Expanding to a Clinic? Do This First! 

If you're running an ABA business and thinking about expanding from in-home services to a brick-and-mortar clinic, pause for a moment. Opening a clinic may seem like the natural next step—but is it the right move for you? 

In the latest episode of the 3 Pie Squared – ABA Business Leaders podcast, Stephen and April share candid insights from their own experience running an ABA practice, including why their clinic didn’t align with their long-term vision—and how they pivoted. 

Do You Need a Clinic to Grow? 

One of the biggest myths in ABA practice management is that expanding to a clinic is the only path forward. But before signing a lease or investing in build-outs, consider this: not all in-home clients will follow you to a clinic, and clinics come with their own operational risks. 

Instead of defaulting to the industry norm, Stephen and April urge ABA business owners to evaluate: 

• Your long-term business and personal vision 

• Financial readiness and cash reserves 

• The true demand for clinic-based services in your area 

• Staff expectations and hybrid service challenges 

• Licensing, zoning, and HIPAA compliance logistics 

• Whether to lease or buy your own space 

• Quality metrics and KPIs that support clinic-level care 

Clinic vs. In-Home: It’s Not Black & White 

Yes, clinic settings offer opportunities for centralized services, social groups, and staff collaboration. But they also come with higher overhead, more complex compliance requirements, and unique risks like safety, access control, and liability related to on-site medication, behavioral episodes, or facility layout. 

Meanwhile, in-home ABA services often offer more flexibility and lower cost—but may lack the collaborative and structured environment that some learners benefit from. 

It all comes down to your intention and whether your ABA business plan truly supports clinic-based growth. 

Want Support While You Scale? 

At 3 Pie Squared, we've walked this road and built resources for ABA business owners who want to grow intentionally—not impulsively. If you're preparing for growth, we highly recommend exploring our: 

📘 ABA Business Leaders Membership — Get access to checklists, compliance tools, rate negotiation strategies, and planning guides (including clinic readiness!). 

📥 Free ABA Start-Up List — Whether you’re just getting started or need a reset, this free download helps you ensure all your bases are covered. 

Whether you're dreaming of a sensory space, mapping out your clinic’s layout, or wondering if you should even open one at all—the real key is planning with purpose. 

🎧 Listen to the full episode of "Expanding to a Clinic? Do This First!" on the 3 Pie Squared – ABA Business Leaders Podcast and let us know your biggest takeaway.