The How to ABA Podcast

ABA Supervision Strategies: Leading with Behavior Science to Be a Great BCBA Supervisor

Shira Karpel & Shayna Gaunt Episode 241

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0:00 | 14:45

Supervision isn’t just about signing off on hours. It’s about shaping skills, building confidence, and developing thoughtful future behavior analysts. In this episode, we dive into how we can apply the very same behavior-analytic principles we use with clients to our supervision practices. From assessment and goal setting to shaping, reinforcement, and feedback, we break down what it really means to lead with ABA as a BCBA supervisor.

We talk about why relationship-building and trust are foundational, how to move away from compliance-based supervision toward a coaching and mentorship model, and why feedback needs to be frequent, specific, and actionable. We also explore the importance of modeling professionalism, values-based decision-making, and ethical reasoning, especially for skills that don’t always show up neatly on a task list.

Whether you’re new to supervising or looking to refine your leadership approach, this conversation will help you reframe supervision through a behavior-analytic lens and feel more confident supporting the next generation of BCBAs.

What’s Inside:

  • Using ABA principles like shaping, reinforcement, and BST in supervision
  • Building trust, rapport, and a strong supervisory relationship
  • Giving effective, meaningful, and two-way feedback
  • Shifting from compliance-based supervision to a coaching model

Mentioned in This Episode:

Supervision Resource Bundle
HowToABA.com/join
How to ABA on YouTube
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