Our Approach: Ethical,
ABA Therapy Portland
We Believe in Therapy That Respects the Whole Child
When families first receive a diagnosis for their child, they are often handed a list of recommended therapies and told to start making calls. ABA therapy is almost always at the top of that list — and rightfully so. The research behind Applied Behavior Analysis is strong, the outcomes are well-documented, and for many children with autism, or another developmental disability challenge, it’s genuinely life-changing.
But not all ABA is the same.
At Climb, we’ve built our practice around the kind of ABA we believe every child deserves — grounded in science, guided by ethics, and responsive to the individual in front of us.
What We Mean by Ethical ABA Therapy
The field of ABA has evolved significantly in recent years, and so has the conversation about what ethical practice looks like. At Climb, ethical ABA means several specific things:
Assent-based care
We pay attention to how children respond to their therapy — not just whether they’re compliant. If a child is showing signs of distress, disengagement, or resistance, we take that seriously. We adjust our approach, our pacing, and our programming. Children have a voice in their own treatment, even when they can’t fully articulate it.
Trauma-informed practice
Some children who come to us have had difficult experiences — medical trauma, adverse early experiences, or previous therapy environments that didn’t feel safe. Our team is trained to recognize the signs of trauma and to create an environment that prioritizes physical and emotional safety before anything else.
Focus on quality of life
The goal of ABA therapy at Climb is not compliance or a checklist of skills. It’s a genuinely better life for your child and your family. Every treatment plan we write is evaluated against this question: does this help this child thrive?
Honest communication with families
We believe parents and caregivers are essential partners in their child’s progress. We explain what we’re doing and why. We share data in ways that are understandable, not just in graphs and spreadsheets. And when something isn’t working, we say so.
Our Clinical Approach
Climb uses a **verbal behavior (VB) framework** as the foundation for all of our ABA programming. This means we prioritize communication — teaching children not just to respond to instructions, but to initiate, request, express, and connect.
Sessions are play-based and individualized. We study what motivates each child and build therapy around those natural interests. There is never just one way to learn.
Our services are primarily delivered in our clinic setting, which is designed to be warm, structured, and genuinely enjoyable for children ages 2 through 11. When clinically indicated, our BCBAs may also incorporate home-based components to support skill generalization.
Meet the Climb Team
Casey Marin Shover
Owner | MA, BCBA, LBA
Casey Marin-Shover is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has worked with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other related developmental disabilities since 2008.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Foreign Languages from Radford University and a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorder from Ball State University.
Casey started in the field while living in Raleigh, NC at the Mariposa School for Children with Autism. She has experience running programs in clinic, in home, and in schools.
In her personal life, she is a foster parent and now adoptive parent. Through this, she has gained experience in working with children diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome..
These experiences have given her a well-rounded wealth of knowledge to add to her toolbox when working with children. She has a true passion for working in this field and strongly believes that ABA Therapy can be utilized to support all children and their development.
Isaac Carlson
MA BA BCBA
Isaac Carlson is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. He has worked with children and adults with disabilities since 2003.
He has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Foundations and a Master’s degree in Special Education, from the University of Oregon.
For the first half of his career, Isaac supported and taught individuals with various disabilities, in schools and community settings, as a direct support professional, paraprofessional, and Special Education teacher. For the past 10 years, he has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, with individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as a behavior technician, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Clinical Director.
Isaac has a passion for providing the highest quality individualized support and teaching for individuals with disabilities, and their families, applying his training in Applied Behavior Analysis, Trauma Informed Care, and Special Education.
Paige Moya
MA BA BCBA
Paige Moya is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has worked with adults and children diagnosed with developmental disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder since 2015.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of California Santa Cruz, post bachelor certificate in Speech and Language Pathology, and a Master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Paige started working in the field while living in Lakewood, CA at a day program for adults with developmental disabilities and later worked with adults in a group home setting. She has experience running programs in a group home setting as well as the clinic setting. She enjoys teaching individuals how to communicate and watching the individuals she works with grow in their skills. In her personal time, she enjoys hiking and playing board games with friends.
Courtney Rauls
MA BA
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Courtney Rauls is a dedicated clinical supervisor with a passion for helping individuals achieve meaningful progress through behavior analysis. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Portland State University, Courtney pursued advanced studies in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) through the Oregon Institute of Technology’s Master’s program, where they are currently finalizing their thesis.
With a strong foundation in psychology and hands-on experience in clinical settings, Courtney brings a comprehensive understanding of behavioral interventions to their role as Clinical Supervisor. They are committed to fostering positive, evidence-based outcomes for clients while also supporting the professional development of the teams they lead.
Saul Lopez Perez
MA BA BCBA
Saul Lopez Perez is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a strong background in working with children and teens with autism and developmental disabilities.
His passion for empowering others led him to pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from California State University and his Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University.
Saul’s expertise lies in teaching functional communication within the natural environment, a skill he has honed through his experience in both clinic and home settings in California and Oregon. He has a proven track record of leading training for behavior technicians, nurturing their growth and maximizing their potential.
Outside of his professional life, Saul finds joy in spending quality time with his dog and immersing himself in the vibrant live music scene of Portland.
Who We Serve
We work with children ages 2 through 11 who have a formal Autism Spectrum Disorder, or another related developmental disability diagnosis. Our clinic is located in Portland, Oregon, and we serve families across SE Portland, Inner SE, Gresham, Happy Valley, and Clackamas and Multnomah Counties.
We are accepting new clients. Families are placed on our waitlist once we have their child’s ASD evaluation, insurance information, and basic contact details on file.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Climb Behavioral Solutions is committed to racial and cultural diversity across all aspects of our organization. This commitment guides our decisions about who we serve and how we best support the individual needs of our clients and their families. We believe every child — regardless of background, identity, or circumstance — deserves access to high-quality behavioral support.
Want to learn more about how we work? Read about our verbal behavior approach → Click Here
What Out Clients Say
“Climb has been an absolute honor to work with. Behavior techs have all been such a dream team. Their compassion, understanding, and empathy for their clients is truly something that you don’t come by often nowadays. Clients are truly prioritized You can definitely see everyone’s hearts in their work.”
– SM
“Absolutely amazing. My daughter has been there for almost 3 years. They challenge her and teach her. She makes new progress everyday. Casey and her team have changed my daughters life in a positive way.”
– KS
“My son started talking so much more after he started this program. The teachers and managers are very kind and the facility is so nice.”
– JD