Why I chose to leave ABA Field / BCBA

Since a lot of you commented that you were thinking about leaving the field as well, I thought I would share my own personal experiences. I end up taking a bootcamp and it changed my life :)
If you're interested, you can save $100 with Avocademy using coupon code: Brit100 :)
Top Reasons:
00:21 Industry Structure (and No Vacations)
4:40 No Room for Growth
5:49 The Pressure!!!
8:44 ABA is changing
None of the reasons I speak about are related to any company or organization. This is also not a sponsored video. I hope you find this helpful - what should I talk about next??

[@meezygee]

I'm 2 years into my license and I feel the burn. My biggest fear is that I will keep jumping around fields trying to find what works. I feel like I've lost myself in this profession 😭😅

[@NemoBemo]

Thank you making this video, I feel like people don’t talk about this enough.

[@LilJedi24]

I recently resigned from my Clinical Supervisor position due to the stress/pressure from parents and I too experienced a lot of those feelings of disassociation that you described! Luckily I found a remote BCBA job in my state and am loving it so far! I hope you find your way back to the field with a position at a company you love.

[@Lordpraisethe]

I would love to find a remote job

[@kristinrobideau6118]

Hi ! I support what I’ve learned so far about happy relaxed engaged-not everything that is healing can be quantified : ) Just because it can’t be measured in that way doesn’t mean it’s not helping. In terms of happy relaxed engaged we can get subjective and behavioral information that someone’s nervous system is feeling calm. Perhaps if we really wanted to measure it we could hook our clients up to a MRI and see their brain calm down. I am a therapist and if I do treatments that may lead to self reports of my clients feeling better and there are positive behavior changes in their lives it’s okay with me that I can’t quantify every step of the way . I understand that can make standardizing care more difficult- On the other side of that, humans are all different and a one size fits all approach isn’t always useful. There’s also multiple ways to find evidence for something. Are you familiar with Dan Siegel’s work? He is a neuroscientist and psychiatrist Who writes pretty extensively on how relationships regulate the nervous system. I don’t think all of his interventions can be precisely quantified but I’m guessing he would say as a neuroscientist what he does is backed in science and evidence based . I think if we limit interventions to what can be quantified and measured in one specific way we may be limiting what is healing. What are your thoughts on that? Thanks for the conversation.

[@dehlanilala4810]

Thanks for sharing the tea. 🐸🍵 I currently have a BA in psychology and these are the things I’m scared about getting into the field. I have no idea what to master in because of this very reason. Ugh the stress!

[@amandahenderson6145]

Think about school psychology

[@Dlite808]

School psychology is just as bad just the stress is crammed into the school year. Just think about it before you jump

[@kellyanna6610]

Thank you for sharing, I was in a BCBA program but switched to School Psychology. I too began to worry about the perception of ABA, as well as the salary. In California RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) is the new wave.

[@behavioraltea375]

oh man, ive never heard about that but my head is already spinning

[@void________]

Not to mention the stress of accumulating hours is so confusing. And the Board is a nightmare to deal with and not helpful.

[@ashlia.6038]

Thank you for talking about this. I’ve only been a bcba since March and I am feeling the pressure. I am interested in OBM and hoping that I can find a job in obm but it is really hard with the field being primarily used for one population. I believe that ABA in regards to the autism population will eventually branch off to a revised ABA. Almost like how behaviorism branched off into radical behaviorism.

[@camillereneebcba]

I think it’s currently happening with the new virtual support space. I’m excited to be part of the changes! 🤍

[@shawnagraves7117]

I'm a semi retired woman who is on my second or so career in business. I am just trying to pass the the RBT exam,, I have already figured out on my own business senses that I wouldn't get involved in this career for the stability or money. If you need that, this career isn't for you. I am studying and learning the information for myself and my family mostly and plan on only working when I want to. I have other money and stability to fall back on. In my opinion learning ABA isn't a waste of time or money, I am being creative on how I put it to use for others and myself. I look at it as a community service, which I can afford to do at this time in my life. Good luck everyone 😊.

[@LovingLifeasEmma]

I think people in a situation like yours are PERFECT candidates for RBT positions. However BCBA is a bit different when it comes to the time invested up front since you have to obtain a master's degree, 2,000 fieldwork hours, and pass a board exam. It's definitely good to think about before investing all that 😛

[@dianavaldez8884]

This is my current situation :/. I'm currently in the ABA Masters's program and not sure if I want to work in this field for the rest of my life. I see a lot of BCBA burnout, not much work/life balance, and barely any benefits.

[@feefriz]

I hear a lot of what you're saying here. The ABA science itself I absolutely love, the direct support with the kids, because it works and makes incredible changes in kids lives. It's the systems in workplaces that do not work, and the adults who are difficult to change.

[@68HaloGurl]

I had a rough experience with my supervision throughout my fieldwork experience and the board audited my fieldwork experience and only deemed 52 hours acceptable out of 2,000. So now I am stuck at the BCaBA level until next year so I have been sitting on my degree since 2021. I just feel like I can't get over it but also feel really stuck. My current company is amazing and so supportive but the field as a whole and the work drains me.

[@ninac7825]

Wow such an amazing , honest, intelligent explanation! I know you will succeed anywhere you go! I agree with some commenters that RDI is slowly replacing ABA

[@LisaniaMeloMusic]

What is RDI? I’m interested in going into ABA but wanted to hear from this side first.

[@marissaolivarez854]

Thanks for the insight. I’m considering entering this field because I am now an autism Mom and this form of therapy is clearly helping my child thrive. I’m learning all about it anyway, might as well dedicate my time towards this career path. But good to hear about the challenges as well, thanks!

[@kprecious1]

Thx for posting this. I just started working aba as a BT. Im feeling the same way. I feel guilty for already wanting to take a break like you. I feel conflicted .

[@behavioraltea375]

Its definitely a pain of this field... we love our clients so much and want to do what's best for them that we sacrifice ourselves. It's okay to feel conflict. We went into this field hoping to better others so it's hard to walk away. do what is best for you. Good luck

[@gabriellegutierrez4139]

Will you make a video on how you structured your resume to transition to tech?

[@kejuiyen1314]

I have started the job in clinic setting! It is really hard to keep everything down! Agree with you about taking self! I feel the burn so badly!

[@celia-cj5py]

The pressure, yess... I agree with this so much currently..

[@barkha5716]

Hey, omg thanks for making this video!! I FEEL LOST as well. could you please make a video or let me know what are the other alternatives to ABA? it would be really helpful.

[@LovingLifeasEmma]

I can relate to so much of what you said! I want to stay but I also don't know if I can. However I would argue that PFA and SBT does have a lot of objective and measurable aspects to it and if practiced well should be completely objective and measurable. If someone says you just need to "feel it in your gut" they likely have not done proper training on it. It has been quite difficult for me to learn but it is very interesting!

[@behavioraltea375]

I totally agree! Hanley just does a terrible job of explaining it 😥 i also know that he is aware of this complaint, but I already took the course so it's like where do I go from there 😆

[@marlenbatista9642]

I felt the pressure as well and didnt even care about the stability of the pay because my expenses are way lower than the minimum i ever made. But the pressure of carrying and leading a whole family and team and being responsible for the team and my choices etc.

[@ChaiTogether]

Good for you and tech is the way to go!

[@Lordpraisethe]

Awww man. I feel you. I hate cancellations!!. I think it all depends on where you work

[@behavioraltea375]

and the families!!

[@elijahevangarcia]

The families?

[@Mindyours5512]

3rd year BCBA, man do I feel this in my soul. I can write the hell out of a treatment plan, but I do not have all the the answers. Period

[@Karijustini]

Your hair is amazing!!!!!!!!!! hair care maintenance video?

[@renalielabarda553]

Thx u for being honest. Not a lot of bcba talks about the bad parts! I actually was in uga and dropped out of my program for ABA. The industrial system in this field including in the schooling is horrible. They don’t care about students and workers

[@arianacarranza3664]

What else would you consider doing with your degree or would you have to get some other kind of certification or more schooling to make a change?

[@teennnn_jay]

definitely agree with you !

[@lifehelpexpress9504]

I was with an agency for a few months. The parents kept on saying that they wanted to switch RBTs without telling me anything. I stayed with a client for four months before he aged out, but the other ones told me that "I wasn't a fit" after one week. This may be the reason why a lot of people leave too.

[@DyanBermeo]

What are you doing now?

[@lifehelpexpress9504]

@@DyanBermeo I am back as an adjunct for now

[@taylors2661]

would love to hear ur experience in a private school! trying to move into one now

[@behavioraltea375]

honestly i loved it. When I retire I want to go back to work there because they had genuine love for their clients, appropriate ratio, and treated clients with respect!

[@user-ue5xi5jw7q]

Look into 1099 independent contracting. & work when you want!

[@kimberlyhermosura8198]

Let’s just call it what it is, ABA IS FREE MEDICAID DAY CARE.

[@lifehelpexpress9504]

How is Aba free medicaid day care?

[@Sunshine-co8vf]

It does feel that way especially at a school setting.

[@marlenbatista9642]

I also feel lost in the field.

[@Tara-._.-]

I love DIR/Floortime!

[@othour7769]

It s hard not to fall in love with your face

[@traviskam1332]

Did you end up getting a job in UX after avoacademy?

[@behavioraltea375]

yes!

[@behavioraltea375]

just made a new video about this :)

[@kseke25]

I feel like this is gonna be me. Sigh

[@theautisticpage]

I am so disappointed as an autistic person. I thought this was going to be about how you quit because you saw that it was morally wrong to hurt autistic people. Instead it was all about you.

[@lisagartner1238]

😂

[@camillereneebcba]

Same girl same! I left the ABA Therapy system to start my own online business and I’ll never go back. I still advocate for ABA but in my own way, and I’m sure there are so many others who are doing the same! I’m exited about the changes. I would love to email you to continue the conversation. If you feel more comfortable reaching out to me please let me know and I’ll send you my contact info! 🤍