Imago Dei Therapeutic Services storefront sign

ABA Therapy · Waycross, Georgia

Every child, wonderfully made.

Imago Dei Therapeutic Services provides individualized ABA therapy for children ages 2–17 — care shaped around who your child already is, not a standard template.

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About the Practice

Care built around the individual

The name Imago Dei means "the image of God" — the belief that every person is made with inherent worth, seen fully, and valued exactly as they are. That conviction is the foundation of this practice.

Like a fingerprint, no two children are the same — and no two treatment plans should be either.

Every child who walks through our door is met as a whole person first. Applied Behavior Analysis is the tool; understanding the individual child is the starting point. Treatment plans are built from real assessment data and adjusted as each child grows, always working toward meaningful, lasting skills rather than one-size-fits-all outcomes.

Melissa Foy, LBA

Credentialed through QABA

LBA
Licensed Behavior Analyst

Licensed through the state of Georgia to design and direct ABA services.

QABA
QABA Credentialed

Credentialed through the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board.

ABAT
ABA Technicians

Certified ABATs delivering day-to-day therapy under direct clinical supervision. Meet the team.

Meet the Founder

About Melissa

Melissa Foy
Melissa Foy, LBA

Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Melissa Foy, and I am a Licensed Behavior Analyst through the state of Georgia. I'm credentialed through the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA), and I'm the proud owner and head provider at Imago Dei.

Here's a quick snapshot of my background:

  • Brantley High School graduate (go Herons!)
  • Undergraduate degree from the College at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX
  • Master's & EdS from Liberty University (350+ intern hours)
  • ABA graduate certificate from Arizona State University (1,500+ ABA supervision hours)
  • Dyslexia & TESOL endorsed
  • Professional background since age 16 — CNA, humanitarian services, social work, and the last eight years in special education (go Gators!)
  • Focus areas: learning disabilities, autism, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma, behavior management, advocacy, and humanitarian policy

Meet the Team

Our QASP-S

Cassie supports children and families as our Qualified Autism Service Practitioner-Supervisor.

Cassie, QASP-S at Imago Dei Therapeutic Services, with her husband Noah and son Colsen

Cassie

QASP-S

Cassie serves as one of our QASP-S practitioners and is also a Master's level ABA student, meaning she is a behavior analyst in the making!

Cassie brings over 10 years of experience working with children and individuals with special needs across a variety of settings. Her background includes working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in Applied Behavior Analysis, as well as experience in special education and children and adolescent mental health. This diverse background has given her experience supporting individuals with a wide range of behavioral, developmental, and learning needs.

Cassie recently earned her QASP-S certification and is excited to continue growing in the field of ABA while bringing her experience back home and serving children and families within her own community. Her passion has always been helping individuals build meaningful skills, gain independence, and reach their fullest potential.

She also enjoys baking, photography, and spending time with her husband, Noah, and son, Colsen.

Meet the Team

Our ABATs

An Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) is the person your child works with most — delivering therapy day to day, under the direct supervision of our behavior analyst. These are the people walking alongside your family.

Madison, ABAT at Imago Dei Therapeutic Services, with her husband Josh and son Kai

Madison

ABAT

Madison serves as an ABAT with Imago Dei. Madison comes with two years as a paraprofessional. She is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in special education and plans to continue her studies in the field of ABA. Despite being new to the career field, she has already been recognized twice by her employers as employee of the month for her standout capabilities.

Madison is passionate about the special needs community and sees every child as unique and deserving of individualized support. She's had a very busy year overall; in addition to all this, she married her husband, Josh, and became a first-time mom to her son, Kai.

Marissa, ABAT at Imago Dei Therapeutic Services

Marissa

ABAT

A 2026 graduate of Georgia State University, Marissa holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Korean Language. During her undergraduate studies, she spent two years working in a research lab, developing experience with observation, data, research methods, and the scientific process.

A Brantley County native and 2022 graduate of Brantley County High School, Marissa is beginning her career in behavior analysis as an ABAT with Imago Dei Therapeutic Services. She looks forward to applying her background in psychology and research while continuing to grow as a behavior support professional serving children and families in her community.

Outside of the clinic, Marissa enjoys spending time with her two cats, Sesame and Kenzie.

Every ABAT at Imago Dei works under the direct clinical supervision of Melissa Foy, LBA — so the plan your child follows is designed, monitored, and adjusted by a licensed behavior analyst.

Services

Individualized ABA therapy, ages 2–17

Every plan begins with a full assessment of your child's strengths and needs. From there, therapy is built — not chosen off a shelf.

Connection

Social Skills

Turn-taking, play skills, and peer interaction, practiced in real contexts so they carry over into everyday relationships.

Growth

Behavior Support

Replacing challenging behavior with safer, more effective ways to get needs met — built on function, not just the behavior itself.

Independence

Daily Living Skills

Self-care, routines, and everyday independence, taught step by step at the pace that fits your child.

Partnership

Family Training & Support

Parents and caregivers are given real tools and coaching, so progress made in session continues at home.

Progress

Ongoing Assessment

Data collected every session and reviewed regularly, so each treatment plan evolves as your child does.

Mentorship

Clinical Supervision

Supervision is offered for those working toward ABA credentialing, including hands-on training and direct case oversight.

Parent Night announcement with event details

Upcoming Event

Parent Night

Families of children with autism are invited to learn about community resources and services, practical information, and supportive connections. Sponsored by Ware Children’s Initiative Family Connection and Imago Dei Therapeutic Services.

  • DateWednesday, September 30
  • Time5:30–7:30 PM
  • LocationImago Dei Therapeutic Services
    325 Hatcher Point Road, Suite A
    Waycross, GA 31503
Mercer University School of Medicine Autism Early Detection Project EarliPoint testing site

Autism Early Detection Project

Interested in EarliPoint testing?

Ask someone who is part of your child’s healthcare team (a physician, nurse practitioner, speech therapist, occupational therapist, school nurse, etc.) to send a request for an appointment email: ASD@mercer.edu. From there, someone from Mercer University School of Medicine will reach out to you to set up an appointment.

See Autism ToolKit for more details.

Understanding the Approach

What ABA is, and what QABA means

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy approach grounded in the science of learning and behavior. It looks at how a child's environment, skills, and behavior connect, then uses that understanding to build new skills and reduce behaviors that get in the way of learning, connection, and independence.

Every ABA plan at Imago Dei starts with an individualized assessment, is delivered one-on-one, and is measured with real data — not guesswork.

Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA)

QABA Credentialing

Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board

Q
What QABA is

A national board that credentials ABA providers, holding them to a defined standard of training and ethics.

S
Supervision offered

Melissa provides direct supervision for ABA Technicians and those working toward their own QABA or state credential.

Visit qababoard.com

Insurance & Payment

Now accepting Aetna, Kaiser, Alliant, First Health & Carelon

Imago Dei is credentialed and now accepting clients with Aetna, Kaiser, Alliant, First Health Network, and Carelon insurance, alongside private pay. If you've been waiting on coverage to get started, this is your sign to reach out.

  • ✓ Now accepting Aetna
  • ✓ Now accepting Kaiser
  • ✓ Now accepting Alliant Due to limited resources, Alliant coverage is being reviewed on a member-by-member basis.
  • ✓ Now accepting First Health Network Coverage and authorization requirements may vary.
  • ✓ Now accepting Carelon
  • ✓ Private pay welcome, with flexible payment plans
  • ✓ Contact us and we'll walk you through where things stand

Insurance accepted

Aetna
Kaiser Permanente
First Health Network
Carelon

Get Started

Request an intake

Fill out the form and we'll follow up to schedule your child's intake and answer any questions about the process, insurance, or what to expect.

Email mfoybehavior@gmail.com
Phone (912) 701-1372
Location Waycross, Georgia
Ages Served 2 – 17 years old
Insurance Aetna · Kaiser · Alliant · First Health Network · Carelon · Private Pay