Parent resistance in ABA services is one of the most frequently cited challenges by behavior analysts, yet it is often misunderstood. The default assumption that resistant parents lack motivation or concern about their child's progress misses a more nuanced and productive explanation: parent resistance frequently reflects a mismatch in communication between the practitioner and the caregiver.
Provider: BehaviorLive
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Join Free →Parent resistance is often misunderstood as a lack of motivation or concern—but what if it's actually a mismatch in communication? This training introduces behavior analysts and therapists who conduct parent training (or coaching as I like to call it) to the foundational micro-skills of Motivational Interviewing (MI), a collaborative and evidence-based approach to strengthening parent engagement in behavior intervention. Participants will learn how to recognize and respond to sustain talk, evoke change talk, and apply core MI strategies (OARS+I, evoking change talk, AOA) to improve rapport, reduce resistance, and foster meaningful progress in parent coaching sessions. This presentation blends theory with practical examples, offering attendees actionable tools they can begin using immediately to create a more empowering and collaborative dynamic with families. Stay until the end to see a live roleplay that will surprise and entrain you!
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | Ethics |
Dr. Gilbert is a BCBA-D, LMHC, Licensed Psychologist in Florida, and an experienced conference Speaker! With over 17 years of experience, Dr. Gilbert is the proud owner of two thriving private practices: Crystal Minds New Beginning, Crystal Minds Psychological Services and “The.MI.Doctor”. Specializing in providing compassionate care for individuals with ADHD, anxiety disorders, and autism across all age groups, Dr. Gilbert humbly brings her extensive expertise to the table. Recognizing the need for change and improvement, Dr. Gilbert incorporated Motivational Interviewing into her ABA practice seven years ago. Witnessing the incredible impact, it had on increasing parental involvement and reducing therapist burnout. Dr. Gilbert has delivered webinars and “bootcamps” on Motivational Interviewing through "The.MI.Doctor" platform. She has also been invited to share her expertise at prestigious conferences such as HABA, LABA, CalABA, NHABA, UTABA, and has been a trusted workshop facilitator for ABAI for five consecutive years. Dr. Gilbert is also the author of the book, "How to STOP Talking and START Communicating (revised version)." This invaluable resource provides a framework for using MI techniques in ABA parent coaching sessions, revolutionizing the way therapists and families connect.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
239 research articles with practitioner takeaways
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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.