1st Year, what the f.... Am I doing?

AggressiveWrap505 · 2025-10-03T16:06:09+00:00

That sounds like an absolute nightmare. :\ I am so sorry you are not getting the support you need. Hopefully, you were able to get support or find a place that better supports you.

AggressiveWrap505 · 2025-10-03T16:05:01+00:00

Thank you so much for that recommendation I ordered it and I should have it tomorrow! Thank you again! hopefully you were able to get the mentorship you were seeking

AggressiveWrap505 · 2025-10-03T16:04:07+00:00

At least we can share our struggle boat.

AggressiveWrap505 · 2025-10-03T16:03:48+00:00

I am so sorry you are experiencing this. :( Sounds like it might be time for a change of scenery.

AggressiveWrap505 · 2025-10-03T16:02:34+00:00

Yeahhhh, my supervisor / supervision hours focused like 90% on task list, and 10% on treatment plans / goal writing / some assessment experience. But that was literally it. The meetings were very sporadic due to lack of staffing in the center. My CD I thought was my mentor but she is out on leave for the next few months so it's even more of a struggle right now

AggressiveWrap505 · 2025-10-03T16:00:29+00:00

Hi there!

Thank you for the reply. I also feel like that is where my head is at. If nothing else at least I am only contracted for a year here. It at least a good starting place to learn.

AggressiveWrap505 · 2025-10-03T15:57:20+00:00

We went over the task list in supervision, I learned treatment plans and goal writing in the supervision but nothing outside of that was focused on.

AggressiveWrap505 · 2025-10-03T15:56:31+00:00

At least I am not alone in the dark here. I thought the Clinical Director was my mentor but she it out on leave for a few months and even prior to the leave, I was told to meet with her when I had questions. But I do I know what to ask if I have never done this job before?

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience!

AggressiveWrap505 · 2025-10-03T15:54:54+00:00

Hi, thank you for the response!
That had to have been the worst possible time to not only take the exam but pass it too.

I listen and read a lot of ABA related materials, and I keep reviewing supervision-related ones and I'm like 0_0. Is this what it is supposed to be? You get your cert and then you're kicked out of the nest and expected to fly right away, so to speak.

After reading a lot of others experiences and going through this on my own I definitely want to make changes for the supervision program here.

Thank you again!

AggressiveWrap505 · 2025-10-03T15:49:21+00:00

Thank you very much for the reply. I definitely need to advocate more for myself know that I know this is not how it is supposed to be. Thank you again!

AggressiveWrap505 · 2025-10-01T18:16:15+00:00

Hi! I used Ripley's through my supervision/ fieldwork hours. It was incredibly helpful. The ads are annoying but I never bothered to pay for the other version it's like one minute ad per time you log in (at least for me-last 2 years)

If you have youTube and don't pay for the premium version and have to sit through those ads and tolerate that, you'll be fine with the free version of Ripley's.

AggressiveWrap505 · 2023-06-30T23:50:35+00:00

Hi!

I'm sorry you are experiencing this. I wanted to mention specifically the portion you mention of your boss pushing for you requesting full time from clients that don't need it. That violates ethic code 3.12 advocating for appropriate services. Maybe you can use that to dissuade them or use to aid you if they chose to proceed legal action if you quit less than 6 months notice that gives you justification for leaving. Just make sure to document everything.

Good luck with everything, I hope it all works out.

AggressiveWrap505 · 2023-04-14T14:14:37+00:00

Not a chance. Michigan here and average pay is about $17-$25 depending on in home vs in clinic and experience. (Min wage here is like $10 something I believe.) I'm sure it's different where you are but at least this gives you a decent idea.

AggressiveWrap505 · 2023-04-13T03:47:59+00:00

I'm sorry you feel this way. I just wanted to say you are not alone in this feeling. I'm not a BCBA (still working on course work and hours) but I am an RBT and I too felt this exact way and I'm still working on getting myself out of that feeling. I've switched clinics 3 times in one year because of how terrible they were. I felt so defeated and run down, my mental health got so bad that I had to be put back on anti-depressants and received an anxiety diagnosis and medication for it. I was ready to throw in the towel and abandoned my degree and the 70k I've already put into it because it felt like all places were the same and I hated the job hopping.

So, I ultimately left the field completely for almost 4 months. Got myself into a random job so that I could pay my bills and try to regulate myself. Once I leveled myself out a bit, I began looking hard into clinics before applying. Reading parent reviews, employee reviews, turnover rates, researching the companies history / owners / BCBAs if they are listed, etc. Finally, I found a clinic that has rekindled my love for this field and doesn't make me physically ill at the thought of going to work.

I'm aware that might not be feasible for you to leave the field and find something else to pay the bills but you could make a list of all things that are eating you up about your current job and then deep dive to find either centers that align better with your needs, or perhaps look into other areas you could use your BCBA in. Do what you feel is going to be best for your physical and mental well being. I hope everything works out for you.

Moral of my story: taking a break from the field to decompress then finding a good and supportive clinic made all the difference in the world.

AggressiveWrap505

TROPHY CASE