registered behavior technician

board certified behavior analyst

clinical supervisor

aba therapist

behavior technician

Verbal Beginnings

I’ve been in the field for years and this was truly one of the worst employment experiences I’ve ever had in any field (and I’ve worked retail before lol). 

I was familiar with VB due to their monthly free CEU events. Based on this, and their social media, VB seemed like a wonderful place; the Disneyland of ABA, if you will. But, boy, was I wrong!

Micromanagement:  As a BCBA, you are micromanaged to the point of feeling gaslit. You begin to question your own skills and knowledge. There is a spreadsheet for everything. And don’t get me wrong, I love spreadsheets, but these are utterly useless to you as a BCBA. You’re only really filling them out for the leadership people to make their lives easier.  I’ve never had to fill out so many spreadsheets for other people at a job in my life, and none of them were of any help to my own job. Incredibly frustrating. They fail to utilize their software, like Central Reach, to its potential so they can avoid these redundant procedures and tracking habits. I made multiple suggestions about this and I was even willing to help show how to do these things, but alas, I was only a number and my input means nothing. 

Billables:  While you are held to a weekly 27.5 hrs billable requirement per week, it seems fine on paper, but once you’re in the thick of it, it can be incredibly difficult. You have 6 clients on your caseload. Are half of them out sick for a week? Too bad, figure out your billables. This usually means being pushed to bill double or even quadruple what is allotted in the authorization for the client in a week, not to mention clinically inappropriate, especially if the client is cruising along in their programming and everything is looking great. Furthermore, in the little indirect time you do have, you’re required to attend BS activities, like a meditation session, to help “prevent burnout.” Wanna help prevent burnout? Give your BCBAs time to do their daily tasks that they can’t bill and to work on those ridiculous spreadsheets meant to make those at the top lives a little easier. 

Communication:  Communication amongst your own team is something that can be honed. My team did a great job with that. Communication from leadership? That’s unheard of. I had a WONDERFUL therapist on my team who was let go suddenly by HR on a Friday afternoon. Mind you, this therapist nailed their performance review, did a wonderful job working with their clients. Did I ever get a heads up? Of course not. *MY* own supervisor wasn’t even aware of the termination. Did anyone ever come talk to me about it that Monday? Nope. All I knew is that I was left with a team short one member. Communication is NOT the company’s strong suit unless you count the multiple monthly emails advertising their CEUs or their online conference. 

Turnover:  Not only do BCBAs come and go, but so do BTs/RBTs. Frequently. As in same week of them starting with clients. You’ll see a fresh set of faces every week doing their onboarding, but somehow teams wind up being understaffed. Free “swag” and treating therapists like cattle doesn’t exactly lead to happy staff who want to stay for more than a few months. 

Speaking of happiness— I’ve never seen such a clique-ish clinic environment. I walked past resource rooms for teams and overheard multiple conversations bad-mouthing other people on other teams. Additionally, if you smile and say hi to anyone in the hall, you’re typically met with a scowl. The only people who would respond are the people who do the onboarding training and leadership— the people who aren’t ever in the classrooms basically, or have any sort of billable requirements. Basically, those who don’t show much interest in the daily ins and outs of VB. That leads me to my next point.

Leadership (CEOs, directors, etc.) constantly claim they want to see progress; they want a pulse on what’s going on inside classrooms. Aside from the multitude of spreadsheets the BCBAs fill out for them (and let’s be honest, these spreadsheets will only tell you so much), you will NEVER see any of them in a classroom. Not even for a few minutes. I’ve worked at multiple clinics where the CEOs and clinical directors regularly sit in on sessions. Not at VB. You never see them, but if you do, it’s usually because someone in there is in some sort of trouble. The people who ultimately call the shots at VB and make decisions that affect EVERYONE never observe actual sessions, check in with teams, none of that. They’re not getting a pulse, period. 

To speak more to that point, we had some random “get to know you” zoom meeting with some VP of the company because she wanted to get to know us. Of course, this was during time that we need to bill, but hey! Someone wants to get to know us so let’s hop on. It ended up just being someone talking about their entire experience in the field of ABA. Didn’t ask anyone for their name, or wanted to know what we do. Just talked about herself. Not a clue how this helped her get to know us, but I’m sure we were expected to get something meaningful out of it (none of us did). 

Plus sides to working at VB:  My supervisor was fantastic. Incredibly supportive and a true team player. My classroom team? Awesome. Tight-knit and welcoming to anyone who entered our classroom; even some senior therapists who came in to provide coverage commented to me how warm, welcoming, and helpful my classroom team was to them. I was so proud! 

What you see as a prospective employee is well-curated. The pictures, the events, the social media. It’s there for a reason and you should know that if it seems even almost too good to be true, you’re probably right. 

VB could be such a wonderful place to work, but they continually make choices that stunt their own potential. It’s run pretty similar to private equity-backed ABA programs out there and while you can tell the company had a soul at one point in its mission, it doesn’t anymore. 

I worked here as a Lead Therapist (started as a regular BT, became certified, and worked my way up) for a little over a year, so I feel like I have a decent understanding of how the company operates. To start positively, the clients and most if not all of the therapists/technicians you will meet on the teams will be some of the best people you’ll meet. I’ve certainly made life-long friends here, and I definitely love my clients even beyond the scope of doing what I was paid to do. VB has some very strong teams, made up of people who are passionate about what they do and the impact certainly shows in how clients have progressed while I was there. Another pro is that you can collect your 40 hours of training & take your RBT exam in order to be certified (keep in mind that you must pass in a certain amount of time, or you will be let go; this is a recent change). There are supervisors, techs, and clinical directors that will provide support if needed for pretty much everything to do with passing your exam, your competencies, and learning within the classroom. 
However, in my opinion, the main issue(s) have to do with the higher ups in the company. There has been many times where myself and other fellow therapists has gone to each point of contact (supervisors, directors, surveys, etc.) and made clear our grievances with the lack of pay, short breaks, scheduling issues, policy changes, work/caseload, PTO/self care days, etc, and all of those issues were typically met with a blanket statement of “we hear you”, but nothing would really change. If there were changes to seemingly address those issues, it would be like bandaids that didn’t really fix the issue and/or made it seem it would be implemented just so we would “shut up” about it. Though many of the direct supervisors I personally worked with did try to advocate for us to get more for the amount of nearly back breaking work we did, many times it fell on deaf ears and we would have to keep working. There has been times where it felt like the higher ups knew we wouldn’t strike against the company, because in turn that would be abandoning our clients, and we loved our clients too much to leave them like that. 
All in all, this company has a lot of internal housekeeping, especially when it comes to the people that function outside of the clinics that have direct say on company policies and how much we get compensated. In ABA overall, technicians deserve more compensation and should be compensated as real nurses and/or therapists because that is exactly what we are. If companies want to retain more employees, the first thing to look into would be how much they are paying the people who are first in line to handle and correct maladaptive behaviors in autistic children. I will also note that VB also currently has an active union in place at one of their locations, so do with that information what you will when it comes to deciding on applying here. 
In conclusion, this certainly wasn’t the worst job I’ve ever had, but the most mentally/physically/emotionally taxing. Not only when it came to my actual job of working with autistic children, some of which had intense behaviors, but also keeping up with all of the background work, expectations, and any complaints or suggestions towards compensation, longer breaks, etc. not really being cared about for a long time. If you truly want to work here, I would say do it part time, or get your starter experience here and find somewhere else more suitable for you with higher pay. I’m grateful for all of the experiences I’ve received working with the people inside of the clinic, but I would never work for the company as a whole ever again. 

I had the opportunity to work at Verbal Beginnings for over two years, and while my time there was marked by personal growth and the development of valuable professional relationships, my overall experience was less than ideal due to systemic issues within the organization.

One of the greatest aspects of my tenure was the chance to form lifelong connections with colleagues. The team was filled with passionate, driven individuals, and I am grateful for the friendships and professional networks I built. The collaborative atmosphere and the shared goals of many team members created a positive environment for personal and professional development. However, this was often overshadowed by significant organizational challenges.

Unfortunately, the company’s lack of structure and consistency often resulted in confusion and frustration. There was a frequent absence of clear communication, and the team seemed to be constantly disorganized. This lack of direction frequently led to unnecessary stress and last-minute demands that required employees to go above and beyond without adequate compensation or recognition. While I fully understand the nature of hard work, the expectation to work under such conditions without proper remuneration was disheartening and ultimately unsustainable.

As for leadership, I was deeply disappointed by my direct supervisor and her lack of professionalism when it came time for me to leave. After resigning, I was met with avoidance during my final days, and the common courtesy of a simple goodbye or acknowledgment of my contribution was never offered. This lack of decency, especially after having worked closely together for over two years, left a sour note on an otherwise meaningful chapter of my career.

In summary, Verbal Beginnings provided me with a platform for building valuable relationships and gaining experience, but the lack of organization, insufficient compensation, and unsatisfactory leadership practices made my overall experience less fulfilling than it could have been. I would advise potential employees to consider these factors when making a decision about their future with the company.

Coming in as a BCBA from a smaller company was exciting. Great pay with 3 paid weeks off a year? Great! What they didn't tell you was that those 3 weeks were spread out across Holidays, sick leave, and any days you needed to take off throughout the year.  If you were trying to save up for a vacation and got sick? Forget about it. You had to use those vacation days to recover.  The advertised and promised work-from-home days had to be earned; they weren't promised at all. Cliques are everywhere, from BCBAs vs. RBTs,  Teams vs. Teams, and executives vs. staff. The climate was neither comfortable nor welcoming. If you went through VB University, it appeared things were easier as you were taught "The VB Way" from day one. Otherwise, there was a lot of turnover in the few months that I was there. When I interviewed at other companies, they asked what was going on at Verbal Beginnings because the number of applications they had from there signaled a mass exodus at that time. I just knew it wasn't a good fit for me. The most difficult part of the job was not receiving the help that you asked for. When people you interact with daily are yelling at you and one day speaks to another supervisor the same way (this supervisor was apalled and apologized for the way you've been treated and asked if it's been happening for the duration of the interactions with that person), but then your direct separate supervisor gaslights you by asking what you could do differently because they haven't witnessed this behavior from this person is ridiculous. Zero support from the people that matter the most. But of course, the most enjoyable part of the job was always the clients. The kids who learned new skills every day. The social skills classes where they got to learn how to interact with other kids their age in a more classroom-like environment. That was the best part of my day.

Every single person at this job is solely there because they love those kids, other than that I am pretty sure everyone could care less what happens. The morale is low and it seems like no one cares if we are burnt out. In this field being burnt out does nothing for the clients and creates opportunities for frustration levels to be high and cause workers to call it quits. Most people have to lie to get a day off because they won't award you one because we are short-staffed and higher-ups don't want to fill in and do our jobs because truly that's not what they get paid to do and it is just exhausting work. Speaking of higher ups, there are a couple who are truly just plain out disrespectful and take advantage of their positions, others are truly heaven sent and so supportive. 
You have to be constantly working with your client every second running targets and following their every move. You have to do safety checks during the sessions and clean after your client everywhere they go, which involves sweeping, cleaning up spills, putting away dumped toys, changing diapers ect. You can tell that most decisions that are made are made in favor of the company making money and nothing else but that even if there are other factors at play. Lots of opportunities to move up and make more money and they have great programs that help pay for a Master's in the field as well as paying for your RBT license. The work-life balance is horrible, truly the worst I have ever encountered. Sleep is all you'll think about and you will literally count down the minutes until you leave the building, it is dreadful. Employees truly look dead at a place that's supposed to be super exciting and fun. 
I have learned so much at this job and created relationships that I will carry on for life (other employees are truly so sweet!), but I am starting to believe that none of that matters if you're too exhausted to enjoy it.

What is the best part of working at the company?
You get so much experience working with different kiddos in different environments. Sometimes you're in the school, sometimes you're in the home, sometimes you're even on a community outing. Your kid may be non-verbal, they could be antisocial, they could even be just struggling with grades at school. You never know what you are going to be working with, and I love that.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Being in the PA division, there is no office. That being said, there is a lot of driving which can be hard, making a long day even longer. There is reimbursement for your drive, but only between clients. Unfortunately, I only see one kiddo a day, so if they live 45 minutes away, that's 90 minutes of gas round-trip that I have to take care of. It's totally normal and understandable. It's just inconvenient sometimes. 

Also, being in an area with no office means that if you lose a client through discharge or any other means, you can't just pick up hours at the office. You have to wait for a new kiddo to match your schedule to work with. Sometimes that can last a couple days, but sometimes you are left with few hours for weeks at a time. There's nothing that can be done about it by the company. It's just something to be aware of.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It can be strange hardly having any coworkers, but they try to put together events as much as they can to meet the staff which is very nice. Other than that, it's just you and the families. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I drive to one of my kiddos and typically spend between 2-4 hours with them, depending on the kid and the day, then head back home. It's a pretty easy routine. I've had anywhere between one and three kids in a day, so some days are busier than others. They are also super flexible with your work days and hours, which is an amazing perk of this company.

Working as an RBT at this clinic has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences I’ve had. From day one, I felt welcomed and supported by a team that genuinely values collaboration and open communication. The staff here—from fellow technicians to BCBAs to management—truly functions like a team, where everyone is invested in helping each other grow and succeed.
One of the most refreshing aspects of this clinic is how much the leadership actually cares about the well-being of their RBTs. It’s not just talk—you see it in how they check in with us, listen to feedback, and recognize the hard work we put in every day. Reinforcement isn’t just something we use with our clients—it's actively practiced with employees too. It’s rare to find an ABA clinic that authentically applies the science of behavior to its staff culture in such a positive way.
The BCBAs are phenomenal. My supervising BCBA is consistently supportive, provides timely feedback, and is always available for questions. Programming is clear, personalized, and we’re encouraged to ask questions and give input. It makes me feel confident and valued in the work I’m doing.
Overall, this clinic is a place where you can grow as a professional while feeling supported, heard, and appreciated. If you're an RBT looking for a team that prioritizes not only client progress but employee well-being, this is the place to be.

The job provides a lot of opportunities to learn and grow as a clinician. You have the opportunity to work at the center or work in-home, which provides some flexibility with scheduling. It is nice to be able to consult with other BCBA's within the company. There are free CEU's offered monthly. Pay rate is relatively competitive for the industry, but there are no annual or performance based raises. There are only bonus cards which require a substantial amount of work to receive. 
There is a heavy emphasis on billable hours, regardless of staff burnout or needing to get non-billable work done within the 40-hour workweek. Decisions are often made without consulting those that they affect, who would likely be able to give more practical solutions to the problem at hand. 
There are multiple opportunities for promotion when at the ABAT level, but once you are a BCBA, there is only one opportunity for promotion to a position that is not readily open. 
Maintaining work/life balance tends to be difficult due to high demands of the job and meeting billable hour requirements. Working outside of the 40-hour workweek is often required, and typically not rewarded or recognized. 
PTO takes a long time to accrue more than 15 total days of leave, which includes sick days. 

VB is a very unique company that invests in its employees just as much as it does its clients.  They truly see the correlation between well trained, well supported staff and client outcomes.  The culture of the center is very welcoming and super friendly!  It is clear how much the staff love the kiddos and it is impressive to watch the science of ABA utilized to change the lives of these kids!  

I have worked with other ABA providers, either directly or indirectly, and am truly impressed with  the programs and processes VB has in place for its staff at all levels.  They are true to their mission of changing lives one child at a time, one professional at a time.  Between the free monthly CEUs they host, the career planning program they have in place, the many supports in place to help people become BCBAs, the initiatives they have in place to support positive work culture and inclusion, and even the monthly meditation groups, there is something at just about every angle to help employees grow professionally and personally.

We just got a chance to see the results of our most recent family satisfaction survey and I was. blown away!  The families we work with are so happy and we are truly making positive changes for them in so many ways. It's so refreshing to work for this company and feel like I'm making a real difference each day!

This has the potential to be such a great place. things went south when they decided how our work/life would be rather than us making the decision. we work with children, children on the spectrum at that. we are prone to getting sick often and they allow kids to continue coming into the building while being sick. the continuous health checks for the same client that multiple people (coverage sessions) have to work with causes for there to be an influx in call outs when techs are sick. it can be infuriating to come in and do your job that is incredibly stressful and prone to burnout, just to become sick and your months worth of PTO is gone in a day. making that decision was the craziest thing and i don’t really see a reason for it benefitting anyone. now they have decided to allow us to have 3 unexcused absences but it’s just too late. 

this can be such a great company to work for. outside of benefits , I thoroughly enjoy my job but they need to get through this rough patch first and make better decisions that will impact their staff and clients for a true work life balance.  

coverage sessions can be so rough. while it’s understandable sometimes, other times it just seems unnecessary. you have to be on your A game at all times in this field. but we’re human. so coming in and thinking you have a light schedule, then seeing it’s full of more intense behaviors for the day can really affect the work especially when we don’t have the PTO and have run out of self care in this high intense job. 

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