What does an ABA Therapist do?
Behavior therapists provide mental health treatment and support, with an emphasis on identifying and changing learned behaviors that may be negatively impacting the client’s life. They treat people with a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, phobias, addictions, and panic disorders. These professionals provide counseling, develop a treatment plan, and recommend strategies to help minimize symptoms or episodes. Therapists often focus on certain specialty areas, such as providing marriage counseling or treating children in an educational setting.
Behavior therapists work at different levels that each have specific educational requirements – a bachelor’s degree is needed at a minimum, although many roles require advanced degrees which also involve clinical work in the field. Licensing requirements vary by state. These roles require extensive knowledge of behavior therapy techniques and practices, and experience working with a clientele with a diverse range of mental health needs.
- Collect, record, and summarize data on observable client behavior.
- May assist in the planning and implementation of individualized behavior support plans.
- Assist in the provision of behavioral health services and safety support for patients.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work and therapy environment.
- Ensure the development and implementation of an effective care delivery system.
- Serve as a liaison with family members, therapists and other key treatment team members.
- Collaborate with clinical and support teams to enhance client progress.
- Prepare and analyze reports, make presentations and maintain records.
- Conduct formal risk assessments and identify the need for crisis plans, if necessary.
- Conduct case management to ensure clients have the proper support.
- Provide coordination and oversight of the crisis counselors' plans of service.
- Frequent ongoing mentorship and support while in the field.
- Supervising staff and student interns, as appropriate to licensure.
- Document individual goals and track client progress, noting any drastic changes. report findings to superiors.
- Serve as the primary provider of social skills instruction and character development to students on the assigned campus.
- Facilitate team meetings, case conferences, and other meetings as assigned.
- Conduct discrete trials and implement behavior, support, and treatment plans.
- Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in behavioral sciences, counseling, social sciences or psychology and equivalent experience.
- Prior consulting experience.
- BCBA or BCAT training and certification.
- A critical thinker and problem solver.
- Ability to pay attention to detail and collaborate with various teams and specialists.
- Can advocate for clients using analysis services and professionalism.
- Strong time management and problem solving skills.
- Has a positive attitude and professionalism during interactions.
- Conduct motivational interviews and keep a detailed logbook.
- Adaptive to the client/patient and revolving needs that arise.
ABA Therapist Salaries
Average Base Pay
ABA Therapist Career Path
Learn how to become an ABA Therapist, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
ABA Therapist Insights
Swank Early Skills Development“Really positive and caring people who work with me to do my best work and be my best self”
Intercare Therapy“Supervisors are amazing and really try to support you to the best of their abilities.”
Patterns Behavioral Services“This was a tough job because I didn’t get enough work and there were constant cancellation that were unpaid.”
Early Autism Project“Great company and i was able to learn a lot about ABA therapy as well autism as a whole”
Kyo“Everyone is very nice and I do not feel judged when I do not know something.”
Utah Behavior Services“This was unpaid but expected of you and I was never told of any mileage reimbursement.”
Discover Hope Behavioral Solutions“Being with my clients was so fun and great to see their progress and I will always remember my time with them.”
Action Behavior Centers - ABA Therapy for Autism“The bonus is a bit unclear and I am not sure when we get it.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of behavior therapists
Behavior therapists spend their workday treating patients by helping them implement healthier thought processes and behavior patterns. Their most common daily tasks include meeting new patients and creating treatment plans, meeting current patients to discuss progress and new potential approaches, as well as documenting session notes and patient treatment plans.
Behavioral therapy is a fulfilling and rewarding career for many professionals. They make an impact by helping people create more success in their lives and improve their interpersonal relationships. Becoming a behavioral therapist can offer many opportunities for personal growth and development.
Behavior therapists are well paid, with an average salary for a behavior analyst in the U.S. of ₹2,31,850 per year. Salaries can increase with experience, and opportunities to become a lead or senior behavior therapist may also lead to salary increases.
Like most positions, the working as a behavior therapist can be challenging at times. It can be emotionally draining to work with clients and watch them struggle to work through their issues, but it's also extremely rewarding to experience clients' breakthroughs and success.