Tim Talks: Behavioral Health

Moshe Katz – Practice Owner & Clinical Director, TE(A)CH Developmental and Behavioral Support, LLC

Tim Zercher Season 1 Episode 57

In this episode of Tim Talks: Behavioral Health, host Timothy A. Zercher sits down with Moshe Katz, Practice Owner and Clinical Director at TE(A)CH Developmental and Behavioral Support, LLC, to explore his journey into ABA, the realities families face when starting services, and what ethical, person-centered care truly looks like.

Moshe shares how an unexpected career pivot led him from biochemical engineering into behavior analysis, the emotional weight families carry at diagnosis, and the ongoing challenge of service consistency and staff turnover. The conversation also dives into preparing young adults with autism for independent living, emphasizing individualized treatment over diagnosis-driven care.

To wrap up, Moshe offers an honest look at early-stage growth and marketing in behavioral health — from referral relationships to standing out authentically in a crowded space.

This episode is a candid, practical listen for ABA leaders, clinicians, and anyone committed to building sustainable, ethical services in their community.

00:00 – Introduction
Timothy A. Zercher: Moshe, thank you so much for joining. Thank you for taking time out of your day. I'm excited to talk with you and learn a little bit about you and your new team.

Moshe Katz: Thank you, it's great to be here.

00:09 – Moshe’s Path Into Behavioral Health
Timothy A. Zercher: So your job is not an easy one. I find that almost everyone in behavioral health has an interesting story of how they got here. Would you mind sharing yours?

Moshe Katz:
Moshe shares his journey from studying biochemical engineering to discovering his passion for behavior analysis through hands-on experiences, mentorship, and early work supporting individuals with autism. A pivotal moment in college redirected his career toward psychology and ABA, where he’s remained ever since.

02:29 – Challenges Families Face When Starting ABA
Timothy A. Zercher: Because you're so experienced in your space, what are some of the biggest challenges that families face when starting ABA, especially in your community? And how do you help them through it?

Moshe Katz:
Moshe discusses the emotional impact of diagnosis, the difficulty of accessing consistent services, and how therapist turnover disrupts continuity of care. He highlights the strain families experience when they must repeatedly rebuild rapport and restart services.

04:40 – Navigating Turnover & Consistency
Timothy A. Zercher: Turnover in this space is such a challenge for families who finally feel comfortable and then have to start over.

Moshe Katz:
Moshe explains how familiarity with a case allows therapists to work more effectively and why rebuilding that understanding can take months when staff changes occur.

05:25 – Preparing Young Adults for Independent Living
Timothy A. Zercher: How do you go about preparing young adults with autism for independent living and adulthood?

Moshe Katz:
Moshe emphasizes individualized planning, balancing ideal skill development with practical, essential life skills, and educating parents on realistic expectations based on each individual’s needs.

06:29 – Treating the Person, Not the Diagnosis
Timothy A. Zercher: All good therapy should be customized, right?

Moshe Katz:
“The diagnosis gets you the service — but we don’t treat a diagnosis, we treat a person.”

06:44 – Marketing & Client Acquisition in Behavioral Health
Timothy A. Zercher: Since we specialize in marketing and advertising for behavioral health, how does your team gain new clients right now? What’s working best?

Moshe Katz:
Moshe compares outreach strategies in adult services versus insurance-based pediatric services, explaining the importance of support coordinators, referral relationships, and reputation in driving sustainable growth.

09:09 – Marketing Strategies to Watch
Timothy A. Zercher: What’s one marketing tactic or strategy you’re watching or considering right now?

Moshe Katz:
Moshe shares a relationship-first approach — prioritizing in-person connections, thoughtful follow-ups, and being memorable beyond a name on a referral list.

10:34 – Closing Thoughts
Timothy A. Zercher: Thank you so much for joining us and for the work you’re doing in your community.

Moshe Katz: Thank you very much.