Yrenka Sunderlin, MS, BCBA, LBA

Founder | Clinical Director | Author | Behavior-Tech Innovator

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Yrenka Sunderlin is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 30 years of experience supporting individuals with autism and developmental differences. Her journey began in a Level 12 residential facility in California, where she quickly realized that traditional approaches weren’t enough to create lasting, meaningful change. Determined to do better, she devoted her career to evidence-based methods that empower both clients and caregivers.

After earning her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of La Verne, Yrenka completed her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at California State University, Los Angeles, where she trained under respected leaders in the field: Dr. Randy Campbell, Dr. Michele Wallace, and Dr. Henry D. Schlinger, Jr. She also studied closely with Kari Berquist, Ph.D., BCBA-D, gaining expertise in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Discrete Trial Training, PECS, Verbal Behavior, Functional Behavior Assessments, and more. Yrenka is also certified in the UCLA PEERS® social skills model and completed the Autism Certification Program.

Yrenka has taught BCBA graduate coursework as an adjunct faculty member at National University (Camarillo), served on advisory boards including Reid’s Gift in Ventura County, and worked as a parent education advocate across California, Oregon, and Idaho — with a special focus on Spanish-speaking communities. She’s a proud member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International and the Idaho Association for Applied Behavior Analysis.

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🔹 Innovating the Future of ABA

Yrenka is also the creator of The Yrenka Method™, a fast growing digital coaching ecosystem that combines behavior science with AI to help young adults, professionals, and caregivers build real-world emotional and behavioral skills. Her work is at the forefront of tech-powered tools for regulation, resilience, and independence — including three coaching copilots currently being piloted nationwide.

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Through this innovation, she is preparing Sunderlin Behavioral to become one of the first ABA agencies in the country to fully integrate AI coaching, parent support, and data-powered tools into client care.

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🔹 Books & Social Skills Projects

Together with her son, Gavin Sunderlin, Yrenka co-authored the Bouncy Bear & Curious Cat children’s book series — blending ACT, ABA, and storytelling to teach flexible thinking and empathy in ways kids can truly understand. They also released My Book: A Journey Through the Super Skills Workbook, a dynamic workbook for teens and young adults with ADHD and autism.

All books are available on Amazon.

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• The Adventures of Bouncy Bear and Curious Cat: A Flexible Thinking Journey (2023)

• The Adventures of Bouncy Bear and Curious Cat: A Perspective-Taking Journey (2025)

• My Book: A Journey Through the Super Skills Workbook (2023)

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🔹 Vision

Yrenka is a passionate advocate for evolving ABA into something more human, accessible, and future-ready. Whether she’s coaching staff, supporting families, or building the next generation of behavior tools — her mission remains the same:

To make science-based support feel personal, empowering, and deeply effective.