Bridging behaviorism and ACT isn’t about merging two unrelated systems—it’s about recognizing how deeply connected they already are. In this episode, we explore how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) actually emerged from the foundations of behaviorism, and why understanding this relationship can make ABA practice more compassionate, flexible, and truly effective.
We break down what compassion in Applied Behavior Analysis looks like beyond troubleshooting and problem-solving. Sometimes the most meaningful intervention is acknowledging a learner’s frustration, labeling emotions, and creating space for those private events before moving into action. This is where ACT shines. It introduces psychological flexibility, mindfulness, and values-based behavior while staying grounded in observable, measurable, data-driven behavior analysis.
You’ll hear practical examples of how bridging behaviorism and ACT can transform your work with learners, families, and supervisees. We discuss how values clarification can guide social skills goals, shape professional decision-making, and strengthen resilience for BCBAs navigating complex cases.
If you’re looking for a science-based way to integrate humanity, compassion, and functional contextualism into your ABA practice, this conversation demonstrates exactly how behaviorism and ACT work together, not in opposition, but in harmony.
Want to take your ACT skills even further? Don’t miss our next CEU event: Flexible Application of ACT in Parent Training, Staff Supervision, and Client Support. This training will help you bring compassion, collaboration, and psychological flexibility into every part of your practice. Perfect for anyone looking to strengthen their ACT lens in a practical, actionable way.
What’s Inside:
- How ACT fits within behaviorism and strengthens ABA practice
- Using empathy and emotional validation to build psychological flexibility
- Applying values-based action with clients, staff, and yourself
Mentioned In This Episode:
Sign up for our CEU Event: Flexible Application of ACT in Parent Training, Staff Supervision, and Client Support
Episode 123: How to Teach Social Skills Using ACT
Acceptance and Commitment Training Within the Scope of Practice of Applied Behavior Analysis
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