A Dream Long in the Making

Outside the Box (OTB) is the product of years of dreaming. The founders and owners, Anne and Jes, have dreamt of a business that would allow them to combine the science behind behaviors with the science and practice of emotion regulation (or what’s more traditionally thought of as mental health practices).

Even as Anne was in her Behavior Analysis classes and Jes was in her Psychology and Social Work classes, they would discuss how these treatment modes could benefit from being more integrated. While each field of study is fairly similar and has a lot of overlap, they each take a historically different approach. The two friends felt, even then, that the most helpful track was the one in the middle that combined the best of both worlds. They both saw a need for not only parents of children with disabilities but also those without a diagnosis.

Why Now?

When the pandemic hit Anne and Jes were grateful for their training and knowledge. They relied heavily on their behavior training and mindfulness work to get through the roughest days of quarantine. Their training allowed them to be confident when seeing behavioral issues arise in their own children. The skills they learned helped them to know when to focus on behaviors or when to support the emotions behind them. It allowed them to develop a plan, take action and then reflect on the results.

The time they had spent working with other children had been invaluable to know how to approach challenges with their own children. Other parents were also turning to them for advice and support at a much higher rate than before. Friends, family members, neighbors, and even strangers on the internet were asking for advice or guidance on managing what they were seeing in their children (while they were also just trying to keep it together themselves).

This experience led to solidifying their calling in sharing these skills and strategies with parents online. But providing support to moms in random mom groups didn’t seem to be enough, they wanted to share their resources and information with as many people as possible. This led them to take that first leap into starting a business together. A business that would allow them the opportunity to live their passion and help as many as they could.

Founded on Values

Integrity, competence, balance, efficacy, respect. The founders of OTB live their values and help others do the same. These values have been with them from their education through their various positions and now into their own business. They tie into what is important to the two of them professionally but also in their personal lives.

• Effective: use of evidence-based practices and recommendations 
• Integrity: honest and ethical conduct 
• Respect: honor the inherent dignity and worth of each person
• Balance: support the mental health and well-being of those we work with

The Mission

OTB started out of our desire to share the things professionals know work. The strategies that Anne and Jes have used with clients, and continue to use with their own children to make the day easier. OTB and their values incorporate the tools that these two use not only to manage challenging behaviors but also the tools they hold within their own toolbox that benefit their mental health and overall wellbeing.

To provide evidence-based person-centered support for parents, caregivers and professionals.

OTB Mission

The goal of Outside the Box Behavioral Consulting is to be the resource for caregivers to look to when they reach a behavior or a situation they are unsure of. To help people know how to parent their way through even the toughest days. They want to be there to support families. To be the professional able to assist quickly so parents and caregivers are confident in their choices. So that parents know their choices not only align with their own values and beliefs but are also supported by research and clinical experience.

OTB believes that parents and caregivers are the experts on the children they care for. That everyone is doing the best they can with the knowledge they have and with the circumstances they are in. The goal is to give parents (and anyone working with children) the skills that will make their lives easier, at least when dealing with behavior.

So many parents fall into the same strategies their own parents used or do the complete opposite. If they want to try something different it’s difficult to know where to turn. If there is an issue most have their pediatrician and friends. There is no class offered in school for students to learn the science behind behavior before they become parents (although there probably should be). There are tons of blog posts, parenting support books, and podcasts telling parents how to parent or what they should be doing. OTB aims to stand out by empowering parents with the tools, information, and skills and allowing the parents to make their own choices and adjustments with professional support and guidance along the way.

Get Started with OTB

Anne and Jes want to be there for you. They want to show you the tips and tricks that allow them to stay (mostly) sane, even in the most difficult times. They want to help you make your life easier. To make your days more peaceful and lower your stress. To give you the knowledge and tools to build parenting confidence (even in the most public and awkward situations). They align science with your family’s values and routines. 

Get started with OTB by messaging us through our Contact Us page.