Lighthouse ABA Therapy, a provider of Applied Behavior Analysis therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders in New York and North Carolina, has affirmed its commitment to remaining independently owned as private-equity firms continue to acquire providers across the ABA industry. The company, which is BCBA-owned and operated, has chosen to structure its clinical decisions around practitioner leadership rather than outside investor ownership.
Over the past several years, a significant portion of the ABA therapy field has been consolidated by private-equity firms, a trend that has drawn attention from clinicians and families alike. Many parents remain unaware that the therapy provider they select may be part of a larger investor-owned network. Lighthouse ABA Therapy has positioned its founder-led structure as a point of contrast, emphasizing that treatment decisions are made by credentialed behavior analysts rather than financial stakeholders.
The company was founded by Chayaleh Hurwitz and Pessy Raitman, both Board-Certified Behavior Analysts who hold master's degrees in special education and bring more than 18 years of combined experience in the field. Their model keeps clinical authority in the hands of practitioners who work directly with children and families.
"The decision to stay independent was intentional," said Pessy Raitman, BCBA, LBA, Co-Founder of Lighthouse ABA. "When a company is accountable to investors, the priorities can shift in ways that families never see. A BCBA-owned and operated structure keeps the focus where it belongs, which is on the child and the treatment plan built around that child."
The organization provides services for children aged 2 to 21, including in-home ABA therapy, therapy in community settings such as parks and shopping centers, parent training and coaching, and telehealth options for families in remote areas. Each child receives an individualized treatment plan tailored to specific needs and goals, and the company maintains ongoing communication with parents through regular progress updates.
Lighthouse ABA Therapy aalso handles insurance verification and authorization on behalf of families, accepting leading regional plans—including NC Medicaid, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, Aetna, and the State Health Plan in North Carolina, as well as New York Medicaid, The Empire Plan, Anthem, and EmblemHealth in New York—and assisting parents in determining eligibility before services begin. This process is designed to reduce administrative burden for families navigating an autism diagnosis.
"Parents come to this field already carrying a great deal," Raitman added. "Transparency about who owns a provider and who makes the clinical calls is part of earning their trust. Families deserve to know that the people guiding their child's care are analysts first."
The company's stated mission centers on providing support to children and families who need it most, with an emphasis on celebrating incremental progress and keeping parents involved throughout the therapeutic process.
About Lighthouse ABA Therapy:
Lighthouse ABA Therapy provides Applied Behavior Analysis services for children with autism spectrum disorders across New York and North Carolina. Founded and led by Board-Certified Behavior Analysts, the company offers in-home therapy, community-based sessions, parent training, telehealth, and individualized treatment planning. Its work is guided by a commitment to personalized care and practitioner-led clinical decision-making. Further information and media inquiries can be directed to intake@thelighthousech.com or by calling +1 (718) 218-5528.
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For more information about The Lighthouse ABA Therapy, contact the company here:
The Lighthouse ABA Therapy
Chayaleh Hurwitz
919-535-9600
intakenc@thelighthousech.com
Charlotte, NC
