From Burnout to Breakthrough: How Catalyst Behavior Solutions Reignited My Passion for ABA
About the Author
Ellie Eastlund, BCBA
Ellie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. She is currently pursuing her PhD in ABA with a focus on reaching underserved populations. Ellie is passionate about ethical, values-driven care and advocating for meaningful change across the field.
https://catalystbehavior.com/
My Catalyst “Green Flags”
Ethics binder up front for parents, families, staff, etc. to read
Caseload sizes are determined by what is feasible for the BCBA to achieve their billable hours
HRE isn’t just encouraged, it’s required
Clinical Integrity Committee
Ongoing Mentorship for new BCBA’s
Mandatory standards for BCBA’s to contact & interact with their families
Encouragement to seek outside perspectives & consultation for cases
Multiple BCBA’s saying “this is the most ethical company I’ve ever worked for”
Before I found Catalyst Behavior Solutions, I was ready to walk away from the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. As a BCBA, I had dedicated years to helping others—but over time, I found myself drained, disillusioned, and honestly, burned out. The spark I once had for the field had dimmed, and I wasn’t sure if I could find my way back.
Then I found Catalyst.
From the very first conversation, I knew this company was different. Catalyst didn’t just talk about ethical integrity—they lived it. The team upheld the BACB Ethics Code with a level of consistency and dedication I had never experienced before in any other organization. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could do the work the right way—without cutting corners, compromising values, or sacrificing client progress for convenience.
That shift changed everything.
A huge part of that change came from the people. The RBTs on my team are some of the most dedicated, compassionate, and hardworking professionals I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. Day in and day out, they show up for our clients with open hearts and unwavering commitment. They’ve made an incredible impact on the lives of the families we serve—and on me, too. I’m endlessly inspired by their empathy, their energy, and their belief in the progress we create together.
And the leadership team at Catalyst? Supportive doesn’t even begin to cover it. They’re engaged, encouraging, and genuinely invested in the success and well-being of their staff. It’s a rare and powerful thing to feel both professionally respected and personally supported—and at Catalyst, I feel both every single day.
Catalyst gave me space to be the kind of BCBA I always wanted to be. I was surrounded by professionals who shared my values, who supported one another, and who believed deeply in the power of ethical, compassionate, evidence-based care. It didn’t take long for my sense of purpose to return—and with it, the fire I thought I had lost.
“It didn’t take long for my sense of purpose to return - and with it, the fire I thought I had lost”
This renewed inspiration led me to take the next big step in my professional journey: applying for a PhD program in ABA. Something I never thought I’d pursue became a real, exciting possibility again—because Catalyst reminded me of why I fell in love with this field in the first place.
As I prepare to leave Catalyst to pursue my PhD and focus on serving underserved populations, I’m filled with so many emotions. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to a place that has meant so much to me, and to a team that has truly become like family. But I leave with a full heart and a deep sense of gratitude—for every client, every coworker, and every moment that helped shape who I am today.
If you're considering a position at Catalyst Behavior Solutions, take this as your sign. It’s not just a job—it’s a place where passion is reignited, purpose is rediscovered, and people matter. Catalyst changed the course of my career—and it just might change yours too.
*Disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog are my own (Functionally Speaking ABA) and do not reflect the views of UNMC
