Meet the Guiding Stars ABA Team
Chris Thomas, BCBA, LBA
Owner & CEO | Clinical Director
Chris Thomas is the Owner and CEO of Guiding Stars ABA and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with more than 20 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Throughout his career, Chris has worked with individuals ranging from young children as early as age two through adulthood, giving him a broad perspective on how needs, priorities, and meaningful goals can change throughout a person's life.
Chris earned his Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Criminology from Albright College and later completed a Master's degree in Human Services Administration from Kaplan University. He continued his education at Capella University, where he completed a postgraduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2021.
Chris is also a Certified Investigator in Pennsylvania through the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). He continues to maintain professional ties to Pennsylvania by providing Behavioral Specialist Services to group homes in the Reading, Pennsylvania area, supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the teams who provide their daily care.
Although Chris spent much of his professional career in Pennsylvania, Hampton Roads has always been home. Having grown up in the Hampton Roads area, Chris returned to Virginia a little over a year ago and is proud to bring his years of professional experience back to the community that helped shape him.
His extensive experience across age groups has reinforced his belief that effective ABA services should never take a one-size-fits-all approach. Chris believes in understanding each individual, recognizing their strengths, collaborating closely with families and caregivers, and developing meaningful goals that make a practical difference in everyday life.
As the founder of Guiding Stars ABA, Chris is committed to creating a practice where clinical quality, ethical care, family collaboration, and respect for each individual remain at the center of the services provided.
Heather Thomas, CPCO, SMQT
Executive Director | Compliance Officer
Heather Thomas serves as the Executive Director and Compliance Officer of Guiding Stars ABA, bringing more than 20 years of experience across behavioral health and healthcare. Her background includes direct care, program operations, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and staff education.
Throughout her career, Heather has worked across residential care, juvenile justice, outpatient behavioral health, and geriatric healthcare settings. During her earlier behavioral health career, she earned credentials as a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) and Child & Family Resiliency Practitioner (CFRP) through the International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services. Her leadership experience later expanded to serving as a Compliance Officer for a large outpatient behavioral health practice, overseeing quality and regulatory compliance for multiple PACE centers, and serving as a Medical Facility Inspector with the Virginia Department of Health.
Heather also holds the Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO) credential through AAPC and SMQT certification through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
At Guiding Stars ABA, Heather oversees day-to-day operations and compliance, helping ensure strong systems are in place so the clinical team can remain focused on providing high-quality ABA services and meaningful support to children and families.
ABA also has a personal connection for Heather. Her husband, Chris, is the founder and BCBA behind Guiding Stars ABA, and she is proud to help build a practice rooted in clinical excellence, accountability, responsiveness, and compassionate care for families throughout Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads community.
Angelica, RBT
Angelica is a Registered Behavior Technician with more than 10 years of experience supporting children with autism and other developmental needs. She is passionate about helping children strengthen their communication, social, and independent living skills. Angelica believes meaningful progress begins with patience, consistency, and building a trusting relationship with each child and family. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Psychology with a concentration in Behavioral Health Leadership. She is also working toward becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Outside of work, Angelica enjoys music, dancing, traveling, attending concerts, and spending time with the people she loves.
Traci, BT
Traci brings more than 20 years of experience supporting individuals with autism across hospital, school, clinic, home, and community settings. Her extensive professional experience has shaped her commitment to individualized, practical supports that promote meaningful skills and greater independence.
Her connection to autism is also deeply personal. Traci is the proud mother of a young man with moderate to severe autism who has benefited from ABA throughout his life. Today, he enjoys meaningful work, friendships, community involvement, and competing as a Special Olympics basketball athlete.
Traci is currently working toward her Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification, further expanding her professional knowledge and skills in Applied Behavior Analysis.
As both a professional and a parent, Traci brings a unique combination of experience, compassion, and firsthand understanding to the children and families she supports.
Abigail, BT | Analyst Student
Abigail joined Guiding Stars ABA as a Behavior Technician (BT) while continuing to advance her education and clinical experience in Applied Behavior Analysis. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Slippery Rock University in 2025 and is currently completing her final year of a Master of Education in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis.
As part of her professional development, Abigail is working toward her Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification while also gaining valuable experience as an ABA analyst student with Guiding Stars ABA.
Abigail brings enthusiasm, compassion, and a strong desire to learn to her work with children and families. She is passionate about creating positive learning experiences, building meaningful relationships with clients, and helping each child develop skills that support greater independence and success in everyday life.
She looks forward to continuing to grow as an ABA professional while helping the children and families of Guiding Stars ABA learn, grow, and reach meaningful goals together
Caira, BT
Caira is a dedicated Behavior Technician (BT) who brings compassion, patience, and enthusiasm to her work with children and families. She is passionate about supporting children with autism as they develop meaningful skills, build confidence, and work toward greater independence in their everyday lives.
Caira believes that every child has unique strengths and potential. She strives to create a positive, encouraging, and supportive environment where children feel comfortable learning, exploring new skills, and celebrating their progress along the way.
Currently, Caira is working toward her Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification while continuing to expand her knowledge and hands-on experience in Applied Behavior Analysis. She continues to pursue a career in social work, reflecting her broader passion for supporting individuals, families, and communities.
Outside of work, Caira enjoys reading, learning new things, and continuing to expand her knowledge. Her genuine desire to help others continues to guide both her personal growth and her developing career in human services.
Kaliyah, RBT
Kaliyah is a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) who enjoys building meaningful connections with the children she supports. She especially enjoys discovering each child’s interests, preferred activities, and motivators and using them to make learning engaging, positive, and rewarding.
Kaliyah is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Social Work at Norfolk State University. Following graduation, she plans to earn her Master of Social Work and ultimately become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
With a passion for working with children and a commitment to continued professional growth, Kaliyah is excited to continue expanding her knowledge and experience while making a positive difference in the lives of the children and families she serves.
Troy, BT
Troy is a dedicated Behavioral Technician with a background in behavioral health and experience supporting individuals with developmental and behavioral needs. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is currently working toward becoming a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT).
Passionate about making a positive difference, Troy enjoys building meaningful relationships with her clients and helping them strengthen communication, independence, and confidence. She takes a person-centered approach to care and strives to create a supportive, encouraging environment where each client feels valued, understood, and motivated to grow.