Use caregiver ratings to guide a conversation about strengths, priorities, and support. Leave out total scores and readiness labels.
Before Your Next Parent-Coaching Session, Ask What Already Works
This Job Is Hard: You're Not Failing—You're Human
Why being a BCBA feels tough and how to cope
Have you ever left a session thinking, "I'm the worst BCBA alive"? You're not alone. This profession is incredibly demanding—emotionally, mentally, and practically. It's okay to struggle. Most of us do.
Why Does It Feel Like Everyone Else Has It Together?
It's easy to fall into the comparison trap, especially in an age of social media highlight reels where colleagues only showcase their best moments. Remember, these snapshots rarely capture reality. Additionally, unrealistic expectations set by supervisors or peers can amplify feelings of inadequacy. Know that you're seeing curated perfection, not the messy behind-the-scenes reality.
Common Emotional Traps
Perfectionism: Striving for perfection can leave you feeling constantly inadequate. Embrace the concept of "good enough," recognizing that excellence doesn’t require perfection.
Imposter Syndrome: Many BCBAs suffer silently from imposter syndrome, feeling like frauds despite clear competence. Recognize this common feeling and remind yourself regularly of your qualifications and achievements.
People-Pleasing: Trying to fix everything for everyone is unsustainable. Remember, you can support and guide without carrying every burden personally.
How to Reframe the "Bad Day"
Understand that you're human, not just a data point. Your best effort naturally fluctuates due to various external and internal factors—this variability is normal. Each day won’t be your peak, and that's perfectly okay.
Caring Deeply, Yet Setting Boundaries
Saying no is not selfishness; it’s self-care. Establishing clear, practical boundaries protects your emotional health and professional integrity. Learn to kindly but firmly communicate these boundaries to maintain your energy and effectiveness.
Being a BCBA doesn’t require perfection. Your worth isn't measured by flawless execution, but by your resilience and compassion. Give yourself permission to be human.
When the Job Feels Like Too Much: A BCBA’s Guide to Boundaries, Balance, and Burnout
The BCBA in the Morning
The BCBA Prepares for a Weekly Review
I generally do NOT follow David Allen’s Getting Things Done. I have a specific method of goal development and tracking and therefore, I DO complete a weekly, monthly and quarterly review. Over the next several months I’ll be covering these different reviews. To successfully complete any kind of review, you need to be sufficiently prepared. In the end, you’ll find a sequence of steps to prepare but here’s a general overview of what you’ll need to do to prepare.
The BCBA and the Time Audit
Do you own your own time? Six months ago, I didn’t. I spent hours honestly engaged in so many wasteful activities. I value achievement, knowledge and learning above most other things however I spent an average of four hours a day on my phone. Those four hours weren’t reading the news or ebooks. It was a whole lot of mindless scrolling, emailing and texting.
To-Do List: Be An Awesome BCBA
The BCBA as Leader
How to be a BCBA for the Newly Certified (Volume 2)
You’ll soon (if you haven’t already) begin to hear these common sentiments:
“Your field is SO small!”
“Do you know everyone?”
“You know (insert name)?!”
We are all members of an amazing community of individuals who love and practice the science of behavior. It’s such a vast and diverse community but it is also small.