Inspiring Conversations with Jacqueline Robnett of LA Behavioral Therapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Robnett.

Jacqueline, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For as long as I can remember, I have experienced an insatiable curiosity about the inner workings of the human mind. Applied Behavior Analysis felt like a natural fit. I loved working with children and adults with disabilities but it’s not the field I started in. I started out with a dream of going to law school and spent every semester in college working and being a full-time student. I was working for the Santa Monica courthouse and then a close friend asked me to cover for her one Summer. She was a 1:1 for a student in a school. I agreed and had no idea my entire path would change. Working with children has brought me immense joy and it was through this work experience that I found my career path as a behavior therapist. I left the courthouse and started working as a substitute teacher. I eventually earned my teaching credential and taught both elementary school students as well as high school students. While working as a teacher, I earned a master’s degree, a teaching credential, an administration credential, and a doctoral degree. I then went back to UMASS Lowell to work on my board certification.

As a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and former Special Education Teacher, I have spent my entire career working with children with special needs. From children with severe challenges in both a home and school setting to adults in residential programs, I have been fortunate to work with individuals of all different ages, strengths, and needs in a wide variety of settings. I’ve also seen the positive impact behavioral therapy has on both individuals and their families.

L.A. Behavioral Therapy was created to help everyone in need of behavioral therapy. It was important for me to start a private practice and provide care in a unique way to help individuals and families to access the change they want in a comfortable yet systematic way. As a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, this is exactly what I do each day. I also support other soon-to-be Behavior Analysts by providing BCBA supervision and teaching for both colleges and universities. ABA is truly my passion

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not! But I am so glad it wasn’t. I wouldn’t be where I am if it was a smooth road. I had my first child when I was young and was told, “Forget about having a career or earning a degree now.” That motivated me to keep pushing and continue my education as much as I did.

Starting my private practice was a tough transition because I had to learn the balance between running a business, being there for my clients, being there for my therapists, and balancing my home life.

I managed by telling myself that success rarely comes easy. There were several times I felt like I was failing at all of it, but I never gave up.

For anyone feeling like they can’t do it…believe in yourself, follow your dreams, take your time, take risks, and most importantly enjoy the journey!

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about LA Behavioral Therapy?
At LA Behavioral, we provide behavioral services in-home and in schools for individuals of all ages. We create behavior treatment plans that include goals and evidenced-based strategies to help achieve these goals. While most of our clients are on the spectrum, some of our clients have multiple diagnoses ranging from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia.

I think what separates us apart from other agencies is that we have a unique approach to therapy due to our diverse training and experiences. We have some talented therapists working with us. Some are also Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, and Speech/Language Pathologists. Our BCBAs all have specialized training in specific areas, but we all use skills and principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. Our training and backgrounds help us create unique treatment plans specialized for each client. We also have a very whole-person approach to therapy and help the whole family. Parent training is a big part of our treatment plans as well.

I’m most proud of our diversity and approach to therapy. Our staff embraces diversity and we have created a collaborative work environment. We believe in learning from each other as often as possible. We all love what we do and have fun doing it!

What matters most to you? Why?
My faith, my family, and my friends. Being a parent is not for the faint of heart and when you think you’ve seen it all…one of them does something new. I couldn’t imagine my life without them though. My family has been so encouraging and supportive even when I was trying to quit mid-program from sheer exhaustion. My wife is a patient and supportive partner. I know I can count on her to be in my corner.

I have also been fortunate enough to have some of the greatest friends. They have been my biggest cheerleaders. Always there when I wanted to hop on a plane across the country or to tell me, I’m not missing much because I’m stuck studying. Some of them stayed up with me late at night, studying and holding me accountable. We sent each other the latest news about our field and shared resources. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world with them as friends.

And my faith…it’s at the core of who I am as a person. My belief in something bigger is what helps me get through each day. My picture of success is wholeness and completeness. Ultimately I want to make sure I’m living my life fully, taking risks, pursuing aliveness, caring for others, and fulfilling my sense of mission and purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.labehavioraltherapy.com