BehavioralBridge Care
Bridging kids from 'no' to calm and confident during care

Does your child panic before medical appointments?Do doctor or dentist visits lead to meltdowns or restraint?Is brushing teeth, bathing, haircuts, or taking medicine a daily struggle?You’re not alone. Many children feel overwhelmed during medical, dental, and everyday care routines, and most families are never taught how to help.At BehavioralBridge, I provide specialized, gentle behavior support to help children ages 2-10, feel safe, confident, and in control during health-related care.Services
Services are available in-home, via teletherapy, or in the community wherever support is needed (including medical or dental settings).My Approach
I use step-by-step, trauma-aware strategies that reduce fear and build willing participation.Assent-based: Your child’s comfort and signals guide every stepPlay-based: I use toys, dolls, stuffed animals, role-play, and simple stories to help your child learn care routines in a safe and engaging wayTrauma-informed: Safety and emotional regulation come firstBehaviorally grounded: Small, supported steps that create progressCollaborative with parents and providers: Together we'll create a plan that best supports your child.Neurodiversity-affirming: Respect for all communication and sensory needsI incorporate a trauma-guided shaping procedure I developed to help children participate in care they previously feared or avoided. Therapy is designed to be short and targeted, typically 6–8 weeks.
The goal is for your child to gain skills quickly so you no longer need me and can support care routines on your own.I help children with most care procedures including those that:Feel anxious about doctor, dental, or haircut visitsResist blood draws, vaccines, or other medical proceduresStruggle with home care routines such as brushing teeth, flossing, bathing, or brushing their hair.Other health-related care can include but is not limited to: Using medical devices, chronic health care routines, taking medication, and following provider instructionsAll services are private-pay, individualized, and designed to make care feel safe and accessible.I do not provide diagnosis for mental health conditions.
Fill out interest form or email [email protected]

About me

Hello! My name is Linnea Eldred, and I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and have been licensed since 2022.Before becoming a behavior analyst, I worked with animals at a zoo and as a dog trainer.
In those roles, I learned the foundations of cooperative care: building trust, taking small steps, and helping animals willingly participate in their own procedures. That experience taught me that care never needs to involve force.I began working with children diagnosed with autism in 2017 while delivering ABA therapy.
I loved the work and later earned my master’s degree in behavior analysis from St. Cloud State University.In the clinic, I saw how often children felt scared or overwhelmed during medical and dental procedures.
To better support them, I took courses in acceptance and commitment therapy and primary care behavioral pediatrics. I combined those approaches with behavior analysis and my cooperative-care background to create a gentle, step-by-step method that helps children participate more comfortably in care routines.My approach is individualized, behavior-analytic, and play-based.
It supports children experiencing fear, sensory overload, anxiety, or resistance during care. I have presented these strategies at two conferences and am working toward publishing them to educate other professionals.Healthcare does not have to be scary. Children deserve to feel capable and empowered during the care they need, and my role is to help families reach that point with confidence and compassion.

Getting Started

You don't need a diagnosis or a referral.
If your child fears the doctor, avoids the dentist, has trouble with hair cuts, or struggles with daily care routines such as brushing or taking medicine, I'm here to help.I offer specialized behavioral support for children ages 2 to 10. Services are available online throughout Washington State for home routines and in-person sessions within King County.Steps
1. Fill out Interest Form to initiate a 15 minute phone call to ensure fit.2. Initial Consultation: You tell me about the issue and we'll begin building a personalized step-by-step plan. I will meet the child and, if needed, complete a direct assessment with the child. We will then determine best approach for helping your child, whether that's purely parent coaching sessions, a mix of parent coaching and direct sessions with your child, virtual, or in-person.3. Sessions: Even if direct sessions with your child are needed, I will move instruction from me to you as quickly as possible. It is not useful if the child does not participate without me present. You'll learn how to guide progress with calm, consistent tools.4. Follow-up support as needed

💰 Rates & Sliding Scale
Supporting Access to Care

I believe behavior support should be accessible to families regardless of income, and I offer a sliding scale to help make that possible. All services are billed directly to families. I do not accept insurance.Initial Assessment (45 minutes) – $195
This first meeting helps us understand your child’s history, your goals, and the specific challenges you are facing around medical, dental, or health-related routines. We will look at things like sensory sensitivities, past appointment experiences, and current behaviors. Whether your child resists toothbrushing, panics at the sight of a syringe, or hides during checkups, we will start identifying what’s driving those responses and how we can build trust and cooperation. Often there are component skills adjacent to the main goal that need to be identified and addressed as well. From this appointment, I will build a comprehensive plan.Ongoing Therapy Sessions (60 minutes) – $165
These sessions help your child build confidence, participation, and self-advocacy through shaping and coping strategies. I'll work directly with your child on skills to access care without distress. I also might instead coach you, the parents and caregivers, on implementing care routines or teach you to prepare your child leading up to medical visits. Each step is matched to your child’s pace and willingness and designed to fit your family and child's needs.Appointment Support (Medical, Dental Visits, or Salon Hair Cuts) – $180
Before the appointment, I will write up a behavior support plan for the provider based on the initial assessment or therapy session. I will join you virtually or in person during your child’s appointment to reduce fear, improve cooperation, and protect long-term trust. This includes real-time coaching for your child, guidance for providers on pacing, and live adjustments to avoid retraumatization or restraint. This service is especially useful when your child has had past negative experiences or shows high anxiety around appointments.Quick Parent Consult (20 Minutes – $65)Need strategies fast? The 20-minute consult is designed for parents who want targeted, practical advice to help their child through a specific healthcare routine or upcoming appointment.This service is educational and coaching-based. A quick boost of behavior support when you need it most. If ongoing therapy or a more comprehensive plan is needed, we’ll guide you on next steps.Sliding Scale Access
If your family is navigating financial hardship, please reach out to discuss accessing sliding scale rates. Limited spots are available at sliding scale rates.❓ Have Questions About Pricing or Fit?
I offer a free 15-minute consultation to answer any questions, discuss your needs, and help determine if BehavioralBridge Care is the right fit. Email at [email protected] or fill out an interest form.

For Providers

Promoting Calm, Cooperative Care
When children panic during procedures, resist care, or avoid appointments altogether, it impacts everyone. Exams run over time. Staff feel the strain. Families lose trust.
I help prevent that.I’m a Board Certified Behavior Analyst specializing in pediatric behavioral health, with a focus on helping children ages 2 to 10 become willing participants in their own care. Using assent-based, trauma-informed shaping procedures, I support families and care teams in preparing for appointments, reducing distress, and building cooperation. Without coercion, restraint, or trauma.I Help With:
Heightened fear or distress during toothbrushing, shots, exams, or medication
-Appointment refusal, meltdowns, or freezing behavior.
-Resistance linked to anxiety, ADHD, or autism
-Avoidance after difficult or traumatic medical experiencesHow I Support Medical and Dental Providers:
BehavioralBridge offers direct, practical behavioral support to improve outcomes and reduce strain on care teams:Individualized preparation plans to increase patient readinessLive support during challenging appointments (in-person or virtual)Caregiver coaching tools that extend support beyond the clinicStaff training in compassionate, assent-aligned care strategiesBehavioral consultation for persistent barriers to routine careI provide stepwise, assent-focused strategies that help children move from resisting care to willingly engaging in it. These methods are evidence-informed, trauma-sensitive, and designed to fit within the pace of modern healthcare.Want to Refer a Family?
If you’re working with a patient who:
Regularly resists exams or procedures
Avoids appointments due to fear or previous trauma
Has a neurodevelopmental profile that complicates care
Refuses home care routines such as bathing, toothbrushing, and flossing.Reach out to discuss a collaborative care plan:
📧 [email protected]

FAQ

Do you take insurance?
No. BehavioralBridge Care is a private-pay practice. I offer a sliding scale and a limited number of scholarship-supported sessions to help make care accessible.What ages do you work with?
I work with children between the ages of 2 and 10. I do not provide services for infants. If you are have teen or are an adult that feels as though you could use my services, please reach out and I will determine if I can be a good fit.Do you only work with kids who have a diagnosis?
No diagnosis is required. I support any child who is experiencing behavioral barriers to care, including those who are neurodivergent or developmentally typical but struggling with fear, avoidance, or resistance around medical, dental, or health-related routines.Do you work with children diagnosed with ASD or ADHD?
YES! As an ADHDer myself, I love working with neurodivergent children. I started my career roots working with children diagnosed with ASD.What types of issues can you help with?
Common concerns include:
-Fear or resistance during medical or dental appointments
-Refusal of health routines (brushing, bathing, medication)
-Difficulty tolerating chronic care routines
-Aggressive, avoidant, or dysregulated behavior during careDo you offer therapy or mental health counseling?
No. I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), not a mental health therapist. I address behavioral barriers to care, not emotional or psychological concerns unrelated to medical or health access.Are services virtual or in-person?
Services are currently offered virtually, in-person, or hybrid. I will discuss the most effective setting during your consultation, based on your child's needs and the routines being targeted.How long does this kind of support usually take?
It depends on your child’s needs and goals. Most families work with me short-term (4–8 sessions) for targeted shaping around a specific procedure. Others may benefit from longer-term support to build multiple routines or increase generalization across settings.What if I’m not sure whether you’re the right fit?
That’s completely okay. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so you can ask questions, explain your child’s needs, and get a sense of whether BehavioralBridge Care is a good match. If not, I’ll do my best to help you find someone who is.

📬 Get in Touch

Start the first step toward confident care
Whether you're a parent seeking support or a provider referring a child, I’m here to help. I offer a free 15-minute consultation to explore your needs, answer questions, and help determine if BehavioralBridge Care is the right fit for your child or patient.Location:
Virtual: Washington State
In-person: King CountyHours: By appointment onlyResponse time: I typically respond within 1–2 business days.🔍 What Happens Next
I’ll review your message and respond within 1–2 business days.We’ll schedule a free consultation call if appropriate. If we decide to move forward, I’ll send intake paperwork and next steps.If I believe your child’s needs are outside my scope, I’ll offer alternate resources or referrals whenever possible.❓ Not Sure if This is the Right Fit?
That’s okay. You’re welcome to reach out with questions before deciding. My goal is to help you find the right support.