Association for Behavior Analysis International

The Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts (2022) code 1.07 states that behavior analysts should “actively engage in professional development activities to acquire knowledge and skills related to cultural responsiveness and diversity”. The APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct indicates that “Psychologists are aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status, and consider these factors when working with members of such groups” (American Psychological Association, 2017). Cultural humility has been discussed as it relates to behavior analysis at both individual and institutional levels and has been defined as “…a lifelong commitment to self-evaluation and critique to address power imbalances and develop mutually beneficial and nonpaternalistic partnerships with communities” (Tervalon & Murray-Garcia, 1998 as cited by Wright, 2019). Thus, it is paramount that students develop a foundation and understanding of cultural humility and responsiveness during their training. To discuss this, a panel of experts will answer questions and discuss how students can continually commit to acquiring the knowledge and skills related to cultural responsiveness and diversity.

Current global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and several lockdowns, have enhanced widespread motivation for using the web as the official environment for activities previously considered marginally appropriate for online delivery. One of them was psychotherapy service and supervision. This opens the possibility of blurring borders. Namely, clients can reach out to therapists in different countries. The same happens with therapists looking for clinical supervisors. The aim of this PDS is to invite clinical behavior analysts to discuss these new possibilities, and, more specifically, how their theoretical-practical approach to behavior-analytic psychotherapy can adapt into the digital, global context. For this talk, the invited and confirmed speakers are: Dr Kozue Matsuda (Pepperdine University and Children Center Inc., Tokyo), Dr João Henrique de Almeida (State University of Londrina, Brazil), and doctoral candidate Jesús Alonso-Vega (Autonomous University of Madrid). The speakers will be asked to cover some –or all– of the 4 following topics: 1. What are the qualifications and documents required to perform psychotherapy as a licensed practitioner in the speakers' jurisdiction (i.e., Japan, Brazil, or Spain)? 2. For the starter of a clinic, what would be the current supply-and-demand market balance and how is that modulated by the current online possibilities? 3. What has recent behavior-analytic literature on online therapy sessions and supervision, regarding current possibilities? 4. How are theoretical-practical approaches to behavior-analytic psychotherapy influenced by online, international possibilities? This PDS will be endorsed as a BACB continuing education general credits module by BCBA-D Kozue Matsuda.

The target audiance are graduate students about to complete their degree and move on to pursue a licensed practice as behavioural therapists. This implies that participants of this PDS will need to be acquainted with the basics of behavioural analysis (basic principles and behavioural processes) and with concepts related to clinical behavioural analysis and its main perspectives, such as reinforcement contingency therapy, functional-analytic therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, process-based beavioural therapy, and applied behaviour analysis for developmental issues.

Behavior analysts working in research, teaching, or practice may experience burn-out, loss of productivity, or other roadblocks to success. This PDS event will discuss anecdotes from behavior analysts to speak on the arrangement of contingencies used to be effective in time management strategies and finding ways to stay motivated. The panel will include time management in research, teaching, and other areas of work for behavior analysts. Rather than emphasizing permanent products of success, the panel aims to offer insight to everyday behavior in which successful individuals engage. This event is not meant to be a one-size-fit all approach to productivity, but instead offer insight to a number of approaches successful individuals have used in the field.