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

CHELSEA, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Dedicated Healthcare was born out of frustration and a deep sense of responsibility. When I moved from Seattle to San Diego, I struggled to find a company that aligned with my values. Time and time again, I witnessed the gaps that left so many people and their families feeling unseen, unheard, and undervalued.
I remember one particular family: a mom and dad with a teenage son on the spectrum. They were exhausted—not just by the daily challenges, but by the constant fight for dignity and understanding in the care he received. Their son was bright, full of potential, and had so much to offer, but the systems in place treated him like a checklist of tasks, not a person. I watched their frustration turn into despair, and it broke my heart.
That moment was a tipping point for me. I couldn’t stop thinking: “Why can’t care be more human? Why can’t our support be designed to celebrate strengths, not just manage challenges?” I realized that if I felt this deeply about the issue, then others probably did too. There was a need—a huge one—that wasn’t being met.
I started by listening. I spoke with families, individuals, and caregivers, asking what they felt was missing. The common themes were clear: respect, understanding, and personalized care. These weren’t luxuries; they were the bare minimum people deserved. And yet, these basic needs were being overlooked by other companies, often in favor of efficiency and profits.
What made this idea feel worthwhile was its simplicity: treat people with dignity. Build a model of care that prioritizes relationships over bureaucracy. I knew that if we focused on truly understanding the individuals we served and empowering them to thrive in their own unique ways, we could make a difference—not just for them, but for their families and communities.
The logic was solid. Families are desperate for services that respect their loved ones and see them as whole, valuable people. Word of mouth in this community is powerful; if we did good work, the families would talk. And they did.
What got me most excited was the idea of creating a space where people on the spectrum—and their families—felt seen, valued, and celebrated for who they are. I knew we could be that safe harbor, that place of hope. Watching the transformation when someone realizes they are respected and cared for with intention—it’s hard to describe the joy in that.
We’re not just solving a problem; we’re building a new way of thinking about care. That’s why we exist.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m thrilled to have the chance to introduce myself and share a little about the work we do. I’m the proud owner of a business that’s all about empowering individuals and families with ABA. Our mission is to help people thrive—not by changing who they are, but by celebrating them exactly as they are and giving them the tools to succeed on their own terms.
I’ve always been drawn to helping people, and I started my career in settings where I saw firsthand how many families were struggling to find the right kind of support. It broke my heart to see how often care felt impersonal or rigid, as if the goal was to mold individuals into something they weren’t. I knew there had to be a better way, and that’s when I decided to create it myself.
At our practice, we provide highly individualized ABA therapy services designed to meet each person’s unique needs, strengths, and goals. Whether it’s improving communication skills, fostering independence, or helping navigate daily challenges, everything we do is tailored to the individual. We’re not here to “fix” anyone or make them fit into a box. We’re here to help people live life as their authentic selves.
What sets us apart? Hands down, it’s our approach. While a lot of places might stick to a one-size-fits-all model, we’re all about personalization and partnership. We take the time to truly get to know our clients—their likes, dislikes, quirks, and strengths. We work side by side with families to create plans that feel supportive and achievable, not overwhelming or cookie-cutter.
I’m also incredibly proud of the culture we’ve built: one that’s rooted in kindness, respect, and celebrating every step forward, no matter how small. For anyone considering working with us, here’s what I want you to know: we see you. We see your challenges, your strengths, and your dreams for the future. And we’re here to walk this journey with you, cheering you on every step of the way. At the heart of what we do is a simple belief: everyone deserves care that helps them shine—and we can’t wait to help you or your loved one do just that.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Our reputation has been built on three key values: compassion, care, and competency. From the very beginning, we’ve been committed to providing services that aren’t just good—they’re exceptional. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in everything we do.
Compassion has always been at the heart of our work. Families trust us because they know we care—not just about results, but about the people behind them. We make it a point to truly listen, to understand the unique challenges each client and family faces, and to approach every situation with kindness and empathy.
And then there’s competency. Our team is made up of highly trained, experienced clinicians who are not only skilled but passionate about what they do.
What’s really helped solidify our reputation is the trust we’ve earned from the families we serve. Word of mouth is powerful, and when people share stories of the progress they’ve seen and the support they’ve experienced, it speaks volumes. We’ve always believed that if we focus on doing great work and treating people with the respect they deserve, everything else will follow—and it has.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

My biggest piece of advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale is treat your employees like the incredible humans they are. When you genuinely care about your team’s well-being, it shows—and it makes all the difference.
For us, it starts with creating a culture where people feel valued, supported, and heard. We invest in our team by providing resources to prevent burnout – manageable caseloads, access to mental health support, flexible scheduling, and free professional development opportunities. I believe that if you take care of your team, they’ll take care of the people you serve.
Communication is another big one. We make it a priority to have open, honest conversations, where feedback flows both ways. Employees should feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns without fear of judgment, and we work hard to create that safe space.
But the real secret? Go the extra mile to support your team—not just professionally, but personally too. Celebrate their wins, big and small. Be understanding when life throws curveballs. And never forget to say thank you. Recognition and appreciation go a long way in building morale.
At the end of the day, I want my team to feel proud of the work they do and confident that they’re part of something meaningful. When employees feel cared for and respected, they bring their best selves to work—and that benefits everyone, from the clients we serve to the team itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dedicatedhealthcareaba.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dedicated_healthcare?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dedicatedhealthcareaba/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dedicated-healthcare-vista