About
We Thrive by Supporting Your Child’s Growth with Compassionate, Effective ABA Therapy
Prioritize Quality of Life
As a parent, you want a therapy approach that truly supports your child’s progress while making life easier for your family. That’s why we focus on creating consistent and positive environments, where routines feel predictable, nurturing, and supportive.
We understand that therapy must be practical and collaborative, which is why we develop feasible plans that work for everyone—parents, caregivers, and staff—so you feel confident implementing strategies at home. And because learning should be engaging, we ensure that therapy sessions are not just effective but also fun and enjoyable for your child.
Our ultimate goal is to prioritize quality of life, helping your child build functional skills that promote independence and communication. When it comes to challenging behaviors, we take a positive and proactive approach, focusing on teaching new skills rather than just reacting to behaviors.
Our ABA Therapists
Every service your child receives, including direct treatments, is provided by a highly experienced BCBA who is committed to their growth and success. Each day, they create an environment where three key elements come together: Effective Teaching, Supported Parents, and Happy Kiddos.
Evidence-based Strategies for Your Child Goals
You can trust that every strategy we use is backed by evidence-based interventions, ensuring we follow research-driven, structured steps to help your child reach their goals. We also take the time to understand why behaviors occur, using assessments to teach replacement skills that are more effective and empowering.
We deeply respect each child’s individuality and cultural background, collaborating with you to set goals that align with your values. Our language and approach affirm neurodivergent identities while rejecting ableism.
At the heart of our work is a strengths-based teaching approach, recognizing that every child is capable of learning and growing. We teach in natural environments, using familiar items and settings to make learning relevant, enjoyable, and easier to apply in daily life.
Above all, we’re here to support you. With our compassionate, individualized approach, you’ll feel confident knowing your child is gaining the skills they need to thrive—at home, in school, and beyond.
Kristen Gainer
Owner + BCBA, LBA, NBCT
Kristen Gainer, founder of Thrive ABA Therapy, is a dedicated educator and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Since 2005, she has contributed significantly to education, specializing in special education, early intervention, and autism support.
Kristen has served on Highline College's Professional Education Advisory Board and holds teaching certificates in special and elementary education, and is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher (NBCT). She is proficient in evidence-based interventions like prompting, reinforcement schedules, antecedent and consequence strategies, visual supports, shaping, and Picture Exchange (PECS).
In her free time, she immerses herself in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Whether walking, hiking, camping, or spending time at the beach, Kristen enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family, finding inspiration and rejuvenation in nature.
Claire Hardy
M. Ed, BCBA, LBA
Claire Hardy is a compassionate and dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a strong background in providing family support. As a former family support specialist, Claire provided in-home coaching to parents of autistic children, equipping them with the tools and strategies needed to support their children's development.
Claire earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Washington and holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Boston University. She is deeply passionate about Dr. Hanley's HRE (Happy, Relaxed, and Engaged) approach, believing that children learn best when they are in a positive and supportive environment.Thriving in her direct work with autistic children, Claire is committed to making a meaningful impact in their lives and helping them achieve their full potential.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, finding her flow on the yoga mat, playing lively board games with friends, and spending time outside with her husband and dog.
Lena Madden
M.S., BCBA, LBA
Lena Madden is a passionate BCBA focused on trauma-informed, client-led care. She believes in empowering her clients and working collaboratively to help them achieve their goals.
Lena earned her B.S. in Biology from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and her M.S. in Psychology with an emphasis in ABA from Capella University. She has been working in the ABA field since 2019, gaining experience in both clinic and in-home and community settings. Lena particularly values in-home work, as it allows her to collaborate closely with clients and their families in their natural environment.
In her free time, Lena can often be found lost in a good book, diving into thought-provoking discussions about philosophy and psychology, playing board games, or unwinding with a great movie.
Heather Mitchell
M. Ed, BCBA, LBA
Heather Mitchell is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 15 years of experience in special education. She has worked with individuals from birth up to age 22, demonstrating her extensive expertise across a wide age range.
Along with working evenings as a BCBA for Thrive ABA Therapy, Heather is a special education teacher for the Everett School District (ESD). Over the last few years, she has worked for ESD primarily with middle school children who have emotional and behavioral disabilities.
Heather is also a mother of five children, including one child on the autism spectrum. This personal experience enriches her professional practice, providing her with unique insights and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by families.
In her free time, Heather loves adventuring with her family, taking day trips, and indulging in her passion for crocheting.
Purnima Kafley
M. Ed, BCBA, LABA
Purnima Kafely is a newly certified, highly skilled Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She was born in Nepal and is fluent in Nepali. Purnima’s journey in ABA began in 2020, where she first served as a Certified Behavior Technician (CBT), gaining foundational experience in direct client care. Demonstrating a strong grasp of behavioral principles, she advanced to become a Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA). Purnima holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She earned a Master’s degree in Education from Arizona State University.
Throughout her career, Purnima has accumulated experience working in diverse settings, including homes, clinics, and schools. This breadth of experience has equipped her with a versatile skill set, allowing her to adapt interventions to various environments and client needs effectively. Her approach is deeply rooted in compassionate, client-centered care.
In her free time, Purnima enjoys walking, hiking, and the adventure of camping. Her zest for life and continuous learning not only enriches her personal experiences but also contributes to her professional practice
Keri Moen
M. Ed, BCBA, LBA
Keri is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who has been working in the field of ABA since 2011 and a BCBA since 2016. She specializes in providing sensitive, supportive, and contextually appropriate ABA services. Keri completed her M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of Washington, following her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Nevada, Reno.
She has experience delivering ABA therapy to individuals of all ages across diverse settings, including schools, group homes, clinics, and private residences. Keri particularly enjoys providing services within home and community environments. Her passion lies in empowering those she works with, equipping families with necessary tools, and cultivating strong therapeutic relationships.
When she's not working, Keri enjoys spending time outdoors, being with her family, reading, crocheting, and all things related to gardening and plants
Testimonials
Thrive provided my teenage son with ABA therapy during summer of 2024. I would highly recommend Thrive! They focused on my son's programs. They obviously care for the kiddos and are flexible and accommodating when scheduling sessions. Without these ABA sessions, my son would have regressed by the time he resumed school. Thank you Thrive! Keep up the great work!
- Tarek Radi
I am blessed to have found Kristen. I had a wonderful experience with her. She has the greatest work ethic. When she worked with my child, she observed him thoroughly all the time to figure out how she can grab his attention and keep him engaged with her. She knew when my child was upset and she very well knew how to handle that situation by teaching my child a verbal approach to deal with frustration. Under her guidance, my kid went from saying 2-3 words to saying more than 50 words and sometimes using 2 words together.
- Jennika Kralovich
Insurance Accepted
