The Behavior Specialist/Professional is a professional who works with children of all ages, who have behavioral problems. There is no website that explains how to become a behavior specialist, but this book will provide the information you need.
how to become a board certified assistant behavior analyst
Becoming a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) can be a major career move. You will be able to expand your practice by working with more challenging or even higher functioning individuals. Becoming a BCaBA also grants you greater credibility among psychologists and other therapists, making it easier for you to secure clients once you have completed the certification process.
how to become a behavior specialist
To become a behavior specialist or counselor, you must first decide whether you want to pursue a master’s degree or doctorate. A master’s degree allows you to work in school psychology and help the students learn how to manage their behaviors. A doctorate program gives you the skills needed to perform research in behavior analysis, so you can become an expert on how human beings behave.
What Is a Behavior Specialist? – Job Description & Training
Research the requirements and opportunities for becoming a behavioral specialist. Learn about the licensing and job growth to find out if this is the career for you.View Schools
Career Information At a Glance
A behavioral specialist can work in a variety of environments to consult, diagnose, and treat mental health and behavioral issues through individual intervention or group support. Take a look at the chart below for an overview of this field.
| Degree Required | Bachelor’s degree at minimum; occasionally a master’s degree preferred |
| Education Field of Study | Psychology, Social Work, or Mental Health Counseling |
| Key Skills | Interpersonal skills, strong communication skills, and an even temper |
| Licensure or Certification | Licensed Mental Health Counselor or Behavior Analyst credentials may be needed |
| Job Growth (2020-2030)* | 23% growth (all substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors) |
| Average Salary (2022)** | $43,661 |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), **Glassdoor.com
What Does a Behavioral Specialist Do?
A behavioral specialist is a mental health professional who evaluates and develops treatment plans for patients who pose a risk to themselves or others through their conduct. This may be done through assessment, analysis and intervention. This includes addressing the desire of the patient to correct their own behavior and adjusting treatment as necessary to facilitate recovery. There are careers both for working with adults, such as those with substance abuse addictions or prior trauma, and also with children who may have suffered abuse or developmental delays. Regardless of the age of the subject, you will often be working with families in addition to the patient.
What Kind of Background Do I Need?
Many jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related field. Some positions require a master’s degree and previous experience in behavioral management. Many states require licensure from the National Board for Certified Counselors or the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Many positions also require a clean background or fingerprint check as well.
To become a behavior specialist, you need to have a combination of education and experience. Because of the subject matter involved, many degree programs require applicants to have college courses in psychology and human development.
