Emily Waddell, MA, BCBA, LBA

Should I become an LPC Supervisor? The answer: maybe… 👇 In Texas alone we have over 6,000 (yes, SIX THOUSAND) LPC Supervisors. And there’s still a need for many more! So, should you become a Supervisor? If you like working with newly licensed therapists and helping them navigate the first few years of licensure, supervision might be for you. If you like teaching and advocating for the profession, supervision might be for you. If you want to help give back to the profession, supervision might be for you. If you want an additional revenue stream in your practice, supervision might be for you. If you like staying informed and learning new things, supervision may be for you. There’s many other reasons, but if you’re considering becoming an LPC Supervisor in Texas and have questions, please reach out and I’m happy to help.

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#appliedbehavioranalysis is a growing field which has guidelines for ethical and #bestprsctices but that need yet to be defined for precision. Moreover, as this is a human service, no one size fits all. We as RBTs always struggle to make ourselves heard for the potential benefits of the clients, because we work under a supervisory hierarchy. I totally resonate with the following post. I want to #BeTheChange I want to see, hence I am becoming a BCBA and eventually will pave my own path

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Autism is a complex and diverse disorder, and early intervention can make all the difference. In this article, I talk about the importance of ABA therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis) for children with autism, a scientifically proven method to help shape positive behaviors and improve developmental outcomes. It's crucial to remember that each child is unique, and the right approach can lead to a brighter, more empowered future for them. Let's continue spreading awareness and support for autism!

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I've officially been a BCBA for a full year! Here's what I've learned in my first year: 1) Advocate for yourself just like you would your clients. In this field, BCBAs tend to be overworked, underappreciated, and under compensated. We overextend ourselves to the point of burnout and then feel guilt when we do because of our clients depending on us. If you don't stand up for yourself and draw those boundaries, they may very well be crossed. 2) Recognize when to say enough is enough. Once you hit burnout, you may walk away and not come back. Look for signs that you're hitting that threshold. You can't pour from an empty cup. 3) Self-care is more than a spa day and sleep. Self-care can also be recognizing your worth and not settling for anything less. Self-care can be putting yourself and your/your family's needs above what your work wants. Self-care can, and should, be work-life balance. Even if you're pouring into an empty cup, it'll never fill if there's a hole in the bottom. 4) Find a company that fits your needs and career goals. Do not settle for the first offer you get. Look at the billable hours. See if they have a noncompete and how it could affect you. What does the caseload look like? Is there room for growth? Could you see yourself here in 5 years? 5) Even though you're in the practice, don't forget the science. I feel like we've almost all lost ourselves in this at one time or another with 85% of BCBAs working in autism care. I've found myself drowning in ARDs/IEP goals, initial and progress treatment plans, and the motions of supervision. There was a point that I felt like I was just a professional VB-MAPP and ABLLS-R administrator and goal writer. However, these are just tools to help guide your practice, not define it. 6) I don't recommend anything that I would not be comfortable doing with my own child. This is more of a personal motto I keep. As a mother of a child with ASD and a BCBA, I often find myself applying ABA principles within the home setting when my daughter is in behavior. This has been something that has helped me relate to all of my families when in family guidance. There has not been a principle or intervention that I recommend or teach parents to implement that I have not done myself with my own child. As practitioners, we have to remember a lot of these families are looking at a "right now" plan as opposed to a "down the line plan". If it's not realistic to incorporate in their day-to-day lives with ease as a parent, you may have limited follow through, and in turn decrease generalization. I am still growing in my journey, as we all are. I hope to continue to take these learning experiences and more as I enter my second year as a BCBA!

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Curious about EMDR therapy? It's a trauma treatment method involving eye movement, desensitization, and reprocessing. Created in the '80s by Francine Shapiro, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help your brain process past experiences. Imagine removing a thorn from your thumb - once it's out, your body naturally heals. EMDR works similarly for your brain, helping it process stuck memories. After treatment, people find distance from distressing experiences, reduced body tension, and clearer thoughts. It's a transformative approach to healing past wounds. 🧠💫 #EMDR #mentalhealth #healing

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