Feedback and Staying True to Evidence-Based Practice: Growing as a Trainee

In the field of behavior analysis, professional growth is not just a goal—it's a necessity. Behavior analysts shouldn’t become stagnant once they become certified. It’s important to remember that board certification is just the entry point into the field as a behavior analyst- it means that you can competently practice, but as a professional you should strive for more throughout your career. Ethically, behavior analysts should be staying updated on best practices for their trainees, clients, and all consumers of behavior analysis. The importance of growth is undoubtedly important, but how can you grow as a trainee?

One of the most powerful tools for achieving professional growth as a trainee is by receiving feedback and acting on it to shape your professional journey. A second skill to improve while approaching certification is consistently researching best practices. In this blog post, we'll explore why receiving and acting on feedback is crucial and discuss the importance of staying current with scientific literature as a trainee, and throughout your career as a board certified behavior analyst.

The Importance of Receiving and Acting on Feedback

Feedback can be hard to hear. Trainees getting their supervised fieldwork hours are typically in graduate school or else already have their degrees. It can feel like as a trainee you know your stuff, and you probably do have a ton of great knowledge about applied behavior analysis. However, feedback when you are getting your hours isn’t just about technical terms or knowledge-based topics- it’s about your professional development to shape you into a better practitioner. Acting on feedback can lead to:

Skill Enhancement: Constructive feedback pinpoints specific areas where you can improve your techniques or approaches in an applied setting. Once again, a lot of trainees can talk about behavior analytic terms and concepts, but it’s not always as easy to apply them. By taking feedback on specific skills and applying it to your practice, you can hone in on your behavior analytic skills and become a more effective practitioner. 

Ethical Accountability: Feedback serves as a check against the ethical standards and best practices of the field. It ensures that your interventions are not only effective but also aligned with the principles in the field. It should also ensure that you are handling ethical dilemmas that may be encountered in an ethical way. 

Resilience Building: Learning to receive feedback without defensiveness builds professional resilience. Instead of viewing criticism as a personal attack, you begin to see it as an opportunity for growth. This mindset is extremely crucial for long-term success while working with peers, clients, and their families.

Professional Development: Maybe you are consistently late for meetings with clients. Maybe you don’t turn your billing logs in on time. Any feedback given about the professional aspects of your work should be taken as a chance to improve. When you become a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) you will have to hold meetings on time and turn in documentation when it is requested. If not, your clients can suffer and lose coverage. Comments about areas you can improve as a professional are just as important as any other feedback you receive during your supervised hours for the behavior analyst certification board (BACB). 

Enhanced Client Outcomes: The end goal of feedback is to improve client outcomes. When you act on feedback, you make adjustments that can lead to more effective interventions, greater client progress, and a better overall experience for your clients and their families.

Staying Current with Scientific Literature for an Evidence-Based Practice

I was recently meeting with a BCBA peer who I regularly consult with. I asked her how she was able to give her trainees, who are incredibly talented and smart, effective feedback. She offered some great insight: Never Stop Learning As A Supervisor. Think about it, if you can consistently offer your trainees new and exciting information. Give them tidbits of information and ideas that they had not previously considered…. how could they not look up to you as a wealth of information to learn from? So, start this practice as a trainee! In addition to receiving feedback from your supervisors, staying up to date with the latest scientific literature is vital for continuous improvement as a practitioner. 

Evidence-Based Practice could be its own blog post (I will make a note of that actually- be on the lookout, readers!) We know the field of behavior analysis is constantly evolving, with new research and methodologies emerging regularly. By keeping current about what is being published, we can ensure that we are growing as a provider while our field grows. To accomplish this, try to make it a habit to engage in:

Regular Reading: Read relevant journals, articles, and research papers. This helps you stay informed about new findings, innovative techniques, and shifts in the field’s understanding of behavior analysis in both research and applied settings. 

Continuing Education: Attend workshops, trainings, and conferences to deepen your knowledge and stay up to date on evidence-based practices. These opportunities not only enhance your skills but also provide a platform for networking!

Incorporating Research into Practice: Apply new research findings to your practice where appropriate. Remain ethical by obtaining additional training and mentorship from BCBAs who are competent in the areas you would like to practice. 

Sharing Knowledge: Engage in discussions with colleagues about recent research. Sharing insights and learning from each other helps create a collaborative environment where everyone benefits from staying informed.

In conclusion, as a trainee in the field of behavior analysis, your journey toward becoming a proficient and ethical practitioner doesn't end with certification—it begins there. Embracing feedback as a tool for professional growth and committing to staying current with scientific literature are essential practices that will not only enhance your skills but also ensure that you are providing the best possible care for your clients. By actively seeking out and acting on feedback, you build resilience, sharpen your skills, grow into a professional, and uphold the highest ethical standards. Additionally, by continually engaging with the latest research, you remain adaptable, innovative, and at the forefront of the field. Remember, your growth as a behavior analyst is a lifelong endeavor, and the habits you cultivate as a trainee now will shape your future success and impact.