How ACT Can Transform ABA Practices: Insights from Meg Solomon Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is more than just a therapeutic model—it’s a framework that helps individuals align their actions with deeply held values. In the latest episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts April and Stephen sit down with Meg Solomon, founder and lead BCBA of ABA Across Environments, to explore how ACT is reshaping ABA practices. From her beginnings in corporate and culinary fields to becoming a BCBA, Meg’s journey is filled with lessons about resilience, values-driven leadership, and creating sustainable change. Meg emphasizes the importance of using ACT not only with clients but also within ABA teams and caregiver interactions. Here’s how ACT principles can elevate your practice: 1. ACT for Staff Well-Being Meg shares actionable strategies to address staff burnout by embedding mindfulness and values-based leadership into the organizational culture. "If we aren’t taking care of our staff, we aren’t truly serving our clients," she explains. ACT can help staff reflect on their own values and align their work with personal and professional goals. 2. Enhancing Parent Collaboration Caregiver training is central to Meg’s approach. She stresses the importance of listening to parents and integrating ACT principles to support their growth. From guided self-reflection to structured action plans, her strategies help caregivers overcome barriers and build sustainable routines. 3. Creating an ACT-Infused ABA Framework Meg encourages ABA business owners to start with introspection. Training leaders and supervisors in ACT helps create an environment where employees and caregivers feel supported. She shares tools and techniques for embedding ACT principles into daily operations, fostering alignment and reducing conflict within teams. Start Your ACT Journey Implementing ACT takes time, but its potential to transform ABA practices is profound. Meg’s approach is a powerful reminder that aligning science with empathy creates better outcomes for all—staff, families, and clients. Download our ABA Business Startup List to align your practice with ACT principles. Join the ABA Business Leaders community to access exclusive resources.

Building Resilience in ABA Practices: Lessons in Staffing, Billing, and Growth In the ever-evolving field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), practice owners face a unique set of challenges, from navigating staffing shortages to managing billing cycles and ensuring sustainable growth. Recently, four prominent ABA leaders came together to share their experiences and insights during a panel discussion. Their stories illuminate not just the struggles but also the solutions that can guide others toward building a resilient and thriving practice. Key Challenges ABA Practices Face 1. Staffing Shortages and Turnover Deric Toney, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, shared a vivid account of losing half his staff within a single week due to life events. His advice? Always overprepare by maintaining a strong bench of cross-trained employees and diversifying non-billable responsibilities to keep staff engaged during downtimes. Robin Stone, BCBA, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a positive workplace culture to retain staff for the long term. 2. Credentialing and Billing Complexities Credentialing and recredentialing emerged as a nightmare scenario for many panelists. Mallory Stinger, BCBA, recounted her struggles with updating business addresses and maintaining active contracts with insurance providers. Her takeaway: Document every interaction with insurance companies, ensure regular follow-ups, and don’t underestimate the complexity of recredentialing. Jennifer Helten, BCBA, added that daily billing instead of weekly or monthly cycles significantly improved cash flow and reduced stress related to payroll. 3. Uncontrollable Life Events Life happens, and even the best-laid plans can go awry. As Stephen and April noted, building resilience into your practice is essential. By prioritizing flexibility and focusing on robust systems for hiring, training, and succession planning, ABA practice owners can mitigate the impact of unexpected events. Strategies for Success Prioritize Training: Training is the backbone of a high-quality ABA practice. Deric stressed the need for ongoing training tailored to the specific culture and practices of your organization. This ensures that staff are fully prepared to deliver services aligned with your mission and values. Be Picky in Hiring: Jennifer and Robin agreed that rushing the hiring process often leads to long-term headaches. They advised being selective, even during staffing crises, and incorporating working interviews or competency assessments into the hiring process. Stay on Top of Billing and Authorizations: Daily billing cycles and submitting authorization renewals weeks in advance can safeguard your practice’s financial health. As Jennifer noted, keeping detailed records and tracking trends in insurance payouts can further reduce stress and ensure stability. Final Thoughts The path to managing an ABA practice is not without its challenges, but with careful planning and intentional systems, practice owners can create a sustainable and fulfilling work environment. Whether you’re navigating staffing shortages, credentialing headaches, or the day-to-day demands of running a practice, these expert insights offer a roadmap for success. More Links Starting a practice or want to strengthen your established one? Download our free ABA business startup checklist here. Explore membership options with ABA Business Leaders for exclusive resources, tools, and support. Learn more here. © 2024 ABA Business Leaders. All Rights Reserved.

Flash Sale: 6 Months Free Access to Our ABA Business Leaders Training Platform for 25 Companies! We’re excited to offer an exclusive opportunity for 25 companies (up to 25 staff seats) to access our ABA Business Leaders Training Platform free for 6 months! This is a flash sale, available only until tomorrow, so don’t miss out on this chance to transform the way you train and manage your team. Coupon code ABABL25s Find Out More - Watch Here Watch the full walkthrough of our platform’s amazing features. Unlock the Full Potential of Your ABA Team with Our Comprehensive Training Platform The ABA Business Leaders Training Platform is designed to provide everything your practice needs to enhance staff productivity, streamline operations, and foster continuous growth. Here’s what members get: Access to the Extensive Training Store Gain access to a growing library of essential courses and resources tailored for every role in your practice. Highlights include: 40-Hour RBT Course: Comprehensive training to prepare staff for certification. Billing Course: Detailed guidance on ABA billing processes to ensure accuracy and compliance. Indeed Best Practices: Tips and strategies to maximize recruiting efforts and attract top talent. Social Skills Training: Tools and techniques to support effective social skills instruction. These are just a few examples of the resources available. New courses and tools are added regularly to meet the diverse needs of ABA practices. *courses are at an additional cost* Structured Job Roles and Growth Pathways Create clearly defined roles for all your team members, from RBTs to supervisors. This helps everyone understand their responsibilities and expectations while contributing to a more organized and effective team. Leveling System with Skill-Based Incentives Motivate your team with our innovative leveling system, offering: Required Skills Framework: Establish clear benchmarks and skill requirements for each level within your practice, ensuring consistent growth and development. Skill Acquisition-Based Raises: Reward staff with raises tied to the acquisition of essential skills, ensuring measurable and meaningful growth. Bonuses and Productivity Incentives: Encourage productivity and recognize high achievers with custom bonuses, fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment. These features empower your staff with a roadmap for advancement while driving the success and sustainability of your practice. How to Claim Your Free 6-Month Access Visit this page. Use coupon code ABABL25s at checkout. Gain free access for up to 25 staff seats for six months! If you need more than 25 seats please reach out to info@3piesquared.com and we will do our best to give you an extremely fair discount on the remaining seats! Act Now—Offer Ends Tomorrow! Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity to explore the full capabilities of our platform, risk-free.