Enhancing supervisory relationships with values and committed action training

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of behavioral skills training (BST) combined with values and committed action training on the development of supervisory relationship skills in behavior analysts. A concurrent multiple baseline design across participants was used to evaluate the acquisition of skills such as sharing personal values, giving and seeking feedback, and tracking and documenting goals and actions. In addition, the impact of training on pre- and post-measures of burnout, self-compassion, ACT knowledge, and valued living was also evaluated. Results indicated that all participants achieved mastery on the supervisory relationship task analysis and increased overall ACT knowledge. In addition, there were improvements in self-reported risk of burnout, self-compassion, and valued living. Participants indicated that the training was a socially valid intervention for newly certified applied behavior analysts and reported increasing their use of these skills in their regular clinical work. Future applications and recommendations for integrating values and committed action into behavior-analytic supervision are discussed.