MONTH 1 – FOUNDATIONAL COMMUNICATION & REGULATION
Goal: Build emotional awareness, introduce core communication tools, begin prosocial shift.
Week 1: Emotional Awareness
● Identifying emotions and triggers. What is in your control and what is outside your control?
● Defusing from thoughts and emotions, then using a task analysis to consistently review “negative”
emotions when they arise.
● Introduce coping strategies (breathing, grounding, labeling) when then program manager needs to be able
to cope with their emotions in the moment and respond professionally versus when they can take time to
process then respond.
● Brief introduction to TED drama vs. empowerment triangles
Week 2: TED Empowerment Triangle
● Review Drama Triangle → Empowerment Triangle shift.
● Identify personal triggers that activate Victim/Rescuer/Persecutor roles.
● Practice reframing real workplace conflicts using Creator/Coach/Challenger language.
Week 3: “I” Statements & Assertive Communication
● Learn “I feel ___ when ___ because ___; I need ___.”
● Rewrite recent communication conflicts using this structure.
● Use “I” statements in supervision role plays.
Week 4: PRIDE Skills for Leadership
● Practice Praise, Reflect, Imitate, Describe, Enthusiasm with adult staff.
● Begin shifting from corrective statements or complaints → collaborative coaching. Corrective
statements are still sometimes warranted, but should be clearly and compassionately delivered without
using teh sandwich method.
● Supervisor observes and provides feedback.
MONTH 2 – PROSOCIAL SKILLS & PROBLEM-SOLVING IN LEADERSHIP
Goal: Apply communication tools with staff, strengthen problem-solving, actively prevent conflict escalation.
Week 1: Active Listening & Reflective Responding
● Practice with your own thoughts and emotions:
○ “What I’m thinking is…”
○ “It seems like I’m feeling…”
● Practice with others:
○ “What I hear you saying is…”
○ “It sounds like you’re feeling…”
○ “Let me check my understanding…”
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● Supervisor observes manager in meetings and gives feedback.
Week 2: Problem-Solving Fluency (ABA + ACT Lens)
● Learn 3-step framework:
1. Identify the function/root issue of the workplace problem
2. Generate prosocial solutions collaboratively
3. Choose values-aligned action
● Use real workplace examples in supervision.
Week 3: Trauma-Informed ABA Skills
● Review and apply principles of safety, choice, empowerment, and rapport.
● Practice assent-based care and non-coercive prompting while ensuring an effective plan for the client is
created so that staff know their next steps.
● Supervisor observation: reinforcement quality, prompting, rapport.
Week 4: Bringing it together – Prosocial Behavior in the Workplace
● Implement PRIDE + “I” statements + TED Triangle across all communication.
● Supervisor completes observation checklist on prosocial behavior.
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● Reflective journaling on successes and challenges.
MONTH 3 – CLINICAL INTEGRATION & LEADERSHIP MASTERY
Goal: Combine communication, clinical ABA, and emotional regulation to lead effectively and independently.
Week 1: Advanced ABA Clinical Competence
● Data interpretation practice (graphs, trends, decision-making based on proficiency with terms listed in the
RBT competency and other topics reviewed in this document).
● Review reinforcement systems and prompting fidelity.
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● Review Reinforcement, punishment, and extinction + their side effects which should always be considered.
● Participate in creating/updating Behavior Support Plans with guidance.
Week 2: Difficult Conversations & Conflict Coaching
Train on:
● Pausing before responding
● Using “I” statements during conflict
● Staying in Creator, Coach, and Challenger roles
● Using PRIDE to help in the delivery of feedback
● Giving controlled choices & autonomy during needed correction
Supervisor role-plays clinical, operational, and interpersonal challenges.
Week 3: Leadership Presence & Emotional Regulation
● Apply emotional regulation skills during high-demand clinic times.
Supervisor observes 1–2 real-time interactions.
Week 4: Final Evaluation & Transition Plan
● Competency checklists covering:
○ Prosocial interactions
○ Communication skills
○ TED implementation
○ ABA clinical skills
○ Trauma-informed practices
○ Emotional regulation
● Staff feedback survey (anonymous or inconspicuous interviewing to see if staff have noticed a change in
clinic culture over the past 3 months).
● Review growth + set at least 2 new goals for next quarter.
Evaluation Methods
Weekly Measures
● Supervisor observation notes.
● Emotion regulation log.
● Communication self-reflections.
Monthly Competency Rubrics
● Prosocial behavior
● Emotional regulation
● Clinical ABA skills
● Trauma-informed components
● Communication tools (I-statements, PRIDE, TED)
Quarter-End Measures
● Staff feedback
● Clinical observation rubric
● Supervisor review
● Self-assessment reflection
Expected Outcomes (After 3 Months)
The Program Manager will demonstrate:
✔ Improved communication
● Consistent use of “I” statements
● Increased clarity and professionalism
● Ability to prevent conflict escalation
✔ Stronger prosocial leadership
● Use of PRIDE and collaborative coaching
● Increased rapport and workplace trust
✔ Effective problem-solving
● Creator mindset over Drama Triangle reactivity
● Strategic, values-based decision-making
✔ Higher clinical ABA competency
● Correct application of reinforcement/prompting
● Trauma-informed, assent-based care
● Better clinical reasoning and treatment integrity
✔ Improved emotional regulation
● Recognizes early signs of dysregulation
● Uses grounding tools
● Shows calm, steady, leadership presence