Webinars

The Power of Partnership: Cultivating Professional Collaboration in Behavior Analysis

Thursday, April 24, 2025

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EDT)

Hosted on Zoom

Event Details

Abstract

As the field of behavior analysis continues to expand its presence in healthcare, BCBAs must embrace a collaborative mindset to enhance both individual and collective impact.

This presentation explores the concept of "ensemble thinking"—a perspective drawn from musicians who set aside personal identity for the sake of creating harmonious experiences. Similarly, BCBAs must recognize the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and the shared responsibility of patient care.

This session will define professionalism in behavior analysis, highlight the benefits of working alongside other professionals, and examine how BCBAs are perceived when they take a seat at the table. We will explore effective communication strategies to foster more productive and meaningful collaborations. Additionally, we will discuss the profession's global trajectory and the willingness of BCBAs to balance autonomy with interdisciplinary teamwork.

By embracing a collective approach, behavior analysts can expand their influence, improve patient outcomes, and elevate the field’s standing in the broader professional landscape.

Learning Objectives

Define professionalism within the field of behavior analysis and explore its role in interdisciplinary collaboration.
Identify strategies for fostering mutually beneficial relationships with professionals in related disciplines, specifically healthcare.
Examine how BCBAs are perceived in interdisciplinary settings and develop approaches to improve communication, including reducing jargon.
Discuss the importance of ensemble thinking and shared care models in enhancing patient outcomes.

This webinar offers 1.0 BACB Learning CEU.

Cost

CASP Members - free
non-members - $20

Presenters

Breanne Hartley, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA

Dr. Breanne Hartley is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst at the Doctoral level with extensive experience working with patients on the autism spectrum and their families. She currently functions as the President and Chief Clinical Officer of UNIFI Autism Care. Throughout her career in executive roles, she has led the design and implementation of systems and treatments for individuals with autism across their lifespan. As a recognized leader in behavior analysis, she frequently speaks nationally on practical approaches for clinicians in the field. Dr. Hartley also serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and has contributed to key initiatives, including the inaugural standards setting committee for the Autism Commission on Quality and as an instructor of the ABA Supervisor Training Program for the Council of Autism Service Providers.

Steven Merahn, MD FAAP

Steven Merahn, MD FAAP is a veteran physician-executive and a recognized thought leader in systems-based practice and population health, with a special focus on clinical integration to overcome health disparities in populations and communities with complex health-related needs. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of UNIFI Autism care, and is a member of the Autism Subcommittee of the American Academy (AAP) of Pediatrics Council on Children with Disabilities, as well as the only physician on the Standards Committee of the Autism Commission on Quality of the Council of Autism Services Providers (CASP). He was the invited keynote speaker at the 2025 Autism meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysts International (ABAI) and has delivered presentations at the annual meetings of CASP and the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, and is the co-author of the chapter on Behavior Analysis and Public Policy in the upcoming revision of Clinical and Organizational Applications of Behavior Analysis (Roane & Falcomata, eds).