We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brittany Maurizi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In April 2025, I took one of the biggest risks of my life: I opened Balanced Behaviors, LLC. At the time, I had a stable full-time job, a young family depending on me, and no formal background in business. But I also had something else, an unshakable feeling that I was meant to build something of my own, something that aligned with my passion and values. I recently made the bold decision to step away from my full-time position to pursue this dream full time. It’s terrifying, if I’m being honest. I’m responsible for little ones who count on me every day, and I’m stepping into unfamiliar territory, guided not by a business degree but by my own grit, heart, and belief that this is the right path. As a first-generation college graduate, the only one in my immediate family to earn both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree, I’ve been determined to break generational cycles and create a life of meaning and impact. I’ve known since I was 18 that I wanted to build something better for my future family, and I carry that purpose with me every day. I don’t yet know how this risk will play out. But in my gut, I know it’s right. And for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m doing what I love, on my terms.

Brittany, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi, I’m Brittany Maurizi, wife, mom, Behavior Analyst, and now proud business owner of Balanced Behaviors, LLC. My journey started in the world of education, where I found my heart drawn to special education and the incredible kids and families within it. That experience ignited my passion for understanding the “why” behind behavior, what motivates us, what challenges us, and how we can learn to thrive through it all. That curiosity led me to pursue becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and from there, my mission started to take shape.

Over the years, I’ve primarily worked with children and teens diagnosed with Autism, ranging from ages 2 to 21. But I’ve always known that the power of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) goes far beyond any one diagnosis. Everyone, yes, everyone, can benefit from learning how behavior works, how to increase meaningful skills, and how to reduce stress, frustration, or challenges in day-to-day life. That’s why I founded Balanced Behaviors, to make ABA-informed supports accessible, compassionate, and empowering for all individuals, diagnosed or not, child or adult, home or school.

At Balanced Behaviors, I offer:

Direct 1:1 therapy for children and teens ages 2-18

Adult direct therapy using ABA strategies for emotional regulation, communication, and behavior

Caregiver coaching to help parents feel more confident and supported at home

Behavioral consultation for schools, daycares, and other healthcare providers

IEP advocacy to support families navigating the special education process

I’m also in the process of developing digital tools, like e-books, printable guides, checklists, and webinars, that families and providers can turn to for education, support, and actionable strategies.

One of my biggest goals with Balanced Behaviors is to help break the stigma around ABA therapy. I know there’s a lot of mixed messaging out there, but I truly believe that, like any field, the quality of the service depends on the ethics, empathy, and skill of the provider. ABA done right can be life-changing, and that’s the version I practice and promote. I believe in consent, collaboration, compassion, and the idea that progress doesn’t always have to be loud or look the same for everyone.

If you remember one thing about me and my brand, I hope it’s this: You’re not alone. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or someone navigating your own behavior or mental health journey, your possibilities are endless when you have the right support system! As a mom myself, I get how hard parenting can be. I’ve had sleepless nights and overwhelming days, too. That’s why I’m not just here to teach strategies, I’m here to cheer you on, listen to your concerns, and walk beside you in every step of the journey.

If you’re looking for a provider who leads with empathy, communicates with honesty, and believes deeply in the power of progress, no matter how big or small, I’d be honored to work with you!

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Two things immediately come to mind: confidence and empathy. I think both are essential to truly succeed in this field, especially when you’re working so closely with individuals and families during what can be incredibly vulnerable or challenging times.

Confidence is a big one, and, honestly, it’s something I’ve had to grow into. In a field like behavior analysis, you’re often looked to as “the expert,” even when the situation is messy, unclear, or still unfolding. People need to feel like they can trust you with their child, their classroom, their home. That trust starts with showing up confidently, being grounded in your knowledge, yes, but also in your ability to listen, adjust, and lead with care. And let’s be real, there are absolutely days when imposter syndrome sneaks in (I think most of us feel that at some point). But I try to remind myself that I am capable, that I do have the tools, and that the work I do makes a difference. When I lead with that belief, my abilities shine through.

Empathy, though, is the thread that ties everything together. I’m not walking in my client’s shoes. I don’t live their day-to-day. But I do my best to imagine what it must feel like, whether I’m supporting a child who’s struggling to communicate or a parent who’s just trying to make it through the day without a meltdown. When I lead with empathy, my entire approach changes. It helps me slow down, really listen, and individualize every plan or recommendation I make. And interestingly, I’ve found that the more empathetic I am, the more confident I become, because I’m not guessing. I’m connecting. I’m understanding. And that always leads to better outcomes.

At the end of the day, I think success in this field comes from that mix: the confidence to lead and the empathy to truly see the person in front of you.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the biggest tests of my resilience came during the process of becoming a BCBA. To be certified, you need to accumulate 2,000 supervised hours and then pass the board exam, a huge commitment of time, energy, and effort. When I first started my supervision, I was working part-time for a small company. I really enjoyed the work and felt like I was learning a lot, so I was hopeful that I could grow with them.

Eventually, though, I needed to shift to a full-time role to better support my family. When I approached them about transitioning to full-time, they agreed, but with new expectations, like frequent travel and lodging, without any offer to reimburse those costs. I had naively assumed that support would be in place, and when I brought up my concerns, things quickly changed. What had once felt like a collaborative work environment became uncomfortable and tense. Despite trying to maintain professionalism and open communication, the atmosphere turned hostile.

The tipping point came when I discovered something that I believed to be unethical. I didn’t rush to react, I took my time, consulted the ethics board, and truly weighed the potential consequences. But ultimately, I made the difficult decision to report it. As expected, there was fallout. Shortly after, they fired me and then refused to sign off on the supervision hours I had already earned. I fought for those hours with everything I had, but the board ultimately denied my request. I had no choice but to start from scratch.

It was devastating at the time. I had put in months of work, late nights, and emotional energy, all of it suddenly gone. But even in the middle of that setback, something in me knew I couldn’t quit. I’m a determined person, and I knew what kind of provider I wanted to become. I found a new opportunity, restarted my supervision hours, and slowly rebuilt. Eventually, I completed all 2,000 hours!

That experience didn’t break me, it clarified my purpose. It’s one of the biggest reasons I started Balanced Behaviors, LLC. I never want a supervisee to feel unsupported, undervalued, or stuck in a system that prioritizes control over compassion. This field can be tough enough on its own, and the least we can do is lift each other up.

So now, as a supervisor myself, I lead with transparency, respect, and real support. One supervisee at a time, I’m doing my part to change the narrative, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.balancedbehaviorsllc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balancedbehaviorsllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574739882870

Image Credits

Photographer: Aaron Long