Action Insights: The Intersection of ABA and Mental Health
Meet Our Team
Get to know the talented individuals behind our podcast.
Nicole Dionne, MA, LCMHC, BCBA
With over 19 years of experience in the mental health field, Nicole understands the importance of collaborative relationships and acknowledges the inherent strength within each individual who seeks her guidance.
Amelia Dalphonse, MA, BCBA
Amelia Dalphonse is a seasoned BCBA® and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the field of ABA. She co-founded Master ABA to help fellow BCBAs® feel confident and competent in their roles while building independent income streams to reduce reliance on insurance-funded or school-based services.
Our Story
At the heart of Action Insights lies a shared belief: ethical, compassionate, and client-centered practices have the power to transform lives—not just for clients, but for the professionals who serve them. This podcast was born out of a friendship, a decade of shared experiences, and a mission to empower practitioners in the fields of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and mental health to grow, thrive, and make meaningful change.Amelia and Nikki’s journey began in the world of community mental health. Though their work initially kept them in different lanes—Amelia supporting autistic individuals through home and community-based programs and Nikki working as a mental health therapist—their paths crossed in a way that seemed almost inevitable.
What began as two professionals working under the same roof evolved into a deep friendship and a partnership rooted in mutual respect, collaboration, and a shared vision.
Over the years, as their careers evolved and their expertise deepened, they each began to notice similar patterns in the field. Whether it was the need for more neurodiversity-affirming care, the importance of balancing clinical integrity with personal well-being, or the challenges of running ethical, sustainable practices, they found themselves returning to the same questions:
How can we better support practitioners to provide high-quality care while protecting their own mental health?
How do we create systems that prioritize autonomy, dignity, and choice for clients?
What can we do to foster a culture of collaboration, advocacy, and growth within ABA and mental health?
These questions didn’t have easy answers—but they sparked countless conversations. Conversations that challenged assumptions, pushed boundaries, and ultimately planted the seed for what would become Action Insights: The Intersection of ABA and Mental Health.
Amelia and Nikki realized that their combined perspectives—shaped by years of working with neurodiverse populations, navigating ethical dilemmas, and building their own businesses—offered something unique. They saw an opportunity to create a space where practitioners could come together to explore these topics, learn from one another, and feel supported in their personal and professional growth.
That vision became the foundation of this podcast.
At Action Insights, the mission is clear: to inspire BCBAs and mental health professionals to advocate for their clients and themselves, fostering a supportive community that values collaboration, neurodiversity, and compassionate care. By diving into the intersection of ABA, mental health, and entrepreneurship, Amelia and Nikki aim to equip listeners with actionable insights and strategies that promote balance, better systems of care, and sustainable practices.
This isn’t just a podcast about ideas—it’s about empowerment. It’s about giving practitioners the tools they need to improve their own lives while championing the rights and well-being of their clients. It’s about challenging outdated models, embracing innovation, and creating a future where good care and good business go hand in hand.Every episode is an invitation to learn, reflect, and grow. From neurodiversity-affirming practices to trauma-assumed care, from ethical entrepreneurship to fostering autonomy and choice, Amelia and Nikki tackle the big questions with humor, honesty, and a commitment to building a better field.
At its core, Action Insights is about connection—between practitioners and clients, between personal and professional growth, and between all of us who are working to make a difference.Join us as we laugh, learn, and explore the challenges and opportunities of working at the intersection of ABA and mental health. Together, we can create a culture of advocacy, support, and continuous improvement—one conversation at a time.
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