Cara Lucas

Cara Lucas, MS, BCBA, serves as Director of Applied Behavior Analysis at Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, where she has built and led a comprehensive ABA program since 2018. With over seven years of clinical leadership and 13+ years of experience in the field, Cara combines clinical expertise, staff development, and genuine family partnership to create an ABA program that prioritizes meaningful growth and joy alongside evidence-based outcomes.
Cara's educational journey began at Butler University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2012. This foundation in human behavior, development, and research methods prepared her for specialized training in applied behavior analysis. She continued at Southern Illinois University, earning a Master's degree in Rehabilitation and Behavior Analysis in 2017, followed by supervised fieldwork hours and successful completion of the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination.
In her role as ABA Clinical Director, Cara manages multiple critical functions: program development and quality assurance, direct supervision of BCBAs and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), family consultation and parent training, interdisciplinary collaboration with speech, occupational, and physical therapists, and staff development and clinical mentorship. Her leadership philosophy centers on compassionate, customized, and collaborative support—she believes that effective ABA helps children grow with joy, purpose, and connection rather than focusing narrowly on behavior reduction.
Cara has developed specialized expertise in two complementary areas. First, she champions Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) strategies—applying behavior analysis principles to organizational systems to enhance staff performance, improve clinical effectiveness, and support team member well-being. Second, she is passionate about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an evidence-based approach that fosters psychological flexibility, values-aligned behavior, and meaningful change. Her ACT training informs both her clinical work with children and her coaching approach with families.
Cara provides services to individuals ages 2 through 21, with strong emphasis on developmental appropriateness. She recognizes that effective interventions look different at age 3 versus age 13 versus age 19, and she tailors her approach accordingly. Cara values collaborative partnerships with parents and caregivers, offering training and support that empowers families and ensures skills generalize across home, school, and community settings. Her vision for ABA is one where every child's unique strengths are celebrated and every family feels supported on their journey.