Starting your career as a BCBA is exciting—but it’s also easy to fall into common BCBA mistakes if you don’t know what to look out for. In this conversation, we break down the biggest pitfalls new BCBAs face and how to avoid them so you can build confidence, design meaningful programs, and set both yourself and your clients up for long-term success.
ABA has often been seen as a field rooted in compliance: sit still, follow directions, and finish the task. But is that really the foundation for meaningful progress? We believe the future of compassionate ABA lies not in control, but in connection. In this conversation, we reframe what it means to support learners with compassion, trust, and respect
Reassessments often sneak up on us, and it can feel like just another box to check. But when used well, they are one of the most powerful tools we have to make sure our programming is meaningful and effective. In this conversation, we explore how reassessment and progress monitoring work hand in hand and why they should never feel like wasted time.
From practical shifts in your daily routine to reconnecting with your values, we share ways to protect your energy and rediscover joy in your work. Burnout may be common, but it does not have to stay that way.
Emily Varon is a BCBA and sleep specialist who has been diving into a new passion: burnout in the field of ABA. We discuss some of the things that contribute to burnout, like a lack of supervision and being stretched too thin. We also talk about how to tap into our reinforcers, the challenges new and seasoned BCBAs face that can lead to burnout, and potential strategies and solutions to ease overwhelm.
There is a lot of staff turnover in our field. It’s important to take care of ourselves to avoid burnout but figuring out how to manage a work-life balance can seem like a mystery. Here, we discuss the importance of prioritizing your own unique needs, setting healthy boundaries, and why you should make time to fill up your tank and recharge.
We’re discussing burnout with one of our members, Julie Tewell, a clinical BCBA based out of Louisville, KY. As a newly minted BCBA, it’s important to stick to your values and never settle for a toxic job when you can find one that better suits you. If you’re new to the field, lean on your network and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
The BCBA field can be very demanding, especially when you’re first starting out. If you’re not managing your time properly or creating healthy boundaries, you… Read More »Episode 012: How to Prevent Burnout
Currently a Director of ABA at a multidisciplinary clinic, Dayna Parker looks back on her journey of becoming a BCBA. She walks us through all the challenges she’s faced over the years, how she dealt with burnout, and what motivates her to keep going.
