The ArizonaLEND program is proud to announce Chelsea Carr, PhD, BCBA-D, as its new training director. Dr. Carr brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role and has been a valued member of the ArizonaLEND faculty since 2021. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst, she has extensive expertise supporting families of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and earned her doctoral degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis.
An ArizonaLEND alum herself, Dr. Carr reflected on her experience in the program: “I was most impacted by the opportunity to learn from various disciplines and families, which helped shape how I approach interdisciplinary collaboration in my current clinical work.”
In addition to her role with ArizonaLEND, Dr. Carr serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona, where she teaches a graduate course in behavior analysis. She also provides clinical services to families of children with challenging behaviors and is the principal investigator for a research grant exploring behavioral interventions for children with Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome/Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANS/PANDAS).
Outside of work, Dr. Carr enjoys running, exploring Tucson’s vibrant restaurant scene, and—most of all—spending time with her family. “Nothing is better than laughing, playing, and making memories with my partner and our son,” she said.
Looking ahead to her first year as Training Director, Dr. Carr shared, “I'm eager to participate in more mentorship opportunities, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and support trainees in developing leadership skills as they continue to grow as confident, compassionate professionals.” She also values the sense of community that the ArizonaLEND program cultivates, “It is very enjoyable and inspiring being surrounded by passionate professionals, learning from each other’s perspectives and experiences.”
With her deep commitment to interdisciplinary learning and family-centered care, Dr. Carr is poised to strengthen ArizonaLEND’s mission of preparing future leaders in neurodevelopmental disabilities and improving outcomes for children with disabilities and families across Arizona.
