Association for Behavior Analysis International

The relationship between a supervisor and supervisee is complex and dynamic and plays an important role in the training of behavior analysts. Supervision provides students with the opportunity to develop their skills as a behavior analyst with the support of someone with experience and expertise. While the supervision relationship is intended to be one of support and guidance, the imbalance in knowledge and experience can create a power differential between the supervisor and supervisee. This power imbalance can lead to an inauthentic relationship and the supervisee disregarding supervisor feedback. In an attempt to address these potential issues within the supervision relationship, supervisors can create a flexible context for supervision by making space for effective dialogue using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Relational Frame Theory (RFT) approaches. By noticing and allowing space for the differences, biases, and experiences that exist between the supervisor and supervisee, the supervisor can foster a bidirectional learning experience which allows the supervisor and supervisee to learn from one another. The panelists in this talk will speak to their supervision experiences and discuss how they have been able to integrate ACT and RFT approaches within supervision. Speakers will also answer questions about how supervisors can begin integrating these approaches in their own supervision.

Graduate students, BCBAs, BCaBAs