Staff Spotlight: Jess Warrell, BCBA

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jess, one of Keystone's amazing BCBAs, for a chat. Her warmth and genuine care for the people around her are immediately evident, and we are beyond fortunate to have her as part of our team.

Jess has been with Keystone for 5 years this December! A native Coloradan, Jess moved from Castle Rock to Colorado Springs in 2018 where her now-husband lived. She has a parrot named Rocco, who, despite his ability to fly around freely, prefers to stay close to Jess and her husband Jared. Outside of work, Jess enjoys a variety of activities including arts and crafts, hiking, and reading. Right now, Jess’ preferred genre to read is horror, since Halloween is coming up, but enjoys a variety of genres. At the moment, reading progress has been halted as the diamond painting she is working on is dominating her free time. Jess also talked about her love of crocheting, particularly stuffed animals.

Although currently a BCBA, Jess started as a BT at Keystone during college. She had been working at Safeway (where she met her husband) but wanted to do something more closely related to her field of study and ideally one that worked with kids. While doing research, Jess discovered ABA and decided to try it out until graduation. Before long she realized that not only did ABA allow her to utilize her knowledge of psychology and work with kids, but she also enjoyed the work itself. It was watching students she had worked with graduate from the program that solidified her decision to stick with ABA post-graduation and eventually pursue her BCBA.

When I asked Jess about Keystone, she shared how incredibly supportive the work environment is, with someone always able to offer support when needed. She explained there is always someone to help when you feel stressed or overwhelmed whether that means answering questions, coaching you how to handle certain behaviors or situations, or stepping in to provide support or give you a break.

The emphasis on teamwork and mutual care makes all the difference, especially during the tough moments. Jess knows first-hand the challenges of working as an RBT and that experience allows her to be an even stronger support for her team and students. Jess’ experience has taught her that rough patches always get better, even if it takes a while and that the result is worth it. And that often, walking through tough moments with students strengthens the trust and bond between students and their therapists.

Self-care is another thing Jess emphasized when discussing how to get through difficult and overwhelming days. She encourages her team to take time for themselves, especially after intense sessions, and to engage in activities that help them relax and recharge. It is this balance that keeps everyone energized and ready to keep making progress.

I asked Jess to share advice for those considering a career in ABA. Her response was thoughtful and grounded, explaining that ABA is a challenging field, and it takes time to know if it’s the right fit for you. When things get tough, don’t quit right away. Reach out for support and give yourself the space to figure it out. And, if after a time you realize it is not the right fit, that’s okay too.

For parents new to ABA, Jess recommends keeping an open line of communication with their child’s BCBAs. She encourages parents to attend meetings whenever possible and to ensure there is consistency between home and the center. When searching for a clinic, she advises parents to take a tour and observe how sessions are conducted and make sure the clinic practices trauma-informed care, which is a cornerstone of effective modern ABA.

We’re so lucky to have Jess as part of our Keystone family. Her passion, dedication, and insight truly make a difference in the lives of her students and their families.