Make a Difference
Every Single Day

At Manhattan Behavioral Center, we're not just building careers—we're transforming lives. Join our passionate team of therapists, educators, and specialists dedicated to helping children with autism reach their full potential.

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500+

Lives changed

5000+

family and community members impacted

300+

clinicians have trained at MBC

OUR CULTURE

Company Culture

At Manhattan Behavioral Center, our culture is shaped by compassion, growth, and a shared commitment to empowering individuals with autism and other special needs. We believe every child has extraordinary potential, and our staff play a central role in helping each child learn, socialize, and thrive.

Key elements of MBC’s culture include:

Mission-Driven Work

Every employee contributes to helping children become active, confident, and productive members of their families & communities.

Supportive Environment

Flexibility, structure, and coordination are embedded in our daily operations to foster a balanced, healthy work environment.

Recognition & Appreciation

Through monthly shout-outs, anniversary recognitions, and merit awards, we cultivate a culture where achievements are acknowledged and celebrated.

Transparent Communication

Regular meetings, forums, and focus groups ensure staff voices are heard and organizational updates are clearly shared.

MBC strives to create a workplace where employees feel respected, valued, and connected through meaningful interactions and shared purpose.

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STAFF TESTIMONIALS

Hear From Our Team

"Working here since 2009. Jon says, "I absolutely love working with the staff at MBC. Everyone here is looking to better the lives of their clients and advance their own knowledge in the field. MBC is truly an environment where one can grow and learn, and I love being part of that process."

Jon Bakalar MA, BCBA, LBA-NYS

"Having spent over 20 years in this field, I’ve been fortunate to witness countless moments of growth, connection, and transformation. But in the nearly four years I’ve been with our center, I can honestly say that my heart has never been fuller. Every day, I get to work alongside an incredible team who pour their dedication, compassion, and expertise into our clients’ lives. Seeing the tangible progress our clients make, the small victories that turn into life-changing milestones, and the smiles that light up families’ faces—it’s what fills my cup and reminds me why I do this work. Being part of this community isn’t just a job; it’s a privilege, and it continues to inspire me every single day."

Kristen Many M.Ed

"I’ve worked at MBC for the past 13 years. It’s a place where I’ve grown, learned, and stayed because the work matters. Working in a center for kids with autism has taught me the importance of patience, teamwork, and consistency. I’ve been lucky to work alongside supportive, dedicated staff who truly care about the kids and about each other. Being part of such a strong support system has helped me learn, grow, and become better at what I do every day. The kids, the families, and the people I work with have become a big part of my life, and MBC really does feel like home."

Bita Anvari MS. Ed

"I started at MBC a few months after getting my BCBA. From the very beginning I could tell MBC was a special place and here I am 11 years later! I have grown immensely in that time and have been in 3 different roles. I started as a supplemental case manager then moved to a supplemental program supervisor and now, I am a clinical operations coordinator. From day one I have felt valued and appreciated. I think this comes from the great supervisors and mentors I have had over the years."

Amy Mason BCBA

“I have been fortunate to witness candidates join our team, grow professionally, and advance within the organization. The unwavering commitment to the children and families we serve, along with the dedication of our ownership and staff, is what makes Manhattan Behavioral Center such a special place to work. It not only inspires me to remain here, but also motivates me to continue striving to do more—for our team, our families, and our community.”

Steven Bergonzi Director of Talent Acquisition

“Each day at MBC is different and unique. As a therapist at MBC, you are part of an interdisciplinary team, sharing ideas, learning from each other, and putting into place strategies that benefit the students you work with. Whether that be a specific sensory diet for a student, or becoming familiar with a student's AAC device, you receive training and learn how to individualize specific strategies, and tailor these strategies to each student you work with. Learning and sharing ideas with Speech Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Occupational Therapists creates a dynamic and interconnected team. Having access to this knowledge and sharing of ideas, has helped me to grow as an ABA therapist and Special Educator! Not only am I learning from the interdisciplinary team that I am part of, but I am also sharing the reasoning behind certain ABA strategies or decisions with other team members. This creates a balanced and individualized approach to my student’s education.”

Shira Hematian Special Education Teach and ABA Therapist

“What I love most about MBC is working with such a strong and dedicated team of individuals. To be surrounded and supported by individuals who genuinely love and care about what they do makes a huge difference in this field. The ABA therapists I supervise make me a better leader and motivate me to be the best BCBA I can be for them. We listen and learn together which creates a collaborative approach that greatly benefits our clients’ progress. When a client meets a goal, it is my team who is the reason and who are there to cheer them on and I love that I get to be a part of it each day.”

Samantha Sevilla BCBA, LBA

YOUR FUTURE

Career Growth & Professional Recognition

MBC is committed to supporting the professional development and academic advancement of all employees. To encourage lifelong learning and promote excellence, MBC recognizes staff who complete higher education degrees or obtain specialized certifications relevant to their roles.

MBC Acknowledges Employees Who Achieve

Academic Degrees

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degrees in Education, Psychology, ABA, or related fields

Teaching Certifications

Special Education Teaching Certifications

Board Certification

Board Certification or Licensure in Behavior Analysis (BCBA, LBA)

Outstanding Performance

Outstanding performance beyond job expectations, through supervisor nominations and recognition programs

Your Personalized Growth Roadmap

In alignment with our mission to foster growth, MBC encourages all staff to openly share their professional paths, current status, and aspirations for learning or advancement. Employees are invited to discuss their goals:

Taking on more responsibility

Developing leadership skills

Gaining deeper clinical knowledge

Exploring new roles within the organization

MBC works collaboratively with each employee to create a personalized roadmap that supports their growth, aligns with organizational needs, and helps them reach their full professional potential.

"This approach allows MBC to cultivate a culture of development, empowerment, and continuous improvement, ensuring that every employee feels supported in building a meaningful and evolving career."

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Professional Excellence

Training & Development Programs

MBC recognizes that high-quality staff training is directly connected to student success. Our training and development programs ensure employees feel confident, supported, and prepared to provide individualized care to every child we serve.

A Strong Foundation for New Staff

Comprehensive new-hire orientation introducing MBC’s mission, values, and clinical leadership
Foundational training paired with real-time practice & coaching
Gradual increase in responsibilities as staff build confidence and independence

Onboarding That Builds Confidence

Introduction to MBC’s teaching model and guiding principles
Early training focused on relationship-building with each child
Learning how to identify student strengths, motivators, and individualized supports
Ensuring staff feel prepared and supported before entering the classroom

Specialized Training for Individualized Care

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Safety Care for managing crisis behaviors
Use of clinical data collection systems to monitor progress
Sensory supports and emotional regulation strategies
Functional communication and engagement techniques
Personalized coaching to understand each child’s strengths and needs
These tools help staff create meaningful, individualized learning experiences that promote independence and growth.

Developing Key Interpersonal Skills

Our training emphasizes empathy, patience, and mindful teaching
View each child as a whole person
Create emotionally safe and positive learning environments
Use compassionate, respectful approaches in everyday interactions

Ongoing Professional Development

Monthly case manager meetings with breakfast, guest speakers, and Q&A
Regular all-staff meetings and training updates
Coaching, observations, and real-time feedback
Opportunities for advanced training, leadership development, and specialized roles

Ensuring Consistency & Quality

Structured observations
Hands-on coaching and modeling
Clear performance expectations
Individualized staff support and retraining as needed

A Team-Based Approach

Collaboration is central to our work. We support team learning through:
Monthly forums
Manager mingles
Sharing strategies across departments
Celebrating staff and student successes

These programs create a community of skilled, confident professionals who work together to support every child's progress.

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LIFE AT MBC

Team Activities & Employee Morale Initiatives

To foster connection, collaboration, and community within MBC, several team-building and morale-boosting initiatives are integrated throughout the year.

Team Building Events

• Three organization-wide events annually
• Designed to strengthen communication, relationships, and team trust

Monthly Initiatives

Employee Birthdays: Monthly shout-outs on the Teams Channel
Work Anniversaries : Monthly recognition with shout-outs and a $25 gift card or early dismissal pass
All-Staff Open Forums : Company updates, "Brags & Commendations" for peer-to-peer recognition