This comparison draws in part from “Managing Conflict & Strengthening Relationships with your Patients” 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 managing conflict & strengthening relationships with your patients, 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 interpersonal tension | Conflict avoidance: Lower immediate tension; disagreements are smoothed over or deferred | Active conflict management: Higher immediate tension; disagreements are surfaced and engaged directly |
| Long-term relationship quality | Conflict avoidance: Erodes over time; unresolved concerns accumulate and eventually surface as larger ruptures | Active conflict management: Strengthens over time; each successfully resolved conflict builds relational trust and communication confidence |
| Treatment integrity at home | Conflict avoidance: Compromised; families with unaddressed concerns implement inconsistently without telling the BCBA | Active conflict management: Better supported; families who feel heard are more likely to implement faithfully and report implementation challenges |
| Alignment with Ethics Code | Conflict avoidance: Potentially inconsistent with Code 2.09 (addressing caregiver concerns), Code 1.03 (honest communication), and Code 2.02 (ongoing informed consent) | Active conflict management: Consistent with Ethics Code obligations for honest, caregiver-engaged communication |
| Service retention | Conflict avoidance: Lower; families with unresolved concerns often discontinue services without explaining why | Active conflict management: Higher; families who can raise concerns and have them addressed remain in services longer |
| BCBA skill development | Conflict avoidance: Stagnant; avoidance does not build conflict management competency | Active conflict management: Cumulative; each managed conflict builds skill and expands the BCBA's capacity for high-stakes clinical conversations |
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 managing conflict & strengthening relationships with your patients 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.
Managing Conflict & Strengthening Relationships with your Patients — Ellie Kazemi · 1 BACB Supervision 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.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
252 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB Supervision CEUs · $40 · 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.