Jennifer Kelso
BCBA
I’m a Board Certified Behavior Analyst whose path has taken me from Texas classrooms to a parent-training program in Guam to North Star Behavior Consultants here in Washington. Along the way, I’ve learned that the best strategies are the ones that fit real life. I love partnering with individuals and families to find what works for them, cheering on every step forward, and keeping things warm and lighthearted in the process.
My Story
I’m a Texas native who spent the first 33 years of my life in the Lone Star State. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University in College Station (Gig ’em Aggies!) before heading to the University of North Texas in Denton, where I earned my Master of Education in Special Education with a focus on emotional and behavioral disorders. My graduate work focused primarily on supporting K–12 students in alternative education settings, which sparked my love for finding creative and individualized ways to help people succeed.
I spent five years working as a Behavior Specialist in a north Dallas school district before deciding I wanted to dive even deeper into the science of behavior. In 2020, I returned to UNT to begin a certification program in Applied Behavior Analysis with the goal of becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Life took a slight detour when my husband’s Navy career moved us to Guam in 2021! While living on the island, I had the opportunity to participate in a parent-training pilot program using the Research Units in Behavioral Intervention (RUBI) model, a structured parent-training approach that uses the principles of ABA to help families build practical strategies they can use in everyday life.
I completed my ABA certification program through UNT in 2023, the same year we traded island life for the Pacific Northwest and moved to Washington. Shortly after arriving, I joined North Star Behavior Consultants and began working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). From there, I became a Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) and continued working toward the goal I had set back in 2020. In 2026, I officially became a BCBA!
After 16 years of service, my husband retired from the Navy in November 2025, which means we finally get to put down some permanent roots. We are happy to call Washington our forever home.
When I’m not working, you can usually find me hiking, working on a diamond art projects, or enjoying a cup of coffee with my dog, Butterscotch, nearby. I’m passionate about helping individuals and families find strategies that work for them, celebrating progress in all its forms, and bringing a little humor and warmth along the way.