Kassie Parnow

Blending Therapy & Behavior Science

My work sits at the intersection of family therapy and behavior analysis, which means I pay attention to both your child’s inner world and the patterns you are all living in together. I help families translate that understanding into concrete supports for children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and other neurodivergent profiles.

At EmpowerED, my focus is on behavior assessment and parent coaching to help you understand what is happening and how to handle real-life situations.

I specialize in:

Behavior assessment and behavior support plans at home and at school

Behavior coaching for parents of children with Autism, ADHD, and anxiety

Functional behavior assessments for the IEP process in schools

Classroom consultation to support teachers with classroom management

Collaborative plans that honor your family’s values and your child’s neurotype

Providing compassionate, trauma-informed behavioral and therapeutic services

Behavior Support & Coaching

Building Skills from Existing Strengths

I come from a strengths-based and systems perspective. That means I pay attention to the whole picture, including the family system, school environment, and community, looking for the existing strengths we can build on.

I have experience with:

Children in early elementary through middle school

Students with a wide range of disabilities and mental health diagnoses

Families from diverse cultural backgrounds in school, clinic, and home settings

My goal is to use your child’s strengths to help them grow skills, independence, and confidence, rather than focusing only on what is hard.

Inspired by Family

I was raised in a family of educators and grew up visiting my mom’s special education classrooms. Watching her connect with students and advocate for their needs showed me early on how powerful it is when adults truly see and support children.

In college, I deepened that interest through internships in the Child Life programs at Sutter Memorial and UC Davis Children’s Hospital. After that, I worked at a non-public school for students with autism and later in an in-home early intervention program with young children and their caregivers.
‍
Those experiences shaped my commitment to:

Honoring family systems and culture

Valuing neurodivergence and inclusion

Partnering with caregivers as key change makers in a child’s life

Equipping You For The Moments That Matter

My goal is to meet families and children where they are with a supportive and encouraging approach. I know it can feel overwhelming to try new strategies when you are already stretched thin.

When we work together, I aim to:

Offer strategies that are taken in small steps at a time, so everyone feels set up for success

Help you respond to anxiety in ways that reduce cycles of avoidance and distress

Validate your child’s experiences while building their skills and confidence

Equip you with tools you can use in the moments that matter most

I want parents to know how much influence they have: for children struggling with anxiety, autism, or behavioral challenges, some of the most powerful progress comes from the way you respond, support, and gradually build your child’s skills over time.

Training That Supports My Work

My background includes formal graduate training in counseling and school psychology, as well as many years of experience assessing and supporting students with diverse learning and developmental needs.

Education

B.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences, focus in Family Studies, California State University, Sacramento

M.A. in Community Counseling, with a focus in Marriage and Family Therapy, Sonoma State University

Behavior Analyst Graduate Certificate Program, Florida Tech University

Licenses and credentials

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) #95103

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) #1-14-10416

Specialized training

Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) through Yale Child Study Center

Ongoing training in SPACE for Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Extensive experience conducting functional behavior assessments and developing behavior intervention plans in school and home settings

Training in trauma-informed practices and applying these frameworks to support emotional regulation and resilience

This combination of clinical training and behavior analysis allows me to support both the emotional experience and the learned patterns underneath behavior, in a way that is compassionate, structured, and realistic for families.

Life Outside The Office

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and friends and cheering my kids on from the sidelines. You might also find me cooking, camping, visiting the beach, gardening, out on a family bike ride, running, or at Pilates.

These are the things that recharge me so I can show up fully for the children and families I work with.