When Parents Want Trauma-Informed Care, But the BCBA Doesn’t Practice It: Bridging the Gap

Heyy BCBA Ruby here!

As a BCBA, I always want to ensure that the families I work with feel heard and supported in their needs. But what happens when a parent is asking for trauma-informed care, yet your practice doesn’t currently follow those principles? This can be a tricky situation to navigate, but with the right approach, it’s possible to find a balance between the parent’s wishes and what is feasible within your practice.

Trauma-informed care is becoming increasingly recognized in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). However, not all BCBAs may be trained in or may actively practice trauma-informed care. This may lead to situations where parents want what they believe is best for their child, but the support they’re seeking is not aligned with the BCBA’s approach.

Here’s how to navigate this challenge with empathy and professionalism:

1. Understand the Parent's Concerns
   The first step is to understand exactly what the parents are asking for when they request trauma-informed care. Are they looking for specific strategies or just a general shift in how their child is treated in therapy? Take the time to listen to their concerns and ensure you are on the same page about what trauma-informed care means to them and how they believe it could benefit their child.

2. Clarify Your Practice
   If trauma-informed care isn’t part of your current practice, it’s important to be transparent with the parents about that. Share your approach and explain why it may or may not align with trauma-informed principles. Be honest and professional in acknowledging that you may not be practicing trauma-informed care but are still committed to providing the best support for their child.

3. Offer Alternatives and Compromises
   While you may not currently practice trauma-informed care, that doesn’t mean you can’t still make some adjustments to better accommodate the parent’s wishes. Offer alternative strategies that focus on creating a safe and supportive environment, or suggest other ways to approach the child’s behavior that are respectful of the parent's values. While it may not be a perfect fit, you can work with the parents to find a middle ground.

4. Refer to Other Professionals
   If the parent’s request for trauma-informed care is something you feel you can’t offer within the scope of your practice, it may be helpful to refer them to another professional who specializes in trauma-informed care. This could be another BCBA who practices this approach or a counselor who specializes in trauma. Referrals can help ensure the child’s needs are being addressed in the most effective way possible.

5. Educate Yourself and Stay Open
   Even if trauma-informed care isn’t part of your current practice, this is a great opportunity to learn more about it. There’s always room to grow, and by educating yourself about trauma-informed principles, you can be better prepared for future cases where parents request this type of care. Additionally, staying open to learning and evolving your practice will not only benefit the children and families you work with but will also enhance your professional development.

6. Build Trust and Empathy
   One of the most important things in any therapeutic relationship is trust. Parents want to know that you have their child’s best interests at heart. Approach the situation with empathy and show that you are willing to collaborate. Even if you can’t fully meet the request for trauma-informed care, parents will appreciate your honesty and commitment to finding solutions that work for their family.

7. Focus on the Child’s Best Interest
   Ultimately, everything you do as a BCBA should be focused on the child’s best interest. Whether or not trauma-informed care is part of your practice, your goal is to help the child grow and succeed. By remaining flexible and open to the parent’s needs, you are showing that you care deeply about the child’s well-being and are committed to providing the most effective and compassionate treatment.

If you find yourself in a situation where a parent is asking for trauma-informed care and it’s not part of your practice, take the time to reflect, communicate clearly, and explore ways to meet the child’s needs. You don’t have to have all the answers right away, but with empathy and collaboration, you can work together to provide the best support possible.

Until next time, stay open, stay compassionate, and always put the child first!