What if changing the way we understand mental health could change the way we experience it?

In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Josh Roberts, Founder of Inspired Mind Mental Health and creator of Neurodiversity Gifts, to explore a different way of thinking about neurodiversity, mental health, and personal transformation.

Drawing from his own lived experience, Josh shares how his journey led him to create Neurodiversity Gifts, a seven-module program that brings together psychology, spirituality, culture, science, and the Hero’s Journey.

Amber and Josh discuss why meaning and purpose matter, how the stories we tell ourselves shape our perspective, and what can happen when we focus not only on challenges, but also on the strengths and gifts within neurodiversity.

They also explore the importance of empowering the next generation and helping people see themselves as the heroes of their own lives.

This conversation offers a fresh perspective on identity, growth, purpose, and what it means to see possibility in the way our minds work.

What does it look like when BCBAs move beyond traditional models and build something different?

In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Christopher Allen, Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Virginia Therapeutic Network, to explore his journey from studying behavior and teaching to building a 100% clinician-owned organization.

Chris shares how Virginia Therapeutic Network approaches adult services through interprofessional, person-centered support and why he believes BCBAs can expand their impact far beyond traditional autism services. He and Amber also discuss BCBA burnout, creating career paths beyond supervision, building a culture that attracts the right clinicians, and the challenges of technology, scheduling, and systems in behavioral healthcare.

It’s a candid conversation about challenging the traditional ABA model, staying connected to the people you serve, and building companies where clinicians can do meaningful work.

What happens when a parent’s fight for her own child becomes a mission to change access to autism care for thousands of families?

In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Anna Williams-Bullard, Founder of Alinea Autism Services, to explore the deeply personal journey that led Anna from advocating for her daughter, Ava, to helping pass Ava’s Law and expand access to autism therapy across Georgia.

Anna shares the seven-year fight to secure insurance coverage, Ava’s remarkable progress through ABA therapy, and how her nephew’s autism diagnosis ultimately inspired her to open an ABA clinic in rural Georgia. She also discusses the realities of expanding access to quality in-person care and why her family’s experience continues to fuel her advocacy today.

The conversation also turns to the business side of ABA, including the technology Anna uses to operate her growing practice, her experience with payer relations and contracting, and why choosing the right systems can make a significant difference for smaller providers.

This is a powerful conversation about perseverance, advocacy, access to care, and what can happen when personal experience becomes a purpose bigger than yourself.

What happens when an ABA organization puts people before billing and culture before growth?

In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Douglas Lezameta, CEO of Empower Minds ABA LLC, to explore his approach to building a clinician-first ABA organization.

Douglas shares the deeply personal story behind Empower Minds ABA and how the legacy of his father and uncle shaped his commitment to serving families with compassion. He explains why supporting clinicians is essential to delivering better outcomes, how training and communication can improve staff retention, and why sustainable growth starts with creating a culture where people feel valued.

Amber and Douglas also discuss the challenges of scaling an ABA organization, the role of technology in operations, and how AI and smarter scheduling could help solve some of the industry's biggest communication and staffing challenges.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that great organizations aren't built by focusing on numbers alone - they're built by investing in the people doing the work.

What does it take to grow an ABA organization without losing sight of the families and clinicians at the heart of the work?

On this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Erin Stern, President of STEPS Behavioral Health, to explore Erin’s journey from special education and hands-on program development to leading a growing behavioral health organization.

Erin shares how her experiences as a clinician, parent, and leader shaped STEPS’ family-centered approach, including expanding support beyond traditional ABA to address the broader challenges families may face.

Amber and Erin also dive into the business side of ABA: technology, workflows, intake metrics, marketing ROI, leadership development, and why clinician-founders need to learn how to think like business leaders. They discuss the difficult transition from working inside the clinical operation to stepping back, delegating, and building the systems necessary for sustainable growth.
It’s a practical conversation about balancing clinical excellence with strong business fundamentals while keeping better outcomes for children, families, and teams at the center.

What does it really take to build an ethical, clinician-led ABA organization?

In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Amber Furby, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Founder & CEO of Aurora Behavior Services, for an honest conversation about leadership, operations, and the future of autism services.

The two discuss why evidence-based care must also be family-centered, the operational challenges facing today's ABA organizations, and why better systems—not just better software—are the key to sustainable growth. Amber Furby also shares how she built a thriving multi-location practice as a bootstrap founder, the technology stack that powers her organization, and her perspective on developing the next generation of clinical leaders.

Whether you're a BCBA, clinic owner, or aspiring founder, this episode is packed with practical insights on scaling with integrity while keeping families and clinicians at the center of every decision.

In this episode, you'll learn:

•  Why meaningful ABA starts with understanding family priorities 
•  The operational mistakes that hold practices back 
•  How to evaluate technology before investing in new systems 
•  The importance of clinician ownership and leadership development 
•  Why mentorship is critical for the future of the ABA profession 
•  Lessons from building a successful practice without outside investment

In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Dr. Carly Lapin, Founder & CEO of ChoicePoint Autism Therapy, to explore what it really takes to build an ABA organization designed for long-term success. 

From choosing the right technology stack to creating scalable systems before opening the doors, Carly shares the mindset behind launching a clinician-led practice with intention. The conversation dives into evaluating CRMs and EHRs, avoiding costly operational mistakes, using AI responsibly in healthcare, and making confident executive decisions as a founder. 

Amber and Carly also discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, decision fatigue, building infrastructure before growth, and why successful leaders continuously invest in learning as their organizations evolve. Whether you're an ABA provider, healthcare leader, or founder scaling a service-based business, this episode is packed with practical insights on building smarter from day one.

What does it take to grow an ABA organization without sacrificing quality?

In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Dr. Jennifer Charles, Executive Director of Building Block Resolutions, to discuss why intentional growth always beats rapid growth. With more than 20 years as a BCBA, Jennifer shares practical lessons on scaling an organization, measuring meaningful outcomes, and building systems that keep quality at the center of every decision. 

Together they discuss:

•  Why growth exposes problems instead of creating them 
•  The importance of social validity alongside clinical data 
•  The metrics every ABA organization should be tracking 
•  Using dashboards and data to improve client outcomes 
•  How leadership, culture, and parent partnerships drive long-term success 
•  Why compassion and accountability go hand in hand in quality ABA services 

Whether you're an ABA owner, BCBA, or clinical leader, this conversation offers practical insights on building an organization that grows with intention while delivering exceptional care.

What does it take to scale mental health services without losing the human touch?

In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber sits down with Jill Wiedemann-West, CEO of People Incorporated Mental Health Services, one of Minnesota's largest community-based mental health providers.

With more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience, Jill shares her journey from clinician to CEO and discusses how leaders can balance operational growth while staying deeply committed to people-centered care.

Amber and Jill explore:

• Why people must remain at the center of organizational growth
• The importance of health equity in building sustainable healthcare systems
• How leaders can create more accessible and integrated mental health services
• The role of technology and AI in improving efficiency, documentation, and patient outcomes
• Opportunities for innovation in claims management, clinical documentation, and care coordination

Whether you're a healthcare executive, clinician, entrepreneur, or leader navigating growth, this conversation offers valuable insights on leading with both compassion and strategy.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on the future of behavioral healthcare and what it truly means to put people first.

What happens when a teenager in crisis is given the wrong diagnosis?

In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Brent Esplin, LMFT, Executive Director of OASIS Ascent, to discuss the critical role accurate assessment plays in adolescent mental health treatment. Brent shares lessons from more than 25 years working with teens and families, why family involvement is essential for lasting change, and how OASIS Ascent is making high-quality residential treatment more accessible through an insurance-based model.

They explore the dangers of misdiagnosis, the growing overlap between autism and other behavioral health diagnoses, and how comprehensive assessments can completely change a young person's trajectory. Brent also shares personal stories from his own family that fuel his passion for helping teens discover their strengths and reach their potential.

Amber and Brent also discuss the future of behavioral healthcare, including how artificial intelligence is helping clinicians spend less time on paperwork and more time serving families.

Whether you're a parent, clinician, healthcare leader, or someone passionate about improving mental health outcomes, this conversation offers valuable insights into building systems that truly change lives.