What Makes a Great Therapist?

When searching for a good Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapist, it's essential to look for several key qualities to ensure your child receives the best support.

Personality Traits

Though each therapist has variation in their approach, there are some traits that can indicate you have found a great therapist!

  • Passionate about their work! They are happy to talk about ABA and the strategies they are using with their clients.

  • Genuinely enjoys being around your child. A great therapist will laugh and play with your child. You may notice little signs as well, such as greeting your child or making sure to say goodbye to them as well, not just the parent.

  • Open to communication. Once services start this may be demonstrated in the way he/she updates you on sessions, goals, and challenges.  Prior to the start of services, you may notice an openness to share how the intake and assessment works in depth.

  • Timely and Consistent. Timely responses to phone calls, prompt starts to appointments and minimal cancellations are great indicators that you have found a great match!

  • Open to input. A quality provider will want to listen to you and take suggestions on potential goals and strategies. They will also be willing to collaborate with other types of therapists. Even if they may not be able to ethically support a practice, they should be willing to listen and discuss these methods professionally.

  • Invested in your child! Your child’s victories make them excited! When your child is struggling to meet a goal, a great therapist will seek help and resources.

  • Continued progress. If you are working with a therapist and there are some weak areas they are struggling with, provide that feedback. They may have not been aware. If they begin working on these areas immediately, you have a great provider! As they improve, you can see if this therapist is still going to be a good fit for your family.

 When choosing an ABA provider, consider traits and questions that suit your child and family. Trust your instincts about the therapist. As services start, look for signs of quality care. If a provider doesn't feel right, discuss alternatives. You and your child deserve the best, and these tips can help maximize your services!

Questions for Providers

There are some important questions that can help you determine the effectiveness of a program and if it is a good fit for your family.

  • Is the program overseen by a BCBA?. Your child's therapy should be led by a qualified Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a Master’s degree, who creates treatment plans and assesses your child. While a behavior technician works directly with your child, a BCBA should supervise them for 10-20% of sessions to ensure proper care. Don’t hesitate to ask about technician supervision. If a provider is hesitant or states that technicians make all decisions, consider seeking another therapist..

  • What type of experience do the BCBAs have?. If your child has unique needs, make sure there’s a BCBA with experience in that area. While many ABA providers can help with different issues, it’s best for them to work within the areas they are trained in. For example, if your child has serious physical aggression, a BCBA who only has experience with verbal behavior might not be the best choice.

  • How is a child’s progress monitored? If data isn't collected on your child, it isn't ABA. A provider should show you your child's progress on all goals.

  • What is the staff training process? New staff need time to learn therapy techniques before meeting clients. A strong indicator of well-trained behavior technicians is being Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). The Behavior Analysis Certification Board mandates 40 hours of training, practical skill application, and a passing exam for RBT status. While many technicians receive great training, RBT certification confirms thorough preparation.

  • How much collaboration occurs? Caregivers should have regular training, with at least one session monthly for parents. If a child is in school or other therapies, the ABA provider should communicate (with your permission) to ensure alignment.

  • Is the approach individualized? Each child's program must be unique. Providers can't detail their approach until after assessment. To meet specific needs, they'll evaluate the child and create a treatment plan, reviewing it biweekly to assess teaching effectiveness. Relying on a single teaching style may not address all children's needs.

  • Is the program in-home or center based? Both options have benefits. Consider what works for your family. Center-based ABA is great for caregivers who work typical business hours and clients who need social skills development. In-home is better for targeted support and offers flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends. Some centers provide a combination of both types.