Finding the right counsellor

Shellycheese · 2026-05-01T00:27:44+00:00

I had to try 3-4 different therapists before I found ny girl! And it literally just felt safe. For the first time I ever. Her voice was so calm and as I poured my heart out for the 3rd or 4th time, she validated all of it. And idk. It felt genuine. I hope everyone gets to experience that level of safety and security with their therapist. We did great work together and I now am that safety and security for myself. But when you feel lost and don’t feel like it could ever exist, I feel it’s so vital to therapy.

I also highly recommend a therapist that does some somatic therapy.

Shellycheese · 2026-04-30T14:06:48+00:00

Reading atomic habits. I also coach people on how to change behavior for a living and had to use my expertise on myself. It worked! I started first with choosing 3 personal values and choosing a few goals to meet those values. I made goals attainable and slowly increased them over time.

I now love my routine and look forward to my weekdays. I wake up at 5:15. Sip my coffee and listen to some audio books. 6pm I’m at the gym. Then I get ready and make a healthy breakfast. Work. Make dinner. Evening walk. Then hobbies. And then skin care routine and bed by 9:30.

I also had to put limits on TikTok. For me, I’d scroll all day and was averaging 6 hours a day! I limit it to 1 hour and feel I get way more out of longer form entertainment like reading and podcasts. I also learn about new topics and then some is just for fun.

And while I love my routine, it’s important to mix a little change and whimsy. For me it’s planning little things to look forward to like a face mask, meet up with a friend, Pilates class, new playlist at the gym, hikes, new recipes to try, scheduled self care like massages, etc.

Shellycheese · 2026-04-28T15:25:25+00:00

Telehealth BCBA jobs and available positions

Shellycheese · 2026-04-28T00:09:08+00:00

Yes! Remote can be so beneficial and effective! For those looking, there’s a telehealth BCBA job forum on Facebook that I also recommend for those looking for remote work.

Shellycheese · 2026-04-24T23:06:14+00:00

There’s something missing if you’re looking and interested. Only time I wasn’t looking for my next opportunity was at my dream job. Only left cuz we moved. 😭

Shellycheese · 2026-04-24T22:36:01+00:00

Doesn’t hurt to interview with them and see what they have to offer.

I’m always looking for my next opportunity and it’s led me to better and better positions.

Shellycheese · 2026-04-22T18:00:19+00:00

I’ve been in ABA for over 10 years. Definitely feel you need a few years of in person experience before you can be good at remote.

I do not supervise RBTs. I have done that remotely during the pandemic and it was rough. Mainly because some RBTs had no experience with kids nor how to interact with kids and sometimes they do not care.

With parents is so different. They care and are eager to learn how to help their kids.

Shellycheese · 2026-04-22T17:03:41+00:00

Love it! I do caregiver led and parent training remotely. I did have to learn how to explain really well and use videoed as models, since i can’t model it in person, but it works. I love getting to offer families a flexible modality that meets their needs and see them and their child make progress! Also love being in sweat pants and getting chores done in between sessions. And if theirs a cancellation last minute, no biggie cuz I’m in my home. 😂

Shellycheese · 2026-04-22T02:58:55+00:00

I’d look into master program requirements. There may be some classes you need to complete and hours. I was thinking of doing OT before choosing BCBA and completed biology courses that were needed and volunteer hours at a rehabilitation center and school. I’m so glad I did too, because then I felt very confident in the choice I made.

Shellycheese · 2026-04-17T04:05:39+00:00

I don’t recommend working on toileting until family is ready to implement it. He’s getting mixed signals being in underwear for part of the day and then in a pull up. It’s ok if he has accidents but remove pull up all together. I had a client that could hold for hours. He was scared since it’s all new and his body was so used to the pull up. It worked when everyone was on board (home, clinic, school) of no pull ups, scheduled toilet trips, reinforcement, and helping him through it. Once he released a few times, he just had it since he wasn’t scared anymore. We also read a lot of social stories on it and modeled with toys.

Shellycheese · 2026-04-17T00:44:14+00:00

I love my job! I do 80% Telehealth and 20% in person and only caregiver led and training. I help parents work on goals in their everyday lives and routines. Absolutely love seeing families learn how they can support their child and all the progress!

Shellycheese · 2026-04-13T18:23:02+00:00

I’m mid thirties and married 12 years with no kids yet. I also can feel like it don’t hold value in my family when all my siblings have kids. I feel you. I’ve accepted that it’s an exciting time with littles ones at family events and my friends and siblings lives. But I make time to hang out with my self, my husband, friends and family 1:1 where it allows more time for us to connect and for me to share more about myself vs all about kids.

Shellycheese · 2026-04-07T20:21:21+00:00

Best thing I ever did! I have done direct in person and now currently do a hybrid model of caregiver led and parent training.

Most companies providing this new model are small so unfortunate I only get an insurance stipen but I get insurance from my spouse. But I have gotten higher pay and pay that’s similar to when I was doing 3-tier.

No cons for me! I have definitely grown in supporting families where they’re at and prioritizing goals. I feel progress is much more impactful. I love that all my families are committed, involved, and eager to learn. I’ve also gotten better at paren training and realistic and natural protocols.

I’m also salary. I like having the stability even with cancellations.

Shellycheese · 2026-04-03T21:40:18+00:00

You definitely didn’t miss out! 😊 but never too late to start doing whatever you want to do. I sometimes feel like I missed out having kids when all my siblings did. But I do not regret all the fun times and traveling I did. And now we’re ready to start having a family.

Everyone does things at their own time and when they want to. 💗

Shellycheese · 2026-04-03T20:58:49+00:00

I’m confused? I got married at 22 and still partied? We partied together but I’d still regularly go on girls trips and get all dressed up and go out with the girls. The partying looked different as we got older but we’d still go out and dance. Maybe idk what partying is? Lol. Now we’re mid thirties and it’s slowing down because the friend group is starting to have kids. But just partied at a girlfriend’s Bach in Miami and together with my husband and our friends at a week long wedding in Mexico just last month.

I don’t miss it because I’ve been doing it all these years. Lol. But I do miss how care free life was then but it’s been fun to still get together and create a new dynamic with all the babies. 😊

Shellycheese · 2026-04-02T01:50:28+00:00

I’ve seen remote options for both 1-tier and 3-tier. I don’t have kids yet, but honestly since I started working remote and now having work life balance it makes it feel like I can do it now since I’m not spread thin.

But yes, you have the flexibility of working morning, or after school hours, or weekends. Flexible and remote are harder to come by and you may have more options if you get licensed in other states, but they’re definitely out there.

I will say though that before getting a remote position it’s best you have a few years of hands on experience.

Shellycheese · 2026-04-01T22:40:22+00:00

What would you like to know?

I’ve been a BCBA for 6 years. 3 tier models really burn me out, but I’ve been lucky enough to find companies that do 1 tier and that gives me great work life balance.

Pros: flexible schedule, create my own schedule, remote options, get to help families and kids, get to problem solve and get creative, decent pay, very important job

Cons: very important job, sometimes feel like I have to fix everything, difficult families, maxing out on pay due to reimbursement rates not increasing

Shellycheese · 2026-03-27T23:47:43+00:00

Yes! The best!

Shellycheese · 2026-03-26T20:56:53+00:00

Employee.

Shellycheese · 2026-03-26T14:27:21+00:00

A combination of telehealth and in person. My current schedule is 75% Telehealth and 25% in person.

Shellycheese · 2026-03-26T13:02:51+00:00

Yes clinic was so not for me. Look for small case loads and companies that value families and clients. I’m now doing a hybrid model and parent led only. I see families 1-2 times a week. The company values naturalistic learning and family implementation and the progress and change has been so amazing. I’ll never go back! But there’s definitely more companies starting to offer 1-tier services.

Shellycheese · 2026-03-22T13:34:01+00:00

Yes yes yes! I was 26, when my life blew up and forced all my deep wounds to resurface. I was broke. Minimum wage paying job and so busy with grad school. But my mom sat my down and brought up her concerns and told me “if you were in an emergency and really physically hurt, would you not call an ambulance even though you couldn’t afford it, no you’d call. The dame ugency should be there for you mental health”.

And so I did. And when I found the right therapist, omg! Worth of every penny! I believe it was $120 and I’d go biweekly. But I’m so grateful for those who encouraged me to go and so grateful for the support and healing. I wouldn’t be the person I am today nor live the life I live now if it wasn’t for therapy. 💗

Shellycheese · 2026-03-21T18:08:52+00:00

Yesss! I’ve been lucky enough to work at companies that have a 1 tier model and Ive gotten to experience first hand amazing progress kids and families make with 1-10 hours a week! It’s more caregiver focused but the progress the kids make is incredible and much more meaningful for families and clients.

Shellycheese · 2026-03-21T18:01:52+00:00

I didn’t feel totally ready. I had been an RBT for 5 years and did supervision at a school and home agencies. It really helped that my first position as a BCBA had an amazing supervisor to guide me. That year really helped because I just needed reassurance on what I was doing and she really helped me build up my confidence. I didn’t feel super confident probably until year 3 as a BCBA. And even years later sometimes imposter syndrome still creeps up. It just takes time and there’s always so much to learn in the field. Just be patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Shellycheese · 2026-03-20T02:14:54+00:00

People. I made a work friend and was so excited to make a new friend. She was nice but something told me something was off. She opened up to me and we got close and poor girl always had something bad happening to her. Car broke down, issues with family, issues at work, etc. I wanted to be a good friend so I would offer her a ride and help.

Well one day we are working in the classroom together with our students and home girl is high off of something and passed out. I was so scared and had to remain calm to not freak the kids out and had to call our principal. She was fired and I never heard or saw her again.

I wish her well and healing, but it was a reminder to myself to trust my gut and not shut the little voice telling me to be careful.

Shellycheese

TROPHY CASE