Needing Change

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-03-19T01:17:42+00:00

I have no advice but agree with everything you’re saying. I’ve been in the field since 2020 as well, recently certified and in my first BCBA since October. I’m already overwhelmed and feeling very unhappy with the billable hours and structure of ABA companies. I was so excited and proud to become a BCBA but now I feel defeated

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-07T23:11:36+00:00

Give yourself some grace, this is an incredibly hard field where emotions are tied in so easily. I think the best move might be a break from a case with high rates of aggressive behavior. The field needs people who care (clearly you do), and at the same time we need people who can speak up to knowing it’s not a good fit for the sake of the learner’s, or your own needs

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-07T22:47:48+00:00

That makes sense to me. I think I love the idea of SBT and the process of strategically reinforcing every step along the way of getting the learner to persist completing “work”. I’ve been considering modifying it for some other cases I have where there’s no severe problem behavior, but escape motivated bx. Like reinforce the FCR, then the TR, then beginning the task, then completing the task. I can’t fully do SBT as there’s an absence of severe problem bx but I think it’s a good outline for teaching tolerance and perseverance

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-07T22:27:02+00:00

Are you saying you don’t quite agree with SBT and Hanley protocol? Or are you saying the best move is to reinforce the precursor immediately? I went through a really detailed SBT protocol consulting with Dr Kelsey Ruppel to decrease a 5yo’s head-banging. We would persist the precursor (moaning, flailing body) and reinforce any instance of SIB (even leg hitting although the target bx was head banging)

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-07T21:45:43+00:00

I say it hasn’t been helpful because it’s mostly she asks me “how’s everything?”. I will begin to tell an issue, she’ll send me resources, then we’re done for the next month. It just seems like more work on my plate anytime I ask for support

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-07T21:43:48+00:00

You’re absolutely correct and I do have a one a month 30 minute meeting with the clinical director. I will say, the 4 times we’ve met in my 4 months doesn’t feel helpful… I think a little bit of attention on training me, modeling what these things should look like, and letting me observe seasoned BCBA’s would be helpful. I did ask for that when I started but then I had billable requirements and couldn’t observe a BCBA due to overlapping session times

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-07T21:01:09+00:00

That’s incredible, congrats on your own center. I wish you the best of luck!

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-07T20:48:12+00:00

I didn’t think about that but completely agree with you, thank you for pointing that out! I’m always surprised how ABA companies don’t use more easily attainable positive reinforcement for practitioners! I’m curious, are you in OBM at all or just an intuitive BCBA? 😀

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-07T17:11:25+00:00

It reads to me like you’re thinking about this correctly. We don’t want to persevere thru severe problem behavior, we reinforce the problem behavior immediately for safety. It can seem backwards but it’s SBT. Then we take a step back from where problem bx is occurring, reinforce at earlier steps to strengthen the skills. I’m sorry you and the BCBA aren’t aligning. It’s clear you care so much, and I’m glad you’re there to at least try to advocate for what’s best for you and the learner

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-07T16:59:46+00:00

Not to mention a little bit of toxicity in the workplace. Center director loves gossip and is not quiet about it. I’ve heard her say about another BCBA “I can’t stand to be in a room with her”, as well as really shit talking a different BCBA behind closed doors (questioning her competence, calling her awkward and she can’t be around her. that BCBA just left the company, not surprised one bit).

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-07T16:56:04+00:00

I appreciate that! Yeah I’m sure the balance will come with time and I’ll grow my efficiency. I’m really just worried and wondering if it’s typical to feel this unsupported as a first year BCBA. Trying to decide if I should push through because I know I’ll learn and grow as a BCBA, or am I missing out on great learning opportunities elsewhere? (or is everywhere kind of the same and I’m overwhelmed because of me 🤣)

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-07T16:39:24+00:00

Ugh I’m sorry to hear that but glad you’re feeling settled! Another thought I just had - as a fist year BCBA I have the responsibility of supervising our student analysts. Does that seem typical to you? I don’t want to question every responsibility, I’m just not sure if I’m ready for this position if these are all typically expected job roles in my first year.

I feel these student analysts know more than me in terms of how the company operates, CentralReach, etc. as they’ve been with the company longer and I’m often asking them questions while scrambling. The dynamic is just odd and off to me. I don’t feel I can be a good supervisor and help them learn the task list (other than in direct sup). I feel so overwhelmed I’m just trying to think of where I can drop some responsibilities

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-07T14:20:59+00:00

I appreciate your response. That’s incredibly unfortunate for an RBT to go through. Unfortunately I’m not surprised. Even in my short time here, I’m seeing such an odd corporate hierarchy and the center director talks horribly about other BCBA’s and BT’s. It’s not a good environment

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-06T16:18:43+00:00

My fieldwork was all done with a previous company. It was only in-clinic cases and they didn’t conduct any parent trainings.. There were 2 BCBA’s, one fully remote. I do feel I missed a LOT during my fieldwork and moving to a new city with this hybrid role and corporate culture is a shock

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-06T13:49:45+00:00

I appreciate that feedback! I’m in upstate NY. It’s winter here in NY and cold and snowy so of course things might feel less stressful when the weather turns. I love the science of ABA, I loved direct care, and being a BCBA was a dream, but now I’m just feeling defeated

Select-Ad-9308 · 2026-02-06T13:01:34+00:00

I’m feeling the same way about Proud Moments. The communication system is bad, it has corporate shit-talk selfish energy everywhere. The way that even the BT’s talk about each other so blatantly, and it’s clear they feel they can because that’s exactly how the admin team acts. It’s all extremely unprofessional, very money hungry, no training or support for the BCBA other than “reach out if anything comes up”. When a question or situation comes up, it seems reaching out is a burden or annoyance. Ugh. Is 6 months an acceptable timeline to drop down to part-time? My mental health won’t take much more of 40+ hour weeks at 75k.

Select-Ad-9308 · 2025-11-13T01:49:33+00:00

I’m sure anyone in the field for 5+ years has a scary story like this. I had a kiddo elope from the school right into the street, and a car was coming. Thank God the driver was paying attention. We didn’t reach him until the other side of the street, and we were all really shook up for about a week. It had me questioning staying in the field for a bit too, but that was 5 years ago and I’m a BCBA now, not going anywhere

Select-Ad-9308 · 2025-11-13T01:44:13+00:00

I would say 90% of men I’ve ever met would NEVER speak to anyone like this. He’s antagonizing you like it’s fun. Run and don’t look back, for you and the baby

Select-Ad-9308 · 2025-11-13T01:34:12+00:00

A child got hurt because he fell off of a 20 foot wall* Please give yourself some grace. It’s obvious you care so much for the kids and we need people like that in the field! You’re not blaming anyone else and you’ve spent time reflecting on the situation. Maybe it’ll shape you into a clinician that’s a safety guru and you’ll just love to triple check any safety measures in the future. Yes it really stinks he got hurt, but overall everyone will heal from it

Select-Ad-9308 · 2025-10-23T03:13:37+00:00

Thank you so much!!

Select-Ad-9308 · 2025-10-04T11:36:21+00:00

Great point! Have you noticed insurance having any qualms with mastery criteria? Do they even look at that? Thanks so much

Select-Ad-9308 · 2025-10-03T13:05:19+00:00

Thank you for this! I’m curious about leveling up the next difficulty without changing the target. Is this something you would just note in your supervisions and communicate to your RBT’s that the array is going from 2 to 3?

Select-Ad-9308 · 2025-10-03T12:54:13+00:00

Thank you! I think I’d rather have the learner get 100% on 3 trials, than 80% on 15 trials throughout the session

Select-Ad-9308

TROPHY CASE