Meet Mary

Hi, I'm Mary, a neurodiversity-affirming and neurodivergent Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) based in South Jersey, serving the South Jersey and Philadelphia area. As a neurodivergent professional, I bring both lived experience and clinical knowledge to my practice.

Why I Started Jersey Behavior

My work in the field of behavior analysis has always been driven by a passion for creating a supportive and respectful environment for children, adults, and families. Traditional Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) often focuses on modifying behaviors to fit a neurotypical standard, which can often cause harm by encouraging masking and undervaluing the identity and well-being of the individual. I established Jersey Behavior Consulting LLC to offer services that genuinely honor each person's individuality and strengths, while celebrating neurodivergent identities.

Being a professional, a parent, and a late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman, I have experienced firsthand the impact of respectful, individualized care. I am committed to providing services that foster self-advocacy, celebrate neurodiversity, and support the well-being of each client without attempting to change their core identity.

I specialize in supporting learners with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and utilize Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) to foster resilience, growth, and connection within families. My values include authenticity, belonging, clarity, predictability, community, and humor.

I am dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of children and families by providing compassionate, respectful, and effective support.

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Mary O’Brien, MA, BCBA, IBA, LBS
Owner, Jersey Behavior Consulting LLC

Join us for the December evening session of our PDA caregiver support group! We’ll talk about the unique challenges and joys of raising a PDAer. Sign up to receive the zoom link at tinyurl.com/pda-support All are welcome, no formal diagnosis
Jersey Behavior is Growing! We are hiring a part-time BCBA for afterschool, evening, and weekend BCBA-direct and Caregiver Coaching ACT-infused sessions. 🌻Engage in neurodiversity-affirming, assent-based approaches that promote empowerment and sel
We're trying something new! Introducing ✨Playdate Connections✨ a program designed to help families with neurodivergent kids find meaningful and compatible playdate matches. Here’s the idea: you tell us about your child—their interests,
Now in network with Aetna, Cigna, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, and ComPsych!
Updated availability for sessions! dm or email me at mary@jerseybehavior.com with questions! #jersey #newjersey #philly #pennsylvania #aba #appliedbehavioranalysis #bcba #acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy #acceptanceandcommitmenttraining #assentbasedtr
Updated support group schedule! Come hang out and chat! All support groups are free and open to all.
PDAers often have a difficult relationship with praise. Praise can feel intrusive or controlling, implying expectations or demands, even if that isn’t the intent. Praise often carries undertones of evaluation, suggesting the need for an autho
Jersey Behavior has a ✨newsletter✨ full of info about events and free resources, like the mindful sensory scavenger hunt! DM me the word “mindful” to get the free resource and sign up for the newsletter!
Parenting can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone! I offer personalized, neurodiversity-affirming caregiver coaching designed to help you feel more connected to your kids, stay calm in the tough moments, and build the skil
✨ One of my favorite ways to stay present and regulated in difficult parenting moments is to sing! 🎶 Here’s why it works: 🎤 Singing as a Replacement Behavior When you feel the urge to yell, try replacing it with singing. Yelling often happ