our team

Catherine Friend is the Regional Clinical Director of our Maryland locations as well as a BCBA for Blue Balloon ABA. Catherine is responsible for ensuring that Blue Balloon provides high quality and ethical care to all our clients in line with industry standards and regulations, as well as our own internal clinical policies and procedures. Catherine prides herself on providing functional and client-centered treatment to her clients with Autism and collaborating with parents to ensure families are supported at home and in the community through regular parent training. Catherine’s passion for ABA was sparked as a teenager, when she earned a reputation as a babysitter for children with Autism. This led Catherine to complete her Bachelors in Cognitive Neuroscience at University of Delaware, minoring in Psychology and Disability Studies.

She went on to complete her Masters in ABA from Ball State University. Since becoming a BCBA, Catherine has worked in clinic, home-based, and community-based settings, collaborating frequently with related disciplines (Speech, OT) and school-based providers, furthering her knowledge of related fields and advocating for her clients in a variety of ways. Catherine enjoys her twin baby girls, Willow and Eleanor, playing with her dog, Dobby, and going on adventures with her husband.‍

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