The Weight I Carried Alone… Until I Didn’t 🫴

How Asking for Help Reshaped My Resilience and Restored My Energy as an RBT

Hi, my name is Alyssa Anton! I am a recent graduate of St. Cloud State University, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. From a young age, I knew I had a passion for working with children and that it was something I wanted to pursue long-term. When I became involved in the field of psychology and began searching for work, I was immediately drawn to becoming an RBT. It felt like the perfect role to combine my passion for creating enriching environments where children can learn and grow with my interest in expanding my knowledge of human behavior. Outside of work, I love going to country concerts, camping, and traveling!

I started my role as an RBT with no prior knowledge of what ABA was or what the day-to-day responsibilities of an RBT looked like. When I began, I was excited, motivated, and admittedly a little naive. I was eager to jump in and make a difference in the lives of these children and their families. What I didn’t realize was how much this role would teach me, not just about the work itself, but about patience, boundaries, burnout, resilience, and even myself.

The biggest lesson I learned the hard way, which pushed me out of my comfort zone and ultimately made me a better RBT, was to ask for help. This may sound obvious, especially since it's something you hear frequently in training and meetings. However, for me, the idea of asking for help felt extremely uncomfortable. I believed that it would be seen as a sign of weakness or incompetence, that others might think I wasn’t capable or qualified to do my job.

“The biggest lesson I learned…was to ask for help.”

About Me

My academic & professional experiences have fueled my passion for understanding human behavior, mental health, and the criminal justice system, particularly in the intersection of mental illness and justice-involved individuals on probation.

I remember some of the hardest moments on the job, especially during intense client behaviors, whether it was aggression, self-injury, or property destruction, etc. The weight of trying to manage it all alone felt overwhelming. On days when I was too embarrassed to ask for help, I would walk away from sessions holding back tears, exhausted and defeated.

But with the hard moments came the good ones. Even when I was too timid to reach out, there were so many times when support came rushing in. Whether coworkers heard something from down the hall, happened to pass by, or just peeked their heads around the corner, if they sensed something was off, they never hesitated to step in. They’d immediately ask, “Do you need a break?” “How can I help?” “Are you okay?” Regardless of how intense the situation was or how long a break I needed, someone was always there, no questions asked. 

It took many check-ins and hard days for me to realize that the tough moments don’t have to be carried alone. It's more than okay to ask for help. 

This role can come with challenges, sometimes even whole days that feel heavy, but it’s not meant to be a solo effort. You don’t earn extra medals for how long you go without asking for support. In fact, asking for help can rejuvenate the energy and attitude you bring to your clients. They deserve the best version of you, just as much as you deserve to feel like the best version of yourself when the day is done.

Every day in this role brings new challenges and small victories. Some sessions are filled with laughter and breakthroughs, while others test your emotional and physical limits. But no matter the kind of day, the work we do is meaningful. It's about building trust, shaping lives, and often learning just as much from our clients as they learn from us.

“You don’t earn extra medals for how long you go without asking for support”

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