Compass-Behavioral Program
Inspire Independence in Teens and Adults with Autism
Empower teens and adults to confidently navigate life, build relationships and understand their emotions.
Build Skills that Improve Daily Life
Teens and adults deserve coaching that honors their goals and builds real-world skills. Compass-Behavioral combines ABA with outcomes-focused approaches to improve executive functioning, emotional regulation and meaningful social relationships.
The Compass-Behavioral Program equips clinicians with foundational skills for clinical practice using the Compass-Behavioral model. Learners develop competencies in coaching autistic and other neurodivergent individuals using evidence-based behavioral strategies. The program emphasizes safety, independence and improved quality of life through practical, client-centered intervention approaches.
Upon completion of the Compass-Behavioral Program, clinicians are able to implement the Compass-Behavioral model with adolescent and adult clients. Learners demonstrate the ability to take a coaching-oriented role in clinical practice and apply motivational interviewing strategies during assessment and treatment sessions to support self-determination, engagement, and meaningful behavior change. Successful completion of the Program results in the designation or title of Compass-Behavioral Trained Clinician.
Compass-Behavioral is a primarily asynchronous, online program that learners complete at their own pace. Coursework focuses on key behavioral concepts and the practical application of Compass-Behavioral tools. The learning journey concludes with a live, virtual capstone session centered on applied learning.
Compass-Behavioral is a short-term, coaching-based intervention grounded in principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). The program is designed to promote self-determination and wellbeing for neurodivergent adolescents and adults by focusing on goals that are meaningful to the client. Intervention targets may include areas such as executive functioning, social relationships, and emotional regulation, with an emphasis on collaborative goal-setting and client-centered care.
Who should take this program?
This program is designed for clinicians whose scope of practice includes providing care to autistic and other neurodivergent adolescents. Intended audiences include behavior analysts, psychologists and licensed mental health therapists.
Prerequisites
- A master’s degree or higher in a related field.
Who will you support?
Ages
- Children and Adults 12+
Treatment Format
Weekly or bi-weekly coaching sessions between the clinician and client.
What's Included?
- Client Workbook
- Clinician Workbook
- Program Manual
- Client Handout
Office Hours
We provide Office Hour sessions for learners who have completed a certificate program. These 1:1 consultations let you discuss topics from your completed program with designated instructors.
Capstone Session
A 1.5-hour virtual session with an instructor that includes final course content, Q&A and applied discussion. It’s the final step in completing your Catalight certificate program.
Brianna Fitchett, MPH, MA, BCBA
Developer
Degrees/Credentials
- Masters Public Health: Healthcare Administration, National University
- BCBA, Florida Institute of Technology
- MA, Special Education, Moderate/Severe Disabilities, Notre Dame de Namur University
- BA, San Francisco State University
Current Position
- Vice President of Clinical Impact, Catalight
Programs
- Chat Program
- Compass-Behavioral Program
- Everyday ABA Workshop
Lindsey Sneed, PhD, BCBA-D
Developer and Instructor
Degrees/Credentials
- Licensed Psychologist #PSY34154
- PhD, Clinical Psychology, Walden University
- MS, Applied Psychology, Walden University
- MS, Educational Counseling, National University
- BA, Counseling Psychology, William Jessup University
- RUBI Certified
Current Position
- Vice President of Clinical Excellence, Catalight
- Adjunct Professor, University of San Francisco
Programs
- Calibrate ABA Program
- Compass-Behavioral Program
- RUBI Program
- Everyday ABA Program
Jennifer Ikola, BCBA
Developer and Instructor
Degrees/Credentials
- MS, Psychology with emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis, Kaplan University
- BS, Health Sciences emphasis in Pre-Medicine, California Baptist University
Current Position
- Clinical Manager, Catalight
Programs
- Chat Program
- Calibrate ABA Program
- Compass-Behavioral Program
- Everyday ABA Program
- Everyday ABA Workshop
Doreen Samelson, EdD, MSCP
Developer and Instructor
Degrees/Credentials
- Licensed Psychologist
- MSCP, Alliant International University
- EdD., Counseling Psychology, University of the Pacific
- 30 Credit Hours in Special Education and Psychology Credited Toward a Teaching Certificate in Severely Handicapped Education, Western Oregon State College
- MA, Major in Psychology, Minor in Ecology and Behavioral Biology, The University of Minnesota
- BA, Major in Psychology with a Minor in Biology, San Francisco State
Current Position
- Chief Clinical Officer, Catalight
Programs
- Compass-Behavioral Program
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