Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a science-based approach to helping children build communication, play, daily living, and regulation skills. At Empowered ABA, sessions are play-centered and built on connection, never compliance-first.

Where is your office?

Our office is at 10828 Gravelly Lake Dr SW, Suite 102, Lakewood, WA 98499, minutes from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) and Tacoma.

Do you have a waitlist for ABA therapy?

No. We currently have openings and no waitlist. We evaluate each case individually and can tell you right away whether we can serve your family.

Do you accept TriWest for military families?

Yes. We are in network with TriWest, as well as Regence BlueShield, Premera Blue Cross, and First Choice Health. Aetna is out of network. We do not accept Medicaid (Apple Health) or Medicare.

What ages do you serve?

We provide insurance-funded ABA therapy for children ages 2 through 5 who live in Washington State.

Does my child need a diagnosis?

Yes. For insurance-covered ABA therapy, your child needs an existing autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (F84.0). If you don't have one yet, our parent resources and Parent Strategy Intensive can help in the meantime.

ABA therapy & parent support in Lakewood, WA

Behavior change, with warmth.

Behavior is complicated. Real life is messy.

And knowing what should work doesn’t always mean knowing what to do in the moment.

Play-based ABA therapy in Lakewood, WA for children ages 2–5, minutes from JBLM. Openings now, no waitlist. TriWest, Regence, Premera, and First Choice Health accepted.

Explore Empowered ABA Get Started

Jesika playing pretend campfire on the floor with two young children in a playroom

That’s where we come in.

At Empowered ABA, we know behavior. We understand development. And we know that meaningful change takes more than a strategy handed to you on a piece of paper.

It takes

Understanding why something is happening,
Knowing what to do next,
Having support while you actually put it into practice.

For a child

That might look like…

Helping a child communicate what they need, navigate a hard transition, build confidence, or connect with the people around them.

For a parent

It might look like…

Helping a parent understand the behavior that has everyone stumped.

For you

Or it might mean…

Helping you recognize a pattern you’re ready to change—and finally figure out how.

Whatever brings you here, we’re not interested in

quick fixes
perfect behavior
“just try harder”

The Empowered way

We look underneath the behavior.
We figure out what’s getting in the way.
And we help you build change that actually works in real life.

Expert guidance.Practical support.A whole lot of humanity.

You don’t have to figure it out alone.

We’ve got you.

Find where to begin

Connection before compliance. Communication before control. Skills that matter beyond the therapy room.

What makes Empowered different

There is science behind what we do — and humanity in how we do it.

Our approach is play-centered and regulation-aware, while still grounded in behavior science.

Jesika playing on the floor with children around a colorful construction toy set

Play-centered learning

Play is the work of childhood. Skills grow inside games, pretend play, and shared fun.

Communication

Every child deserves a reliable way to be heard — words, signs, or devices.

Regulation

Calm bodies before busy schedules. We help children steady themselves so they can engage.

Social connection

Real relationships first — shared attention, back-and-forth, belonging.

Adaptive independence

Dressing, snacks, routines — everyday skills that build real confidence.

Self-advocacy

Asking for a break, saying no, expressing preferences — skills for life.

Real-world participation

Skills that carry into the grocery store, the park, the classroom, and home.

Ways we can help

Where would you like to begin?

Four pathways, one approach — choose what fits your family right now.

A young child playing at a wooden climbing arch in a therapy playroom

Ages 2–5 · Insurance

ABA Services

Individualized ABA support focused on communication, social, adaptive, regulation, and meaningful everyday skills.

Openings now — no waitlist. Each case evaluated on the spot.

Explore ABA Services

Two children reading a picture book together on a classroom rug

Free & $19

Parent Resources

Practical tools that translate behavior science into strategies parents can actually use at home.

Explore Parent Resources

A child working with colorful manipulatives at a table in a bright therapy playroom

Private pay

Parent Strategy Intensive

Focused individualized support when a workbook or general strategy is not enough.

Starting at $750.

Work With Me

Children playing together at a play kitchen in a bright preschool classroom

Coming soon

Empowered Developmental Preschool

A private developmental preschool experience combining developmental psychology, behavior science, play, communication, social learning, and kindergarten readiness.

Inclusive of neurodivergent and neurotypical children. Not ABA therapy.

Explore Preschool

Portrait of Jesika Miller, owner and BCBA of Empowered ABA, in a vibrant pink dress

Meet Jesika

Jesika Miller, BCBA

Owner of Empowered ABA

Jes's work with children began in the classroom, as a teacher who wanted every child to feel understood. That same heart carried her through nearly a decade in public schools as a behavior interventionist, district BCBA, and special education administrator, and later into preparing future educators at Pacific Lutheran University.

Through it all, one thing stayed true: parents know their children best. Too often, the systems around them weren't built to listen. So Jes created a place that does, where your voice matters, your child is seen as a whole little person, and you never have to figure it out alone. That place is Empowered ABA.

Read Jes's story

10828 Gravelly Lake Dr SW, Suite 102
Lakewood, WA 98499

Office, home, and community services are offered as confirmed and appropriate for each family.

Get Started

Not sure where to start? That's okay.

Tell us a little about your family and what you are looking for. We will help you find the right next step.

Get Started