Authentic Connection Collective reflects my deep appreciation for openness, a lifelong devotion to genuine expression, and a belief in the transformative power of being seen. With more than 25 years in education and community support, I integrate behavioral science with the connective practices of authentic relating to help individuals and groups communicate with clarity, presence, and a deeper awareness of themselves and one another.
ABOUT
THE ROOTS OF THIS WORK
This work began as Doctor BACPAC, originally rooted in Behavior Analytic Consulting and Professional Autism Coaching. That foundation shaped how I listen, observe, and support human behavior with intentional practice and ethical care. Over time, my work expanded beyond skill development to include connection as both a practice and a catalyst for growth.
Authentic Connection Collective is an evolution of my original work, with Doctor BACPAC remaining the philosophical framework that informs it. Today, I am devoted to creating brave spaces where people feel empowered to show up fully, reconnect with the parts of themselves that long to be seen and heard, and cultivate relationships that feel intentional and meaningful.
MEET ELISA
For as long as I can remember, I have been curious about what guides people to do the things they do. I grew up in a home held by love yet shaped by chaos, a place where I felt supported in my choices while quietly observing the inconsistencies around me. I wondered why people acted in ways that didn’t always match the truths their voices expressed, and that gap between what we say and what we feel became a lifelong fascination. This curiosity became the foundation of my life’s work. As a child and teen, I devoured books that broadened my perspective beyond the world I knew, and studying psychology in college opened even more doors, drawing me into conversations and relationships that deepened my understanding of humanity. Those years became my first true initiation into growth through vulnerable connection, an expansive and transformative chapter that honored my desire to understand what moves us from the inside out.
My growth story demonstrates courageous vulnerability for an empowered, authentic presence
Dr. Elisa Cruz, BCBA-D
Educator, Doctoral level-Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Authentic Relating Facilitator
Empowering Educator by Trade. Human Connector by Design.
MY JOURNEY
I began my career in education and behavior analysis with a deep desire to support families, children, and communities in thriving. Coming from an underprivileged background gave me an early understanding of what it means to navigate life without all the resources yet still hold immense potential, and it shaped my compassion for those whose challenges are often unseen or misunderstood. For more than 25 years, I have walked alongside parents, educators, teens, and individuals with diverse needs, helping them build skills, confidence, and meaningful relationships. Through this work, I came to understand that beneath every strategy or intervention is always a human being longing to feel accepted and understood. Authentic Relating entered my life as both a personal awakening and a professional expansion, offering language and practices for something I had always sensed: Connection is not incidental. It is a practice, a presence, a choice. Integrating these relational tools with behavioral science transformed not only how I support others, but how I live, love, and lead.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
I hold a doctorate in education, and my research has centered on supporting parents in teaching their children essential life skills with compassion and clarity. As a BCBA-D, educator, and facilitator, I have spent decades committed to evidence-based practice, culturally responsive teaching, and building communities that honor every learner’s dignity. As a University-level Senior Instructor, I continue to mentor future practitioners, support families, and collaborate with organizations seeking more human-centered ways of communicating and working together.
WHAT I STAND FOR
Authentic Connection Collective (ACC) was born from a simple understanding: Humans are wired for belonging. We flourish when our relationships feel safe, clear, and nourishing. My work is grounded in a commitment to creating spaces where people can slow down, access their truth, and experience the kind of connection that restores them from the inside out.
I believe in:
• Presence as a doorway to relational clarity
• Communication rooted in curiosity rather than assumption
• Courageous vulnerability as a path to empowerment
• Play and structure as partners in meaningful learning
• Science and soul working side by side
MY APPROACH
I blend behavioral science, emotional intelligence, and the experiential practices of Authentic Relating to support individuals, families, teams, and communities. My approach is grounded, intentional, and deeply human. Whether I’m working with parents learning new skills, colleagues navigating communication challenges, or women gathering in circle to reconnect with themselves, the heart of the work remains the same: Cultivating relationships where people feel seen, supported, and capable of growing.
Every offering is designed to help people:
• Build trust with themselves and others
• Communicate with clarity and compassion
• Shift unhelpful patterns with awareness
• Strengthen emotional resilience
• Experience the joy of genuine connection
WHO I AM BEYOND THE WORK
Outside of facilitation and teaching, I am someone who comes alive through movement, music, dance, and shared experiences that celebrate community. I love creating spaces where others feel free, expressive, and connected. I am a daughter, sister, friend, traveler, and lover of life who believes in the power of stories and the wisdom of lived experience. I value harmony, creativity, and the kind of conversations that invite people back into themselves.
TESTIMONIALS
VASO
I came away from the experience feeling more comfortable in expressing my current state, knowing that by sharing, I can be supported by community and friends.
NICOLE
The friendships and connections that you make at these events are priceless, and I would recommend it to any of my girlfriends looking to form deeper genuine bonds with other females in the community and support each others dreams!
COREY
My experience at Elisa’s Authentic Relating offering was really something special. She held the space in such a way that makes you feel safe, held and free to be you. The exercises she led us through were at times a little out of my comfort zone but completely heart opening. We ended the evening with a sweet moment of dancing and I left feeling lighter and grateful for making beautiful new connections! Thank you Elisa.
CONTACT US
South Florida