This comparison draws in part from “Would You Want to Work for You?” by Sarah Carter, LBA, BCBA (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 would you want to work for you?, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power dynamic | Authority-Based: Explicit power hierarchy; supervisor's clinical judgment is authoritative; supervisee is expected to comply | Trauma-Informed: Power differential acknowledged but managed through collaboration; supervisee input genuinely shapes supervisory agenda |
| Response to errors | Authority-Based: Error correction delivered through direct negative feedback; correction may be public in group supervision contexts | Trauma-Informed: Error correction delivered privately, with curiosity and problem-solving framing; safety of disclosure explicitly maintained |
| Staff wellbeing | Authority-Based: Staff wellbeing treated as outside supervisory scope; personal difficulties expected to be managed independently | Trauma-Informed: Staff wellbeing recognized as organizationally relevant; supervisory practices explicitly designed to minimize unnecessary aversive stimulation |
| Cultural responsiveness | Authority-Based: Good supervision treated as culturally neutral; demographic variables not explicitly addressed | Trauma-Informed: Cultural identity, marginalization history, and systemic inequities explicitly acknowledged as variables in supervisory experience |
| Professional development | Authority-Based: Supervisor defines development goals based on organizational needs and supervisee competency gaps | Trauma-Informed: Supervisee co-develops goals; empowerment and choice built into the professional development structure |
| Staff retention | Authority-Based: Lower retention rates, particularly among staff from underrepresented groups; high turnover normalized as industry baseline | Trauma-Informed: Higher retention associated with psychological safety and collaborative supervisory relationships; turnover treated as an organizational problem requiring systemic solutions |
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 would you want to work for you? 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.
Would You Want to Work for You? — Sarah Carter · 1 BACB Supervision 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.
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
239 research articles with practitioner takeaways
233 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB Supervision 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.