Leadership in ABA: Building Values, Managing Relationships, and Driving Progress with Martin Myers
In this episode of 3 Pie Squared - ABA Business Leaders , we’re joined by Martin Myers , BCBA and Chief Strategy Officer at Grateful Care ABA. Martin shares his expertise in leadership, values-driven management, and the importance of fostering relationships to support staff retention and sustainable ABA practices.
Whether you’re leading an ABA team or starting your practice, Martin’s insights on ABA practice management and setting expectations provide actionable takeaways that drive real progress.
Key Insights on ABA Leadership and Management
1. Prioritize Clear Expectations and...
Check Out Our Other Articles
Finding Joy in the Journey
Two Truths and a Wake-Up Call: Medicaid Cuts, Treatment Intensity, and the Future of ABA - Live discussion today at 8 AM Eastern
The Real Impact of Medicaid Cuts on ABA Therapy: What Providers and Families Need to Know
Quality Is a Choice: What Treatment Intensity Says About Who We Are in ABA
3 Things We Thought Would Be Easier!
Celebrating Mothers (and Everyone Else Who Deserves a Break): 50% Off the ABA Business Leaders Platform This Weekend Only!
Experts, X-Rays, and Indiana Drama: Live discussion today at 9:00 AM Eastern
Who Gets to Speak in ABA—and What Does That Say About Us?
Indiana Is Back in the News: What ABA Providers Need to Know About the State’s Latest Push for Cost Controls
How Applied Behavior Analysis Can Improve Healthcare Systems
Dealing with workplace drama!
🧩 Trends, Truths & Turning Points: What’s Shaping Autism and Behavioral Health in 2025
Arkansas Mom Releases Powerful Children’s Book on Autism and Mealtime Struggles
“What are we really doing here?”: The Push to Standardize Quality in Autism Therapy
Behavioral Health Deal Volume Up 53% in Early 2025: What This Means for ABA Practices
The Growing Gap in Autism and IDD Care: Why the Industry Must Scale Ethically and Strategically
Should a BCBA Always Own the Clinic? Maybe Not.
Staff, Tariffs, and RFK Jr.: What ABA Companies Need to Know Right Now - Live today at 8 AM Eastern!
ABA Staff Turnover Is Still Out of Control — Here’s What the Data Says
How the New Tariffs Could Impact ABA Businesses (And What You Can Do About It)
RFK Jr.’s Autism Registry Proposal: Understanding the Implications for ABA Companies
How Margin Keepers Can Help You Master Payroll & Financial Planning
Quality over Quantity- Is more supervision always better?
Denials, Audits & Billing Headaches: ABA News Roundup – April 14, 2025
Nebraska Issues New ABA Medicaid Service Definitions Amid Federal Audit Scrutiny
Concerns Grow Over Insurance Misuse of Medically Unlikely Edits (MUEs) in ABA Therapy Denials
Federal Audit Finds $56 Million in Improper Medicaid Payments for ABA Therapy in Indiana
UnitedHealthcare’s Strategy to Limit ABA Therapy Raises Alarm in the Autism Community
It’s Time to Get Real: ABA Business Owner Burnout
From Policy Shifts to Legal Hits: ABA News Roundup – April 7, 2025 - Live event today at 11AM Eastern!
Texas Recognizes QABA® for Behavior Analyst Licensure
Maryland Clinic Settles HIPAA Violations After Ransomware Attack
New York’s Proposed Medicaid Cuts Raise Concerns for Autism Services
Massachusetts Expands ABA Therapy Coverage to Children with Down Syndrome
Indiana’s Updated Medicaid Policy for ABA Therapy: What You Need to Know
Expanding to a Clinic? Do this first!
From Big Deals to Big Trouble: ABA Business News - March 31, 2025
The truth behind the client and staff cancellations
Top ABA Headlines
Local Owner Highlight- When to scale your ABA Business
Understanding the journey- Improving caregiver relationships with Melanie Thurston
How Effective Bookkeeping Ensures Payroll Stability and Helps You Retain ABA Staff
The Importance of Bookkeeping Services for ABA Business Owners
Mastering Marketing – Local Outreach Done Right
How to Scale Your ABA Business
You Just Closed Your ABA Company... Now What?
Building the Future of Small ABA Businesses – Join Us in This Mission
Red Flags in ABA Service Providers
Coaching Session- Discussing Onboarding with a New Owner
Would You Rather: Hiring in ABA
Grow your own BCBAs vs. hiring- What you need to know
Aligning Leadership with Values: Behavioral Intelligence in ABA with Dr. Paul Gavoni
ABA Accreditation: Compliance or Commitment to Quality?
AI meets clinical decision making- Using AI to improve patient outcomes- with Amanda Ralston
Comprehensive Updates to ABA Practice Handbooks: Enhanced Policies, Compliance, and ACQ Standards Integration
Leadership, transparency, and collaboration in ABA organizations, with Jennifer Heidt
Building Better Care; Public Policy and Staff Empowerment
Free RBT Training for Your ABA Team This Holiday Season!
Innovating ABA Practice with AI Solutions
How can we help? Using ACT with Meg Solomon.
Building Resilience in ABA Practices: Lessons in Staffing, Billing, and Growth
Flash Sale: 6 Months Free Access to Our ABA Business Leaders Training Platform for 25 Companies!
I Hate My Job: Exploring Real Solutions
I Hate My Job: Reaction to Posts
I Hate My Job: Real Stories of Ethical Dilemmas in ABA
Introducing the New ABA Business Leaders Training Platform
I Hate My Job: Voicing the Frustrations of ABA Professionals
Introducing Our New Self-Paced Courses: Revenue Cycle Management & Effective Hiring with Indeed
CPABA Conference: A Path Forward for the Field - Get a 10% Discount!
Empower & Thrive: Registration Extended Until October 7 - 50% off!
Exciting New Coaching Opportunity for 3 Pie Squared ABA Business Leaders!
Free Download! Discover Essential Tax Compliance Tips with MarginKeepers
Why Stephen is Excited About the CPABA Conference 2024 - Discount just for you! -
3 Pie Squared Partners with Happy Medium RBT to Offer a Revolutionary 40-Hour RBT Training
Maximizing Recruitment with Indeed: How to Find the Right Candidates Without Breaking the Bank
Empathetic Leadership in ABA: Supporting Our Techs
Five Weeks of Wisdom: Bite-Sized Insights from 3 Pie Squared
Introducing the ABA Business Leaders Training Platform
Free Download! Boost Your Established ABA Practice with MarginKeepers' Essential Accounting Tips
Inside the World of ABA Audits and Legal Guidance with Kim Mack Rosenberg, Esq.
Ethical Practices for ABA Testimonials and Reviews with Dr. Jon Bailey
Navigating Growth and Challenges in ABA Business with Alecia Barrett
For a limited time, buy any of our handbooks and get our Business Leaders Membership for 75% off!
Collaboration in ABA: Strengthening Connections Among ABA Business Owners
"I Hate My Job" Series Kickoff: Discussing Burnout and Unethical Practices in the ABA Field
Top Five Essentials for Your Company Policies
Discount Ends Tomorrow – Last Chance to Get 20% Off Our Comprehensive ABA Billing Training Series!
Mastering Digital Marketing for ABA Practices with Reece from Reputation Elevation
Navigating ABA Business Growth: Consultation with Alecia Barrett
Unlock Your Billing Potential: Our New ABA Billing Course and Free ABA Billing Tips!
Navigating Company Policies: A Blueprint for ABA Practices
Free Chart of Accounts: Optimize Your Bookkeeping with MarginKeepers
Safeguarding Integrity: Proactive Strategies to Mitigate Billing Fraud in ABA Therapy
Steering Clear of Fraud: Mastering Insurance Billing in ABA Practice
From Overwhelm to Strategy: The Journey of an ABA Business Leader
Beyond the Startup: Common Mistakes by Seasoned ABA Business Owners
Essential Elements of an Employee Handbook for ABA Practices
Don’t Do That!: Avoiding Common Missteps in Your ABA Practice
Pre-Hire Power: The Critical Importance of an Employee Handbook for ABA Practices
Integrating Art into ABA Therapy: A Conversation with Natasha Bouchillon
Why a Client Handbook is Crucial Before Starting ABA Services
🥧 Grab a Slice of Success: Pi Day Flash Sale! 🎉
Why Should I Get a Client Handbook Before I Start Seeing Clients?
Financial Insights for ABA Practices: Free Chart of Accounts from MarginKeepers!
Navigating Authentic Copywriting in ABA Services: Insights and Innovations
Big Changes to the Podcast!
Get Free Expert Consulting for Your ABA Business on Our Podcast – Apply Now!
Navigating the Credentialing Conundrum: Insights from ABA Leaders
Navigating ADA Compliance: Essential Insights for ABA Business Owners
Nurturing Success: The Interplay Between Company and Team Dynamics
🌟 Dive Into the World of Sleep with Dr. Emily Ice: A Podcast Episode Not to Miss 🌜
A little late but our update is here!
Maximizing Your ABA Practice’s Potential: The Power of Bookkeeping with MarginKeepers
33% Off ABA Business Leaders for the Next 25 People!
Client Hours Discussion with April, Mallory Stinger, and Jennifer Helton
Improving Quality Through Accreditation: A Discussion with Erick Dubuque, Director of ACQ
Optimize Your ABA Practice with the Case Load Utilization Tool - 50% until Friday!
Black Friday Special - Rate Negotiations 2.0 - Elevating Your Practice with Provider Rate Resources
Navigating Medical Necessity with Dan and Mike from ABA on Tap
Upcoming Podcast with Erick Dubuque, Director of ACQ & Exciting News on How We Can Help Companies Navigate This New Standard! 🌟🎙️
Partnering with MarginKeepers, Co.: A Game Changer for Your ABA Practice
Celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with a Bang: 50% Off ABA Business Leaders Membership and Earn 33.5 CEUs!
Empowering Change: Insights from New BCBA Business Owners
Founding a Nonprofit Practice with Susan Habchy
ABA Business Amazon List
De-Stress & Avoid ABA Burnout with a Relaxing Post-Work Routine
Three Common Struggles of a New ABA Practice
Benefits of Outsourcing with 3 Pie Squared
Why 3 Pie Squared
The Essential List for a Successful Business
2019 Satisfaction Survey results
The Cost of RBT Turnover
What You Need to Know About HIPAA
Podcast with Dr. Becca Tagg
Run Your Therapy Business Like a Well-Oiled Machine!
How to Grow Your Practice
Training
Martin emphasizes the importance of setting expectations early. Antecedent interventions like detailed onboarding, proactive training, and consistent feedback are crucial to success. Without this clarity, common challenges like incomplete session notes and staff turnover can arise.
2. Build Relationships That Matter
“ABA professionals are relationally driven,” says Martin. Successful ABA practice management prioritizes relationships between BCBAs, RBTs, and staff.
- Know your team’s values.
- Make time for genuine, human connections.
- Avoid treating staff as “warm bodies” and foster environments where they feel valued.
Martin encourages ABA leaders to pair themselves with the reinforcers that matter most to their staff: connection, purpose, and recognition.
3. Define Your Company’s Values
Martin suggests starting with what you won’t accept as a company:
- High caseloads? Unacceptable.
- Limited supervision? A non-starter.
By defining these boundaries, you lay the foundation for strong, values-driven leadership.
4. Support BCBA and RBT Growth
BCBAs are not only behavior analysts but also managers . Martin advocates for better support and training to develop these leadership skills. Tools like BXMastery.com provide practical resources for BCBAs navigating caseloads, sequencing goals, and managing staff.
“The science of ABA is strong, but the science of service delivery is still evolving.” – Martin Myers
About Martin Myers
Martin Myers is a BCBA with nearly 15 years of experience across private equity, mid-sized companies, and small ABA practices. As Chief Strategy Officer at Grateful Care ABA, Martin combines his leadership expertise with his passion for supporting ABA providers. He is also the creator of BXMastery.com, a goal library offering over 4,000 sequenced skills for BCBAs.
For additional insights, Martin shares weekly reflections through his blog, Flat Rock Weekly , focusing on caseload management and leadership strategies.
Key Takeaways for ABA Leaders
- Set clear expectations and provide consistent feedback.
- Build values-driven systems that prioritize relationships.
- Equip BCBAs with leadership and management tools.
- Support staff growth through authentic, meaningful connections.
Resources for ABA Business Leaders
Starting a practice or improving your existing systems? Explore these resources:
- Free ABA Startup Checklist: Ensure you have everything needed for success. Download here.
- 3 Pie Squared Membership: Access exclusive resources and support for ABA business leaders. Join here.
Listen to the Full Podcast
For the full conversation with Martin Myers, visit the 3 Pie Squared - ABA Business Leaders podcast. Gain actionable insights on driving progress, supporting staff, and leading values-based ABA practices.
