This comparison draws in part from “Dealing with Difficult People” by Jon Bailey, PhD, 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 dealing with difficult people, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Data fabrication by a supervisee | Ethics-driven: Immediately investigates scope, reviews affected client data, addresses through formal channels, revises treatment plans, and reports as required. Protects clients and upholds professional standards. | Avoidance-based: Notices suspicious patterns but rationalizes them, increases spot checks without formally addressing the concern, or counsels the supervisee informally without documentation. Clients remain at risk from decisions based on unreliable data. |
| Organizational pressure on billable hours | Ethics-driven: Documents the conflict between productivity demands and ethical practice, communicates concerns to leadership with specific code references, and advocates for workable solutions that protect clinical quality. | Avoidance-based: Complies with pressure while internally resenting it, cuts corners quietly on non-billable activities like thorough documentation or treatment plan review, and burns out from the ongoing values conflict. |
| Caregiver perceived as disengaged | Ethics-driven: Conducts a functional assessment of disengagement, examines own contributions to the dynamic, adjusts approach based on findings, and documents ongoing efforts to engage the family. | Avoidance-based: Labels the family as noncompliant, reduces expectations for caregiver involvement, and focuses exclusively on in-session work. Treatment generalization suffers but the interpersonal discomfort is avoided. |
| Inadequate supervision from own supervisor | Ethics-driven: Documents specific gaps, requests needed supervision formally, escalates through organizational channels if necessary, and seeks supplemental mentorship from other qualified professionals. | Avoidance-based: Accepts minimal supervision, attempts to figure out challenging cases independently, and experiences professional isolation and self-doubt without the developmental support that quality supervision provides. |
| Emotional toll on the BCBA | Ethics-driven: Processing conflicts through a structured framework reduces emotional rumination. Having a clear course of action provides a sense of agency even in difficult situations. | Avoidance-based: Unresolved conflicts accumulate, creating chronic stress, cynicism, and eventual burnout. The emotional toll increases over time because the underlying problems are never addressed. |
| Long-term professional outcomes | Ethics-driven: Develops a reputation for professional integrity and effective conflict resolution. Builds competence in navigating the real-world challenges of practice. Contributes to a healthier organizational culture. | Avoidance-based: May maintain superficial workplace peace at the cost of accumulating ethical compromises. May leave the field entirely when the burden of unaddressed conflicts becomes unsustainable. |
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 dealing with difficult people 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.
Dealing with Difficult People — Jon Bailey · 1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $20
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
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $20 · 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.