Meet the Founders of
Essential Speech and ABA Therapy
At the heart of Essential Speech and ABA Therapy is a story of three women—Amber Lister, Nafisa Obi, and Camila Trevino—who are driven by a shared passion for making a difference in the lives of children with autism. As mothers ourselves, we understand the depth of love, the fierce advocacy, and the relentless hope that parents carry for their children. This deep understanding is what inspires our mission to provide exceptional, holistic care that supports both the child and the family.
Our Journey
In 2017, we began our journey together as speech-language pathologists in a small speech therapy clinic we had built from the ground up. Every day, we witnessed the challenges our children and their families faced—children on the autism spectrum arriving at our clinic exhausted from a full day of ABA therapy, but still needing speech services. We saw parents juggling multiple therapy schedules, trying to give their children the best chance at reaching their full potential. It broke our hearts because we knew that if these therapies could work together in harmony, these children could truly thrive.
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We reached out to ABA clinics, hoping to collaborate, to create a seamless and unified approach for these families. But time and time again, we were met with closed doors. No one wanted to partner with us, and that left us with a choice—accept the status quo or do something about it.
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We couldn’t stand by knowing that better care was possible. So, we took a leap of faith. We decided to transform our speech therapy clinic into something bigger—into a place where children could receive ABA Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy under one roof. A place where therapists worked together, not in isolation, and where the whole child was seen and supported. We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but we also knew it was necessary.
Our Vision
As our clinic grew, so did our vision. We saw firsthand the power of collaboration and the difference it made for the children we served. We wanted to continue growing, but not in the traditional way that many other ABA clinics were expanding through private equity partnerships. We didn’t want our clinics to become impersonal or feel like just another business. We wanted every child and family who walked through our doors to feel like they were part of something special—something personal, like a family.
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That’s why we chose franchising. It allowed us to partner with individuals who shared our passion, our commitment, and our heart. Every clinic we open is a reflection of the values we hold dear: Excellence in Care, Integrity, Empathy, and Collaboration. We are proud to partner with franchisees who are just as driven to make a difference as we are, ensuring that the small, family-like atmosphere remains at the core of everything we do.
Our Mission
We are three mothers, three friends, and three co-founders with a singular mission: to provide the best care possible to children with autism. We’ve built a network of clinics that not only provide essential services but also foster a sense of community and hope. We believe in the power of early intervention, the strength of collaboration, and the importance of treating every child like our own.
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As we continue to grow, we do so with the same heart that started it all. Whether you're a parent looking for the right place for your child, or someone passionate about joining our team or becoming a franchisee, know that you're becoming part of a family that cares deeply—about you, your child, and the future we’re building together.
Who We Are
Amber Lister
Amber Lister grew up in a small town in northern Georgia, where her passion for working with children, especially those with special needs, began early. At just 16 years old, she began collaborating with a mentor in speech-language pathology, and by 18, she was on her way to becoming a speech-language pathologist at the University of Houston, Main Campus. Over the years, Amber has gained extensive experience across various settings, including outpatient clinics, inpatient acute care, and public schools. While each of these roles taught her invaluable lessons, her heart was always with children on the autism spectrum.
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Moving into private practice allowed Amber, alongside her partners, to focus solely on serving these incredible children and their supportive families. Today, she oversees all of Essential Speech and ABA Therapy’s corporate autism programs, working closely with the entire therapy team—behavior technicians, BCBAs, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists. Her leadership ensures that each clinic provides the highest standards of care. Amber takes immense pride in seeing the progress and joy that the children in their programs experience, the growth of their families, and the professional development of her team.
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As a mother of three, Amber’s personal and professional life revolves around her 3 children. Outside of work, she spends her time at baseball games, junior high band concerts, and gymnastics meets, and enjoys exploring new restaurants and attending events with great music.
Nafisa Obi
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with proud Djiboutian roots, Nafisa Obi has always been drawn to helping others. From a young age, she knew her path would involve making a difference. As a speech-language pathologist, Nafisa has worked in schools, private practices, pediatric hospitals, and home health, always with a heart for children on the autism spectrum. But it wasn’t until she and her partners began expanding through franchising that she truly found her calling.
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For Nafisa, franchising goes beyond growing a business—it’s about bringing life-changing care to children and their families across the country. With every new clinic, she sees the opportunity to increase access to vital services that can shape a child’s future and give families the support they so desperately need. The impact of these clinics goes far beyond therapy sessions; they become a lifeline for families navigating autism, and that’s what drives Nafisa every day.
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She is deeply fulfilled knowing that the work she does helps not only children but also empowers business owners to build something meaningful in their communities. Her heart is full knowing that together, they are making a real difference.
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Outside of work, Nafisa loves traveling, trying new foods, and spending time with her husband and their three daughters. Her family is her foundation, and just like she works to build communities for children and families, she treasures the community she has at home.
Camila Trevino
Camila Trevino’s journey has been deeply shaped by her roots in a large, close-knit migrant family. Growing up as one of nine, Camila learned the power of community, hard work, and collaboration early on. These values have been the foundation of her dedication to helping children with autism. As a bilingual speech-language pathologist, Camila’s passion for advocacy has always centered around making a difference in the lives of children and families who need it most.
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Her experience in schools opened her eyes to the critical need for specialized care, which ultimately led to her collaboration with Amber and Nafisa. Together, they embarked on a mission to create a space where children with autism could receive holistic care that supports their development and empowers their families. Camila’s personal connection to this work, both as a professional and as a mother, drives her commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
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Camila plays a pivotal role at Essential Speech and ABA Therapy as the leader of Essential Billing Solutions, the department responsible for all medical billing across corporate and franchise locations. She finds deep fulfillment in this detailed work, knowing that by handling the complexities of insurance reimbursement, she helps keep the doors of the clinics open and the staff paid for the amazing work they do. Camila’s dedication allows clinic owners to focus on what truly matters—providing the highest quality care to children and their families without the burden of administrative struggles. Her work, though often behind the scenes, is the backbone of the smooth and successful operation of every clinic in the Essential Speech and ABA Therapy network.
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Beyond her professional life, Camila cherishes her time with her supportive husband and their two wonderful children. Together, they love road trips, exploring diverse cuisines, and enjoying movies as a family. Camila also draws inspiration from motivational literature, always striving to inspire others to pursue their dreams with the same dedication and heart that she brings to her own journey.
