes work in higher education and children/family residential treatment. His clinical interests include trauma informed care, developmental related issues, clinical supervision, and education. He is a member of
APA and AUCCCD.
Katie Gullquist,
Music Therapist
Katie is a graduate of the University of Evansville where she earned her bachelor's degree in Music Therapy and minors in Psychology and Suzuki Pedagogy. She completed her internship at Park Nicollet Health Services in Minneapolis, Minnesota; there, she utilized music therapy in hospice care, oncology, Parkinson's Disease and other movement disorders, and general medical/surgical. Originally from southern Indiana, she is moving back home from the Chicagoland area where she gained experience in a variety of populations, including genetic disorders, autism, emotional and behavioral disorders, and early childhood. Katie loves coffee, traveling, fishing, and family time. Katie serves Vanderburgh, Warrick, Dubois, and Spencer counties in southwestern Indiana.
Lexi Fowler,
Music Therapist
Lexi is a graduate of Mississippi University for Women, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in music therapy. During her time in college, she was very active as an officer in her university’s music therapy organization. She presented her research on instrument selection with older adults at various conferences, including the Southeastern Region of the American Music Therapy Association 2020 Conference. Her research was also published in her university’s undergraduate research journal. She also had the opportunity to study abroad in both Peru and Scotland. Lexi completed her internship at the University of Louisville Music Therapy Clinic, where she gained experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities, children with behavioral problems, at-risk youth, young adults with traumatic brain injuries, early childhood, and older adults. She utilizes a variety of clinical approaches to meet the individualized needs of her clients. Lexi is very excited to be staying in the Kentuckiana area to begin her career as a professional music therapist. In her free time, she enjoys serving at her church, spending time with her mom, and taking long walks in nature.
Lacey Bottorff,
Director of Behavior
Lacey earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Indiana University Southeast in 2017 and her master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Ball State University in 2019. She became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in spring of 2021. Lacey has worked with children with intellectual disabilities in a variety of settings including daycares, schools, ABA clinics, and group homes over the course of 10 years. In her spare time, Lacey enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, and traveling.
Onna Moore,
Recreational Therapist
Onna earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Therapy at the University of Toledo. She completed her internship at a long-term nursing facility and created a horticulture program that caters to wheelchair users. Originally from Northwest Ohio, Onna worked with a juvenile detention, catering to at-risk youth on house arrest. Onna also worked as a case manager, catering to those with intellectual disabilities and behavioral disorders. Onna loves working with those with behavioral needs and intellectual disabilities. Onna enjoys traveling, watching crime documentaries, baking, and spending time at home with her cat Frosty.
Allaynah Price,
Music Therapist
Allaynah is a graduate of the University of Evansville, where she earned her bachelor's degree in music therapy. During her undergraduate career, she studied abroad in Grantham, England. Allaynah completed her music therapy internship at Personal Counseling Services, gaining experience working with children and adults with various genetic disorders, developmental disabilities, and psychiatric disabilities.
Allaynah "loves Jesus, iced coffee, cooking, reading, being an aunt, and spending time with her friends and family."
Tara Baker
Billing & Office Manager
Tara was born and raised in Southern Indiana. Prior to getting into the field of disability services, Tara ran a private care business for the elderly out of her home and assisted with her family's income tax business on the side. She began working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities several years ago as a direct support professional and house manager. Tara is compassionate about disability rights and strives for folks with disabilities to lead the most independent life possible.
In her spare time, Tara enjoys spending time with her husband, kids and grandkids, serving at her church, and hanging out with her constant companion: Gizmo the dog. If you come to the office, you'll no doubt meet Giz.
Nicole Curtis-Davis,
Behavior Consultant
Nicole started working with individuals with disabilities in 2017 as a registered behavior technician. Her work with the individuals has incorporated a variety of age ranges from 3 to 21 and in clinical, home, and community settings. Nicole earned her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Indiana University Southeast at the end of 2018 and finished her Masters in Special Education with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at the end of 2020. She sat for her boards and passed in 2021 and is licensed in the state of Kentucky.
Nicole loves bringing out their creativity and unlocking her clients potential. She enjoys seeing each person grow further as themselves and watching their personality shine through! In her free time, Nicole is addicted to coffee, likes to read, watch true crime shows and documentaries, crochet and knit, and craft. Her favorite holiday is Halloween and dresses up in a new costume every day the week of the holiday! She spends most of her time with her significant other Todd and other family.
Katie Stephens,
Behavior Consultant
Katie earned her bachelor’s degree from WKU in elementary education and later obtained her Master's degree in special education. Prior to coming to Sweet, she had been working with kids with disabilities for the past three years as a teacher in a special education classroom. Katie is also a mother of three boys with special abilities. Although she has a lot of experience with kids, Katie loves working with people with intellectual disabilities of all ages! You may see Katie around if you spend any time around a baseball or football field because she loves to attend games with her boys. Katie is very excited to continue to work with the special abilities community!
Brooklyn Duffy,
Music Therapist
Brooklyn is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in music therapy. Throughout her undergraduate career, she gained experience working with adults with developmental disabilities, the geriatric population, and school-aged children. She completed her music therapy internship at Sweet Behavior where she worked with children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Brooklyn is excited to be staying in her hometown where she can serve her community as a professional music therapist. In her free time, Brooklyn enjoys reading, baking, cooking, coaching soccer, and spending time with family and friends.
Hannah Huber,
Behavior Consultant
Hannah earned her bachelor's degree in general studies with an emphasis in social sciences from Indiana University Southeast and a master's in moderate to severe disabilities from Georgetown college.
Hannah has worked with individuals from the age of four to 21 with intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities, emotional behavior disabilities, physical disabilities, deaf and hard of hearing, visual impairments, and other health impairments. Hannah has worked in various environments including daycares, summer camps, community living support, and, most recently, as a special education teacher for a public school setting. Hannah has a combination of six years of service and is excited to share her passion with all age groups on staff with Sweet!
Hannah is from Louisville but has been a resident in the Corydon area for two years and loves Southern Indiana! Hannah enjoys time with her daughter, husband, and two rescue pups. In addition to family time, Hannah spends her spare time shopping, exercising, and crafting.
Jessilyn Tunny,
Behavior Consultant
Jessilyn is an Indiana native with a love for our military/veterans, children, and animals (particularly horses, if you couldn't tell). She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Military Science from Indiana State University in 2018 and completed her Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Ball State University in the spring of 2021. She is currently preparing to sit for her BCBA exam.
Jessilyn worked in a daycare setting for many years while in high school and on college breaks. While completing her bachelor’s degree she began working with veterans in a clinical setting. She then transitioned into working with children and teenagers with intellectual disabilities in both clinical and home environments.
Jessilyn was married in the fall of 2021. In her spare time, she loves spending time with family, shopping with her mom, reading, giving horse lessons to children, and, most of all, loves working on their farm. She is a “horse mom” and an Indiana State Top 10 barrel racer. Her career focus is to “make a difference” each day in the lives of those who she has the privilege to work with.
Cay Castle Cruz,
Behavior Consultant
Caitlyn "Cay" Castle Cruz has been working with individuals with developmental, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities since 2015. She earned her Bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology from the University of Louisville in the same year. Cay's original plan was to join the Peace Corps after her graduation, but was so inspired by her work with folks with disabilities in Kentuckiana that she chose a different path.
In 2016, Cay decided to go back to school to discover how she could best serve children and adults with intellectual disabilities. She graduated in 2018 with a Master's degree in psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and recieved her Board-Certified Behavior Analysis (BCBA) certification in 2020. While she was completing her degree and certification, Cay continued her work with folks with intellectual/developmental disabilities in residential, office, and home settings as a clinician, supervisor, and advocate.
In Cay's personal life, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, culinary and outdoor adventures, and creative projects.
Cay Castle Cruz,
Behavior Consultant
Karen Walker
DSP-PAC Services
Born in Maricopa County Phoenix, Arizona, Karen earned her Libral Arts degree from Ventura College in Ventura California, where she lived and worked for 40 years, and earned her Nurses Aide, Home Health Aide, Medical Assistant certificates and attended the Registered Nursing program, as well. Karen continued through twelve years of various college classes to broaden her educational knowledge, which included learning some Spanish for Medical Personnel, and American Sign Language. She completed every ASL class the college offered, for a total of five semesters, becoming fluent and being offered a job as an Educational Sign Language Interpreter for the local school districts. She worked in that capacity for twenty two years, before moving to Indiana.
Karen's personal philosophies and mission statements are, "Everyone deserves dignity and a voice!" and "No regrets." She feels it is "more important to be significant than successful." She has taken those ideals into many areas of work, including Child Abuse and Neglect, Court Appointed Special Advocate, Suicide Prevention, Childbirth Coach/Parenting Educator for Teen Mothers, and United Cerebral Palsy Independent-Living Casemanager. Not only has she worked with blind, Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals but she also has 35 years expertise in hospice care for persons all across the age spectrum and in different stages of their lives journeys. Karen is most proud of, and dedicated to, assisting persons with disabilities to live their best lives whatever they perceive that to mean to them, as individuals.
Karen has four grown children, twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who are all the center of her world. In her spare time she enjoys crafting, knitting, crocheting, gardening and painting. She also finds baking and sharing her goodies, as well as singing to be especially fulfilling.
Karen can be reached at nurseykw53@gmail.com
Tonya Nance
DSP
Tonya Nance was born and raised here in Indiana. She graduated from Jeffersonville High School in 1993 and attended Ivy Tech, where she took several general courses to became a CNA. In 2003, she was blessed to have my daughter, Hallie. She has William syndrome, so Tonya's life took a different turn. This has taught her a lot about life and seeing happiness in so many different ways. Her hobbies include travel and seeing different historical sites. She also likes going and seeing plays.