This comparison draws in part from “Conflict Resolution: An Essential Skill for Every Leader” by Ellie Kazemi, PhD (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 conflict resolution: an essential skill for every leader, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term emotional cost | Approaching: Higher; the conversation itself can be uncomfortable and emotionally demanding | Avoiding: Lower initially; discomfort is deferred rather than experienced immediately |
| Long-term relationship impact | Approaching: Tends to strengthen trust and respect when handled constructively | Avoiding: Tends to erode trust as unspoken resentment accumulates |
| Impact on client services | Approaching: Addresses issues that may be affecting service quality; enables collaborative problem-solving | Avoiding: Allows service-affecting problems to persist; may lead to inconsistent implementation |
| Team culture effects | Approaching: Models constructive conflict management; normalizes honest communication | Avoiding: Creates culture of suppression where issues are discussed behind closed doors rather than openly |
| Risk of escalation | Approaching: Lower long-term risk; issues are addressed before they intensify | Avoiding: Higher long-term risk; unaddressed issues tend to grow and eventually erupt |
| Skill development opportunity | Approaching: Each conflict resolution attempt builds competence and confidence for future situations | Avoiding: No opportunity for skill development; avoidance becomes self-reinforcing |
| Information gained | Approaching: Reveals underlying concerns, needs, and perspectives that inform better decisions | Avoiding: Maintains assumptions and potentially inaccurate attributions about the other party's motivations |
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 conflict resolution: an essential skill for every leader 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.
Conflict Resolution: An Essential Skill for Every Leader — Ellie Kazemi · 2 BACB Supervision CEUs · $25
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.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
244 research articles with practitioner takeaways
233 research articles with practitioner takeaways
2 BACB Supervision CEUs · $25 · BehaviorLive
Research-backed educational guide
Research-backed answers for behavior analysts
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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.