E8 Identify and apply interpersonal and other skills to establish and maintain professional relationships

E8 Identify and apply interpersonal and other skills (e.g., accepting feedback, listening actively, seeking input, collaborating) to establish and maintain professional relationships.

Identifying and applying interpersonal and professional skills involves using effective communication, active listening, openness to feedback, and collaboration to build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. These skills are essential for fostering trust, collaboration, and professionalism in behavior-analytic practice.

Example: A BCBA receives constructive feedback from a teacher during a meeting about a student’s behavior intervention plan. Instead of becoming defensive, the BCBA listens actively, acknowledges the teacher’s perspective, and seeks further input on how the intervention can be adjusted to better fit the classroom environment. The BCBA collaborates with the teacher to revise the plan, ensuring it meets both the teacher’s needs and the student’s goals. This collaborative, open approach helps maintain a positive professional relationship.

E. Ethical and Professional Issues

E.1. Identify and apply core principles underlying the ethics codes for BACB certificants (e.g., benefit others; treat others with compassion, dignity, and respect; behave with integrity).

E.2. Identify the risks to oneself, others, and the profession as a result of engaging in unethical behavior.

E.3. Develop and maintain competence by engaging in professional development activities (e.g., read literature, seek consultation, establish mentors).

E.4. Identify and comply with requirements for collecting, using, protecting, and disclosing confidential information.

E.5. Identify and comply with requirements for making public statements about professional activities (e.g., social media activity; misrepresentation of professional credentials, behavior analysis, and service outcomes).

E.6. Identify the conditions under which services or supervision should be discontinued and apply steps that should
be taken when transitioning clients and supervisees to another professional.

E.7. Identify types of and risks associated with multiple relationships, and how to mitigate those risks when they are unavoidable.

E.8. Identify and apply interpersonal and other skills (e.g., accepting feedback, listening actively, seeking input, collaborating) to establish and maintain professional relationships.

E.9. Engage in cultural humility in service delivery and professional relationships.

E.10. Apply culturally responsive and inclusive service and supervision activities.

E.11. Identify personal biases and how they might interfere with professional activity.

E.12. Identify and apply the legal, regulatory, and practice requirements (e.g., licensure, jurisprudence, funding, certification) relevant to the delivery of behavior analytic services.