Cierra Jackson, MS, BCBA, LBA
Cierra Jackson, MS, BCBA, LBA is a Senior Board Certified Behavior Analyst Supervisor at Thrive Behavioral Consulting, LLC, with more than eight years of experience in the behavioral health care field and six years in supervisory leadership. Her career reflects a deep commitment to ethical, compassionate, and effective Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), grounded in both clinical excellence and human connection. Cierra holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Tarleton State University and a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Simmons University, equipping her with a strong foundation in data-driven practice, program development, and team leadership.
In her current role, Cierra oversees clinical services, mentors BCBAs and RBTs, and supports families through thoughtful, individualized treatment planning. She is known for balancing analytical rigor with empathy—ensuring that interventions are not only clinically sound but also respectful of each child’s lived experience. Her leadership style emphasizes employee engagement, collaboration, and sustainability in a field often challenged by burnout and high turnover.
Beyond her formal role, Cierra is a passionate advocate for the heart of ABA work—the unseen moments of care, perseverance, and impact that define meaningful change. She believes that true success in behavioral health lies not just in data points or progress graphs, but in helping children find their voices, supporting families through difficult seasons, and fostering teams that lead with integrity, humanity, and purpose.
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst
• Liscensed Behavior Analyst
• Simmons College Graduate Studies- M.S.
• Tarleton State University- Bachelor's
• Tarleton Waco Diplomats
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to starting at the most hands-on level as a registered behavior technician, where presence, patience, and learning directly from clients and families shaped my values, paired with persistence and a deep commitment to ethical, trauma-informed care. Continuing to grow through education, leadership, and collaboration has allowed me to evolve alongside my organization while staying grounded in the human impact of this work.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received came from my clinical director and executive director, who both guided me in shaping my professional identity, strengthening my clinical and training skills, and building the confidence to step into leadership. These wonderful ladies have always led by example and taught me to meet people where they are at- clients, parents, school employees and/or our RBTs. This is advice that has helped me grow in understanding and empathy.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay grounded in your purpose and be open to learning at every stage—growth often starts in the roles that feel small. Seek mentors, invest in your education, and remember that leadership is built through integrity, advocacy, and consistent care for the individuals and families you serve.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in our field right now is ongoing pushback from insurance providers and limited federal funding, which often require clinicians to repeatedly justify clearly necessary services despite strong clinical evidence.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are open communication and ownership—being willing to admit mistakes, learn from them, and lead with accountability. I also believe deeply in kindness, because you never know what someone, especially a colleague, may be carrying behind the scenes.