A parent sitting with two young children on a sofa at home

Services

ABA Therapy options built around your family’s needs.

Families need different levels of support. Therapy Ahead offers several ways to structure 1:1 ABA Therapy so your child’s team can reflect their needs, their goals and what works for your family.

Qualified care, structured in different ways

Every therapist at Therapy Ahead has education, training and experience appropriate to the role they provide. What differs between the options below is not the standard of care, but how much direct involvement the senior clinician has in the sessions themselves.

There is no single model that is right for every child. Some families want the continuity of the same therapist several times a week. Others want a more senior clinician in the room. Many end up somewhere in between.

1:1 Therapy with a Supervised Behaviour Therapist

Consistent direct therapy, delivered by a therapist working under clinical supervision.

A Supervised Behaviour Therapist delivers the direct sessions with your child.
That work is carried out with clinical supervision and guidance from the supervising clinician.
The supervising clinician contributes to assessment, treatment planning, goal development, progress review and clinical oversight, as applicable to the program.
Often suits families looking for regular, consistent direct therapy with ongoing clinical supervision behind it.

1:1 Therapy Directly with a BCBA

Sessions delivered by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst rather than supervised from a distance.

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a professional certification in behaviour analysis.
In this model the BCBA is directly involved in the sessions themselves, rather than only supervising another therapist.
The BCBA may assess progress, make clinical decisions and adjust strategies within their role.
Often suits families specifically seeking direct sessions with a more senior behaviour-analytic clinician.

A Combination of SBT and BCBA Sessions

Regular sessions with the SBT, plus scheduled direct involvement from the BCBA.

Your child has regular direct sessions with the Supervised Behaviour Therapist.
Scheduled BCBA sessions add periods of direct clinical involvement.
This gives continuity from a familiar therapist alongside direct work by the BCBA.
Goals and the mix of sessions can be adjusted as your child's needs change.

A note on terminology. “Supervised Behaviour Therapist” describes a service role at Therapy Ahead. It is not the same as “Behaviour Analyst,” which is a protected title in Ontario that requires registration with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. BCBA refers to certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, which is separate from Ontario registration.

Choosing between them

You do not need to work this out on your own before getting in touch. These are the things worth thinking about, and the ones we will ask about.

How often support is needed

Frequency and intensity differ a great deal between families.

The type and complexity of goals

Some goals benefit from more direct senior clinical involvement.

Whether you want direct BCBA involvement

Some families specifically want this, and that is a reasonable preference.

Setting and scheduling

Where sessions happen, and when, affects what is workable.

Child and therapist fit

A child learns best with someone they trust. Fit is not a soft consideration.

Clinical recommendations

What the supervising clinician suggests after getting to know your child.

Talk through the options with us

What therapy may focus on

Whichever model you choose, the goals come from your child and your family rather than from the service option.

Communication
Daily living
Regulation and coping
Play and social participation
Routines
School and community participation
Individualized family priorities

Read the full explanation on the ABA Therapy page

Where services happen

At home. Routines, self-care, communication and family participation.

At school, where appropriate and coordinated with the family, school and therapy team.

In the community. Parks, libraries, shops and recreation programs.

See the areas we serve

Not sure which model makes sense for your family?

Start with a conversation. We can talk about your child, what you are hoping for, and which option fits.

Contact Therapy Ahead