The Beautiful (and Sometimes Awkward) Dance of BCBAs and RBTs
When I started as an RBT, I thought my BCBA was a kind of mythical creature. They seemed untouchable. Clipboards in hand, eyes full of data, moving from room to room like a wizard with a tight schedule and a million secrets. I was an RBT, barely out of training. I still walked around with my SAFMEDS in my back pocket, hoping nobody would ask me to define "motivating operation" in a sentence that made sense. I’d peek out from my therapy room like a groundhog afraid of its shadow, hoping I wouldn’t get called over for a correction or a surprise question I didn’t know how to answer. To say I was intimidated would be an understatement.
And if you’re a new RBT reading this, let me tell you: you’re not alone.
Let me tell you something. I’ve had some BCBAs who made me want to quit this field entirely. Cold and rigid. Completely uninterested in who I was as a person. I was a number on their caseload and a liability if I got something wrong.
But I’ve also had some who changed my life. One BCBA, after a particularly rough session, pulled me aside, not to correct me, but to check in.
“You good?” she asked. “That was tough. Want to debrief?”
No judgment. Just care. She gave me space to cry when I needed to. She let me figure things out without jumping in too quickly. She made me feel like a teammate, not an employee.
I also once had a BCBA burst into tears during a supervision, not because of me, but because her day had been so emotionally exhausting, and I was the only person who asked how she was holding up.
The relationship we build with our BCBAs (and vice versa) is one of the most powerful tools we have in this field. Many of us enter the field believing BCBAs are towering figures we’re supposed to impress, or worse, avoid disappointing. But the truth is that the BCBA–RBT relationship can be one of the most beautiful partnerships in the world of helping professions.
How? By recognizing you have a hand in it all from day one.
Day one is the first line in a story shaped by connection, curiosity, and every small moment in between.
It Starts on Day One
The first time you meet your BCBA, you’re not just meeting your supervisor. You’re meeting the person who might teach you to:
Stay calm when a session goes off the rails
Find the humor in a meltdown covered in shaving cream
Think critically when a behavior plan isn’t working
Celebrate victories, big and small
BCBAs set the tone from day one. If they walk into that first meeting open, smiling, and human, it changes everything. And RBTs, you have power here, too. It’s easy to assume it’s all up to the BCBA to create a connection, but you can help shape this relationship as well.
Ask about their day. Offer to share how yours went. Don’t be afraid to show your personality. Share a funny joke you heard or mention the incredible recipe you tested the night before. Your BCBA is a human being, not a data robot (even if they sometimes sound like one).
It’s Not Just About Behavior Plans
One of the biggest mistakes in our field is assuming the BCBA–RBT relationship is purely clinical. Yes, we’re here for data, interventions, and outcomes. But we’re also:
Humans who sometimes forget to eat lunch
Professionals trying not to take work stress home
People who occasionally feel overwhelmed and question themselves
Good RBTs:
Let their BCBAs know when they’re struggling
Bring ideas to the table instead of waiting to be told what to do
Show compassion and patience, even when the BCBA is swamped
Remember that learning goes both ways
Good BCBAs:
Check in on how you’re doing emotionally
Praise you when you handle a tough session
Admit when they don’t have all the answers
Teach you how to problem-solve instead of just correcting you
The Magic Is in the Middle
The Magic is In the Middle
The best BCBA–RBT relationships I’ve seen are partnerships where the BCBA trusts the RBT to handle challenges creatively. The RBT feels safe admitting mistakes without fear of judgment. And for both, they share a laugh after a chaotic session and remember that we’re in this work because we care about people. When this relationship clicks, it changes everything, not just for us, but for the clients and families we serve.
Lessons for New RBTs
If you’re new to this field, here’s what I wish someone had told me:
Your BCBA wants you to succeed.
It’s okay to ask questions, even “silly” ones.
The best learning happens when you admit what you don’t know.
A BCBA isn’t there to “catch you messing up.” They’re there to help you grow.
Be honest about your comfort levels with clients and interventions.
Remember that kindness goes both ways.
Get to know the human with the credentials. Ask them how they like to work with their RBTs, what it looks like when they feel overwhelmed, and what their favorite snack is.
And to the BCBAs:
The RBTs are the lifeblood of our work.
Take the time to connect on a human level, first.
Ask them how they’re doing outside of the data sheets.
Celebrate them. They’re the reason your plans work in real life.
Don’t ignore their messages. If you can’t respond immediately, let them know at least that. It calms their anxiety and fear that they just asked something “stupid.”
A Field Built on People
At the end of the day, ABA isn’t just about behavior.
It’s about people. And the BCBA–RBT relationship is one of the most important pieces of that puzzle. So let’s keep it human. Let’s keep it kind. Let’s keep it collaborative.
And let’s remember that sometimes, the best therapy session starts with a high-five, a shared joke, or simply the words:
“Hey, how are you doing today?”
That’s where the real magic begins.
About the Author
Lee Courrau is a seasoned RBT with over six years of experience creating transformative social skills programs for children on the spectrum. As the creator of The Social Pathway Curriculum, Lee is passionate about helping providers turn uninspired groups into experiences that are fun, functional, and deeply impactful.
The Social Pathway Curriculum (Preview Pack)
The Social Pathway Curriculum is a play-based, ABA-informed curriculum designed to help providers run powerful and engaging social skills groups for children. With 36 weeks of structured activities, functional skills lessons, and built-in protocols, it gives BCBAs and RBTs everything they need to create meaningful progress in a group setting. Built by a seasoned ABA professional, it helps providers move beyond drills and build real social connection.
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bjaOXzUWGSmRKyssFgat4P-TQclTtIHO/view?usp=sharing
The Social Skills Group Audit
The Social Skills Group Audit is a free, high-impact tool designed to help ABA providers evaluate the effectiveness of their social groups. It highlights strengths, uncovers common pitfalls, and offers a roadmap for improving session structure, goals, and outcomes. Perfect for clinics, summer programs, and afterschool groups looking to raise the bar.
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tSIxMWvJCKe_NNV29gEr6pB0EM8-x6WR/view?usp=sharing
A Note to Readers:
Are you an RBT with a story to share? Your voice matters - and your experience could inspire, encourage, or empower someone else on their journey. I’d love to hear from you! Use the contact form below to get in touch.
*Disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog are my own (Functionally Speaking ABA) and do not reflect the views of UNMC
