How Yoli works
Everything families and professionals ask most — from what starting looks like, to how we think about ABA, to what it costs.
What does starting behavioral intervention look like?
It begins with a 15-minute phone call to see whether Yoli is a good fit for your family. From there:
Initial meeting
We meet to complete an intake package and help you learn about our services. A good time to ask questions about the interventions we offer.
Intake meeting
We discuss intake questions about your child, your family, and the behaviors you're seeking help with — deepening our understanding of what triggers and maintains them.
Evaluation
We observe your child where the behavior is most likely to occur, ideally across two environments, and conduct a direct assessment to inform their individualized plan.
Treatment plan
We develop a written plan and review it together, working out any concerns or barriers to implementation before we begin.
Treatment
Your clinical team — a Clinical Supervisor and Therapist, overseen by a BCBA — implements the plan through play-based, self-motivated sessions at Yoli's playspace or in the community, coaching caregivers along the way.
Follow-up
Monthly clinical meetings with the Supervisor/BCBA review the data your therapist collects, track progress, and adjust recommendations.
What is Self-Directed Learning (SDL)?
It means focusing on your child's interests and the way they learn best, and trusting them to help lead what, how, and when they learn. It's about building an environment where your child is motivated to learn.
This approach is rooted in intrinsic motivation, which research links not only to stronger learning outcomes but also to greater long-term life satisfaction and well-being.
What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?
ABA is the science of human behavior. Its methods are empirically validated and it is a long-standing, well-researched approach to behavior change — increasing desired behaviors, generalizing learned ones, and reducing behaviors that get in the way. Its evidence base is especially strong for Autism Spectrum Disorder, though it applies broadly.
I've read that ABA can be harmful. Why do you practice it?
Because the backlash against ABA is earned — by an era of compliance-driven practice our field was slow to correct — but it lands on choices practitioners made, not on the science of learning itself. The same science explains exactly why coercive therapy backfires, and it powers the gentle approaches that actually work.
We practice the other kind: child-led, assent-based, and transparent — no forced compliance, no withholding, and a child's "no" is respected. See what affirming practice looks like in the room →
For the full, honest argument — including where the critics are right — read Don't Throw Out the Science →
How can ABA and SDL work together?
Both share a love of natural environments and place enormous emphasis on the quality and richness of the environment a child lives in. Rather than focusing on a child's "bad" behavior, both look at how you can change the environment to fit the child's learning style.
Does behavior change mean changing my child?
Absolutely not — on the contrary. Our approach centers on acceptance of every child as they are. That means letting go of comparison to other children and meeting them where they are in their own developmental journey.
Behavior is one of the ways children communicate — often that they lack the skills to navigate a situation. Together we find functional replacement behaviors and prioritize skill-building.
My child has a PDA profile. Can therapy actually work for them?
Yes — but only therapy that respects how PDA works. A PDA nervous system (Pathological Demand Avoidance — many prefer Pervasive Drive for Autonomy) experiences everyday demands as threats to autonomy, so compliance-based approaches don't just fail, they make things worse. We never use them.
Lowering demands is the right first move in a crisis — but it's triage, not a destination. PDAers still need to build skills, and they can: through connection first, declarative language, learning hidden inside their passions, steps too small to feel like threats, and a "no" that is always honored.
If you dropped the demands and now feel stuck, we wrote a deep dive for exactly that moment: The "No-Demands" Trap →
Can you give examples of behaviors you work with?
- Oppositional behavior
- Following routines
- Picky / selective eating
- Task completion
- Fine / gross motor skills
- Developing autonomy
- Social skills
- Tantrums
- Toileting
- Verbal communication
- Emotional dysregulation
- Understanding social cues
- Difficulty with transitions
- Sustained attention
How much does it cost?
With insurance: Your cost is set by your specific plan. We recommend asking your insurer about therapy benefits — co-pays, deductibles, reimbursement rates — and we're happy to help you navigate it.
Without insurance / sliding scale: We're committed to serving socioeconomically diverse families and believe cost shouldn't be a barrier to care. Yoli offers a sliding fee scale based on family need, and we strive to never turn anyone away due to financial hardship.
Can you bill my insurance directly?
We accept most major insurance plans and are vendorized with the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB), Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP), Alameda Alliance, and Partnership HealthPlan (PHC). We are also MediCal approved.
For in-network plans, we submit claims directly. For out-of-network plans, depending on your coverage we'll either submit a claim or provide a superbill you can submit for possible reimbursement.
Facing long waitlists? Read our guide on using California's "Timely Access" laws to skip the waitlist →
I'm a professional seeking consultation — can you help?
Yes. Whether you're a teacher, SLP, psychologist, or PT with a client or student whose challenging behaviors you need support with, Yoli welcomes collaboration. Get in touch →
Still have a question?
A short form and a 15-minute call is the easiest way to get specific answers for your family.
Contact us