Hi, I’m Bahar!

I’m a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA), practicum child and youth counsellor, and neurodiversity-affirming practitioner based in Vancouver, BC. With over 10 years of experience, I support children, youth, and their families through compassionate, evidence-based, and person-centred care across home, school, and community settings.

Before becoming a BCBA, I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia in Computer Science, Immunology, and Public Health. My passion for inclusive education deepened during my Master of Education in Special Education at UBC, where I focused on autism and developmental disabilities. This academic background shaped how I think about systems, accessibility, and the importance of designing environments that truly work for people, not the other way around.

My path into this field began when I co-founded The C.O.D.E. Initiative Foundation, now known as Access Collective. What started as a small project to teach STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) to underrepresented youth grew into a community organization focused on making STEAM education accessible for neurodivergent learners with diverse intersectionalities. Running C.O.D.E. highlighted the gaps that exist for neurodivergent young people and their families, and it sparked my commitment to creating learning spaces rooted in belonging, autonomy, and joy. That experience is what led me toward behaviour consulting and inclusive education, where I could offer direct, long-term support.

My work today is grounded in a blend of behavioural science, developmental understanding, relational practice, and counselling foundations. I am currently completing my second Master of Education in School Counselling, which strengthens the mental health, trauma-informed, and identity-focused lens that guides my practice.

I am also neurodivergent and Iranian-Canadian, and these parts of my identity shape how I understand people, neurodiversity, culture, and the importance of belonging. My lived experiences guide my commitment to authenticity, inclusion, and creating spaces where individuals feel safe being who they are.

Over the past decade, I have supported learners from 18 months into their twenties with experience in autism and a wide range of neurodivergences such as ADHD and ADD, anxiety, and dyslexia. My work focuses on skill-building, emotional regulation, inclusive education, and collaborative school-based support. My approach centres natural-environment teaching, learning through play, connection instead of compliance, and empowerment. I do not believe in changing who someone is. I believe in creating environments where their strengths are recognized, supported, and allowed to shine.

Collaboration is central to my practice. I work closely with families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams to design individualized strategies that are practical, respectful, identity-affirming, and aligned with each person’s goals and communication style. Advocacy and accessibility matter deeply to me, and I want every client and family I work with to feel understood, valued, and supported.

At Lumina, my hope is that our work together helps clients and families feel grounded, understood, and equipped with strategies that fit their strengths, their values, and their real world, while feeling connected and empowered throughout the process.