In the world of behavioral health, innovative behavioral health care is increasingly becoming a focal point for professionals and organizations alike. Tracy Gayeski, a leader in the field of autism and developmental disabilities (IDD) care, draws from years of experience to share her insights on how her early career experiences shaped her vision for innovative behavioral health care and the direction the industry is heading.
Early Career Insights
When Tracy Gayeski first stepped into the field of behavioral health, she didn’t know that her early experiences would profoundly shape her entire career. As an undergraduate psychology major, she worked as a behavioral interventionist, which, at the time, wasn’t even the established title it is today. She worked with a family whose young child had autism and displayed severe developmental challenges. This was her introduction to autism and developmental disabilities, but it also served as a wake-up call about the limitations of traditional treatment approaches.
“I was genuinely concerned about the child’s outcomes, especially since he was a three-year-old with no language and exhibited many dangerous behaviors. Traditional Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy worked for some, but not for all,” Tracy recalls. “We weren’t achieving positive results using those methods, and that experience had a lasting impact on me. I realized that the field needed more than just one-size-fits-all solutions. We needed innovative behavioral health care that was flexible and responsive to the unique needs of each individual.”
The Shift Toward Innovative Approaches
Tracy’s deep connection with the child and his family during that time opened her eyes to the limitations of her training and led her to pursue further specialization in neuropsychology. As her career progressed, she consistently worked with children and families dealing with developmental disabilities, always striving to make a real difference in their lives.
“Looking back, the treatment techniques we were taught back then didn’t meet the child’s needs. Despite all the effort, we weren’t making the progress we had hoped for,” Tracy reflects. This realization has been a guiding force in her advocacy for better, more effective interventions.
Today, Tracy is committed to ensuring that innovative behavioral health care options provide better outcomes for both children and their families. Her role now is to ensure that treatment plans are adaptable, client-centered, and capable of delivering meaningful improvements in the lives of those they serve.
Catalight’s New Vision for Health Care
Tracy’s current position as Chief Health Officer at Catalight Health represents an exciting new chapter in her career. It’s a role that directly aligns with her commitment to innovative behavioral health care, particularly in addressing the broader issues of health equity and the social determinants of health. As part of Catalight’s mission, Tracy is working toward creating a more inclusive and accessible healthcare system, one that acknowledges and addresses the unique challenges faced by children with developmental disabilities and their families.
“Being a 2030 Healthy People Champion is something I’m really proud of,” says Tracy. “It reflects our dedication to improving access to care, reducing healthcare disparities, and advancing preventive health measures. Whether it’s improving sleep, reducing dangerous behaviors, or minimizing ER visits for families, we are constantly striving to create a system that supports long-term well-being.”
A Focus on Evidence-Based Research
At the heart of Catalight’s mission is a commitment to research-driven, innovative behavioral health care. Tracy highlights how the organization’s substantial investment in research is a cornerstone of its success in reshaping treatment options for individuals with IDD and ASD.
“We’re not just improving care based on the knowledge from a decade ago,” Tracy explains. “We’re working with the latest research to make decisions that impact every aspect of treatment. This evidence-based approach is what drives better outcomes and is a key component of our innovative behavioral health care initiatives.”
This research informs everything from daily treatment protocols to large-scale policy changes, ensuring that every intervention is effective, appropriate, and focused on the individual’s unique needs.
The Importance of Person-Centered Care
One of the key principles that Tracy and Catalight emphasize is person-centered care, a vital aspect of innovative behavioral health care. This approach focuses on the unique needs and goals of each individual and their family, ensuring that treatments are not only effective but also aligned with the values and preferences of those receiving care.
“When we talk about person-centered care, it’s about considering the individual’s well-being in every aspect of their treatment,” Tracy says. “It’s about recognizing that not every goal is appropriate for every child. For example, teaching a child to tie their shoes might seem important, but if Velcro works better, we should focus on the skills that reduce stress and increase the child’s overall quality of life. This is part of what makes innovative behavioral health care so essential—it’s about being flexible and responsive to what really matters.”
Meeting Industry Challenges
The behavioral health field faces significant challenges, including an increased prevalence of autism and developmental disabilities and a shortage of paraprofessionals. Catalight is tackling these issues head-on by diversifying treatment options to reduce reliance on paraprofessionals and utilizing more certified practitioners where appropriate.
Parent-mediated care, for example, is one of the more flexible treatment options that addresses these shortages. It allows parents to be directly involved in the therapeutic process, which not only enhances their confidence and reduces stress but also decreases the need for extensive practitioner hours.
“We’ve seen great success with this model,” Tracy notes. “Research shows it’s an effective way to provide care while also addressing workforce shortages. This is just one example of how innovative behavioral health care is evolving to meet the needs of both families and professionals.”
Additionally, Catalight’s new postdoctoral program for diagnostics is a vital initiative aimed at improving the quality of diagnoses in the IDD and ASD fields. This program helps address the lack of skilled clinicians and ensures that patients receive the most accurate and timely assessments.
The Future of Behavioral Health Care
Looking ahead, Tracy is excited about the opportunity to extend her impact on a larger scale. With over 20 years in neuropsychology and behavioral health, her experience has only reinforced her desire to create more significant change in the field. Her recent MBA in Health Care Administration has provided her with the tools to address challenges on a broader level, expanding access and improving outcomes across the board.
“My new role allows me to scale my impact, not just regionally, but globally,” Tracy says with enthusiasm. “We’re creating systems that will help families all over the world. That’s the kind of opportunity I’ve been striving for throughout my career.”
2024: The Year of Value-Based Care
When asked about the future of the industry, Tracy confidently answers, “In the behavioral health industry, 2024 will be the year of value-based care and well-being outcomes.” It’s clear that Catalight is on a mission to make innovative behavioral health care accessible, effective, and sustainable for families facing developmental disabilities and autism.
As the field continues to evolve, it’s evident that Tracy’s commitment to enhancing innovative behavioral health care will have a lasting impact on the industry and the families it serves. By focusing on evidence-based research, person-centered care, and expanding treatment options, Catalight is paving the way for a more inclusive and effective future in behavioral health.
