Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregory Carinci, PSY.D., BCBA-D.
Gregory , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Optimum Behavioral Health is a San Diego based behavioral-health organization that has been serving the community for more than 15 years. Our work is grounded in a mission to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families by providing comprehensive, individualized, and ethically driven behavioral-health services. We believe that meaningful change happens when we honor each person’s dignity and collaborate closely with the people who know them best. Whether we’re supporting a young child entering early intervention or consulting with a residential team on complex behavioral needs, our focus is always on improving quality of life, strengthening support systems, and empowering families.
OBH was created because I saw a gap in the behavioral-health system, families were receiving services, but not always receiving support. Many were overwhelmed, confused, or left without a clear understanding of what their child needed or how to help them outside of structured therapy sessions. Providers were often stretched thin, and treatment sometimes felt standardized rather than truly individualized. I wanted to build an organization that delivered something different: ethical, compassionate, person-centered care that truly partnered with families and empowered them to be part of the process. OBH was created to bring together clinical excellence and human connection, to offer high-quality ABA, early intervention, and behavioral consultation while staying grounded in dignity, respect, and collaboration. I founded OBH with the belief that every individual deserves a team that listens, adapts, and advocates. I wanted families to feel heard, supported, and confident, not lost in a system. And I wanted clinicians to have a place where they could practice with integrity, creativity, and genuine passion for the work.
We are most proud of the lives we’ve impacted over the years. Families often come to us during moments of uncertainty, when they’re seeking answers, support, or hope, and it’s an honor to walk alongside them. Hearing parents say that their child is finally communicating, thriving in school, or building independence is deeply meaningful to us. We’re also incredibly proud of our team. Our clinicians bring not only expertise, but compassion, integrity, and a genuine commitment to ethical care. They go above and beyond to design thoughtful interventions, support families, and collaborate with community partners. Watching our team make a difference every day is one of the greatest sources of pride for us. We feel strongly about building up future clinicians and provide a space for employees to explore academic pursuits. An example of this is our group for fieldwork candidates in pursuit of BCBA certification. This group meets monthly for supervision from a BCBA, which works towards their clinical hours and supervision requirements.
What we want people to know is that OBH is more than a service provider, we are a partner in your journey. We truly value collaboration, transparency, and trust. Our goal is not just to address behaviors, but to help individuals build skills that enhance their independence, enrich their daily lives, and strengthen their relationships with the people around them. We want families and providers to feel seen, supported, and empowered when they work with us. We want community partners to know that we take our ethical responsibilities seriously. And above all, we want individuals receiving services to feel respected and encouraged every step of the way. If you’re looking for a dedicated, ethical, and deeply person-centered team, OBH is here to help.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Opening and operating a behavioral health company in California is both meaningful and demanding. The state’s regulatory environment is dense, Title 17, Title 22, Medi-Cal rules, Regional Center requirements, insurance standards, HIPAA, and national licensing boards all create overlapping expectations that can be difficult for new providers to navigate. Even small documentation or policy errors can delay approvals or interrupt services.
Staffing is another major challenge. California faces a persistent shortage of qualified behavioral health professionals, and high living costs make recruitment and retention even harder. Building a strong team requires continuous investment in training, supervision, and support just to maintain quality.
Financial sustainability adds additional pressure. Reimbursement rates often do not reflect the true cost of service delivery in California, and payments from insurance or state systems can be slow or inconsistent. Providers must balance tight margins with high clinical standards, especially as rate reform continues to evolve.
Companies must also meet California’s high expectations for cultural competence, person-centered care, and accessibility. Serving a diverse population requires thoughtful training, community partnerships, and ongoing evaluation of whether services are equitable and effective.
Finally, behavioral health work carries emotional weight. Providers support individuals with complex needs, coordinate with large interdisciplinary teams, manage crises, and advocate within systems that are often under-resourced.
Despite these challenges, the mission makes the work worthwhile. The obstacles shape a stronger, more values-driven organization and allow providers to make a meaningful impact on individuals, families, and communities across California.
We’ve been impressed with Optimum Behavioral Health, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At OBH, we offer a broad continuum of services that allows us to support individuals through every stage of their behavioral-health journey. We specialize in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), diagnostic evaluations, early-start intervention, and consultative services for residential and day programs. Our ABA programs emphasize both skill development and behavior reduction, but we place equal importance on helping families and caregivers learn the tools they need to support progress at home, in school, and in community settings. We provide psychological and developmental evaluations, which help families better understand their child’s strengths and needs, leading to targeted and meaningful intervention plans. Because our team includes highly trained clinicians, including licensed psychologists and board-certified behavior analysts, we are able to provide both broad and specialized support tailored to each individual. We also offer Clinical Consultation for providers that are looking for support with program designs and compliance with regulations. Our Clinical Consultation provides assistance and guidance based on social work practices which enriches residential services.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to individualized, ethically guided, and relationship-centered care. We do not believe in one-size-fits-all intervention. Every client receives a plan that is tailored to their unique strengths, cultural background, challenges, and support network. Another defining feature is our strong emphasis on family and caregiver involvement. We see families as essential partners, not as observers. Whether we’re in the home, clinic, school, or a residential setting, we help caregivers build confidence and mastery so that progress extends far beyond formal therapy sessions. We also stand out for offering a comprehensive range of services under one roof, diagnostic evaluations, ABA therapy, early intervention, and clinical and behavioral consultation for programs, which allows for continuity, consistency, and collaboration that many organizations simply can’t provide. We are also in the process of opening up a residential home for adolescents living with autism. This home is designed to be a treatment facility that focuses on building functional skills and coping strategies in a controlled environment. The goal of our program is to help individuals transition back into the family home, or prepare for the transition into adulthood. What sets us apart is the team leading this venture. This home will be operated by an Administrator, who is also a BCBA, Licensee, who is also a child psychologist, and a House Manager that is also a social worker. This team will set the bar for residential service providers and meet the ever growing needs of our community.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
For anyone just starting out in the behavioral health field, or beginning their journey toward opening a program, launching a company, or stepping into leadership, my greatest advice is to embrace the learning curve with patience and curiosity. No one enters this work with all the answers. The most successful people are the ones who stay humble enough to learn, persistent enough to adapt, and grounded enough to remember why they started.
Start by building a strong foundation. Understand the regulations, the expectations, and the systems you’ll be working within, but don’t let the complexity overwhelm you. Learn one piece at a time. Ask questions. Seek mentors who have walked the path before you. Surround yourself with people who are honest, ethical, and mission-driven; they will become your greatest source of clarity when the work gets difficult.
Invest in relationships early. Behavioral health is a field built on trust, trust with families, trust with state agencies, trust with your team, and trust with yourself. Your reputation is your currency. Show up prepared. Follow through. Communicate openly, especially when you don’t have all the answers. People will remember how you treated them, long before they remember your title.
Take care of your team and take care of yourself. Model the same compassion you expect your team to show clients. Leadership is not about perfection; it’s about consistency, empathy, and integrity.
Finally, stay connected to your “why.” This field is demanding, but it is also filled with purpose. You are building something that changes lives, whether you’re helping one client learn a new skill, supporting a family through a crisis, or designing a program that expands access to care. When things feel heavy, come back to your mission. Let it remind you that the work is bigger than the barrier you’re facing in the moment.
Starting out is never easy, but it is always worth it. With patience, integrity, and a willingness to grow, you will find your footing and make a meaningful impact, one step, one client, and one breakthrough at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://optimumbehavioralhealth.com/
