How this BCBA Started an ABA Practice While Preparing for Baby #2

Michael Gao is the CEO and Co-Founder of Alpaca Health, the practice-in-a box for BCBAs to start, run, and grow independent ABA practices. Before Alpaca, Michael built a successful online education company that supported thousands of students, giving him a deep appreciation for entrepreneurship. Today, he works closely with new ABA practice owners to demystify the business side of care—everything from accounting to insurance to growth—so they can build sustainable, client-first practices with confidence.

Hi, I am Sarah Liberty, the BCBA behind Liberty Behavioral Consulting. I am a neurodivergent clinician with multiple disabilities who grew up receiving therapy myself. That experience shaped everything about how I show up today. I know what it is like to be the kid in services, the sibling, and the overwhelmed parent trying to make sense of all the recommendations. My work is built on honoring that lived experience and making support feel safe, collaborative, and actually helpful in real life.

I bring 10 years in the field of behavior analysis and disability support. I have worked in employment support, a severe behavior clinic, research, and autism services in the clinic, home, and community. I have supported children, teens, and adults with a wide range of disabilities and support needs, including high-intensity behavior, communication differences, and complex medical or educational systems.

At home, my favorite roles are mom and wife. I live with my husband Jordan, our son Kevin, and our two dogs, Zero and Zeus. They keep me grounded in what really matters and remind me that every family is juggling a lot behind the scenes.

My goal is simple. I want the people I work with to feel more understood, more capable, and more hopeful. I love bringing joy into sessions, building skills in ways that feel affirming, and helping families create routines that work for their unique brains and bodies.