Hi, I’m Sarah Doherty – a Neurodiversity-Affirming BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) with a deep passion for supporting individuals in understanding and embracing their unique abilities. I’m committed to helping my clients not just better understand themselves but feel empowered to embrace their strengths and navigate challenges. Whether you are neurodivergent yourself or a family member supporting a loved one, I believe in providing tools that help foster individuality, promote self-regulation, and support self-advocacy.

I integrate trauma-informed care, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), regulation strategies, and Executive Functioning Skills training to support each client’s goals. My approach is always grounded in ethics, with a deep respect for the dignity and well-being of those I work with. I believe in creating environments where people aren’t pressured to mask, where self-regulation is honored, and where the goal isn’t “independence” but interdependence—because none of us goes through life alone. 

I’ve seen firsthand how the underrepresentation of neurodivergent individuals impacts our communities, and it’s my mission to change that. I focus on amplifying neurodivergent voices, advocating for their rights, and breaking down societal barriers that too often lead to misunderstanding and marginalization.  As a fierce advocate for a pro-human culture, I strive to create spaces where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. This is not only about accommodations—it’s about ensuring every person knows they deserve a life free from the fear of harm. Everyone has the right to feel seen, heard, and understood, and I’m committed to ensuring that my clients experience this fundamental respect.

Neurodiversity and Inclusivity

Neurodiversity is for everyone. I believe embracing all neurotypes—whether neurotypical, neurodivergent or anywhere in between—is essential. It’s not just about celebrating differences, but about working collectively to address inequality, inequity, and exclusion in schools, workplaces, and our communities.

Through behavior analysis, I offer a consent and assent-driven practice that supports neurodivergent individuals in achieving meaningful, self-defined and assessment-based goals. I’m also committed to lifelong learning—growing alongside the evolving field of behavior analysis.

Experience and Background

My journey into neurodiversity and behavior analysis began at an early age. By the time I was five, I was already accompanying my mom to board meetings and site visits for Exodus, a nonprofit that operated group homes for autistic individuals in the Bay Area, where she served as board president. My dad, a Deputy Probation Officer in Marin County, was equally dedicated to advocating for people with developmental disabilities, playing a key role in advancing the first Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in the county. This early exposure growing up with parents who were deeply committed to this cause instilled in me a foundation of empathy, advocacy, and curiosity—values that continue to guide my work today.

While studying my undergraduate degree in Psychology at UC Santa Barbara, I worked just off campus in Isla Vista at Devereux, a nonprofit organization supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. There, I supported people with a range of diagnoses—Autism, intellectual disabilities, and severe emotional disturbances. This experience immersed me in the complexities of supporting individuals with multiple and significant challenges, while also helping them develop essential skills to navigate the world around them. It solidified my commitment to working with neurodivergent individuals and deepened my understanding of the diverse needs within this community.

After college, I began my career as a paraprofessional, taking on some of the most intense cases at the Behavioral Counseling & Research Center (BCRC) across the Bay Area. Over the next three decades, I worked with over 1,000 individuals, serving as a supervisor across multiple agencies, leading in-home ABA programs, and consulting in schools from kindergarten through junior college. I earned my Master’s in Special Education from Arizona State University and became a certified BCBA. Throughout my career, I’ve collaborated with public, nonpublic, and charter schools to build strong behavior support teams, reorganized ABA programs to enhance their effectiveness and ethics, and consistently tailored interventions to meet each individual’s unique needs.

Lived Experience

In addition to my professional background, I bring lived experience as part of a neurodiverse family. My husband, who has ADHD and identifies as Aspie, and I are raising children who experience ADHD, anxiety, depression, Asperger’s, and OCD. These personal experiences provide me with deep insight and empathy, enriching my perspective and shaping how I connect with clients and families. I understand the challenges from the inside, which drives my passion for creating practical, compassionate, and affirming strategies that genuinely support individuals and their loved ones.

My Goal

My goal is simple: for my clients to be safe, happy, thriving, learning, autonomous, and splendidly neurodivergent. I’m committed to ensuring that each person I work with feels supported, empowered, and ready to confidently navigate their world.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about my work. I look forward to continuing this important journey together—toward a world where neurodivergent individuals are not just accepted but celebrated for their brilliance and contributions.