I. Introduction

In this episode of The Behaviorist Book Club, we wrap our supervision series by diving into a study by Brown et al. (2023) in Behavior Analysis in Practice. It asks a crucial question: once trainees become BCBAs, what supervision and support do they actually get?

This transitions us to the “First Year Essentials” series—key articles every early-career BCBA should know.

II. Why This Article Matters

• New BCBAs often lose structured support post-certification.
• This study captures that vulnerable transition point and explores:
  • How many still receive supervision?
  • From whom and how often?
  • What support do they want?
  • How does supervision relate to burnout and scope-of-practice concerns?

III. Study Overview (Brown et al., 2023)

• Sample: 283 early-career BCBAs (≤ 1 year certified)
• Instrument: 36-item validated survey
• Focus: Supervision frequency, supervisor profiles, barriers, support needs, burnout correlation

IV. Key Findings

1. Supervision Exists—But Minimally
   • 50% received some supervision, but half of them less than 1 hour/week
   • 70% of supervisors had <5 years experience
2. Formal Contracts Are Rare
   • Only 32% had written supervision agreements
3. Supervision Declines Rapidly Post-Certification
   • From 60% in Year 1 to <30% after two years
4. 98% Want More Support
   • Requests include soft skills, insurance/billing guidance, DEI, data review
5. Supervision Reduces Burnout
   • 70% agreed ongoing support helps avoid burnout
6. Strong Support for Mandatory One-Year Post-Cert Supervision
   • 76% favored a structured, residency-style requirement

V. The BACB Task List vs. Real-World Competence

Passing the BCBA exam signals exposure—not mastery. Real-world supervision needs to address practical, ethical, and business challenges beyond the Task List.

VI. Implications for Supervisors and Employers

1. Treat Supervision as an Investment

• Reduces turnover and recruitment costs
• Improves treatment fidelity and client retention

2. Build Sustainable Supervision Structures

• Use contracts, curriculum plans, video reviews, group Q&As
• Include asynchronous supports (e.g., micro-learning videos)

3. Center Mental Health

• Check in on emotional well-being
• Normalize struggles and share your own path

4. Advocate for Systemic Standards

• Promote agency-wide post-certification supervision policies
• Engage with BACB or join task forces to formalize new standards

VII. Reflections as Supervisor and Supervisee

I’ve seen both sides: the confidence that grows from structured support, and the stress from being left to figure it out alone. Brown et al. (2023) validates what many of us already know: structured mentorship beyond certification is critical.

VIII. Action Steps

For New BCBAs:

• Request 30+ minutes of weekly supervision
• Use a written supervision plan
• Join peer groups
• Track all sessions in a supervision log

For Supervisors:

• Schedule regular sessions with reminders
• Design monthly themes for training
• Incorporate video feedback and graph reviews
• Build a resource library for self-directed learning

For Directors/Agency Owners:

• Calculate ROI on deeper supervision
• Require a one-year post-certification support period
• Offer coaching tools and protected supervision time
• Give stipends for supervision training completions

IX. Resources and References

• Brown, T., Smith, J., Lee, A., & Rodriguez, P. (2023). Behavior Analysis in Practice
• Hayes, S. C., et al. (2001). Relational Frame Theory
• Fisher, W. W., et al. (2011). Handbook of ABA
• Iwata, B. A., et al. (1994). Functional Analysis of SIB
• BACB Supervisor Training Curriculum
• Supervision Log Templates

X. What’s Next in the “First Year Essentials” Series

We’re launching into a curated list of 12 must-read articles for new BCBAs. These episodes will boost your confidence in ethics, data-driven decisions, and treatment integrity. Stay tuned, and let’s keep growing—together.

Thank you for joining the finale of our supervision series!