Behavior analysts are trained rigorously in measurement, experimental design, and the systematic application of behavioral principles. They are trained far less rigorously in the art of navigating emotionally charged relationships with the families who are their essential partners in treatment.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via BABAT
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Join Free →Every clinician has been there, sitting across from a parent who feels frustrated, disappointed, or even hostile. These conversations can genuinely feel difficult, especially when you're balancing countless responsibilities and haven't been given the training or support to navigate them with confidence. At the same time, families are carrying their own pressures, fear, exhaustion, financial strain, or disappointment, which can surface as pushback. This is where relationship intelligence (RIQ)© matters. Rather than chasing "buy-in," we listen for what families truly need, validate their experiences, and co-create next steps that feel workable. As budgets and health services are cut, it's more important than ever for behavior analysts to connect with families and demonstrate their value as true partners in care. In this keynote, I'll share a real-world case example and provide practical suggestions you can apply immediately in your work with families. I'll share strategies that transform challenging interactions into moments of connection. Together, we'll explore how relational skills such as perspective-taking, respectful listening, and emotion validation can shift tough conversations into opportunities for collaboration. 1. Participants will be able to identify methods for managing career stress amid a challenging world environment 2. Participants will be able to create a identify ways they can use self-management strategies to create goal-driven professional goals 3. Participants will be able to identify 3 areas in which they can extend their current professional reach.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | Supervision |
| COA | 1 | — |
Dr. Ellie Kazemi has devoted her career to workforce development. She merges the science of learning, advanced digital technology, and data-based decision-making with her years of experience working with leadership to promote practical, performance-based training. She has worked on several large nationwide projects (e.g., with FEMA and NASA) focusing on measuring outcomes. She currently wears multiple hats. She is a tenure-track professor at CSUN, where she founded the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program and where she is also the Director of AI/VXR Initiatives for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. She is the founder and CEO of Transform VXR, creating a world where everyone can learn to have hard conversations through safe experiences and fun.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
244 research articles with practitioner takeaways
239 research articles with practitioner takeaways
195 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.