Meet the Therapeutic Options, Inc. Team

Michael Partie, Director of Therapeutic Options, Inc., received a degree in psychology from the University of South Florida. For over twenty years, Michael served as a behavior analyst, psychiatric social worker and program director in various settings serving children and adults. From 1995 until 2001 Michael served as the Chief Patient Abuse and Neglect Investigator for a state system serving individuals with developmental disabilities.

It was during this time that he founded Therapeutic Options, Inc. and began teaching the Therapeutic Options™ curriculum to staff of state and private psychiatric hospitals, schools, outpatient centers, and habilitation centers throughout the United States.

In 2003 Michael developed the Positive Behavior Intervention Certificate Program for the University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies. In 2005 TASH awarded Michael its Positive Approaches award in recognition of his exemplary training and technical assistance for professionals from the mental health, developmental disabilities, education, rehabilitation, and early intervention communities.

Michael holds multiple black belts, including a third degree black belt in Hapkido, and has many years of formal training in aikido, which has been called the "martial art of reconciliation" because of its ethical commitment to neutralizing violence without escalating conflict. This background, combined with his varied experiences in human services, provided a unique perspective in developing the Therapeutic Options™ curriculum.

Michael teaches and provides on-site technical assistance in Therapeutic Options™ and Positive Behavior Support

Mark Bernstein is a Therapeutic Options™ Master Instructor. Mark has been involved in the field of disabilities for nearly 30 years, as a direct support professional, administrator, consultant and trainer. Mark teaches several certificate programs to professional staff working in the field of disabilities on behalf of the University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies. Mark also provides extensive training to human services staff in Pennsylvania and New Jersey through his private business, Mark One Communications.

Mark has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the State University of New York College at Cortland and a Master's Degree in Experimental Psychology from the State University of New York College at Oswego.

Mark teaches and provides on-site technical assistance in Therapeutic Options™, Positive Behavior Support, Self-Determination and various staff development topics.

Cory Wellman Nourie is a Therapeutic Options™ Master Instructor. Cory has worked in the disabilities field in a variety of capacities ranging from direct support provider in group homes for adults with developmental disabilities to job coach to trainer. She currently is a Training Coordinator at the Center for Disabilities Studies at the University of Delaware, where she is also a doctoral student.

Cory has an Honors Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a concentration in Social Welfare from the University of Delaware and Master's degrees in Social Service and Law & Social Policy from Bryn Mawr College. Cory teaches and provides on-site technical assistance in Therapeutic Options™ and self-determination for people with disabilities.

Debby Boyer is a Clinical Skills Specialist. Debby is currently a Project Director at the Center for Disabilities Studies at the University of Delaware and a consultant in the field of Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Debby teaches the principles and techniques of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and has guided both inpatient and community-based teams throughout the United States in designing meaningful programs that facilitate Recovery. Debby also provides leadership, training, and technical assistance in the area of Positive Behavior Support to Delaware Public Schools.

Debby received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Hampshire College and her Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Boston University. She has extensive experience as a Psychiatric Social Worker supporting adults, older adults, and youth who have psychiatric and developmental disabilities.

Debby teaches and provides on-site technical assistance in Positive Behavior Support, Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Recovery Programs, and Clinical Communication Skills.

Krista Killough is a Therapeutic Options™ Master Instructor. Krista received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from James Madison University, and her graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from George Mason University. Krista has twelve years of experience in supporting people with developmental disabilities. She worked four years in Occupational Therapy, two in Psychology, and six years as a training coordinator at Northern Virginia Training Center. Krista has also been a volunteer with Young Life’s Capernaum Partnerships, supporting teens with developmental disabilities. Krista teaches and provides onsite technical assistance in Therapeutic Options™.

Tracy Mann directs and oversees communications and outreach for Therapeutic Options, Inc., including the website, marketing materials, and outreach programs. Tracy has been working in the disabilities field for over eight years in a variety of roles. She is currently Communication Manager for the University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies and pursuing a doctorate in Urban Affairs and Public Policy. Tracy has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from La Salle University and a Master of Arts in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware. Her research interests are access to health care for people with disabilities, self advocacy, and media/communication portrayals of people with disabilities, among many other interests.

Richard Fiordaliso is a psychologist with extensive clinical and research experience. Richard has provided consultation, training, and leadership in the field of human services for more than thirty years. Over the span of his career, Richard has taught high school and college, has served as supervising psychologist in numerous service systems, and coordinated projects for the Institute for Behavioral Research in Silver Spring, MD. Richard received his doctoral degree from the University of Southern California.

Richard is the author of numerous articles in professional journals and has reported clinical and research findings at professional conferences across the United States, including The Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, The American Educational Research Association, The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association, and The American Psychological Association. Richard provides on-site technical assistance in Quality Improvement, Personnel Development, Clinical Supervision, and Risk Management.