By Matt Harrington, BCBA · Behaviorist Book Club · Clinical decision guide
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 the art and science of juggling interpersonal skills & difficult interactions, 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 relational impact | Avoidance: reduces immediate interpersonal discomfort; preserves surface-level relational harmony in the short term; the conflict does not escalate in the moment | Direct engagement: may increase immediate discomfort for both parties; requires both people to be present with the conflict before resolution is possible |
| Long-term relational impact | Avoidance: unresolved conflict typically resurfaces, often with greater intensity; pattern of avoidance can erode trust as the other party perceives that concerns are not taken seriously | Direct engagement: when handled skillfully, tends to strengthen the relationship by demonstrating that both parties can navigate difficulty together; builds trust in the relationship's durability |
| Clinical impact | Avoidance: clinically relevant conflicts — caregiver disagreement with a behavior plan, supervisee error patterns — that are avoided do not get resolved; client services can be directly affected | Direct engagement: clinical concerns are addressed; caregivers and supervisees receive the honest communication that allows them to make informed decisions and adjust behavior |
| Ethical implications | Avoidance: when conflict involves ethical concerns — client welfare, inaccurate documentation, scope violations — avoidance may constitute failure to act on a professional obligation | Direct engagement: consistent with Section 1.01 (Truthfulness) and the broader Ethics Code expectation that behavior analysts address concerns through appropriate professional channels |
| When avoidance is adaptive | Avoidance: appropriate when the conflict is low-stakes and the cost of engagement outweighs the benefit; when the other party is in a highly activated state and engagement would escalate rather than resolve; when a brief pause allows for more productive engagement after de-escalation | Direct engagement: the default for clinically significant concerns, ethical issues, supervisory performance problems, and any situation where the unresolved conflict poses ongoing risk to clients or professional relationships |
| Skill requirements | Avoidance: requires the judgment to distinguish adaptive pausing from avoidance-as-avoidance; without this judgment, avoidance becomes a default rather than a strategic choice | Direct engagement: requires the specific interpersonal skills covered in this course — validation, behavior-specific communication, emotional regulation, interest-based framing — to be effective rather than merely confrontational |
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 the art and science of juggling interpersonal skills & difficult interactions 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.
The Art and Science of Juggling Interpersonal Skills & Difficult Interactions — Tyra Sellers · 3 BACB Supervision CEUs · $50
Take This Course →3 BACB Supervision CEUs · $50 · BehaviorLive
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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.