While many providers across the country face overwhelming waitlists and growing staffing shortages, CST Academy has taken a different path—one focused on proactive hiring, clinician-led leadership, and an unwavering commitment to quality. As a result, families who turn to CST Academy for pediatric therapy services experience something increasingly rare: immediate access to care.
A Staffing Model That Prioritizes People
At the heart of CST Academy’s ability to avoid waitlists is a forward-thinking approach to staffing. With a full-time, in-house recruiter and a leadership team that relies on data and historical trends to project future needs, CST Academy doesn’t wait for a staffing crisis—it plans ahead to prevent one.
“We’re very intentional in how we hire, We know turnover in ABA is a huge challenge across the field, but we’ve found that if we’re selective in our hiring process and create an environment where our team feels appreciated, challenged, and cared for, they stay with us for longer.”
- Idar Lamo, CEO of CST Academy.
Supporting Therapists from Day One
CST Academy’s dedication to its team doesn’t stop at hiring. A core strength of the organization is its robust internal training program. Each clinic is supported by a dedicated training team, led by BCBAs and composed of experienced ABA therapists with reduced caseloads. These trainers not only provide hands-on support to new clinicians, but also step in to help launch services for new clients—ensuring no child waits longer than necessary.
This investment in mentorship and career growth creates a ripple effect: therapists are more confident, more capable, and more likely to stay long-term.
Simplifying Insurance, Strengthening Access
CST Academy works with a limited number of private insurance plans, which allows the team to streamline processes and minimize administrative delays. A dedicated billing team—deeply familiar with the nuances of their accepted plans—works closely with families, offering transparent consultations and easy-to-understand resources that make the financial side of therapy less overwhelming.
For families with out-of-network coverage, CST Academy partners with a third-party insurance broker who specializes in supporting families seeking ABA services.
“In many cases, the broker can help families qualify for a plan that grants them faster access to care—whether that’s with us or another provider who best meets their needs”
- Idar Lamo, CEO of CST Academy.
Leveraging CentralReach to Support Growth
As CST Academy continues to scale its services, CentralReach has become an important part of its operational toolkit. “CR has significantly improved our scheduling efficiency and has been a big step up for our billing processes,” says Lamo. “It’s a much more robust system than anything we’ve used before, and it’s been really well received by our team—whether they’re in ABA, speech, OT, or PT.”
CentralReach’s unified platform has helped streamline back-end workflows, allowing staff to focus more time and energy on delivering care.
A Multidisciplinary, One-Stop-Shop Approach
As a full-service clinic offering ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and a unique therapeutic preschool, CST Academy is positioned to support children across multiple domains of development. If a family is waiting on an autism diagnosis before beginning ABA, they can still start with other services—and seamlessly add ABA once the diagnosis is complete.
Even the diagnostic process is streamlined: CST Academy offers in-house evaluations by expert psychologists, shortening the typical months-long wait families face elsewhere.
A Model Built for the Future
Since launching as a speech therapy practice in 2010, CST Academy has evolved into a leading multidisciplinary provider by staying true to its values. The leadership team—clinicians themselves—ensures that every decision made prioritizes clinical quality and long-term outcomes for children.
“In a field that’s attracting more private equity and outside investors, we believe it’s critical to have clinical leaders at the helm,” says Lamo. “That’s how we stay grounded in what matters—putting children first, supporting our team, and never compromising on care.”
Advice for Other Providers
Lamo’s message to other organizations navigating today’s staffing and access challenges is simple but powerful: “Invest in your people. Build a structure where your team feels supported, valued, and challenged. The world of ABA is small—word gets around. We attract talented clinicians because they’ve heard they can grow here.”
Looking ahead, CST Academy is doubling down on its multidisciplinary model. “When a clinic can offer everything under one roof—therapy services, diagnostics, a team that collaborates daily—everyone wins,” Lamo says. “Families get the best care possible, and clinicians get to be part of something meaningful.”
About CST Academy
At CST Academy, we stand apart through our commitment to a unique, holistic approach to autism and developmental care. Our philosophy is rooted in the understanding that every child possesses a unique set of strengths, challenges, and potential. By embracing this diversity, we tailor our services to meet the individual needs of each child and family, ensuring a path to success that is as distinctive as the children we serve.
Posted in Clinical, Customer Story, Multidisciplinary, Practice Management
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