Finding Your Way Back Home: Why BCBA Gretchen Thompson Found Her Way Back to Hopebridge

With a Focus on Values, Work-Life Balance and Autonomy, Behavior Analyst Chooses to Advance Her Career at Hopebridge

Sometimes, the road to discovering what truly matters in life and your career isn’t a straight path. It can be a journey marked by exploration, decisions, and ultimately, the realization of where you feel most at home.

For Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Gretchen Thompson, this realization led her back to Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers after taking a year to work with another provider. While away, she realized she missed something more profound than just a workplace. When she returned, she came back to a community, a mission, and a place that aligned with her values and career aspirations.

This is her story—why she left, why she came back, and why she now calls Hopebridge home.

A New Opportunity—And a Change of Heart

Gretchen first joined Hopebridge when the organization expanded into North Carolina, working at the therapy center in Gastonia. She enjoyed it, but after nearly a year, she received a job offer to become a clinical director for another provider. Like many professionals, she saw the opportunity as a step forward in her career. Yet, it wasn’t long in that role before Gretchen began to feel that something was missing from her new role.

Having worked for several providers of applied behavior analysis (ABA) over the years, she realized that while other companies may offer initially enticing compensation, many lacked the core values, supportive environment, life-work balance, and breadth of growth opportunities she found at Hopebridge.

“Ethically, the way Hopebridge practices is unmatched. I’ve found that other companies may promise more money up front, but many times, a the BCBA gets there and has a huge caseload without much oversight,” said Gretchen. “Hopebridge finds that balance between what’s best for the clinicians and what’s best for the clients. That’s hard to find elsewhere.”

Gretchen’s return to Hopebridge was driven by more than just nostalgia. She was drawn back by the sense of community and leadership she had found there. It was a simple LinkedIn post from a former colleague that set everything in motion for her to come back to Hopebridge. Marlena Campbell, the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Gretchen previously supervised, had been promoted to center manager for the new Hopebridge center in Huntersville, NC and sought out BCBAs to grow her team. Gretchen jumped at the opportunity.

“I remember Marlena was on the pathway to leadership at Hopebridge while she was still an RBT, so watching her grow and move into operations and management is really special,” said Gretchen. “I’ve seen several people from my original team develop into new roles, and it’s something I wanted to be a part of again.”

Not only did Gretchen see the potential for others to thrive, but during the year she was away, Hopebridge also expanded its support and growth opportunities for BCBAs, including the launch of its BCBA Career Pathway. Gretchen looks forward to the advancement opportunities it provides as she continues to help her center grow.

Why Hopebridge Feels Like “Home”

The reasons Gretchen came back to Hopebridge go beyond just career advancement. It’s the culture, ethics and hands-on leadership that make the difference.

During one center visit from some of the clinical leadership team, Gretchen noticed Hopebridge Chief Clinical Officer Jana Sarno on the ground doing a puzzle with a child and RBT. She noted that Jana is also always open to talk to BCBAs about their clinical practice and work through challenges.

“It’s moments like this that make Hopebridge stand out. Our RBTs were so excited to see our clinical leadership’s hands-on involvement and connection,” said Gretchen. “Hopebridge is a large company, but the collaboration and culture here give us more of a mom-and-pop feel inside our centers. Our environment is BCBA-driven and clinician-run.”

Another major factor in her decision to return is the autonomy Hopebridge gives its clinicians.

“Here, we have a lot of autonomy to run assessments and programs the way we see fit for our clients. The trust and empowerment from leadership are amazing. There’s no micromanagement—they provide support but still trust us to make decisions that are best for our kids and their families,” said Gretchen.

Additionally, unlike most other ABA providers, Hopebridge does not have a strict requirement for billable hours.. Since it offers bonuses for those who go above and beyond – rather than requiring a hefty hour minimum – Gretchen believes Hopebridge provides clinicians with more opportunities for a healthy work-life balance.

And then there’s the PTO—not only does she believe the amount of paid time off Hopebridge offers clinicians is a huge perk, but she also appreciates that leaders encourage and remind their team to use it.

“Hopebridge is different in this way. We’re not pushed to burn out. Instead, we’re given the freedom to focus on what’s clinically appropriate for our kids, while also reminding us to focus on what’s important in life,” said Gretchen.

Why Hopebridge is a Place to Grow and Thrive—for Kids and Clinicians

While there are many reasons Gretchen works in ABA with Hopebridge, there is one powerful moment with a family that reaffirmed her purpose.

After joining Hopebridge with limited communication skills, one child who was non-verbal began talking and playing during his time in ABA therapy. His mother shared her joy on social media, describing how he eagerly anticipated playing with friends—something she once doubted he’d be able to do. The child’s progress, along with the excitement from his mother and his team, reminded Gretchen of the great impact autism therapy can have on children and families.

While the focus is on the children in our centers, they are not the only individuals who experience learning and development at Hopebridge. There is much emphasis placed on clinicians, too, as Hopebridge knows that growth in knowledge and skills will lead to happier and stronger clinicians, thus providing higher quality care for children.

For BCBAs considering their next career move, Gretchen offers this advice, “When you’re looking for a new role, visit the center, check out the atmosphere, and talk to an RBT. Ask yourself if the company’s values align with yours. Do you want to be with a company that prioritizes ethics over profit?”

For Gretchen, the answer has become clear. “At the end of the day, I will always recommend Hopebridge to someone looking to advance their career while making an impact.”

If you are searching for a place where quality, compassionate care, clinical growth and values come first, Hopebridge is the home you’ve been looking for in your career. Explore current BCBA job openings and start your journey with us today.

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