Dedicated Support for You and Your Loved Ones
We provide specialized care for people who think and learn differently and their families. Our services are tailored to children and adults with autism or diverse learning needs, as well as those navigating the challenges of past trauma. We offer a supportive environment for personal growth and emotional resilience. We prioritize autonomy and well-being, ensuring every client feels empowered to lead a fulfilling life.
Meet Our Dedicated Team
Nicole Fortner, MA
Founder & Clinical Lead
With 25 years of extensive professional work, Nicole is an expert in Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) and a fierce advocate for client rights and autonomy. She integrates a deep understanding of psychology with a trauma-informed lens to ensure every individual is respected as their own person. Nicole is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that empowers lives that think and learn differently through dignity and self-determination.
Throughout her career, Nicole has worked with individuals with diverse and complex behavioral, emotional, and developmental needs. Her extensive experience has taught her to look beyond behavior to understand the individual, their environment, their experiences, and what they may be trying to communicate.
Nicole is a confident and assertive advocate who believes individuals deserve a meaningful voice in decisions about their lives. She is willing to ask difficult questions, challenge practices that may unnecessarily limit independence, and advocate strongly for supports that protect individual rights, autonomy, and quality of life.
Her approach focuses on strengths rather than defining people by their challenges. Nicole works collaboratively with individuals, families, caregivers, and professional teams to develop practical strategies that support lasting growth and greater independence. Above all, she believes behavioral support should help people build skills, make meaningful choices, and gain greater control over their own lives—not simply gain compliance.
Dusty Russell, LCSW
Lead Clinician
Dusty is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, client advocate, and Behavior Consultant with more than 20 years of experience in Waiver services. In that time she has been supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live meaningful, fulfilling lives while collaborating with individualized support teams, staff, and families.
Her person-centered approach is grounded in autonomy, dignity, self-determination, and respect for each individual’s right to be authentically themselves. Dusty specializes in positive psychology and trauma-informed approaches to interventions. She believes in empowering clients to make meaningful choices and define what a fulfilling life looks like for them.
Her unique approach to consultations have been shaped by diverse professional experiences in hospice, spiritual care, community mental health, international social work, and private practice. She brings together clinical expertise, advocacy, compassion, and individualized support to help each client thrive on their own terms.
A Family-Centered Care Philosophy
Our Methods
We utilize compassionate, evidence-based strategies to foster skill development and self-confidence. By working closely with people who think and learn differently and their support networks, we seek to understand the underlying causes of behavior through a sensory-aware lens. Our objective is to serve as professional advocates, ensuring every client has a secure environment to reach their full potential with dignity.
Positive Behavior Supports: A Compassionate Path
At Tree of Life Behavioral Consulting, we utilize Positive Behavior Supports (PBS)—an evidence-based, trauma-informed framework designed to improve quality of life. Our approach is not about control, but about empowerment. We focus on understanding individual needs and teaching practical skills that foster independence and emotional well-being.
At Home
Nurturing Everyday Routines
We work within the comfort of your home to develop routines that reduce stress and increase harmony for the entire family.
In Community
Engaging with the World
We support individuals in public and community settings, helping them build the confidence to navigate life beyond the home.
With Family
A Collaborative Approach
We partner with families to create a sustainable support network, ensuring that everyone involved feels heard and capable.
Building Resilience
Improving Your Health
Our trauma-informed approach centers on Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), empowering individuals through inclusive practices that affirm people who think and learn differently. We guide families toward resilience with practical, evidence-based care.
Expert Care
Inclusivity
We Honor and Welcome All Individuals
We offer an LGBTQIA+ affirming sanctuary for all families that safe for people who think and learn differently. Every unique identity is respected, ensuring a journey of growth guided by clinical expertise and inclusive, authentic care.
In-Person Support Throughout Southern Indiana
We are proud to provide behavioral consulting and Positive Behavior Supports within the following Indiana communities:
Gibson • Vanderburgh • Knox • Warrick • Posey
We invite you to reach out for services in these regions. Whether you have questions or are ready to begin, please feel free to call or email us today.
812-881-7973
nicole@treeoflifebc.com