In-Network

Program Overview

The primary objective of this program is to provide clinicians with a solid foundation for effectively starting their clinical practice in Chat.

Chat is an engaging, naturalistic, developmentally-based intervention designed for children six and under. It trains skilled clinicians to guide parents in supporting their child's language, social skills, and play while managing challenging behaviors during everyday activities.

In the Chat program, you will become proficient in the fundamentals of Chat and learn how to apply the program in practical settings. You will benefit from the expertise of leaders in the field who have both developed and implemented the Chat program.

Woman smiling while holding smiling child

Program Details

  • One self-paced course
  • Capstone session (live virtual session)
  • Fully virtual
  • 1 final exam (3 attempts to pass)
  • Approximately 6.5 hours
  • CE credits for eligible participants
    • 6 CE, CAMFT, CPA
    • 6.5 CE, SLP, OT

Included Materials:

  • Chat Caregiver Workbook
  • Chat Clinician Workbook
  • 11 Handouts
  • 19 Worksheets

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • List the eight components of Chat.
  • Describe the importance of the naturalistic approach when implementing Chat.
  • Identify when Chat assessment and session tools should be used.
  • Recognize four key clinician behaviors to optimize Chat.

Who Should Take This Program?

  • Clinicians aiming to deepen their knowledge and effectively implement a naturalistic, developmental, relationship-based model grounded in evidence-based practices will greatly benefit from this course.
  • Tailored for professionals working with families of young children, ages six and under, who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
Young man having session with two adults
Prerequisites illustrated art

Prerequisites:

This program is open to any clinician in the CCS Network in a mid or high-level role.* It is recommended that learners have a background in early childhood development and/or early intervention.

High-Level Clinician: Clinicians must meet all requirements for the Qualified Autism Service Provider. Only licensed clinicians, LMFT, Psychologist, SLP, OT, LCSW, or LPCC are eligible to be a high-level clinician in Chat.

Mid-Level Clinician: Clinicians must meet requirements for QAS Professionals.

*To provide this service line to clients, clinicians must meet requirements as described in the CCS Provider Manual.

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Chat Program Pricing

Member Price: Complementary for Catalight Care Service in-network practitioners.

For more information on our refund, accommodation and other related policies, please see our policy page.

Program Content Developers and Instructors

Headshot of Brianna Fitchett

Brianna Fitchett, MPH, MA, BCBA
Developer

Degrees/Credentials

  • Masters Public Health: Healthcare Administration, National University
  • BCBA, Florida Institute of Technology
  • MA, Special Education, Moderate/Severe Disabilities, Notre Dame de Namur University
  • BA, San Francisco State University

Disclosures: None.

Current Position

  • Vice President of Clinical Impact - Catalight
Headshot of Casey Jones

Casey Jones, M.Ed.
Developer

Degrees/Credentials

  • Degrees/Certifications
  • BA, Child Development, Sacramento State University
  • MA, Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Arizona State University

Disclosures: None.

Current Position

  • Child Development Consultant - Catalight Care Services
Headshot of Christina Mejia

Christina Mejia
Developer and Instructor

Degrees/Credentials

  • Licensed Speech Language Pathologist #18483
  • MS, Speech Language Pathology
  • BA, Psychology
  • ASHA Certification-Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech-Language Pathology
  • Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential
  • Hanen More Than Words certified Speech Language Pathologist
  • Dynamic Tactile and Temporal Cueing (DTTC) trained
  • Chat Clinician
  • Connect Clinician

Disclosures: None.

Current Position

  • Catalight Care Services Consultant Speech Language Pathologist
Headshot of Doreen Samelson

Doreen Samelson, Ed.D., MSCP.
Developer

Degrees/Credentials

  • Licensed Psychologist
  • MSCP, Alliant International University
  • Ed.D., Counseling Psychology, University of the Pacific
  • 30 Credit Hours in Special Education and Psychology Credited Toward a Teaching Certificate in Severely Handicapped Education, Western Oregon State College
  • MA, Major in Psychology, Minor in Ecology and Behavioral Biology, The University of Minnesota
  • BA, Major in Psychology with a Minor in Biology, San Francisco State

Disclosures: None.

Current Position

  • Chief Clinical Officer - Catalight
Headshot of Ian Cook

Ian Cook, Ph.D.
Instructor

Degrees/Credentials

  • Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, UC Berkeley
  • Clinical Training Program: Assessment, UC Berkeley
  • B.S. Neuroscience & Behavior, Columbia University
  • RUBI certified

Disclosures: None.

Current Position

  • Director of Clinical Excellence
Headshot of Lindsey Sneed

Lindsey Sneed, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Developer

Degrees/Credentials

  • Licensed Psychologist #PSY34154
  • Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Walden University
  • MS, Applied Psychology, Walden University
  • MS, Educational Counseling, National University
  • BA, Counseling Psychology, William Jessup University
  • RUBI Certified

Disclosures: None.

Current Position

  • Vice President of Clinical Excellence, Catalight
  • Adjunct Professor, University of San Francisco

Other Contributors

Valerie Sonickson, MA, LMFT

Program Outcomes

  • Clinicians will be able to successfully implement Chat with young children and their caregivers.