At Verbal Beginnings, growth often starts with a single spark—an experience, a mentor, or a moment that affirms you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. In this interview, we sit down with one of our dynamic clinical leaders to explore her journey from discovering ABA during a college internship to becoming a Clinical Director guiding teams, supporting families, and shaping the next generation of clinicians.
What originally inspired you to pursue a career in ABA, and what ultimately led you to join Verbal Beginnings?
My first exposure to ABA was during a summer internship at an early intervention ABA clinic, where I immediately loved the individualized approach, and the clear difference it made in a family’s quality of life. After working as a BCBA elsewhere, I was drawn to Verbal Beginnings specifically because of its unique center setup and the structure of support and supervision. The on-site availability of my supervisor for immediate problem-solving, along with the strong collaboration among Clinical Supervisors, was exactly what I needed to continue to grow my clinical and professional skills.
Was there a moment or milestone at VB that made you feel confident that you were on the right career path?
The moment I felt most confident I was on the right career path was likely a combination of professional validation and client success. Being encouraged to present during a Lunch and Learn, both internally to VB staff and externally to community members, and receiving positive feedback on my programming was a powerful affirmation of my clinical skills. However, the most consistent motivator is seeing the real-life impact on our clients and their families. The breakthroughs and progress we achieve are constantly rewarding; the stories of those children and families who have experienced significant positive change truly live rent-free in my brain and confirm this is where I need to be.
How have your responsibilities evolved since you first started, and what aspects of your role energize you the most today?
I started with managing a direct caseload of six clients as a Clinical Supervisor and grew into my current role as a Clinical Director, overseeing eight Clinical Supervisors and their entire caseloads. This change has shifted my focus from direct client treatment to clinical leadership and mentorship. What energizes me most today is celebrating the wins of both my clients and my Clinical Supervisors. I love working with a fantastic team of BCBAs who are dedicated to growth; they ask insightful questions, are willing to have difficult conversations, and seeing them overcome obstacles and feel proud of themselves is incredibly rewarding. Of course, celebrating the wins of the clients, no matter how big or small, remains a constant source of joy.
Verbal Beginnings emphasizes growth and continuous learning—can you share an experience here that’s had a significant impact on your development?
It would probably be when I moved from Clinical Supervisor to Program Coordinator, and later to Clinical Director. This change in job roles made it necessary for me to quickly build better leadership skills, shifting my focus from just clinical work to managing the team and operations. I am incredibly fortunate to work with an exceptional team, especially my Center Director, Erica, who is fabulous at coaching me to identify my own solutions. Also, having a mentor BCBA like Erin nearby, whose office I can always run to with questions, has been invaluable. Being surrounded such an amazing leadership team—including Eddie, Kaa’liyah, and Sophy—makes learning and growing part of my everyday work.
In what ways has your time at VB shaped your perspective on teamwork, leadership, or client care?
I have learned and truly believe they all affect each other. Effective leadership creates a culture of ethical and clinical excellence, which directly fosters strong teamwork among RBTs, and BCBAs. In turn, this collaborative teamwork ensures seamless communication and consistent intervention implementation, which is the cornerstone of high-quality client care. Ultimately, I learned that the greatest clinical outcomes are achieved not through individual effort, but through a unified team guided by supportive leadership.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take the next step in their ABA career but isn’t sure where to start?
Start by connecting with a BCBA, seek out informational interviews or mentorship to gain clarity on different career paths. Simultaneously, actively engage in the ABA community by joining professional groups, attending community events, joining online communities and/or watching relevant CEUs; just being around BCBAs and RBTs will open doors and allow you to ask the questions you need. Also, consider getting a job as an RBT. Many companies (like VB) offer comprehensive training and support to pass competencies and take the RBT exam, providing a great, practical introduction into the field that will help you solidify your understanding and help you better understand if this is the right long-term career path for you!
And for fun… what’s one small thing that instantly boosts your mood during the workday— coffee, music, a quick walk, a favorite treat?
One small thing that instantly boosts my mood is my 2 o’clock chocolate. It’s a perfect, quick break and mental reset in the middle of the afternoon, giving me the little push I need before diving into the final tasks of the workday.
