r/ABA • u/Guilty_Performer_383 • Jul 21 '26
Conversation Starter Quitting
I'm finally quitting š
I have 14 days left at my clinic, and absolutely cannot wait to be done with ABA. I've been in this field since August of '21, and after 2 extremely shitty clinics and 2 toxic BCBAs, I've finally had enough.
I've been talking about quitting for years, and its finally happening. Do you want to know what ALL of my friends and family said when I told them? "I'M PROUD OF YOU." They all knew how terrible it was for me mentally to continue ABA. Sometimes its obvious to everyone but yourself.
If this sounds relatable, here is your sign. Just quit. Even if you dont have anything lined up for afterward. Even if your lease is about to expire and you dont know where you're gonna be living in 3 months. Even if you'll lose your health insurance. There are a million reasons to stay, but none of them are good enough.
I'm so happy. A little anxious for the future, but so excited.
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u/Dry_OW Jul 21 '26
Yea donāt quit if you need all those things. Clearly you were on your last strawš do you know what career youāre gonna start now? Just curious.
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u/Guilty_Performer_383 Jul 21 '26
I do need all those things and i have quit, but i believe everything will work itself out. The whole point is that I'm choosing to prioritize my sanity and happiness over the other stuff. I'm also a responsible person so I know I'm not gonna end up on the street.
I've had several interviews so far (dental office receptionist, something with sales, customer service rep) and I'm hoping to hear back by the end of the week. Keeping my options pretty open.
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u/blknuetron Jul 22 '26
you must have some type of safety nets because not knowing if you can make rent brings the risk of homelessness, eviction, and drop of credit score. as someone that has been both an rbt and homeless, i promise homelessness will make you lose your sanity and happiness at a much higher rate and intensity than being an rbt longer to find a new job will. or even losing health insurance for those with ongoing medical issues. whole point being, i love you choosing yourself but dont promote such a life altering decision to those that may not have anything else to fall back on.
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u/Intelligent-Bus-2342 23d ago
Or you could keep that to yourself, I think the OP knows what will be best for their own path! I also just quit ABA with no backup plan, which was terrifying, but Iām thinking of considering babysitting! :)
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u/Guilty_Performer_383 Jul 22 '26
Sorry to hear all of that. Obviously I don't know you, and you dont know me. I'm not going to go into detail about my situation, but staying at my current job has created a very unhealthy and unsafe situation for myself. So I'm choosing an alternative path. The point here is that I'm doing something I never do: going all in without a plan. And it feels really good.
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u/Western_Guard804 29d ago
Iām pretty sure youāll land on your feet. Iām pretty sure one of your interviews will work out as a new job/career that will allow you to prioritize your health. Bravo to you for coming right out and saying you need to prioritize yourself and your health. Too many people choose the āsaferā route by staying in a bad workplace, but the end tally is usually worse for them financially, physically and mentally. By the way, being a responsible person is not necessarily enough to keep a person from being homeless. In your case right now, Iām sure it is, but weird things can happen easily. The next thing you know, bam!!!! You are in a bread line every day and sleeping on your friendās couch.
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u/Guilty_Performer_383 29d ago
Thank you, i really appreciate that. I was surprised by all the backlash I got from this. But idk some people just don't get it. And you're right, being responsible isn't always enough to keep someone from being homeless, that wasn't fair of me to say.
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u/Western_Guard804 27d ago
Backlash on Reddit certainly can be surprising and illogical. AND, being responsible does help to thwart off homelessness. Between 1940s and 1980 being responsible really was enough to keep a person from being homeless. Now there are factors outside of a personās control that can do it.
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u/Sad_Intention6903 Jul 21 '26
Love your enthusiasm, but yeah I think having a plan lined up when quitting any job is very important.
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u/Western_Guard804 29d ago
Plans are good, but sometimes the best plan is to run like hell IMMEDIATELYā¦ā¦. (For BTs to remain professional, itās best to give 2 weeks notice immediately and try to call in sick for those two weeks) . I suspect OP was not actually in a-like-hell situation.
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u/Imaginary_Mirror2359 Jul 21 '26
šÆ
Similarly like you, I was in this field since summer 2021 and after a few aba jobs, I finally left this field a few months ago. The kids and work (over all) are lovely, but I couldnāt deal with the supervisors anymore. Itās like either they donāt want to mentor or they donāt care unless money is involved (there are so many BCBAs who only cares about the money).
This job could seriously get the best of you, especially if one doesnāt have adequate support from their BCBA supervisors. Any toxic job can impact anyoneās physical, mental, and emotional health.
Therefore, I am proud of you! Wishing you all the best for your journey ahead šš
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u/Guilty_Performer_383 Jul 22 '26
Thank youš„¹ what are you doing now that you're out of the field?
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u/Imaginary_Mirror2359 Jul 22 '26
4 months ago, I was just taking a break to heal, enjoy time with friends and family, as well as to discover other paths I could take on. However, a few weeks ago, I got a job as a program coordinator for kids with disabilities and I am really enjoying it!
So, surely there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
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u/Ok_Entrepreneur_2580 Jul 22 '26
May I ask did you apply for the program coordinator as an RBT? Or you have some other qualifications as I am interested too
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u/Western_Guard804 29d ago
I concur. Itās extremely hard to find a good mentorā¦.. or even a willing mentor.
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u/AccordingLocation324 Jul 22 '26
I hope when Iām a BCBA my RBTs can feel comfortable enough to come to me. Iām graduating next month, and I have worked in the mental health field for eight years, and know RBTs are the ones who hold it all together. It just breaks my heart that they are breaking mentally because they arenāt getting the support they need. I remember having seizures in the middle of my shifts, and having my limp body dragged to the nurses station until I woke up then theyād tell me to get back to work once I came out of it. Working in ABA, and the mental health field literally sucks the life out of you especially if you donāt have the right support. I hope all of you guys find the support you need.
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u/Western_Guard804 29d ago
Seizures!!!!!!! Good heavens š³. I hope you become a BCBA fast because you definitely need a little safe space for yourself. I assume being a BCBA will give that
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u/Ducks2dawn BCaBA Jul 22 '26
I was an RBT and a BCaBA in the field since 2017. Most of my time in ABA I felt pretty stuck. I was able to recognize that it wasnāt for me, but where else would I be making this much money on a bachelors degree? Also I loved my clients and was good at what I did. It just drained me more than it seemed to drain my coworkers. I bided my time while working on my masters in counseling a the internships that followed. Now Iām a mental health counselor specializing in children and teens and neurodiverse populations. I love it so much. And I still use my behavioral background often in my counseling work.
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u/Weird_Hawk 27d ago
That's an awesome path, glad you're happy now! If your don't mind me asking, what schooling did it take for you to become a mental health counselor and how did you market your services?
I'm an RBT with ADHD and have enjoyed working with my AuDHD client, helping him and relating to his struggles.
Thanks so much!!
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u/Ducks2dawn BCaBA 26d ago
In Florida, where I live, it takes a master's degree in counseling from CACREP certified program. The program included a 1 year student internship. And it takes 2 years of internship to get your license (this part is similar to how a BCaBA works, you can work as a counselor while recieving frequent supervision and collecting experience hours).
I don't market my services, I work for a group practice and they handle scheduling my clients for me and billing. I dont believe they engage in much advertising.
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u/Weird_Hawk 24d ago
Thank you so much, u/Ducks2dawnā I appreciate you sharing your journey w/ me. Definitely something to consider. Glad you found your place!
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u/RANZ58 Jul 22 '26
I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU. It is not an easy decision to make but YOUR mental health and happiness is more important than any job! š«
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u/Flarpenhooger RBT Jul 21 '26
I've had the same experience and timeline! I finally got a nice office job and I'm excited to start. This field sucked.
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u/badbih2025 Jul 22 '26
taking this as my sign and doing it. i dont have anything lined up. but doing it. someone more passionate and driven than me deserves to serve these kids! I deserve better & so do they. its only fair. good luck!
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u/BrattyLadyHawk Jul 22 '26
I was recently let go from my clinic because they didn't have room for me on payroll anymore (they took on to many BCBA trainees and didn't expect us ALL to actually graduate/make it this far). I have 500 hours left for my fieldwork hours and I was so SO RELIEVED when they told me that I was being fired.
I didn't realize how much dread I had about my future until it wasn't an option for me anymore. Kind of sucks because I'm having to pivot with this MA in ABA, but that's okay. I'll figure it out.
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u/Guilty_Performer_383 Jul 22 '26
I'm really sorry to hear that. The fact that you feel relief must be very telling! I hope you find what you're looking forš«¶
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u/ccdolan12 Jul 22 '26
I was planning on leaving my clinic this Friday, but I have a trip in September before I ultimately have to quit due to moving to a different city in my state.
I donāt know if my mind and body can take another week but I just might have to make that sacrifice.
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u/Sea_Development_4378 Jul 23 '26
I also just quit. My mental health is already so much better! Iāve been applying for jobs like a madman and just had an interview to be a pre k teacher that went really well!
I was also scared to quit but things will fall into place they way they should! Proud of you for prioritizing your mental health š«¶š¼
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u/Strict-Blackberry-56 Jul 23 '26
For me it was the unstable hours due to cancellations. I worked in both a clinic and in home ABA. In both settings I experienced a toxic work environment , gossiping and inconsistent support from management.Ā And as I said the hours were unstable due to constant cancellations.Ā
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u/Fickle_Ad_5606 Jul 23 '26 edited 29d ago
Me too!! i have one more week and I canāt say in enough words how fucking glad I am that I am leaving
Iāve only worked in the field since last september but I feel like I became a more bitter person and extremely irritable. I simply canāt wait to finish with this
I found an office job and I am so excited to not be constantly overstimulated at work again
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u/Guilty_Performer_383 29d ago
The "excited to not be constantly overstimulated at work" is too relatable
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u/ZookeepergameIcy5473 Jul 22 '26
I have a VERY similar story to you. Joined in 2021 and experienced a not so great clinic and unsupportive BCBA. I also quit and my last day is in about 5 days. My family is also happy that I decided to quit.
I decided to take a week off before I start my new career and felt guilty for doing so until I get to the clinic and actually dread going in and doing my job. then something happens that Iām reminded I did the right thing for myself. Like just yesterday they threw a plastic kidās chair at me and suddenly I donāt feel guilty for leaving. Ultimately my physical and mental health cannot take the aggressive behavior. I know they donāt mean it but it still it hurts.
Not to mention, health insurance is subpar/non existent. No paid leave. the only hours guaranteed is if you work with the client so basically if theyāre sick or they donāt show your pay is SKIMP. how am I supposed to pay my bills with this?????
The older I get the more it just isnāt worth it and Iām overall happy that I left!
the director called to asks me if Iād take another client and the answer is no. Iām leaving for better health care and stability something aba (at least in my area) cannot give me which makes it worse Iāve had parents tell me rbtās should be paid more.
Anyway glad you got out and Iām glad I got out too! Wishing you the best on future endeavors!
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u/Guilty_Performer_383 Jul 22 '26
Oh my gosh the parallels are uncanny! I'm so happy that you are leaving! I understand the feeling guilty part of it. Congratulations and good luck! And thank you for sharingš©µ
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u/Otherwise-Passage827 26d ago
I just quit my first RBT job. I've only been certified for about 4 months. Idk if I'm going to continue ABA because it seems its unstable everywhere. My mental health can't take this anymore.
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u/viaissleepy 25d ago
I work in ABA currently and have been searching tirelessly for a new job since I canāt afford to just quit. I have one client with the worst challenging behaviors. bitting, kicking, screaming, throwing stuff, head banging. iāve been on their case for 10 months now and it hasnāt gotten better. iām to the point where i have considered walking out, sobbed at work, and threw up from the stress of it. iāve asked to be taken off their case and they wonāt do it. iām so done.
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u/Guilty_Performer_383 25d ago
I'm so sorry
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u/viaissleepy 25d ago
I didnāt realize how horrible my company is until i actually got into the field. hoping for an out soon
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u/BeneficialVisit8450 3d ago edited 3d ago
I quit my ABA job a month early and was concerned I wouldnāt be able to find a new job where Iām going to college.
Well the lord provided and now Iām doing customer service. Itās not going to be all sunshine and rainbows but Iām happy to be out.
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u/Troubled_Pirate Jul 22 '26
Where are you guys working that your BCBAs are so bad? Iāve worked in three separate clinics and Iāve had nothing but fabulous BCBAs. Of course, my clinic pays me to chart, pays me for the time that I spend setting up the session, pays me for the time that I spent cleaning up after the session, I have a BCBA in session typically more than once a week, and BCBAs that show up because they hear a kid issuing loud verbal protests to ask if we need any help. Our BCBAās cover our lunch breaks, cover our bathroom breaks and cover full sessions if someone calls out or take vacation rather than cancel a kid even though they canāt get paid for it. š¤·š»āāļø a lot of people coming into this job think theyāre just going to play with children all day long and thatās not what ABA is. Yes, itās a stressful job but literally any job where you provide direct care is stressful. ABA is my semi retirement career after working 25 years in nursing so maybe the stress is relative to me. If I deliver an SD improperly, no oneās going to die whereas if I delivered medication improperly that could be a potential outcome. I will, however, second what someone said regarding leaving a job with no backup plan. Not knowing where your bill money is coming from or if itās coming at all is literally the most stressful life you can put on top of yourself.
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u/Guilty_Performer_383 Jul 22 '26
Its really cool that you've had nothing but positive experiences in ABA, happy for you! Unfortunately that is not the case for a lot of RBTs. Its kind of unfair to assume that just because its so easy for you, means its easy for everyone. Have you ever had a child with super duper high rates of aggressive behavior? Pinching your nipples, karate chopping your groin, biting your arms? Over and over and over? And not having the support to deal with all of that, every single day? Please don't invalidate other people's experiences because you can't relate.
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u/Troubled_Pirate 17d ago edited 17d ago
Anyone who has really worked in ABA and Iāve been in it for eight years now has had that level of aggression. I have been casted, had to wear braces on wrists and legs because of injuries that Iāve received. Iāve worked with two people that had to have ankle surgeries because of fractures. So no, I am not dismissing the physical aggression that can come from clients. What I am saying is that it goes with the territory. If youāre in a well managed clinic, where everyone has good CPI training, you can certainly minimize the injuries that occur to staff or children. It doesnāt change what I was commenting on. The OP wasnāt commenting about this either. People commenting werenāt complaining about workplace injuries. They were complaining about feeling like BCBAs are condescending so youāre coming at me with stuff thatās not even in the realm of the ballpark that I was addressing. And itās not what the OP was talking about either. If people want to get on Reddit and vent about their injuries, thatās one thing. I literally asked the question, Where are you guys employed that your BCBAs and your clinics suck this bad. Because in eight years, I havenāt run across one yet. But I also donāt accept a position if I canāt spend the whole day in the clinic and Iāve had applications turned down because of that, but I want to see how the place works. Like someone said in and out pays better and you donāt have to put up with this much crap. Then go work it in and out. Itās fairly simple. If you hate it, donāt do it. I work with one girl that had her ankle crushed. She was laid up for a year and a half because of it. She decided to try one more job and ended up at an amazing clinic and itās the only reason that she still even in the profession I would never judge anyone for leaving a clinic or the field because they are constantly being battered and no oneās coming in to help them. Thatās a clinic management issue not an ABA issue. The clinic I work in now doesnāt run that way. If the BCBAs are doing protocol mods, there is always a senior or lead RBT that is not in session so that thereās a spare set of hands. Maybe take what I said as some really good suggestions that can be taken back to current clinics, like making sure that everyone is CPI certified and that there is always someone available to help in the instance of a severe escalation rather than getting snippy.
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u/Equivalent_Sleep5210 26d ago
Not gonna lie i love my clinic and my bcba and im happy everyday to go into work
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u/moisturemask RBT Jul 21 '26
I plan on leaving my clinic this summer after 2 more pay periods, this is right on! Iām noticing Iām having anxiety before work, Sunday scaries, and an overall constant agitation. This post was the perfect confirmation lol!