In this episode of 3 Pie Squared – ABA Business Leaders, we’re diving into a question that stirs up passionate debate across the ABA field: Should a BCBA always own the clinic? Guest Jennifer Helten, founder of Unique Pathways, joins Stephen and April to explore why non-clinician ownership doesn’t mean lower quality—and how it might just be the key to a more balanced and sustainable ABA model.

Jennifer brings her decades of experience to the table and shares her inspiring journey from nanny to business owner, guided by a deep, personal mission to empower children and families. Together, they explore the power of collaboration between business and clinical leaders, and why mutual trust, clear roles, and a commitment to outcomes are the pillars of an ethical ABA practice.

What you’ll learn:

• The ethics and effectiveness of non-BCBA-owned clinics

• How business owners and clinical directors can work in harmony

• Building systems that prioritize staff training and child outcomes

• Real-world strategies for balancing sustainability and clinical care

🎯 Starting a practice, not sure where to start? Want to make sure you have everything needed for your established practice? Download our free start-up list here.

📘 Explore membership options with 3 Pie Squared and access exclusive resources for ABA business leaders, including the ABA Business Leaders Membership, featuring 34 CEUs, webinars, expert panels, and a network of practice owners. Click here.

Meet Our Guest: Jennifer Helten is the owner and founder of Unique Pathways. Her path into ABA began unexpectedly—but her purpose was always clear. After experiencing personal loss as a child and discovering the power of advocacy through grief, Jennifer has spent over 20 years championing children and their families. Unique Pathways is her commitment in action: a place where kids are met at their level, given a voice, and supported every step of the way.

🎙️ Quality over Quantity: Is More Supervision Always Better?

In this episode of 3 Pie Squared – ABA Business Leaders, April and Stephen explore a foundational question in ABA practice management: does more supervision always lead to better outcomes? Or is there a point where quantity starts to undercut quality?

They discuss:

• Why micromanagement isn’t supervision—and when stepping back is best

• Strategies for aligning supervision intensity with client and staff needs

• The real costs of over-supervising (and how to make it sustainable)

• The importance of staff training, observer effects, and fading support

• Practical tools for managing supervision across large caseloads

This episode also introduces a practical supervision guideline and highlights how the ABA Business Leaders Membership helps ABA providers implement scalable, ethical supervision models while aligning clinical goals with business demands.

Starting a practice, not sure where to start? Want to make sure you have everything needed for your established practice? Download our free start up list here.

Explore membership options with 3 Pie Squared and access exclusive resources for ABA business leaders, click here.

In this raw and heartfelt episode of 3 Pie Squared – ABA Business Leaders, April and Stephen open up about a crucial topic that impacts many in the field: ABA business owner burnout. From long hours to emotional exhaustion, they share personal stories, explore the blurred line between burnout and depression, and challenge the culture of wearing burnout like a badge of honor.

April leads a deep discussion about how burnout shows up behaviorally, the role of cynicism, and how business owners can unintentionally pass burnout down to their teams. Stephen adds candid insights on mental load, boundaries, and the stress of juggling personal and professional responsibilities. They also touch on systems that help, like regular check-ins and building a support network, plus the impact of societal pressures and lack of community in modern leadership roles.

Whether you're in the startup phase or deep into your ABA journey, this episode invites you to pause and reflect. Let’s stop normalizing burnout—and start creating sustainable, balanced ABA practices.

This episode is proudly sponsored by MarginKeepers 🧾 Concentrate on the science, leave the accounting to us! MarginKeepers has in-depth knowledge of the Applied Behavior Analysis field and helps ABA business owners manage their finances with ease and confidence.

🔗 Starting a practice, not sure where to start? Want to make sure you have everything needed for your established practice? Download our free start-up list here.

🔗 Explore membership options with 3 Pie Squared and access exclusive resources for ABA business leaders Click here.