Podcast Episode: Creating a Strong ABA Business: Marketing, Mindset, and Mission with Tim Zercher

In this episode of In the Field: The ABA Podcast, I sit down with Timothy Zercher, entrepreneur and CEO of A-Train Marketing, to talk about how ABA businesses can strengthen their marketing, clarify their message, and build in ways that align with their mission. Tim shares how his journey as a three-time founder and his personal ties to behavioral health led him to focus on the ABA space, and what he has learned working with organizations across the country.

Key Topics:

• The ABA Marketing Gap: Why so many ABA companies struggle with differentiation and how clearer messaging can actually improve client fit and outcomes.
• The Website Factor: Why your website is often the number one barrier to growth, recruitment, and client acquisition, and what to prioritize if you invest in an update.
• Ethical and Effective Marketing: Strategies to market within compliance and confidentiality constraints without sacrificing authenticity or impact.
• Mindset Shifts for Owners: Why marketing should be viewed like accounting, a necessary function that supports growth, recruitment, and sustainability.
• Letting Go of the Bottleneck: How ABA leaders can overcome the challenge of wearing all the hats and when to invest in outside expertise.
• Leadership Lessons: What Tim has learned about trust, accountability, and clarity as a business owner, and how those lessons apply directly to ABA practice owners.
• Quick Wins: Practical steps ABA leaders can take today to strengthen their brand, attract the right families and staff, and reduce wasted time.

Key Takeaways:

• Marketing is not “dirty” or optional, it is a service that connects families and staff to the care and culture you have built.
• Clear differentiation benefits everyone: it brings in the right clients, sets accurate expectations, and reduces frustration for families and staff alike.
• A strong website is not just a nice-to-have, it directly impacts your ability to recruit staff and attract the right families.
• As an owner, your time is worth more than you think. Outsourcing strategically can free you to grow your business and improve services.
• Strong leadership balances trust with accountability. Your team needs to know you believe in them and that their work truly matters.

Keywords: ABA Business, ABA Marketing, Behavior Analysis, Business Leadership, Differentiation, Recruitment, Client Acquisition, ABA Entrepreneurship, Timothy Zercher, A-Train Marketing

Connect with Tim Zercher and A-Train Marketing:

• Website: atrainmarketing.com
  
  
• LinkedIn: Timothy Zercher
  
  
• Podcast: Tim Talks
  
  

Subscribe to the Podcast:
Do not forget to subscribe to In the Field: The ABA Podcast for more practical conversations about supervision, training, and leadership in ABA. Visit Sidekick Learning
for fieldwork supervision resources and continuing education opportunities.

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

Beyond Board Games: Redesigning Social Skills Groups in ABA with Lee Courrau

In this episode of In the Field: The ABA Podcast, I sit down with Lee Courrau, behavior analyst and founder of Launch Kids Academy, to explore why social skills instruction is often treated as an afterthought in ABA—and how we can do better. Lee shares his journey from RBT to curriculum developer, highlighting the missed opportunities he saw in traditional social skills groups and how that inspired him to create structured, play-based approaches that truly engage learners.

We talk about practical strategies for designing effective social skills groups, the importance of honoring self-advocacy, and how leaders can better prepare and support technicians beyond the 40-hour training.

Key Topics:

• The Problem with “Wing It” Groups: Lee shares his early experiences with unstructured social skills groups and why they often fail to produce meaningful outcomes.
• From Afterthought to Impact: The financial, clinical, and staff engagement costs of underdeveloped social skills programming—and the missed opportunities for generalization.
• Assessment and Readiness: Why a lack of social skills assessments holds back progress, and what indicators suggest a learner is ready to join a group.
• Creative, Play-Based Approaches: Examples like art, cooking, lemonade stands, and functional skills that create natural opportunities for interaction, independence, and fun.
• Curriculum Development: How Lee’s structured social skills curriculum balances engagement, structure, and flexibility, with built-in modifications for individual learners.
• RBT Training and Support: Why the 40-hour model isn’t enough, and how leaders can provide ongoing training, shadowing, and role-play opportunities to build staff confidence in group settings.

Key Takeaways:

• Social skills groups should not be an afterthought—when structured well, they improve learner outcomes, staff engagement, and organizational sustainability.
• Honoring self-advocacy and embedding choice is critical for building skills that truly generalize beyond the therapy room.
• Leaders can strengthen staff development by training technicians in group dynamics and providing systematic support beyond initial certification.

Keywords: Social Skills Instruction, ABA Curriculum, Group Programming, RBT Training, Staff Development, Behavior Analysis, Generalization, Launch Kids Academy, Lee Courrau, Applied Behavior Analysis

Connect with Lee Courrau:

• Website: Launch Kids Academy
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leecourrau/
  
  

Subscribe to the Podcast: Don’t miss more conversations with leaders rethinking how we supervise, train, and deliver services in ABA. Subscribe to In the Field: The ABA Podcast for insights, strategies, and practical tools. Visit Sidekick Learning
for more resources on supervision, training, and professional development.

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

🎙️ Podcast Episode:

Rethinking ABA Service Delivery: A BCBA-Led Model with Chris Topham

In this episode of In the Field: The ABA Podcast, I sit down with Chris Topham, BCBA and co-founder of Celeration ABA, to explore how he’s reshaping the way ABA services are delivered. Chris shares how his journey from fine arts to behavior analysis—and his deep dive into precision teaching—sparked the creation of a BCBA-led service model that prioritizes outcomes, autonomy, and connection.

We discuss how Celeration ABA’s one-tier BCBA model impacts learner progress, staff burnout, and family satisfaction, as well as the intentional way Chris is scaling his team for quality over quantity. Chris also introduces The Autism Diagnosis Parent Plan, a free, practical course for caregivers navigating next steps after their child’s diagnosis.

🔑 Key Topics:

• From Fine Arts to ABA: How Chris discovered the field, fell in love with direct work, and built a company alongside his BCBA wife.
• Precision Teaching as a Foundation: Why continuous measurement and the Standard Celeration Chart transformed his practice and outcomes.
• One-Tier BCBA Model: What it looks like in action, how it improves traction and reduces burnout, and the trade-offs for scalability.
• Scaling Outcomes, Not Just Hours: The intentional growth strategy behind Celeration ABA.
• Parent Support: Inside The Autism Diagnosis Parent Plan—practical templates, scripts, and play strategies for families.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Precision teaching is a measurement framework that can be layered into any ABA practice to strengthen skill acquisition and retention.
• A BCBA-led model can accelerate learner progress and reduce burnout, but requires intentional hiring, training, and workload balance.
• Scaling doesn’t always mean more billable hours—sometimes the most important metric is client outcomes.
• Caregivers benefit from structured, practical guidance during the often-overwhelming period after an autism diagnosis.

🔍 Keywords:
Precision Teaching, BCBA-Led ABA, Behavior Analysis, One-Tier Model, Autism Diagnosis, Parent Training, Standard Celeration Chart, Celeration ABA, Instructional Design in ABA, ABA Service Models

Connect with Chris:

• Website: celerationaba.com
• Instagram: @celerationaba
• LinkedIn: Chris Topham
• Free Parent Course: The Autism Diagnosis Parent Plan

Subscribe to the Podcast:
Don’t miss more inspiring conversations about innovation in ABA. Subscribe to In the Field: The ABA Podcast for insights, tools, and strategies to elevate your practice. Visit Sidekick Learning for more resources on fieldwork supervision and professional development.

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

Podcast Episode: Building Ethical, Sustainable ABA Businesses with April and Stephen Smith

In this episode of In the Field: The ABA Podcast, I chat with April and Stephen Smith of 3 Pie Squared, two seasoned ABA entrepreneurs who built, scaled, and exited a seven-figure practice—and now dedicate their time to helping others do the same. Whether you're a BCBA navigating job offers or a founder shaping your company culture, this episode is packed with insights about building workplaces that are ethical, supportive, and sustainable.

We dig into what job-seeking BCBAs should look for (and avoid) when interviewing, how caseload and pay structures impact clinical quality, and why training, transparency, and values alignment are the foundation of a thriving team. On the flip side, April and Stephen offer candid advice for ABA business owners trying to scale without burning out.

Key Topics:

🔍 Red Flags for Job-Seeking BCBAs: From unclear onboarding to inflated caseloads, learn what to ask and how to evaluate whether an organization aligns with your values and needs.

💬 Why Communication Matters: How your questions are received during the interview process says a lot about what it’ll be like to work there. Transparency, responsiveness, and psychological safety are everything.

📊 The Reality Behind the Numbers: High salaries and billable hour quotas may look great on paper—but how do they actually play out day-to-day? April and Stephen break it down.

🧠 Employee vs. Contractor: A no-fluff conversation about the legal and ethical implications of hiring (or being hired) as a contractor in ABA.

🧰 Training and Self-Advocacy: For both BCBAs and techs, training isn’t a one-and-done. We talk about the importance of self-assessment, mentorship, and ongoing growth systems.

📈 Sustainable Business Systems: What every ABA business owner should have in place—from basic policies to onboarding pathways—and why perfection isn't required, but planning is.

🧾 Delegation and Growth: Why burnout often stems from bottlenecks in delegation, and how hiring even a few hours of admin support (or automating key processes) can shift your trajectory.

Key Takeaways:

• A solid interview process sets the tone for the entire professional relationship—don’t ignore the signs.
• Clinical decisions should never be based solely on what the funder allows. You need systems that support both ethical practice and financial viability.
• BCBAs need training and mentorship just as much as technicians—and business owners must build that into their systems if they want quality care.
• Delegation isn’t optional as you grow. Start with small steps and document as you go.
• Values and vision aren’t just for your mission statement—check in with them regularly and use them to guide decisions when things get tough.

Keywords: ABA Business, BCBA Supervision, ABA Hiring Practices, Onboarding in ABA, Contractor vs Employee in ABA, Caseload Management, ABA Ethics, ABA Startups, Self-Advocacy, ABA Systems, ABA Training Programs, April Smith, Stephen Smith, 3 Pie Squared

Connect with April and Stephen Smith
🌐 Website: 3piesquared.com
🎧 Podcast: ABA Business Leaders Podcast
📱 Facebook: ABA Business Leaders
💼 LinkedIn: 3 Pie Squared
📱 TikTok: @3piesquared

Subscribe to the Podcast
Don’t miss more candid conversations and actionable insights on supervision, training, and leadership in behavior analysis. Subscribe to

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

🎙️ In the Field: The ABA Podcast

Episode 26: Supporting Executive Functioning for Staff & Supervisees with Amy Theobold

In this episode, I chat with Amy Theobold—clinic owner and executive functioning coach—about how executive functioning challenges show up in our staff and supervisees. From lateness and missed deadlines to overwhelm and burnout, Amy walks us through how she shifted from frustration to system-building, and how you can too.

We talk about supporting—not rescuing—staff, designing proactive supervision systems, and why skills like planning and task initiation matter just as much for adults as they do for learners.

🔑 Key Topics:

• What executive functioning looks like in the workplace
• Coaching vs. punishing: a behavior-analytic approach to performance issues
• How Amy uses executive functioning assessments during onboarding
• Setting expectations, building systems, and reducing burnout
• Why values and consequences matter more than you think

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Staff performance issues are often skill deficits, not motivation problems
• Support systems help everyone, not just those who ask for help
• Supervision should be proactive, compassionate, and clear
• The best BCBAs still need support, structure, and mentorship

🔍 Keywords:
Executive Functioning, ABA Supervision, Performance Support, BCBA Mentorship, Task Initiation, Systems Thinking, Behavior Technician Support

📲 Connect with Amy:
Instagram: @evolvinganalyst & @collegeadhdcoach

🔔 Subscribe:
For more episodes on supervision, training, and leadership in ABA, subscribe to In the Field: The ABA Podcast and visit www.sidekicklearning.net for tools and resources.

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

Podcast Episode: Upgrading Your ABA Intake Interviews: Staff Skills, Systems, and Clinical Decisions with Dr. Kristen Byra

In this episode of In the Field: The ABA Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Kristen Byra, seasoned clinician and founder of Upskill ABA, to dig into one of the most critical—and often overlooked—components of clinical practice: the intake assessment. Kristen shares how standardizing this process through decision models can improve both clinical outcomes and staff performance, while still honoring clinical judgment and caregiver input.

We explore how decision models support newer and experienced BCBAs alike, how they can reduce burnout by eliminating guesswork, and how they build stronger, more meaningful caregiver interviews that go beyond surface-level questions.

Key Topics:

• What Makes a Quality Intake Assessment: Kristen shares what’s often missing from our assessments and how to design interviews that lead to better treatment plans and more meaningful caregiver involvement.
• Decision Models 101: What they are, how they differ from decision trees, and how they can support—but not replace—clinical judgment.
• Bridging Research and Practice: We talk through the challenges BCBAs face in accessing and applying literature, and how tools like decision models bring curated resources and practical guides to the front lines of care.
• Training Through Tools: Kristen explains how decision models double as a training tool for newer BCBAs by prompting deeper thinking and standardizing high-quality practices.
• Caregiver Interviews with Purpose: From asking the right questions to respecting caregiver time and building rapport, we dive into strategies to gather accurate, actionable data that’s aligned with caregiver priorities.
• Scope, Fit, and Clinical Judgment: We discuss how assessments can help determine organizational fit, when to refer out, and how to avoid unintentionally overpromising services.

Key Takeaways:

• Great assessments go beyond checklists. They require intentional questions, empathy, and a clear link to treatment planning.
• Decision models can reduce variability across assessors and provide a knowledge base that supports training and quality improvement.
• Clinical judgment is enhanced—not replaced—by well-designed tools that prompt deeper consideration and offer actionable next steps.
• BCBAs must balance standardization and flexibility while prioritizing caregiver input and values.
• Refusing services when there’s a misalignment isn’t just okay—it’s ethical. But how we do it matters.

Keywords: ABA Intake Assessment, Clinical Decision Model, Supervision, ABA Tools, Caregiver Interview, Standardized Assessment, ABA Treatment Planning, Social Validity, Kristen Byra, Upskill ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis

Connect with Kristen:

• Website: www.upskillaba.com
• LinkedIn: Kristen Byra
• Beta Access: Interested in beta testing the Intake Interview Decision Model? Visit her site or connect via LinkedIn to participate.

Subscribe to the Podcast: Don’t forget to subscribe to In the Field: The ABA Podcast for more insights and interviews with experts in behavior analysis. Visit www.sidekicklearning.net for more resources on fieldwork supervision and continuing education opportunities!

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

🎙️ “In the Field” – Group Supervision Part 2
Hosted by Allyson Wharam

🎧 Episode Overview:

In this follow-up episode, Allyson Wharam dives into how to structure group supervision so it’s not just compliant—but meaningful and competency-building. She shares practical frameworks, specific activities, and answers listener questions about logistics, coordination, and group dynamics.

Instructional Strategies that Work in Group Supervision:

• Peer Presentations
  Let trainees lead on focused subtopics—teaching builds fluency and confidence.
• Case Consultation vs. Case Studies
  Use real cases for collaborative problem-solving or walk through crafted scenarios to guide clinical reasoning.
• Guided Technical Skill Practice
  Bring in BST to teach practical skills like data collection, graphing, shaping, and writing measurable goals.
• Big-Picture Discussions
  Use prompts that push trainees from definitions into decision-making and judgment.
• Ethical Dilemmas
  Practice navigating tricky ethical situations as a group—great for building perspective-taking and problem-solving.
• Research Reviews & Resource Shares
  Have trainees bring articles, tools, or protocols and discuss how they’d apply them.

Managing Documentation & Logistics:

• Tracking Group Supervision
  Keep clear records. The BCBA must document the group session properly for each trainee.
• Multiple Supervisors? Coordinate
  When more than one BCBA is involved, align expectations ahead of time to avoid miscommunication or mixed messages.
• Use Shared Tools
  Supervision platforms, Slack, or Teams can centralize notes, tasks, and follow-ups for everyone involved.

💬 Listener Q&A Highlights:

• “Does the BCBA running group supervision need to be on the trainee’s contract?”
  Yes—if they’re providing supervision, they need to be formally on the contract.
• “How do you follow up on competencies introduced in group?”
  Introduce and model in group, then individual sessions are for practicing and assessing.
• “How do you manage dominating voices or people who are always late?”
  Set norms early, reinforce participation expectations, and follow up individually as needed.
• “How often should group supervision include client-specific content?”
  It should be part of the mix—but vary sessions to include both client-specific and general skill development.

💡 Practical Takeaways:

• Repeatable Structures Make It Sustainable
  Use a rotating menu of activities—like skill practice, discussions, or presentations—to stay organized and efficient.
• Use Group to Build, Individual to Apply
  Think of group sessions as the classroom and individual sessions as the lab.
• Clear Communication Is Key
  Especially when multiple supervisors are involved, make collaboration and documentation a priority.
• Set the Tone Early
  Group dynamics matter—co-create norms and revisit them when needed.

🔗 Want to Submit a Question?
Head to www.sidekicklearning.net/podcast to submit scenarios, dilemmas, or questions about supervision.

📤 Share & Subscribe:
If this helped you rethink your approach to group supervision, share it with your team. And make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next!

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

🎙️ Podcast Summary: “In the Field” – Group Supervision Part 1
Hosted by Allyson Wharram

🎧 Episode Overview:
In this solo episode, Alison War introduces the first part of a two-part series on group supervision in BCBA fieldwork, based on her workshop at the National APBA Convention. She covers group supervision’s definition, benefits, challenges, and strategies.

🧩 What is Group Supervision?

• A supervised meeting with up to 10 trainees, regardless of supervisors present.
• Must be interactive, not passive or individual supervision done in a group.
• Regulatory limits: max 50% of monthly supervision hours in group; at least 50% individual.

🌟 Why Use Group Supervision?

• Reduces isolation, especially for remote or school-based trainees.
• Builds peer networks that extend beyond supervision.
• Promotes professional growth through interpersonal skills and collaborative problem-solving.
• Offers exposure to diverse client cases for generalization.
• Enables development of giving and receiving peer feedback.

🚧 Common Barriers & Solutions:

1. Trainee Variability

• Diverse backgrounds and skill levels.
• Solutions: align content, pair experienced with new trainees, provide pre-session materials.

1. Individualized Feedback

• Difficult in group settings.
• Use group time for general feedback; save detailed feedback for individual sessions.

1. Ensuring Equal Engagement

• Risk of passive participation.
• Use interactive tools (Pear Deck, Nearpod), cold calling, wait time, and limit groups to 7–8 trainees.

1. Supervisor Planning Time

• Requires intentional planning.
• Use templates, send agendas early, group content monthly, and use structured curricula.

🛠️ Tips for Effective Group Supervision

• Develop a repeatable session framework.
• Combine low-prep and high-impact activities like trainee presentations.
• Use practical resources: templates, guides, and skill-practice tools.

📣 Listener Questions!
Alison invites listeners to submit questions or scenarios on supervision, leadership, or training for future episodes.

📌 Coming Next: Part 2
Allyson will cover session structure, activities, and answer listener questions.

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.