CEU Event: Mastering Difficult Conversations: Building Confidence, Compassion, and Clarity in Communication

Earn 1 Supervision CEU for ACE, 1 Trauma-Informed Care CEU for IBAO, or 1 Cultural Diversity and Awareness CEU for QABA

Presented by BCBA Shayna Gaunt

Whether it’s providing feedback to a supervisee, collaborating with a classroom teacher, or discussing sensitive topics with parents, difficult conversations are part of every behavior analyst’s professional life. Yet, even the most skilled practitioners can feel uneasy navigating these moments.

In this CEU, we’ll explore the art and science of effective communication—how to approach challenging discussions with empathy, clarity, and professionalism. We’ll discuss how trauma-informed care principles can guide these interactions, ensuring communication is safe, supportive, and sensitive to past experiences. We’ll also examine how cultural diversity, communication styles, and personal lived experiences influence how messages are shared and received. Learn strategies grounded in behavioral principles and organizational psychology to prepare for, initiate, and guide conversations that lead to understanding and positive outcomes. You’ll also discover how to teach and model these skills for others, helping your team build confidence, compassion, and cultural humility in communication.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify common barriers to effective communication in supervisory, parent, and interdisciplinary relationships, including trauma-related and cultural factors.
2. Apply evidence-based strategies for conducting difficult conversations using behavioral, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive principles.
3. Teach and model effective communication skills to supervisees and team members to promote a culture of psychological safety, openness, and collaboration.