Mission & Vision
Mighty Oak ABA offers Applied Behavior Analysis services to children with autism or related developmental disabilities in and around Portland, OR. Contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about Mighty Oak and how we can help your child reach their fullest potential.
Mighty Oak ABA strives to help foster an empowered autistic community by nurturing development through access to highly informed, empathetic, and ethical ABA services. We aim to provide a consistent and dependable service that families can rely on.
Historically marginalized communities deserve equal access to opportunities for empowerment on a basis of empathy. The autistic and neurodivergent communities have unique skills, talents, and perspectives that should be included and accepted into what is considered the status quo or mainstream. There should be room and resources for those who need it. This is about humanity and human rights for all through recognition of adversity and an effort to bridge that gap.
Nirvana Kowlessar-Hirshleifer, MA, BCBA, LBA
Nirvana (she/her) has dedicated the last 11 years to working in the field of ABA, starting off as a Behavior Technician who knew nothing about ABA and Autism. Now, she has a Masters in teaching, and LBA and BCBA certifications. She started Mighty Oak ABA as a means of serving her community with efficient and inclusive access to high quality, dependable support towards meaningful change for whomever needs it so they can grow into their best, authentic self. Nirvana emphasizes diversity, inclusion, compassion, and collaboration as the foundation of Mighty Oak ABA, while working hard at building relationships in the Portland community. Nirvana spends her free time as a co-chair on the Ambassador Committee of ORABA, enjoying the outdoors in the PNW nature with her family, and looking for a great cup of local coffee or a good donut.
Hannah, Client Services Coordinator
Hannah (she/her) is the Client Services Coordinator at Mighty Oak ABA. She has completed a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and has a passion for supporting inclusivity and diversity within communities. Hannah loves spending time with her partner, exploring new places, finding new favorite restaurants, and experiencing different ways of living. When she isn’t adventuring she enjoys relaxing with a good book and her very loved pets. If you are looking for career opportunities or are wanting to inquire about services for someone, please reach out to her!
Katrina Bettencourt, MA, LBA, BCBA
Kat (she/her) is a Clinical Supervisor at Mighty Oak ABA. She has worked in the field of ABA for over 10 years, beginning in the research lab and learning how we learn. She initially began working with children with autism as a way to dip her toe in the clinical realm, and she never looked back. After completing her Master’s in Psychology and obtaining her BCBA, Kat has spent her career developing and refining therapeutic strategies that emphasize quality care, evidence-based and assent-based treatment, and teaching life skills to people on the autism spectrum. She is passionate about supporting her clients as well as each member of their families using an integrated approach. In alignment with her researcher roots, Kat continues to seek additional training, including PECS Level 1, acceptance and commitment therapy interventions, and trauma-informed care approaches. In her free time, Kat loves a good nature walk, spending time with friends, and spoiling her two beautiful cats.
Nichelle, MS, BCaBA
Nichelle (she/her) is Mighty Oak ABA’s BCaBA with 8 years of ABA experience. She completed a Master’s in Psychology with an emphasis in ABA and is currently working towards obtaining her BCBA credentials. Nichelle’s passion is serving and uplifting the BIPOC community in any way that she can. Nichelle also currently serves her local ABA community as an RBT student representative on the ORABA board.
Raised in the PNW, she can’t find it in her to leave. In her personal time, Nichelle loves cuddling her cat, exploring new music, and soaking in the sun!
Ashley, BS, MS
Ashley (she/her) began working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2008. After recently completing her master’s degree in Special Education and graduate-level coursework in ABA, Ashley is working on completing her requirements to earn her BCBA credentials. She is passionate about utilizing a multidisciplinary approach to intervention programs to ensure a holistic approach to ABA therapy. Ashley strives to create fun, developmentally appropriate activities to support communication, social, and self-help skills in a variety of settings. Ashley enjoys collaborating with parents and guardians to develop individualized approaches to best support the needs of each child and family.
Outside of work, Ashley loves exploring the world with her husband and son. Whether it be discovering a new local nature area or traveling to other countries, she continuously seeks opportunities to learn more about different cultures, environments, well-being, and cuisine!
Tati, RBT
Tati (she/her) is a highly experienced behavior technician with high aspirations of becoming a BCBA in the near future. She has been a behavior technician for about 5 years now and has an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Portland Community College. Tati has plans to return to school and obtain her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees to further her education and apply it to the field. Tati says that her heart’s passion, outside of growing and advocating for and within the ABA world, is animals and adrenaline.
Morgan BS, RBT
Morgan (she/her) is originally from Indiana where she began her educational career in 2012 with an Associate in Early Childhood Education. In 2016 while completing her Bachelors’s in Elementary Education, Morgan and her long-term partner moved to Portland for a lifestyle change. Since moving to Portland, Morgan has worked as a nanny, soccer coach, and dog walker, as well as started an in-home micro pod for elementary students during the pandemic. A job in ABA fell into her lap shortly after students returned to in-person classes. Morgan is now an RBT with plans to return to PSU graduate school in fall 2023 for her master’s in ABA.
Joanna, RBAI
Joanna (she/her) has been an RBAI for about two years and will soon become an RBT. She has experience working in different ABA settings like clinics and centers. Joanna has plans to pursue her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in ABA. Joanna feels passionate about advocating for BIPOC families within the ABA community. She is most excited about expanding her knowledge within the field and gaining more experience.
Outside of ABA, Joanna loves hanging out with her partner and enjoys exploring new restaurants. She loves going to the beach, especially when it’s fall season, and is always excited to visit the aquarium.
Mighty Oak ABA is here to support those in the autistic community that need it. Life is constant change and a marathon that can be messy, beautiful, and complicated to navigate. All people walk around as complex individuals, shaped by their experiences and environment. It gets challenging at times to figure it all out on our own, so Mighty Oak ABA wants to extend their specialized help and support services to ease that load. Mighty Oak ABA hopes to use its knowledge, expertise, and skill set to help those affected by ASD navigate their lives in the most meaningful way possible- however that speaks to your individual circumstances. We all need an advocate in our corner sometimes. Please allow Mighty Oak ABA the opportunity to be that advocate!
