BCBA Certifications

Easterseals Crossroads is proud to announce our newly licensed BCBAs, Amy Miller and Laura Tease. Both Amy and Laura recently completed the certification exam to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) so they can provide behavior analysis within our autism services.
To recognize their achievements, we asked them a few questions about why they decided to pursue their BCBA and what their long-term goals are.
Date of Hire at Easterseals Crossroads:

Laura: March 2013

Amy: February 2012

Date of certification exam:
Laura: May, 2015

Amy: August, 2015
Graduate school and undergrad school:
Laura: Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Indianapolis, Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University, Bachelors in Behavioral Neuroscience from Purdue University
Amy: I received my undergraduate degree from IUPUI, and my graduate degree was in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University.
Hometown City/State
Laura: Technically Fishers, although I moved here from Lewisville, TX in middle school.
Amy: I am from Carmel, Indiana
Why did you decide to pursue a BCBA?
Laura: I tend to be more of a science-driven person, and ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is a science driven intervention. The logic of ABA really made sense to me; we do everything for a reason and it’s my job to be a detective and find out what that reason is and how to modify it to benefit the individual. Behavior analysts focus on what is appropriate and meaningful for the individual and the success our consumers see is directly related to things that matter to them.
Amy: I decided to pursue ABA following my first job in ABA. I saw the MAJOR difference it can make in a child’s life, and I wanted to continue to grow and develop in this career. I have always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives and I have been able to do that through ABA.
How will your new certification impact you? What will it allow you to do that you couldn’t do before?
Laura: Luckily for me, I was able to see individuals as a mental health provider, but now I can provide actual ABA for more hours per week with our consumers. This opens doors for consumers to get the therapy they need but are unable to access due to transportation, insurance, or a multitude of other factors! Additionally, I can train students on their way to becoming BCBAs for their required supervision hours. I currently have one student and am hoping to add more in the future!
Amy: It will change the types of services I am able to provide. Hopefully, I will able to service more families with my BCBA and will be able to expand upon the type of service I provide.
What’s next after the BCBA? What are your future plans?
Laura: Since the state of Indiana does not have a state license for behavior analyst, I plan to test for my LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) license in April or May; and then I will be finished with credentialing! I hope to continue to provide services to consumers who are unable to access services elsewhere and supervise BCBA students.
Amy: I am always looking for my next challenge. I think for now I will take some time off of school before I decide my next big step.
Learn more about autism services at Easterseals Crossroads.