What insurance do you accept?

We're in-network with Kaiser Permanente, Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP), and the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB). Not sure if you're covered? Fill out our intake form and we'll help you find out.

Do you offer in-home or in-center therapy?

Both. Some children do best at our Emeryville Early Learner Center, surrounded by peers and structure; others learn faster at home. Your BCBA will recommend the setting that fits your child, and you can change it as they grow.

Who leads my child's care?

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) designs and oversees your child's program from day one. We keep caseloads small on purpose, so the analyst running your child's program actually knows your child and your goals.

How soon will I hear back after reaching out?

Our clinical team responds within one business day — no sales reps, no runaround.

Do you offer services in Spanish?

Yes. Our clinicians reflect the communities we serve, and we deliver care in both English and Spanish.

How do I get started?

Submit our New Client Intake Form. Our clinical team reviews your child's needs, confirms whether we're the right fit, and guides you through insurance authorization and the BCBA assessment.

Our Team | Animate Behavior — Meet the Clinicians

Yaz Aboul-Fetouh, BCBA

Chief Executive Officer

BCBA #1-09-5696

I'm Yasser — Yaz for short — a founder and BCBA at Animate Behavior. Originally from New Orleans, I've been in the Bay Area since 2013 and in the field of ABA since 2006. I've always specialized in the Organizational Behavior Management applications of ABA as well as the rewarding, life-changing clinical applications that put our field on the map. I love that my role here lets me use that experience to better both our clients' and our staff's lives.

Veronica Lavi, BCBA

Director, Clinical Operations

BCBA #1-20-42625

I've been in the field of ABA for 8 years and a supervisor at our center for the last 5. I earned my Master's in ABA from FIT in 2020. I love teaching every kind of skill — from language to social and daily-living skills — and I believe in finding what works best for each individual child and family.

Rudy Hernandez, BCBA

Senior Clinical Supervisor

BCBA #1-19-34722

I'm a BCBA at our Early Learner Center. I've been in ABA for over 10 years and a supervisor — in-home and at our center — for 5. I earned my Bachelor's from UC Santa Barbara and my Master's in ABA in 2019. I love watching behavior change in an impactful, meaningful way for my clients and their caregivers.

Katie Turner, BCBA

Senior Clinical Supervisor

BCBA #1-22-57966

I've worked at Animate for over 3 years in our center and received my Master's in ABA from Arizona State University in 2019. I've worked with children 0–5 for the past 15 years and am passionate about supporting children to learn at their own pace, with individualized support that meets their unique needs.

Eric Shafarman, BCBA

BCBA Consultant

BCBA #1-17-27701

I earned my Master's in Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology in 2017 and have worked in ABA for over 10 years across the Bay Area, Dubai, and Germany. I specialize in early intervention and teaching communication skills, and I love helping children and their families live a full, meaningful life together.

Isabella Kolej, BCBA

Assistant Clinical Supervisor

BCBA #1-25-86651

I'm Isabella — Bell for short — an Assistant Clinical Supervisor for our in-home region. I earned my Master's in ABA and Autism from Russell Sage College in 2023 and have worked in the field for 7 years, across home, school, and center environments.

Tatyana Givens

Assistant Clinical Supervisor

I'm Tatyana — Taty for short. I've worked with children for 7 years and in ABA for 5, and I'm currently enrolled in my master's program at FIT. I'm passionate about seeing children grow, building independence and meaningful life skills, and partnering with families so each child receives compassionate, individualized, effective care.

Kimberley Herrera-Chavez

Assistant Clinical Supervisor

I'm Kim, an Assistant Clinical Supervisor at our Early Learner Center. I earned my Master's in ABA from National University and have worked in the field for almost 5 years. I'm passionate about helping children build confidence and independence through meaningful, fun learning — and celebrating every step of their progress, big and small.

The real people behind the work.

Want to join this team?

Meet the clinician who'll know your child.