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Laura Hanratty

Associate Professor of Practice and Practicum Director

Dr. Laura Hanratty is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst in Massachusetts. Dr. Hanratty received her master's in applied behavior analysis at the University of South Florida, where her research focused on the assessment and training of safety skills for children. Dr. Hanratty went on to complete her PhD in behavior analysis at Western New England University under the advisement of Dr. Gregory Hanley. Her research interests included the assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior, preferences and parameters of reinforcement, and assessment and training in safety skills.

Education

  • BA, Psychology, from Western New England University
  • MA, Applied Behavior Analysis, from University of South Florida
  • PhD, Behavior Analysis, from Western New England University

Licenses/Certifications

  • Licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst (LABA) in Massachusetts
  • Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Doctoral-level (BCBA-D)
  • International Behavior Analyst (IBA)

Areas of Expertise

  • Assessment and treatment of problem behavior
  • Safety skill assessments and training
  • Reinforcement parameters and preferences

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

  • Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy
    Association for Behavior Analysis International
    Association of Professional Behavior Analysts

Publications

Peer-reviewed publications

  • Frazier, J. A., Hanratty, L. A., & Weinstock, A. K. (2025). Mental Health Care Needs of and Access to Care for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities. Medical Care
  • Hanratty, L. A., & Hanley, G. P., (2021) Preference for reinforcer variation, sequence, and choice. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54, 1062-1074.
  • Hanratty, L. A., Miltenberger, R., & Florentino, S. (2016). Evaluating the effectiveness of a teaching package utilizing behavioral skills training and in situ training to teach gun safety skills in a preschool classroom. Journal of Behavioral Education, 25, 310-323.
  • Hanley, G. P., Jin, C. S., Vanselow, N. R., & Hanratty, L. A. (2014) Producing meaningful improvements in problem behavior of children with autism via synthesized analyses and treatments. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47, 1-21.

Books and Chapters

  • Miltenberger, R., & Hanratty, L. A.(2013). Teaching sexual abuse prevention skills to children. In D. Bromberg, & W. O’Donohue (Eds.), Handbook of Child and Adolescent Sexuality: Developmental and Forensic Psychology (pp.419-447). London: Elsevier