(REC) Beyond Traditional Graphs: Measuring Social Significance in ABA Health Coaching

As behavior analysts move into health coaching, we face a unique challenge: How do we maintain our scientific rigor while honoring individual client definitions of health and success? This presentation explores the intersection of ABA and health coaching, challenging traditional data collection methods while demonstrating how to measure meaningful outcomes. We’ll discuss the shift from expert to coach, explore client-centered measurement systems, and share practical strategies for documenting social significance in ways that may look different from traditional ABA graphs but carry equal impact. This session bridges the gap between scientific practice and real-world application in health services.

Learning Objectives:

• The participant will explain the shift in relationship dynamics between being an “expert” versus a “coach” in behavior analytic health services
• The participant will provide examples of unique data collection methods that capture client-defined success in health coaching
• The participant will describe how to build therapeutic relationships that honor both behavior analytic principles and client autonomy in health goals
• The participant will generate examples of socially valid measures that may look different from traditional ABA data but demonstrate meaningful client outcomes
• The participant will identify ways to measure success that align with client values rather than predetermined standards

PRESENTER(S): Sarah Burby, BCBA

Sarah Burby is Board Certified Behavior Analyst, National Board Certified Health Coach and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and Certified K- teacher in the state of New Jersey. Sarah is also a certified Barre Eclipse instructor, has completed the Precision Nutrition Level 1 program, and has extensive training in Relational Frame Theory (RFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Sarah is the founder of Mind Body Behavior, LLC where she utilizes the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to provide 1-1 health coaching to clients who struggle with body image and disordered eating and offers small business mentorship.

Through Mind Body Behavior, Sarah has also created a supervision program where BCBA candidates can accrue their fieldwork hours outside of autism and developmental disabilities. The program currently includes BCBAs who specialize in health coaching, personal training, adaptive personal training, yoga and mindfulness, trauma informed care, organizational and behavior management, and working with teens. Sarah is passionate about providing high quality supervision so BCBA candidates can graduate and practice outside of the traditional setting with both confidence and competence. Sarah is also one of the authors of the “Bridging the Gap curriculum,” the only BCBA curriculum that focuses on applying the BACB tasks list exclusively to health, sport, and fitness.

Sarah has also created the first and only National Board for Health and Wellness (NBHWC) approved program tailored specifically for students with a background in applied behavior analysis. Students who completed the Mind Body Behavior Health Coaching Certificate Program earn 32 BCBA continuing education units and are eligible to sit for the NBHWC board exam.

Finally, Sarah authored, “Confidently Me!” an activity wellness book for kids to proactively address body image and developed a K-8 after school enrichment program titled, “Girls Rise: A Community Building Confidence, Fueling Empowerment, and Fostering Resilience,” the only evidence-based program in the state of New Jersey that proactively and systematically addresses body image in school aged children. In addition, Sarah has created a page150 ebook for parents that provides strategies and guidance for raising body confident kids.

Sarah’s areas of clinical areas of expertise include Intuitive Eating, Motivational Interviewing, The Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change), Behavior Skills Training, and school consultation.