You’ve poured time, energy, and dedication into earning your education and experience as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Congratulations! But now that you have the credentials, a fundamental question remains: What comes next?
Where will you choose to apply your knowledge, find your professional niche, and continue to expand your scope of practice?
Personally, I believe the answer is intimately connected to your current season of life. The first, and most crucial step is to dedicate time to honest reflection. Take stock of your clinical strengths, identify areas for growth, and—most importantly—acknowledge your personal needs. An honest self-assessment of what you need to truly thrive is the foundation for your next professional move.
The best part about this journey? You are not stuck in any one choice. Every setting you embrace will add unique value and profoundly shape your ability to practice.
Let’s explore some common environments for BCBAs, framed through the lens of personal experience and professional growth:
The Clinic Setting: A Hub for Collaboration and Intensive Growth
Early in my career, I started as a technician in a clinic setting. For me, this was a pragmatic choice as much as a clinical one, as it was near my child’s preschool resulting in minimal driving. Professionally, the clinic provided an environment rich with collaboration, daily engagement with peers, and continuous, intensive growth in my ABA skills.
A clinic is an ideal setting if you prioritize direct mentorship, consistent routines, and high-frequency peer interaction.
The School Setting: Mastering Generalization and System Collaboration
Later, my professional journey led me to the schools. This placement was perfectly timed with my family life, affording me summers off to be home with my children—I was generally off when they were off.
Working within a school system provided invaluable experience in critical areas: understanding how teachers implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), identifying what is truly manageable within a busy classroom environment, and mastering how to set realistic expectations with families when transitioning skills into an academic setting.
The In-Home Setting: Deep Functional Application
The in-home setting offers a unique experience, demanding that you apply the principles of ABA in the most functional, individualized way possible.
Here, the focus is deeply centered on the family unit, requiring flexibility in programming approach, rapport-building, and the ability to generalize skills across the natural environment. You become an integrated part of the family’s daily routine, which is immensely rewarding but also requires a high level of clinical adaptability.
Telehealth: Flexibility Meets Clinical Challenge
The rapid pivot to telehealth, accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, proved to be a transformative shift. While it instantly increased my scheduling flexibility and allowed me to be home, it presented a significant clinical challenge. It forced me to refine my skills in coaching, data collection, and family engagement remotely, often resulting in deeper engagement with families who appreciated the convenience.
Finding Your Next Season
Ultimately, your BCBA journey is a professional marathon, not a sprint. Just as the seasons change, so too will your needs, your strengths, and the ideal environment for you to practice. Treat each professional opportunity as a valuable chapter. Reflect on what you gained from your previous roles, and use that wisdom to inform your next choice.
Whether you need the structure and consistent mentorship of a clinic setting, the collaborative challenge of a school, the intimacy of an in-home setting, or the flexibility of telehealth, the perfect setting for your current season is waiting. The key is self-awareness, knowing what you value in your workplace, and a willingness to evolve and utilize the tools provided to you.
About the Author: Stephanie Gehringer is a Director of Clinical Services at Centria. She enjoys working with clinicians and collaborating on case conceptualization, functional living skills, and client autonomy. In her free time she enjoys traveling with friends and game nights with her children.
