Taking Full Responsibility: the Ethics of Supervision in Behavior Analytic Practice
Use the seven-part BACB supervision code checklist to keep every session ethical and consistent.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Sellers et al. (2016) broke down the BACB supervision code into seven bite-size parts. They paired each part with real-world stories to show what ethical supervision looks like.
The paper is a how-to guide, not an experiment. It tells you why each code piece matters and how to act on it.
What they found
The seven subcomponents give you a checklist for every supervision meeting. Clear structure keeps you ethical and helps trainees grow faster.
How this fits with other research
Garza et al. (2018) turned the same code into ready-made tools like goal sheets and BST checklists. Use their forms to put the 2016 ethics into action.
Hajiaghamohseni et al. (2021) later showed that most supervisors still wing it. When clear tools exist, people follow them more often.
Slanzi et al. (2023) added a money twist. If supervisees pay you, add a written contract and regular ethics check-ins to stay on code.
Why it matters
Open your last supervision notes. Do they cover all seven code parts? If not, plug the gaps with the checklist from Sellers et al. and the forms from Garza et al. Your next trainee gets consistent, ethical, documented guidance from day one.
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Add the seven subcomponents to your supervision agenda and tick each box before the session ends.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
The supervision of professionals in the field of behavior analysis is multifaceted. The BACB® Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysis provides guidance for effective supervisory practices, as supervision impacts both the supervisee and the consumers. The purpose of this article is (1) to discuss rationales and consequences relative to supervision issues, (2) to provide directions for professional development in each of the seven identified supervisory areas within the code, and (3) to set the occasion for critical discourse relative to supervision. Case examples are used to illustrate each of the seven supervisory subcomponents of the “Behavior Analysts as Supervisors” section of the Code. A rationale is provided for each component, as well as a discussion of possible undesirable consequences resulting from not following the rule. While the code provides clear expectations of the desired behavior, this article explores more of the subtle nuances inherent in each section of the supervision code, with the goal of achieving a better understanding of the Code and enhancing supervisory skills.
Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2016 · doi:10.1007/s40617-016-0144-x