Bright Connections Behavioral was born from one mother’s relentless drive to bridge the gap between families in need and the compassionate, evidence-based care they deserve.

​

My name is Catey Rice, and before I ever became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, clinical director, or doctoral student, I was a mom who knew there had to be a better way. After working in telehealth with refugee communities and doing research with the military community, I witnessed firsthand how many children with autism and developmental disabilities were slipping through the cracks, not because caregivers weren’t trying, but because systems were fragmented, supports were inconsistent, and services weren’t built with the realities of family life in mind. Living in a rural town located between two military bases, I saw that rural communities like ours were often overlooked. Families were driving hours for therapy… or going without entirely.

​

Providers talked about “progress,” but rarely about connection, collaboration, or joy. So I decided to build something different. Bright Connections Behavioral began in my living room recliner, with my children in my lap, a laptop, a vision, and a commitment to create ABA services that were:

​

Evidence-Based AND Play-Based

Clinically Rigorous AND Family Friendly

Trauma-Informed AND Joy-Filled

​

What started as in-home services for a single child quickly grew through word of mouth. Before long, I was supporting not just children, but siblings, caregivers, teachers, and entire communities. I wasn’t just running therapy sessions, I was coaching families, collaborating with schools, and rewriting what support could look like.

​

As demand grew, I opened our first Bright Connections Behavioral Clinic, a space intentionally designed to feel more like a home than a clinic. Today, our team continues to expand, offering direct therapy, parent training, social skills groups, after-school programs, caregiver collaboration nights, and soon speech, OT, diagnostics, transport services, and dedicated advocacy support.

But as our reach expanded, one truth became increasingly clear: therapy alone isn’t enough. Progress in session means little if a child is misunderstood at school, restrained instead of supported, or suspended instead of taught new skills.

​

That’s why Bright Connections moved beyond traditional ABA and stepped boldly into:

-IEP & school advocacy, helping families navigate special education systems with confidence

-High-trauma intervention and caregiver coaching, ensuring children with complex histories are met with understanding, not punishment

-Juvenile justice prevention initiatives, grounded in my doctoral research on adverse childhood experiences and behavior intervention, making sure challenging behavior is addressed before it becomes court-involved

​

Because change shouldn’t stop at the clinic door.

​

But no matter how much we grow, one thing remains constant:

We don’t just change behavior. We build relationships.
We don’t just write treatment plans. We empower families.
We don’t just serve clients. We walk alongside them.

​

Because every child deserves to be seen for their potential, not just their diagnosis.
And every caregiver deserves to feel supported, not overwhelmed.

 

Bright Connections Behavioral wasn’t built to be just another ABA clinic.
It was built to be a movement of compassion, collaboration, and connection.

​

And we’re just getting started.

—

Catey Rice, M.Ed., M.S., BCBA, COBA, IBA, LBA - WI, AZ, TX, MN
Founder & CEO, Bright Connections Behavioral