My Journey from RBT to BCaBA
When I first became a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in 2019, I never imagined how much the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) would shape my life.
At the time, I simply knew I loved working with children and wanted to make a difference.
What I didn't realize was that becoming an RBT would be just the beginning of a journey that would challenge me, inspire me, and ultimately lead me to pursue a career as a behavior analyst.
Starting as an RBT
As an RBT, I had the privilege of working directly with children and families in a variety of settings, including homes, clinics, schools, and the community.
Those years were invaluable.
I learned how to build rapport with children, celebrate the smallest victories, collaborate with families, and see firsthand how meaningful skill development can change lives.
I also discovered something important:
The more I learned, the more I wanted to know.
I found myself asking questions about why certain interventions worked, how treatment plans were developed, and how data guided clinical decision-making.
That curiosity motivated me to continue my education.
Going Back to School
To deepen my understanding of behavior analysis, I earned my bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Applied Behavior Analysis.
I wasn't finished yet.
I went on to complete my Master of Education in Exceptional Student Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis through the University of West Florida.
Graduate school challenged me to think differently—not only about behavior, but about ethics, collaboration, leadership, and the importance of individualized care.
Every course strengthened my belief that children deserve services that are compassionate, evidence-based, and centered around improving quality of life.
The Road to Becoming a BCaBA
One of the biggest milestones in my career was earning my Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) credential in July 2024.
Many people don't realize that becoming certified involves much more than passing an exam.
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requires applicants to complete rigorous educational requirements along with extensive supervised fieldwork before they are eligible to sit for the certification examination.
Fieldwork isn't simply about logging hours.
It's about learning how to apply behavior-analytic principles ethically and effectively under the guidance of experienced supervisors.
During fieldwork, trainees learn to:
Conduct assessments.
Analyze behavior.
Develop skill acquisition programs.
Interpret data.
Collaborate with caregivers and other professionals.
Problem-solve complex clinical situations.
Make ethical, evidence-based decisions.
Those experiences helped bridge the gap between the classroom and real-life practice.
What Does Fieldwork Look Like?
To become a BCaBA, candidates must complete hundreds of hours of supervised fieldwork while meeting the BACB's supervision requirements.
These experiences are designed to ensure future clinicians can apply behavior-analytic principles in meaningful, ethical, and practical ways—not just understand them in theory.
For me, fieldwork meant balancing graduate school, work, family life, and supervision while continually learning from every child, caregiver, and mentor I encountered.
It wasn't always easy.
But every hour brought me one step closer to the clinician I hoped to become.
Learning Never Stops
Earning my BCaBA wasn't the finish line.
It was another beginning.
Today, I'm actively working toward becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). That journey includes completing additional graduate-level supervised fieldwork hours and passing the BCBA certification examination.
As I continue toward that goal, I'm also preparing to begin a Ph.D. in Behavioral Health Leadership this August.
Some people ask why I continue pursuing more education.
The answer is simple.
Because the families I serve deserve the very best I can offer.
Every class, every supervision meeting, every hour of fieldwork, and every new experience helps me become a better clinician, a stronger leader, and a more effective advocate for children and families.
Why This Journey Matters
Credentials are important.
They represent years of education, supervised experience, and professional accountability.
But what matters even more is what those credentials allow us to do.
They allow us to better understand children.
To support families with confidence.
To make ethical decisions.
To mentor future professionals.
And to build services that truly improve quality of life.
That philosophy is at the heart of The Mustard Seed Behavioral Health.
Our mission has never been simply to reduce behaviors.
It's to nurture children, empower families, and help every individual reach their fullest potential.
Looking Ahead
As I continue working toward my BCBA certification and begin doctoral studies in Behavioral Health Leadership, I'm reminded of how far this journey has already taken me.
From an RBT learning the foundations of ABA…
To a BCaBA helping guide families through some of life's most challenging moments…
To a future BCBA and doctoral student committed to advancing compassionate, ethical care…
Every step has reinforced one simple truth:
There is always more to learn.
And that's one of the things I love most about this profession.
🌱 A Final Thought
People often celebrate the moment someone earns a new credential.
But what they don't always see are the years of studying, supervision, fieldwork, mentorship, and perseverance that happened behind the scenes.
I'm grateful for every lesson, every mentor, every family, and every child who has been part of this journey.
They have shaped me into the clinician—and the person—I am today.
And I can't wait to see where the next chapter leads.
Nurtured by Love. Empowered to Grow. Destined to Thrive.
— Ana Wheeler, BCaBA
Founder, The Mustard Seed Behavioral Health LLC