What If You Don’t Like Your BCBA as an RBT?
Heyyy BCBA Ruby here,
Let’s be real—sometimes, you just don’t vibe with your BCBA. Maybe their supervision style feels off, you’re not getting the support you need, or you just don’t feel heard as an RBT. If you’re in this situation, know that you’re not alone—and more importantly, you have options.
So, what can you do if you don’t like your BCBA? Let’s talk about it.
🚩 Signs That Your BCBA Relationship Isn’t Working
Not every BCBA-RBT relationship is going to be perfect, but there are certain red flags that could signal a deeper issue:
❌ Lack of support – You feel like you’re constantly guessing what to do without proper feedback or guidance.
❌ Minimal communication – Your BCBA is hard to reach, gives unclear instructions, or doesn’t take time to check in with you.
❌ No collaboration – Your thoughts and observations aren’t considered, even though you’re the one working directly with the client.
❌ Overly critical (but not constructive) – Supervision feels like a constant list of what you’re doing wrong, without real guidance on how to improve.
❌ Ethical concerns – You notice things that seem unethical, like pushing goals that don’t benefit the client or ignoring concerns from parents and staff.
If you’re experiencing one (or more) of these, it’s okay to acknowledge that this isn’t the supervision you need.
💬 What Can You Do?
🔹 Communicate First
Before jumping to conclusions, try having an honest conversation with your BCBA. Let them know what you need more of—whether it’s clearer feedback, more guidance, or better collaboration.
🔹 Seek Support Elsewhere
If talking to your BCBA doesn’t help, consider reaching out to other BCBAs in your company, an RBT mentor, or even online RBT communities for advice.
🔹 Document Your Concerns
If you notice consistent ethical or professional concerns, write them down. Keeping a record can help you decide your next steps and provide evidence if you ever need to report something.
🔹 Know That You Can Switch Supervisors
In some cases, the best move might be to request a different BCBA. This is YOUR career, and you deserve a supervisor who will support and guide you in a way that works for you.
💡 Final Thoughts
Not every BCBA is a great fit, and that’s okay! What matters is that you advocate for yourself and find the right support to grow in your role as an RBT. A good BCBA should uplift and guide you, not make you feel unsupported or unheard.
Have you ever struggled with a BCBA-RBT relationship? What helped you navigate it? Let’s chat in the comments! 💙✨
