Staff

H. Keith Massel, Ph.D., BCBA, the founder and director of Vista Psychological Center and Vista Center for Behavior Analysis, received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Georgia State University in 1985.  His specialty area was behavior analysis and therapy.  He has been a Licensed Psychologist since 1989 and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2003. 
Vista Center for Behavior Analysis has been providing in-home behavioral services to children with autism and other developmental disorders and their families in Los Angeles County since 2001, under the parent name of Vista Psychological Center.  Dr. Massel and Vista are dedicated to providing opportunities through behavioral psychology that will empower clients and their families to lead satisfying and productive lives.

Dr. Massel has conducted applied clinical research on procedures such as discrete trials training and basic research with animals and humans.  He has co-authored book chapters and articles that have been published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and Behavior Therapy, among other journals.

Maria Jimenez, M.S., Program Manager for Vista Center for Behavior Analysis, received her master of science degree from California Sate University, Los Angeles.  She will soon be taking the examination to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.  Maria’s specialty is in the field of applied behavior analysis.  As Program Manager she oversees and directs all aspects of Vista’s clinical programs, working closely with staff to improve and develop more innovative programs.

“I have always enjoyed working with children with developmental disabilities.  My early experience includes working with teachers to assist with classroom activities and to assist with challenging behaviors exhibited by elementary school students in the classrooms.  I continued working in classrooms when I carried out my internship requirements for my master’s degree.  Both in the middle and high school levels, I assisted with behavior issues, such as disruptive behaviors, truancy, and aggression.  I facilitated groups addressing issues, such as self-injurious behaviors, teen pregnancy, and anger management.  What I love most about what I do is knowing that, through the use of applied behavior analysis, I can develop therapeutic programs to help others to improve their daily challenges.” 

Maria has worked for Vista Center for Behavior Analysis since September, 2004, as a Case Manager, Assistant Program Manager and Program Manager.

Mario Vega, an Assistant Program Manager for Vista Psychological Center, has over 20 years of experience in the public school setting, educating students with special needs, including those with autism, emotional disturbances, physical disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, learning disabilities, and developmental disabilities.  Mario has an M.S. in counseling, option in Applied Behavior Analysis, and a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis in educational settings from California State University, Los Angeles.  He will soon be taking the examination to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.  Mario has worked for Vista Center for Behavior Analysis since December, 2004, as a Case Manager and Assistant Program Manager.