Hi, I’m Corey Costella
I’m the founder of Progressive Behavior Support and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over fifteen years of experience supporting neurodivergent children and their families. I specialize in working with children with Autism, PDA profiles, ADHD, and other behavioral and developmental needs.
My approach is relationship-centered, flexible, and individualized. I focus on reducing stress and demand while helping children build meaningful, functional skills in a way that feels safe and supportive. I prioritize each child’s strengths, interests, and autonomy, and work closely with families to create practical strategies that fit naturally into everyday life.
My journey into behavior therapy began during my undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia, where I interned at the Virginia Institute of Autism. That experience sparked my passion for working with children and families. I later earned my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education from George Washington University and have since dedicated my career to providing thoughtful, evidence-based support to children and their families.
Serving families in Charlottesville, VA, Albemarle County, Crozet, and Waynesboro.
Corey Costella, MEd, BCBA, LBA-VA
My Approach
At Progressive Behavior Support, therapy is guided by a child-led and neurodiversity-affirming philosophy.
This means:
Prioritizing each child’s interests and strengths
Collaborating closely with parents and caregivers
Using positive reinforcement and evidence-based strategies
Supporting development across home, school, and community environments
Focusing on consent-driven therapy that respects each child’s autonomy.
Every child’s journey is different, and my role is to help families find practical, compassionate strategies that support lasting progress.
What People Are Saying
“Corey is truly a unicorn of a therapist. She has supported both of my sons - and really our entire family, for the past four years. She has helped our kids develop social skills, safety skills, regulation skills, and the confidence to navigate the world around them. Perhaps even more importantly, she's done this in a way that has helped them better understand themselves and their own needs in a strength-based way.
As a mom who had reservations about ABA, I deeply appreciated that Corey is a neurodiversity-affirming therapist. She always prioritizes connection over compliance, regulation over demands, and individualization over generic activities. I know how rare it is to find providers who walk-the-walk - Corey does.
Corey is never thrown by challenging behaviors. She approaches problems with unwaveringly positive energy and a teamwork mindset. She handles PDA, big emotions, and stress responses from kids without skipping a beat. When your child is with Corey, you can trust they will be safely supported, playfully engaged, and genuinely cared for.”
— Leah (Mom of a 5 year old and 7 year old)
“Corey started working with my son when he was 2.5 years old, and I am so grateful to her for showing me very early on what child-led, joyful, and intentional therapy can and should look like. Corey always considered the whole-child in her approach, and she was extremely thoughtful in every aspect of my son's therapy. Every session was grounded in natural, child-led play using my son's favorite toys and songs. He loved "playing" with Corey, and his therapy always felt so warm and nurturing. As a parent, Corey set the bar extremely high for all providers!”
— Parent of a 7 year old
“We are incredibly grateful for the support Corey has provided our family. She not only helped our daughter navigate her sensitive nature with greater confidence and self-awareness, but also supported her through a major life transition - going from being an only child for five years to becoming a big sister. What has meant just as much to us as parents is how much we’ve learned along the way. Corey equipped us with practical tools and strategies that we use every day, and she gave us a renewed sense of confidence in our parenting. We feel better prepared to support both of our kiddos in a way that is both compassionate and effective.”
— Parent of a 5 year old