This comparison draws in part from “Turning Conflict Into Collaboration: Building Stronger Relationships Through Communication” by Maegan Howell, MBA, M.A., BCBA, LMHC (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 turning conflict into collaboration: building stronger relationships through communication, 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 Cost | Avoidance: Low — aversive interaction is avoided; interaction continues without disruption | Direct Engagement: Higher — requires tolerating interpersonal discomfort and investing time in structured communication |
| Long-Term Cost | Avoidance: High — unresolved conflict compounds, damages relationships, and eventually affects team functioning and client care | Direct Engagement: Lower — resolved conflict removes the maintaining conditions and restores functional team communication |
| Team Morale | Avoidance: Decreases over time as unresolved tension creates chronic low-level aversiveness in the work environment | Direct Engagement: Maintained or increased — successful conflict resolution demonstrates that problems can be solved and relationships are worth investing in |
| Clinical Impact | Avoidance: Compromised information flow and coordination as team members adapt to the presence of unresolved conflict | Direct Engagement: Restored communication and coordination support consistent treatment implementation and clinical decision-making |
| Staff Retention | Avoidance: Increased turnover risk — unresolved conflict is a consistently identified driver of voluntary staff departure | Direct Engagement: Retention-positive — staff who experience fair and effective conflict management report higher organizational commitment |
| Skill Development | Avoidance: No skill development — avoidance is maintained by negative reinforcement, extinguishing the approach behavior needed for competence | Direct Engagement: Progressive skill development — each successfully navigated conflict strengthens the behavioral repertoire for future conflicts |
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 turning conflict into collaboration: building stronger relationships through communication 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.
Turning Conflict Into Collaboration: Building Stronger Relationships Through Communication — Maegan Howell · 1 BACB Supervision CEUs · $18
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
239 research articles with practitioner takeaways
231 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB Supervision CEUs · $18 · 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.