Q: What is ABA?
A: Applied Behavior Analysis is a set of principles based in the science of behavior and learning. ABA examines outward behaviors, how they’re learned, and the environment in which they occur in order to understand (and potentially change) them.
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Q: What is ACT?
A: Acceptance and Commitment Training (“act-” like the word) is a therapeutic framework that uses metaphors, activities, and exercises combined with action to help people better understand the relationships between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The goal of ACT is psychological flexibility- The more flexible we are in our thinking processes, the more flexible we can be in our behavior… AKA: the ability to lead a happier, healthier, and more successful life in every environment.
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Q: Is this therapy?
A: Kind of. If traditional therapy means meeting with someone weekly and talking about your problems while they listen, this is not that. This approach is much more focused on taking real, actionable steps toward an ultimate goal (or goals) in and outside of sessions that will directly improve your quality of life. There is still a therapeutic relationship; we cannot have a personal relationship outside of sessions, confidentiality and HIPAA rules apply, and I hold specific credentials in order to practice this way.
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Q: Why don’t you accept health insurance?
A: While I may accept insurance in the future, one of the main reasons I started MBC was to provide a unique service to my clients where we could work on whatever is most important to them. I didn’t want to work within the confines of covered and not covered services, billable versus nonbillable, and I wanted to spend my time with my clients, not working with payors.
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Q: What does a typical session look like?
A: In a typical 1:1 session, we will start with a grounding exercise and a check-in on how your work has been going since the last time we saw each other. I may have asked you to fill out a quick questionnaire prior to the session, and we’d go through that, too. Then, we spend the heart of the session going through exercises and practicing skills you’ll take with you after the session. We’ll revisit your goal plan and make any updates, track your progress, and end with a closing exercise. After the session, you’ll get a copy of my progress notes and information/resources on any tasks I asked you to do at home.
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Q: How will I know I’m making progress?
A: I continually help my clients track their progress each time we see each other. I may even ask you to complete (very simple) data collection measures between sessions. I use a variety of assessments, interviews, and questionnaires to track lots of different things, and I analyze that data frequently to provide you with direct, numerical data on your goals. That might look like a line or bar graph, a pie chart, or a timeline.
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Q: Can I quit at any time?
A: Yes. You will never be asked to continue any service against your will. Depending on what we were working on together, I may recommend a final closing session or refer you to other services, but neither of those are mandatory.
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Q: What does it mean to by “neurodivergent friendly?”
A: This means I am a safe person for people with ASD, ADHD, anxiety, etc. I am aware of discrimination against neurodivergent people, and actively work to make everyone I serve feel heard, included, and cared for. I will not judge, discriminate, or force ableist goals on any client, ever.
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Q: I’m really interested in this approach, but I don’t see a service that’s right for me. How can I get started?
A: Please reach out to me! I’m always interested in hearing what other services people might want or need, and would love the opportunity to see if I could figure it out. New ideas and feedback are always welcome.
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Q: Can I see you in person?
A: Right now, I only provide web-based services via a HIPAA-compliant video calling platform. Perhaps in the future I may have a brick-and-mortar location, but not yet.
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Q: I’ve tried different therapies before, but they’re always really hard for me because I’m so shy. How can you help?
A: Lots of ways! For starters, if you prefer to text, I am more than happy to schedule a time to answer all your questions and concerns via text message. I can also accommodate additional time at the beginning of sessions for you to feel comfortable, having your camera off for part or all of the session, providing additional processing time between exercises… The whole point is to be flexible to suit the client’s needs.
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Q: Why do I have to schedule a time to text with you?
A: So that I can ensure you have my complete and undivided attention. I want to be able to set aside anything else I’m doing so that I can truly hear what you’re saying and respond in the best way possible.
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Q: Isn’t ABA just for people on the Autism spectrum?
A: NO! ABA is behavioral science for humans. It is directly tied to ASD for a variety of reasons, but it in no way is it only to be used in that way. In fact, there is a growing body of evidence showing amazing results using ABA with several different mental health disorders, disabilities, and even in workplaces, families, and individuals who are considered neurotypical. Check out Clinical Behavior Analysis and Organizational Behavior Management for more information.
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Q: I’ve heard ABA is bad. Why do you use it?
A: This is a subject that I am passionate about, and could have hours-long conversations about. I am well aware of the anti-ABA movement and am constantly learning, growing, and changing from the feedback of those who have received ABA therapy themselves. However, ABA is not one thing or treatment- it’s a scientific framework that when applied correctly, appropriately, ethically, and with consent of the individual, can be a very powerful method of behavior change, new skill acquisition, and reduction of harmful behaviors.
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Have more questions? Email me and I’ll get back to you soon, or you can set up a free 10-minute call or text conversation with me.