“I was still figuring out who I wanted to be in this field.” – Alissa
“And I was learning how powerful it is to walk beside someone while they do.” – Alexis
“I was still figuring out who I wanted to be in this field.” – Alissa
“And I was learning how powerful it is to walk beside someone while they do.” – Alexis
They were not just learning ABA side by side.
They were learning how to believe in themselves together.
When Alissa and Alexis first met, neither of them could have predicted how deeply their lives and careers would intertwine. From first days at the job as a Behavior Technician to joining as apprentices in kin:pathic’s BCBA mentorship program.
Alissa and Alexis first crossed paths at a different ABA clinic, still figuring out who they were as professionals and what kind of impact they wanted to have in this field. Alissa had just moved back to New Hampshire from Texas and knew only the basics of ABA. While Alexis was already working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and had begun to find her footing in the field. It didn’t take long before Alissa also earned her RBT.
They weren’t supervisors and supervisees yet. They weren’t mentors or apprentices. They were coworkers at similar stages in their careers, comparing notes, and slowly realizing that the way they thought about clients, learning, and care aligned in a deeper way than where they were working at the time.
Choosing Growth on Purpose
Alexis remembers those early days as formative at the other clinic. “Being on the same team allowed us to collaborate closely, brainstorm ways to improve interventions, problem-solve for clients, and support each other in our roles as RBTs,” she shared. “Those early morning jam sessions spent preparing materials and finishing projects together became some of my favorite parts of the day.”
Over time, those conversations led to something bigger. They discovered they worked in remarkably similar ways: fast, curious, and always striving to be better than they were the day before. They realized they were not just learning ABA, they were learning how powerful it could be to grow alongside someone like-minded.
Holding each other accountable, the two of them talked about goals beyond job titles, and refused to let one another settle. They did not just love ABA. They wanted to build a future in it, and needed the right place to support them doing so.
Alissa explains: “before I knew I wanted to become a BCBA, I knew I wanted to work somewhere that cared about people as much as outcomes.”
They wanted support. They wanted a clinic that would grow with them. They wanted BCBA mentorship from professionals who have gone down this road.
Their search for an ABA center that would support their progress towards their BCBA led them to kin:pathic.
Mentorship That Changes Trajectory
From their first interactions with kin:pathic, both Alissa and Alexis felt something different. There was an immediate sense of connection, openness, and belief in their potential.
Alexis reached out directly, hoping to learn more about supervision as a graduate student. “From my first day here, that sense of connection and support has only grown,” she shared. “Kin:pathic stood out to me as a place where relationships, both with clients and colleagues, drive meaningful growth and outcomes.”
For Alissa, the BCBA apprenticeship at kin:pathic became a turning point. “Tiffany (BCBA and CEO) stepped into my career at a moment when I was ready to grow but didn’t yet know how far I could go,” she reflected.“She took me under her wing without hesitation, without judgment, and with open arms.”
BCBA mentorship went far beyond answering questions. It meant being challenged to think critically, learning how to trust one’s clinical voice, and being supported even in moments of uncertainty. “Tiffany sees potential in people before they see it in themselves,” Alissa shared. “Her belief in me changed the way I believe in myself.”
What Apprenticeship Looks Like in Real Life
“The apprenticeship model gave me structure without pressure and support without micromanagement,” says Alissa. “I felt supported while I was still learning.”
Becoming a BCBA apprentice is not just about accruing hours or checking off requirements. For Alissa and Alexis, BCBA mentorship looked like gaining hands-on experience working collaboratively alongside a team of professional clinicians of BCBAs and RBTs while prepping for their BCBA certifications exam from the BACB.
They still laugh about taking a practice exam early in their RBT journey and scoring a 50 percent. It was a humbling moment, but also a grounding one. It reminded them how much there was still to learn, and how important it was to lean on each other for motivation and accountability.
A BCBA apprenticeship has also meant stepping into real responsibility:
Participating in clinical decision-making. Receiving feedback.
Reflecting honestly. Growing in confidence with each challenge.
Through our BCBA mentorship program, Alissa and Alexis grew into the BCBA role long before they could hold the certification.
CARES™ in Action
For Alissa and Alexis and all of us at kin:pathic, our CARES™ Training Method is not a checklist. It is a guide for how we work every day.
Compassion means meeting clients where they are and honoring their strengths, needs, and communication styles. Accountability means taking ownership of the work and being open to feedback. Responsiveness means adjusting when something is not working and being attuned to client needs. Engagement means staying present, connected, and curious. Society means being an advocate for change in our community.
Alexis puts it simply. “Following CARES helps me build strong relationships, provide meaningful support, and make a positive impact in everything I do. From leadership it shows up in the small moments. How feedback is given. How mistakes are handled. How growth is encouraged.”
These values come to life in moments both big and small. A client independently communicating for the first time. A child running over at the start of session, excited to begin. A quiet sense of pride when progress appears after weeks of consistency and trust.
Looking Forward, Together
Now, after a year with kin:pathic, Alissa and Alexis are looking ahead with clarity and confidence towards their BCBA certification. They see themselves continuing to grow as clinicians, mentors, and teammates.
They imagine becoming BCBAs who support others the way they were supported. Who create environments where growth feels safe, collaborative, and intentional. And who continue to show up side by side, pushing each other to be better.
As Alissa reflected, “We’re not just building careers. We’re building futures we once dreamed about in passing.”
Their story is still unfolding. But one thing remains constant.
They are growing together through our BCBA mentorship program!
Ready to start your journey?
At kin:pathic, we believe that when people are supported, they do their best work. If you’re looking for a place where growth is intentional and mentorship is real, we’d love to connect.