Brenda Li Gavilla

I attribute my success to determination, discipline, and the support system that has stood beside me throughout my journey. When I set a goal, I commit to it fully and work hard to achieve it, even when the process is difficult or uncertain.

I am also deeply grateful for my partner and my family, who have consistently encouraged me, supported me, and reminded me of what I am capable of. Their belief in me has played an important role in helping me continue growing professionally and personally.

The best career advice I’ve ever received was from a mentor during my supervision hours. She always reminded me to do my best in everything I do and to make decisions with the best intentions, tools, and information available to me at that time.

That advice has stayed with me throughout my clinical work. In ABA, we are often making difficult decisions in complex situations, especially when supporting children with challenging behaviors and families who are looking for answers. There is not always a perfect decision, and sometimes we only realize later what could have been done differently.

What matters to me is knowing that I approached each situation ethically, thoughtfully, and with the goal of providing quality care. As professionals, we carry a lot of responsibility, but we are also human. I try to remain transparent, compassionate, and committed to doing the best I can for each client and family with the knowledge and resources I have in that moment.

My advice to young women entering the field is to trust the process and trust themselves. As a new BCBA, it can feel like you are immediately expected to have all the answers simply because you earned the credential. In reality, there is still so much growth, learning, and confidence-building that happens once you begin practicing independently.

There will be moments when you feel unsure, especially when making clinical decisions or supporting complex cases. In those moments, trust your knowledge, your training, your supervision history, and your clinical judgment. Also trust your instinct. This is a caring profession, and most people enter this field because they genuinely want to help children and families.

You will not always feel completely prepared, but you are capable of learning, adapting, and making thoughtful decisions. Continue asking questions, seeking consultation, staying ethical, and remembering why you entered the field. If you care deeply, remain teachable, and keep showing up with integrity, your confidence will grow with time.

The biggest challenge in my field right now is building trust and visibility, especially as a new business owner. In a space where many people are already familiar with established companies or professionals who have been creating resources for years, it can be difficult to show why your work is valuable, credible, and worth investing in.

For me, that means being intentional about building a media presence, sharing my knowledge consistently, and helping people understand the quality and purpose behind what I create. In today’s field, so much of business growth happens online, so visibility matters. People need to see not only the product, but also the person, values, and expertise behind it.

At the same time, I see this as a major opportunity. As a BCBA and business owner, I am using my clinical experience, education, and license to create something meaningful. It comes with risk, especially because it is just me building this from the ground up, but I trust my knowledge, discipline, and determination. My goal is to keep showing up, build credibility through quality work, and create resources that genuinely support students, clinicians, and families.

The values that are most important to me are transparency, communication, honesty, and integrity. I believe transparency and communication go hand in hand, both in clinical work and in my personal life. When people communicate clearly and in a timely manner, it helps prevent confusion, reduce conflict, and build trust.

In my clinical work, these values are especially important because we are supporting children and families. There is a responsibility to protect each client’s dignity, provide quality care, and make sure families understand what is happening throughout the process. That cannot happen without honest communication and transparency.

Working in telehealth has strengthened these values even more. Clear communication is essential when families, clinicians, and organizations are relying on accurate information, timely updates, and collaborative decision-making. Throughout my career, I have consistently been recognized for being transparent and communicative, and those are qualities I continue to prioritize in every part of my work.