About us
I’m Silke Johnson
Owner and CEO of the Melody Learning Center
I help children with autism learn new skills and discover the beautiful melody of life. I love my profession. And I love to observe the positive development that children and their families make through my assistance.
I am happy to support you with my expertise, my ability to identify the functions of behavior and to find practical alternatives, and with my structured but loving manner.
As an EFT International accredited EFT Master Trainer and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) I support individual clients with my unique and individual HEMRY ® Coaching to get in touch with their younger selves, to dissolve traumatically processed events and to be (again) in heart connection with themselves and others through a balance of body, mind and spirit.
Additionally, I am offering EFT International accredited EFT Workshops and Mentoring for (re-) certifications.
Please feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to your interest.
The philosophy of my Melody Learning Center
Individuals with autism and their families face major challenges every day. Helping them find stability in everyday life and giving them techniques to overcome crisis situations and to build heart connections means a lot to me. With my Melody Learning Center, I offer a unique learning environment for children with special needs.
My professional career
My professional career began in 1994 as a nurse in a behavioral and behavioral therapy clinic.
And just four years later, I started my apprenticeship in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) in Los Angeles. After a few years as ABA consultant in different institutes, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the workshops of Dr. Vincent Carbone, BCBA‑D. This was an experience that strengthened me in my attitude, approach and methodology to this day. And I knew after that time: Yes, that’s my mission. I would like to work with children with autism.
In 2004, I came back to Germany and devoted myself to a three-month intensive training period as an ABA consultant. And right after that, I worked as an ABA/VB consultant for the Knospe-ABA institute under the direction and supervision of Robert Schramm (MA, BCBA).
And at some point I had the courage to go into my own business with the Melody Learning Center. Across Germany and in Switzerland, I look after families with children with autism. And I never get tired of continuing to educate myself and deal more deeply with this exciting topic area.
I work as RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) with the registration number RBT-15–04887,BACB (Board) under supervision of Sabrina Liebich.
If you would like to learn more about my professional career and my many further training courses, you find more information in my CV.
How to work with me
Usually, the first step is an initial consultation with the parents at their home. There, I can get a good picture of the current situation. This initial consultation usually lasts three days. After getting to know the family and their child for the first time, in collaboration with the family, I create an individual behavioral and learning program for the child.
My main focus lays on establishing and strengthening the connection between parents (caregivers) and child, as well as the connection between child, siblings and peers. Through motivation and reinforcement, I create a way to deal with everyday life’s challenges with more ease and joy.
Depending on the development of language, the learning program concentrates at the beginning on the development of language and communication. I explain and demonstrate the principles of ABA/VB to the parents and all other people involved (e.g. educators, teachers, grandparents, older siblings, etc.). There is plenty of time for everyone to practice. This is very important and there is enough time available.
Usually, in monthly follow-up sessions, which usually last one to two days, an assessment of the basic skills is made. On the basis of this assessment I create a detailed, individual learning program. If necessary, I also design an individual behavior plan. This can be very helpful as an orientation aid.
You are also very welcome to contact me between counseling sessions — I even recommend that you contact me weekly by phone or e‑mail. In the conversation, possibly supported by videos and online consultation, I can answer questions that arise at the moment and discuss possible difficulties.
I go to the families who need my help and create an individually tailored learning program that I adapt to the child’s ever-changing needs.
My goal is to teach all people who are in close contact with the child. I will show you how the child’s environment can be changed by the use of ABA/VB’s scientifically proven principles so that the child is able to make decisions about their behavior and learning skills.
The key to my approach is, firstly, to ignite the child’s motivation. And secondly, it’s about strengthening the relationship with the child. The use of the principles of reinforcement and motivation, as well as building new behavior, increases the likelihood that desired behavior will occur more often in the future and reduce inappropriate behavior.
I strive for acceptance of diversity and creative learning variations for children. And, of course, with every unit, a very decent dose of fun is also included. Because positive relationships with rewarding experiences are important for every child.
The goal of my Melody Learning Center is to ensure that the safe and healthy development of the children can take place in a pleasant environment. Our main priority is the development of self-esteem, self-assurance and an enthusiasm for learning.
The Melody Learning Center was founded by Nikola Trajanov in Zug, Switzerland, in January 2008.
Sabrina Liebich
Sabrina received her Bachelor of Arts in Special Education in 2012. From 2013 to 2015, she attended the University of North Texas certificate course, which allowed her to become a Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA®) after passing the 2015 exam. She then completed a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with a focus on autism at Ball State University and graduated in 2018. In 2019, she earned the internationally recognized certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®).
For over 15 years, Sabrina has worked with individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. She has done this in a variety of settings and roles. This included working in kindergarten, elementary school and a therapy center that specialized in supporting children with autism according to ABA/VB. There she was responsible for consulting to parents and institutions, developing the children’s treatment plans and supervising the RBTs and BC(a)BAs. Later, she took on the role of the clinical director. Sabrina also worked with adults on the autism spectrum in outpatient assisted living.
Sabrina has been self-employed since 2021 and is now the owner and manager of 2 autism therapy centers in Duisburg. In addition, she gives further training and offers supervision for behavior analysts in training.
Sabrina has been a supervisor at the Melody Learning Center since May 2024.
