Red Flags to Watch for in an ABA Supervisor

Heyyy BCBA Ruby Here,

Starting your ABA fieldwork is exciting, but let’s be real—your supervision experience can make or break your journey to becoming a BCBA. A great supervisor can help you grow into a confident, ethical, and skilled clinician. But a bad supervisor? That can lead to frustration, burnout, and even gaps in your knowledge that could impact your future clients.

So, how do you know if your supervisor isn’t the right fit? Here are some major red flags to watch out for:

🚩 1. They’re Impossible to Reach

Your supervisor should be available to guide you, answer questions, and provide meaningful feedback. If they’re always too busy, taking forever to respond to emails, or barely meeting with you, that’s a problem. Supervision is supposed to be structured—not just an afterthought.

🚩 2. They Don’t Actually Teach You Anything

Good supervision isn’t just about signing off on your hours. If your supervisor isn't helping you develop your skills, walking you through case conceptualization, or challenging your clinical reasoning, you’re missing out on a huge part of your learning experience.

🚩 3. They Expect You to “Figure It Out” on Your Own

Yes, independence is important, but you're still a supervisee for a reason. If your supervisor gives vague instructions, doesn’t model interventions, or refuses to guide you when you're struggling, it’s a sign they’re not invested in your development.

🚩 4. They Cut Corners on Ethics

If your supervisor is encouraging you to count non-supervisory tasks toward your fieldwork hours, telling you to bill for services not provided, or pushing questionable practices, that’s a HUGE red flag. The last thing you want is to develop bad habits (or worse, risk ethical violations).

🚩 5. They Don’t Individualize Your Supervision

Supervision isn’t one-size-fits-all. If your supervisor is giving you the same feedback as everyone else, not considering your strengths and weaknesses, or failing to tailor their approach to your needs, you’re not getting the high-quality supervision you deserve.

🚩 6. They Make You Feel Small

Your supervisor should be challenging, not condescending. If they constantly criticize you without offering constructive feedback, dismiss your questions, or make you feel like you’re not “cut out” for the field, that’s not okay. Growth should come from guidance, not intimidation.

🚩 7. They Don’t Follow Through on Commitments

If your supervisor promises meetings but frequently cancels, says they'll give you feedback but never do, or isn’t following BACB supervision requirements, they’re not holding up their end of the deal. Your time is valuable, and your experience matters.

What Should You Do If You Spot These Red Flags?

First, advocate for yourself. Let your supervisor know what you need and see if they’re willing to adjust. But if the issues continue and you’re not getting the supervision you deserve, it may be time to find a new supervisor. Remember: your future as a BCBA depends on the foundation you build now.

Have you ever experienced red flags in supervision? Let’s chat in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 💬👇