About Founder and Director,

Kristina Blackledge, M.S., MFT

Kristina holds a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, a Bachelors degree in Psychology, and is currently pursuing a certificate in Positive Behavior Support to become a board-certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) adding Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, Functional Behavior Analysis, Positive Behavior Support plans, and consulting to her list of services. 

Kristina has extensive training from accredited training institutions and/or organizations in the areas of:

• Disabilities and Disability Law
• Parenting Styles and Theories
• Behavior Management
• Child Development
• Play Therapy
• Early Childhood Education
• Parent-Child Interactive Therapy
• Infant Mental Health
• Postpartum Mood Disorders

She has over 10 years of experience providing advocacy services in Special Education and Disabilities Services and 20 years experience in Child Development and Early Education.  She has worked with the Parent Training Information Center for the state of Arizona, as a Disability Specialist for Early Head Start, and an Education Curriculum Specialist for Head Start.  Kristina has participated in hundreds of IEP and 504 meetings helping parents attain an appropriate education for their children.  She has provided workshops and trainings for numerous disability-related organizations including Raising Special Kids, MIKID, and DAN! in Arizona and several agencies in the San Francisco Bay area. 

Kristina continuously expands her knowledge of current disability and special education law, trends, and research.  She is an active member of Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates and the Council for Exceptional Children.  Kristina was recently invited to be one of 35 community leaders from around the state to develop the Arizona Early Childhood Plan.  Kristina is actively involved in the disability and early learning community.