Your First Year as a BCBA — Made Lighter
Whether you just passed your exam or you're still grinding through grad school, this is your space to grow with confidence — without the overwhelm.
Listen ... Real Talk
Not every new BCBA is looking for more jargon. (I definitely wasn’t.)
If you’ve ever felt like:
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you’re drowning in responsibilities,
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you’re second-guessing yourself at every turn, or
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you’re secretly wondering if you’re cut out for this role...
Then it’s time for something different.
Being a BCBA can feel heavy, but it doesn’t have to. You can actually enjoy your first year, feel supported, and grow into the confident leader you were trained to be.
This isn’t about textbooks. It’s about real-life readiness.
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Ditch jargon.
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Cut decision-anxiety.
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Handle tough convos with calm.
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Ship notes faster, with confidence.
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Grow into the clinician your team can rely on.
And if you're still a student or studying for your exam — take notes now, because these are the real skills you’re going to need the moment you pass.
Textbook BCBA vs. Real-Life BCBA
WAIT… DID YOU KNOW THERE’S A DIFFERENCE?
The Textbook Approach
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Full of jargon and theory
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Leaves you memorizing ethics codes instead of living them
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Doesn’t prepare you for the human side of the job
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Can leave you feeling like an imposter in real-life situations
The Real-Life Approach
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Focused on confidence, communication, and clarity
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Gives you tools, scripts, and systems you’ll actually use
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Helps you handle the emotional rollercoaster of your first year
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Makes you feel seen, supported, and ready to grow
If you’re still studying, this is the stuff the textbooks left out. And it’s exactly what will make your transition smoother.
Your first year as a BCBA doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
From this > to this....
Right now, does this sound like you?
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Feeling like you’re drowning in responsibilities, not sure what to do first
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Second-guessing every note, goal, or conversation
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Wondering if you’re even cut out for this role
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Constantly anxious you’ll make a mistake that gets noticed
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Walking into work with a clear roadmap for what to do next
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Writing notes and plans quickly, confidently, and without panic
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Handling caregiver and team conversations with calm instead of fear
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Actually enjoying your first year — because you feel supported, prepared, and proud of your work
Now imagine this instead…
And if you're a student, save this — because these are the exact struggles new BCBAs face in their first 90 days.
WHAT I'M ALL ABOUT
I’m not here to drown you in jargon or make you feel like you’re back in grad school.
I’m here because I know exactly how overwhelming your first year as a BCBA can feel — and I don’t want you to go through it alone.
Here’s what I believe:
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Confidence > Perfection. You don’t need to know it all — you just need tools and support that help you show up steady.
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Human first, BCBA second. You’re a person before you’re a credential, and taking care of you makes you a better clinician.
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Tiny wins build big confidence. One good note, one clear conversation, one boundary set — that’s how readiness grows.
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No rookie should feel isolated. We all deserve a safe, judgment-free space to ask questions, share struggles, and celebrate progress.
If you’re looking for a place where you’ll feel seen, supported, and prepared, welcome to ABA Unleashed. You belong here. 💙
From overwhelmed & second-guessing → to confident & clinic-ready
About Me
Hey! I’m Rae
I didn’t slide into this role gracefully—I clawed my way here.
Before becoming a BCBA, I spent 10+ years in mental health carrying huge caseloads (65–92 clients) and 25+ billable hours a week. I cared so much it hurt. I said yes too often. I took work home in my head. And I learned the hard way that if you don’t advocate—for yourself and your clients—people will cut corners.
My turning points:
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Burnout hit. I chose boundaries over being “the hero.”
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I stopped chasing perfection and built simple systems that kept me steady.
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I practiced the human skills—interviewing, documentation, building trust, handling hard conversations—until they felt natural.
I’m not miles ahead of you. I’m just a few steps further — enough to know the pitfalls, the shortcuts, and the skills that make your first year survivable (and even enjoyable).
Other BCBAs have complimented me on skills that come that I've developed over time — like interviewing, documentation, building relationships, and managing tough situations, handling a caseload, etc. I didn’t even realize how much others struggled with those same things until they told me.
Today, as a BCBA, I use those same soft skills + simple systems to do the work without losing myself. And that’s what I’m here to give you—so your first year feels calm, confident, and human, not chaotic.
Come as you are. Leave with knowledge, boundaries, and a plan!