Practitioners You Can Trust

Westside Behavior Therapy was established in 2015 initially providing home-based services to just a few clients. After recognizing the increasing need for services in our community, we opened the doors to our center-based clinic in 2016. We continue to be committed to the highest standards of care.

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Kelsey Townsend, M. Ed., BCBA, LBA

Executive Director

Kelsey is a highly accomplished Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in Oregon, with a clinical career spanning over a decade. After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Oregon, she earned her Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University in 2013. A dedicated advocate for the profession, Kelsey is an active leader within the Oregon Association for Behavior Analysis (ORABA), where she serves on both the Public Policy and Leadership Committees. Her extensive background includes the delivery of evidence-based interventions across diverse settings, including clinical centers, schools, and home-based environments. Specializing in early intervention for children on the autism spectrum, Kelsey is proud to lead a locally owned private practice that ensures the highest standard of individualized, child-centered care for the families she serves.

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Melissa Pollard, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Clinical Team Supervisor

Melissa began her career in human services after earning her Bachelor of Arts from Dakota Wesleyan University. Her early clinical experience at a residential treatment facility for at-risk adolescents ignited a lifelong passion for helping individuals reach their full potential through skill-building and self-management. Melissa joined the Westside Behavior Therapy team in 2016. Committed to advancing her clinical practice, she completed her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction of Applied Behavior Analysis at Arizona State University in 2018. As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and accomplished specialist, Melissa is a longstanding contributor to the field of ABA and uses her years of experience to provide high-quality, evidence-based care. Leveraging her extensive background in ABA, she is committed to clinical excellence, staff mentorship, and compassionate, family-centered care.

Julia Linton, M.A., BCBA, LBA

Clinical Team Supervisor

Julia began her professional journey in Chicago before relocating to Indiana to earn her degree in Psychology from Ball State University. Since entering the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2019, she has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to evidence-based practice and clinical excellence. After joining Westside in 2021, Julia’s versatile expertise led her to key roles as a behavior therapist, trainer, and lead behavior therapist. Driven by a passion for advanced clinical work, Julia completed her Master of Arts in Behavior Analysis Practice at the Florida Institute of Technology in December 2023. Now a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), she is leveraging her advanced training to enhance client outcomes and mentor her team in her leadership role at Westside.

Hannah Burford, B.A., RBAI

Lead Behavior Therapist

Hannah relocated to Portland in 2017 to pursue her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Portland State University, where she also minored in Child, Youth, and Family Studies. Her academic background laid a strong foundation for her commitment to community-based support and individualized developmental growth. Upon entering the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Hannah found a natural alignment between her passion for family advocacy and clinical practice. She is currently advancing her expertise through graduate studies to earn her Master’s degree and achieve BCBA certification. Outside of her professional pursuits, Hannah is an avid artist and enjoys spending time with her family and pets.

Rachel Sandin, B.S., RBAI

Lead Behavior Therapist

Rachel brings over a decade of experience in child development and educational support to her current role in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Her professional background spans various developmental settings, beginning as an instructor for early learners and progressing into classroom support within middle school environments. These foundational roles led to a full-time transition into ABA, where she focuses on fostering significant developmental milestones for her clients. Committed to professional growth, Rachel intends to pursue advanced graduate studies to achieve her Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credential. Beyond her clinical work, she is an avid reader and enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest.