About Us
ABA Direct, LLC
Our Vision
ABA Direct envisions a world in which evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis is meaningfully integrated into the everyday lives of our clients and their caregivers, creating opportunities for learning, growth, connection, and independence wherever life takes them.
We believe every child has the capacity to learn, develop, and contribute in ways that are meaningful to them. Our role is to recognize individual strengths, understand the relationship between people and their environments, and create the conditions in which learning can flourish across everyday experiences—not just within a therapy session.
We envision caregivers who feel empowered, capable, and supported in navigating the challenges and opportunities of raising a child on the autism spectrum. Through collaborative relationships, practical skill development, and adaptable, evidence-based support, we strive to strengthen caregivers’ confidence, expand their choices, and enhance the experience of family life.
Ultimately, we seek to create lasting change by developing the capabilities of individuals, strengthening the relationships that support them, and building environments in which meaningful progress can continue long after direct services are reduced or concluded.
Our Mission
ABA Direct’s mission is to cultivate generative learning relationships that develop human capability, strengthen meaningful connections, and promote lasting independence among our clients, their caregivers, and our team members.
How this aligns with ABA Direct’s philosophy
- Learning without boundaries: Children can learn across people, settings, activities, and everyday experiences.
- Strengths before limitations: Each child is approached as an individual with abilities, potential, preferences, and opportunities for growth.
- Caregiver empowerment: Success includes helping caregivers feel more capable, confident, and in control of their family’s daily life.
- Relationships that generate growth: Collaboration among clients, caregivers, and staff creates opportunities for continued learning and adaptation.
- Independence that lasts: The goal is not simply progress during treatment, but meaningful outcomes that endure and generalize into real life.
The central philosophy is this: We do not simply bring therapy into a child’s life; we help create relationships and environments in which learning, independence, and family well-being can flourish.
Patrick G. Thorbourne
Founder | Chief Executive Officer | Clinical Director
ABA Direct, LLC | BCBA, LBA
Patrick G. Thorbourne is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Clinical Director of ABA Direct, LLC, where he combines the science of human behaivor, clinical expertise, organizational leadership, and systems thinking to advance a comprehensive, individualized approach to behavior change.
His leadership is grounded in a fundamental belief: Meaningful behavior change occurs not only within individuals, but through the interaction of people, relationships, environments, and the systems that shape their experiences. This philosophy guides his commitment to implementing evidence-based services that extend beyond traditional therapy settings and create sustainable opportunities for learning, independence, and personal growth.
As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA), Patrick approaches clinical practice with an emphasis on identifying and developing the foundational skills that enable individuals to acquire increasingly complex and adaptive behavior repertoires. His clinical interests include verbal behavior, pivotal response training, fluency-based instruction, executive functioning, social cognition, perspective-taking, self-awareness, and psychological flexibility. Through the integration of these approaches, he seeks to promote not simply the acquisition of isolated skills, but the development of generative learning repertoires that support independent problem-solving, meaningful relationships, self-management, and adaptation across environments.
Patrick holds an undergraduate degree in Forensic Psychology and a graduate degree in Adult Education and Corporate Training. His multidisciplinary education has shaped a leadership philosophy that connects behavior science with human development, organizational learning, strategic planning, and continuous improvement. He recognizes that exceptional clinical outcomes depend not only on effective interventions, but also on the competencies of practitioners, the engagement of caregivers, and the quality of the organizational systems supporting service delivery.
Under his direction, ABA Direct emphasizes the development of a coordinated and collaborative model of care in which clinical excellence, caregiver empowerment, staff development, and operational accountability reinforce one another. His approach prioritizes the creation of learning environments that promote meaningful participation, functional communication, adaptive independence, and the generalization of skills across home, school, clinic, and community settings.
Central to Patrick's philosophy is a strengths-based perspective that recognizes every individual as more than a diagnosis or collection of behavior challenges. He believes effective interventions should identify existing capabilities, cultivate emerging strengths, expand opportunities for meaningful choices, and support each individual's capacity to navigate an increasingly complex social environment.
Beyond clinical leadership, Patrick is committed to developing practitioners into thoughtful, ethical, and effective professionals who understand not only how to implement behavioral interventions, but also why those interventions work, how environmental variables influence outcomes, and when clinical strategies must evolve. He views professional development as an essential component of organizational excellence and long-term service quality.
His guiding principle reflects the foundation of ABA Direct's mission:
Purpose. People. Progress.
Tanieka Simpson
Operations Manager
Tanieka Simpson is a dedicated professional, leader, and advocate with a passion for supporting people and strengthening the systems that help them succeed. With a diverse professional background spanning customer service, education support, food service management, and corrections, Tanieka has developed exceptional communication, organization, and problem-solving skills that allow her to effectively support teams and maintain high operational standards.
In her current professional journey within the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) field, Tanieka has become known for her dedication to both clients and staff. She brings a balance of compassion and structure, ensuring that quality care, accountability, and team support remain at the center of daily operations. Tanieka is passionate about creating environments where staff feel supported, families feel heard, and children receive the highest quality of care possible.
Carolyn Larabee
BCBA, M.A., LBA.
I discovered the field of ABA by chance and quickly fell in love with it after witnessing the positive impact it can have not only on clients, but on their entire families. I began my career in 2017 as an RBT providing direct care and became a certified BCBA in 2021. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of ages and populations, from toddlers to adults, across home, clinic, school, and community settings.
I am especially passionate about compassionate, child-centered care rooted in assent-based practices, and I was fortunate to receive direct training with Gregory Hanley’s team. My goal is always to create supportive, collaborative environments where clients feel safe, respected, and empowered to actively engage in their own learning. Since joining ABA Direct in early 2023, I’ve been grateful to work alongside such a caring team that prioritizes client needs and meaningful outcomes above all else.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and dogs—especially outdoors—as well as reading, kickboxing, and cooking
Kayla Charles
M.S., BCBA, LBA
Hi, I am Kayla Charles. I started my career as an elementary special education teacher where I taught for 3 years. Then I transitioned to the field of ABA where I started as a Behavior Technician and later moved into the role of Behavior Analyst. I work with clients ranging in ages from 3-13 years olds. I know sign language and enjoy increasing my clients ability to communicate however they may look in order to help them better meet their needs and interact with others. I value working at ABA Direct as the people here have helped me grow and develop my skills. Furthermore, I love being able to work with my clients in a one-on-one setting and meeting them where they are at and seeing the progress they are able to make daily.
Satta Kpaan
Greetings, I am Satta Kpaan, an Atlanta native with Liberian roots. My love for helping others started in my younger years and I have always enjoyed being around children. Fast forward to my college years, I discovered Behavior Analysis upon my return to Savannah State University. Where I had the opportunity to intern at a marine biology center, conduct experiments, and present at conferences. Once I graduated, I began my career in the field of Behavior Analysis specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis, (ABA) and eventually I became a Registered Behavior Technician, (RBT). After 8+ years in the field, I recently aligned with ABA Direct, LLC and my ability to impact has increased. I also advocate for Psychological Health Awareness as a speaker and behavior support aid while offering life coaching and behavior consultation services. I look forward to expanding my impact and skillset within this field and my community. I am also quite privileged to be a part of our team in supporting each family and their unique children.
Who We Serve
Children with autism and developmental disabilities under the age of 21.
- Medicaid
- Tricare
- Aetna
- Amerigroup
- CareSource
- BlueCross BlueShield
- Optum
- Molina Healthcare
- Private Pay
