Who We Are
Olympic ABA employs experienced Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Registered Behavior Technicians who hold Washington State Behavior Technician Licenses.
Joan Gitelman
M.Ed., B.C.B.A, LBA
Master’s Degree in Special Education
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Owner, Olympic ABA, Inc.
For more than 35 years, Joan has strived to improve the lives of children and their families. During her career she has worked in special education early intervention programs, school district elementary, special education classrooms and consulted with Head Start and Childcare in Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap Counties.
In addition, she has taught special education courses in college teacher certification programs and supervised students in their teacher practicum training. She has served on numerous committees and in organizations focused on improving the systems serving children and families in the special education and challenging behavior arena. Joan has worked with hundreds of children who reflect the wide array of developmental disability and other challenges that occur in our human population.
Joan’s particular interest has long been challenging behavior, and in 2015 she became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Shortly thereafter, she opened Olympic ABA, Inc., and has since provided the highest quality ABA therapy to children and their families. Joan is passionate about making positive improvements in the lives of children and family’s daily lives. She is equally committed to meaningfully including children and their families in their schools and communities.
Joan lives with her husband in Port Townsend. They raised two children in this community. In her spare time, she works and walks with friends.
What is a BCBA?
A board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) provides ABA therapy services. To become a BCBA, the following is needed:
Earn a master’s degree or PhD in psychology or behavior analysis
Pass a national certification exam
Hold a Washington State Department of Health license to practice
Lara Barnum
M.Ed., Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Lara’s exuberant and supportive personality provides the foundation for her life-long history of working with children and teens and behavioral therapy. She began with babysitting, nannying, and continued with teaching preschool. Her first exposure to behavioral science was in 1997 in college, and she subsequently worked with one client for 7 years. She entered the behavior analysis field as a behavior technician and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2017. Lara is dedicated to applying the science of behavior analysis to children and teens. Lara makes her home in Port Townsend, and she has a young adult daughter. In her free time, Lara is devoted to podcasts and making friends with everyone she meets.
What is an RBT?
Registered behavior technicians (RBTs) are therapists trained and supervised by the BCBA. They work directly with clients with autism to practice skills and work toward the individual targets written by the BCBA. Our RBTs also hold Certified Behavior Technician licenses issued by the Washington State Department of Health.
Lisa Clark
Registered Behavior Technician
Lisa has called Port Townsend her home since she settled here with her two children following careers in the food industry and commercial fishing. Before joining Olympic ABA, Lisa spent eight years as a paraeducator with the Port Townsend School District, working with young children with a wide variety of disabilities and experiencing the most significant behavioral challenges. Lisa has been with Olympic ABA as a Registered Behavior Technician since June 2017, continually bringing her experience and expertise to children and their families. Lisa has a large family to whom she is dedicated, and in addition to raising her own children, she has also supported nieces and nephews on their journey to adulthood. Thanks to Lisa’s tremendous gifts in working with children, she has become a resource in the community in supporting troubled youth. In her leisure time, Lisa particularly enjoys spending time with her adult children.
Taylor Hubbard-Brown
Registered Behavior Technician
Taylor Hubbard-Brown is a passionate individual with a diverse background. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, her journey began as a security lieutenant, leading a team of 10 officers. A pivotal moment caring for a loved one sparked a deep passion for helping others, leading her to become a certified nursing assistant with seven years of experience in memory care and skilled nursing homes.
In 2012 her path took a turn when she met her husband, a professional commercial driver. Embracing new challenges, she attended truck driving school, obtained a commercial license and spent two years exploring 40 states alongside her husband. Despite the adventure, Taylor’s heart remained in healthcare, prompting a shift toward mental health.
The transition led to her working with children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities in a group home setting, eventually becoming a medication technician. Driven by a desire for further impact, she entered the world of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), working in a center to support children on the autism spectrum.
Now, with a wealth of experience and a commitment to diversity, Taylor has brought her expertise to the Olympic Peninsula through Olympic ABA. Committed to providing exceptional mental health care, our team strives to make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve.
Lisa Baker
Substitute Registered Behavior Technician
Lisa was born and raised in Illinois. She graduated from Illinois State University with a Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology in 1991. She and her husband moved to Washington State shortly after graduation and Lisa enjoyed a 28 year career in the medical field as a Speech Language Pathologist. Looking for a new adventure, she became certified and registered as a Behavior Technician and happily joined Olympic ABA in May 2020. Lisa worked for Olympic ABA for 2 years and is now trying retirement. At times, we are able to nab her out of retirement to word as a “substitute” RBT.
Laura Brackett
Administrative Support
Laura brings her background as a lawyer to Olympic ABA and helps us to keep focused on the big picture needs and issues in our business as well as attending to the details involved in bringing the best services to our clients. Laura has spent her adult life in various rural communities in the Puget Sound region, currently living near Sequim with her husband and son. She has two young adult children, and her son has the dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism. Her experiences raising and advocating for her son help keep us grounded in the importance to families of the work we do, and her advocacy tends to extend to all of those around her. Laura loves to garden, preserve food, read, and be outdoors on the Olympic Peninsula.