This comparison draws in part from “Compassion & Dealing with Crisis” by Shane Spiker, Ph.D., BCBA-D (BehaviorLive), and extends it with peer-reviewed research from our library of 27,900+ ABA research articles. The decision framework, BACB ethics code references, and cross-links below are synthesized by Behaviorist Book Club.
View the original presentation →One of the most consequential decisions a behavior analyst makes is not just what intervention to use, but how to approach the clinical question in the first place. For compassion & dealing with crisis, the difference between an evidence-based, individualized approach and a traditional, protocol-driven one can significantly impact outcomes.
This guide lays out the key factors side by side to support your clinical decision-making.
| Factor | Evidence-Based Approach | Traditional Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Timing of intervention | Reactive: Responds after burnout symptoms, crisis events, or staff departures | Proactive: Implements prevention strategies before problems emerge |
| Self-monitoring practices | Reactive: No systematic tracking of practitioner well-being indicators | Proactive: Regular self-assessment and organizational monitoring of key metrics |
| Crisis preparation | Reactive: No established protocols; responses are improvised during events | Proactive: Clear crisis protocols, regular training, and pre-established debriefing procedures |
| Organizational culture | Reactive: May stigmatize help-seeking or minimize emotional impact of work | Proactive: Normalizes stress reactions and actively supports help-seeking behavior |
| Supervision focus | Reactive: Addresses well-being only when performance problems are evident | Proactive: Integrates well-being check-ins into routine supervision alongside clinical oversight |
| Resource allocation | Reactive: Resources diverted to recruitment and training after staff departures | Proactive: Resources invested in retention, support systems, and reasonable workloads |
| Staff turnover | Reactive: Higher turnover rates with frequent disruption to client services | Proactive: Lower turnover with more stable client-practitioner relationships |
| Long-term cost | Reactive: Higher costs from recruitment, training, workers' compensation, and service disruption | Proactive: Lower overall costs through prevention and retention |
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ on-demand CEUs including ethics, supervision, and clinical topics like this one. Plus a new live CEU every Wednesday.
Use this framework when approaching compassion & dealing with crisis in your practice:
Does the data support a need for intervention? Is there a meaningful impact on the individual's quality of life, safety, or access to reinforcement?
YES → Proceed to assessment NO → Document reasoning, monitor
A functional assessment should guide intervention selection. Avoid defaulting to standard protocols without individual analysis. Consider environmental variables, setting events, and private events.
YES → Select evidence-based approach matched to function NO → Complete assessment first
Goals should be co-developed. Assent and informed consent are ethical requirements. The individual's preferences and values matter in selecting both goals and methods.
YES → Proceed with collaborative plan NO → Engage in shared decision-making
This course covers the clinical and ethical dimensions in detail with structured learning objectives and CEU credit.
Compassion & Dealing with Crisis — Shane Spiker · 1 BACB General CEUs · $40
Take This Course →We extended this decision guide with research from our library — dig into the peer-reviewed studies behind each approach, in plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
239 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB General CEUs · $40 · BehaviorLive
Research-backed educational guide
Research-backed answers for behavior analysts
You earn CEUs from a dozen different places. Upload any certificate — from here, your employer, conferences, wherever — and always know exactly where you stand. Learning, Ethics, Supervision, all handled.
No credit card required. Cancel anytime.
All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.