I want to start by saying this is an honest review of my personal experience with ESSC SoCal. I can only speak to the department I work in, as ESSC has many different departments and roles (E.g., there's BCBA Clinical Supervisor, then there's BCBA Clinical Case Manager, then there's BCBA Severe Behaviors, etc)
As a senior BCBA with extensive experience across various ABA settings (home, school districts, NPAs, severe behavior programs, clinics, etc.), this is the first organization where I have truly felt validated and given the space to be the BCBA I always aspired to be.
Many BCBAs enter the field with a genuine passion for helping others and making meaningful change. Unfortunately, too often we burn out due to the for-profit model, high billable requirements, and lack of support. It’s no secret that many BCBAs leave the field within five years for exactly those reasons. We become treated as “billing machines,” when at the end of the day, we are still human.
ESSC has been different. This is the first company where I have felt valued as an employee for what I bring to the team. The expectations are reasonable, and the culture is nothing short of incredible. Everyone supports one another, and I have never felt “less than,” even while working alongside some of the most accomplished professionals I’ve ever met.
When I joined, I experienced imposter syndrome — and understandably so. Many of BCBAs within the organization are former clinical directors from large agencies, published BCBA-Ds, or active leaders in the field, including on the CalABA board. Yet instead of being intimidating, the culture here is about growth, mentorship, and maintaining excellence across the field. ESSC is truly the first company I’ve worked for that sets and maintains the highest standards of professionalism in ABA. The level of care, detail, and excellence they bring is unmatched, and I feel both proud and grateful to be a part of it. Fun fact, ESSC is mentioned on a plaque in Disneyland (in the president's hall)!
Another important point is that ESSC can feel very department-specific. Each department has its own culture, leadership style, and team dynamics. In my department specifically, every BCBA has at least 5+ years of field experience and 3+ years as a licensed BCBA, with most colleagues having 8–10+ years in the field. That being said though, my the department brings together professionals from diverse backgrounds — school district BCBAs, clinical directors, consultants, and more. This diversity has been invaluable for my own learning and professional growth, and I feel fortunate to be surrounded by such expertise. It’s also clear that ESSC intentionally seeks out diverse BCBA backgrounds to strengthen the organization as a whole.
That being said, the bar for joining can be high, specifically for my department. The hiring process looks for unique resumes and specific experiences, which may make it more challenging for some to secure a role.
One positive aspect of ESSC is the breadth of opportunities across departments. If you find one department isn’t the right fit, there are many others to explore. While some departments may experience higher turnover than others, I’ve seen BCBAs start in one area to “get their foot in the door” and later transition into a department more aligned with their passions.
Overall, this is a company that I can see myself long term in and the first one I can say for the first time in my career :)
