Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a structured, goal-based therapy provided by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). ABA therapy is used to strengthen communication, attention, social connection, emotional regulation, and daily living skills, and to reduce behaviors that interfere with learning, relationships, or safety.
At Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry, we work with people from age 5 through adulthood.
After an assessment of strengths and needs, we set specific goals together, teach skills in manageable steps, and track progress over time. Our approach respects each person’s preferences, communication style, and pace.
ABA Therapy may be a good fit for people with autism, ADHD, or other developmental or behavioral needs who have practical goals to work toward.
Who ABA Therapy May Help
Applied Behavior Analysis may be useful when behavior is affecting everyday functioning.
ABA therapy may be considered when someone would benefit from structured support around behaviors or skills that affect home, school, relationships, communication, or day-to-day independence.
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Communication
Building clearer and more effective ways to express needs.
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Social Skills
Developing skills for interacting, participating, and responding to others.
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Attention & Task Completion
Increasing the ability to engage with activities and follow through.
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Daily Routines
Building skills that make everyday tasks more manageable.
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Challenging Behaviors
Understanding and addressing behaviors such as hitting, interrupting, outbursts, or other patterns that interfere with functioning.
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Skill Development
Breaking larger goals into teachable steps and reinforcing progress over time.
How ABA Therapy Works
Understand the need. Set clear goals. Build skills that last.
1. Consultation
We review your goals, history, and any prior evaluations to confirm ABA is a good fit.
2. Assessment
Your BCBA gathers information through a caregiver interview, direct observation, and standardized skills measures. If behaviors are affecting safety or daily life, your BCBA may also recommend a Functional Behavior Assessment to understand what’s driving them.
3. Individual Treatment Plan
Together, we set specific, measurable goals, decide how often sessions happen, and agree on what progress looks like, including when services can step down. If a Functional Behavior Assessment was completed, the plan also includes a Behavior Intervention Plan with strategies for those behaviors.
4. Sessions
Sessions focus on the goals in your treatment plan, using structured, step-by-step strategies at the frequency you agreed on together.
5. Progress Review
Progress is tracked throughout services and reviewed with you regularly, so goals and strategies can be adjusted based on what’s working.
6. Transition
As goals are met, support is gradually reduced, with a plan to keep skills going in the settings where they matter most.
How ABA Therapy Looks at Different Ages
At Philly Integrative, we work with people from age 5 through adulthood. What sessions look like depends on age.
Younger children: Much of the work is coaching parents and caregivers in strategies to use at home, at school, and in the community. As children approach adolescence: Sessions shift toward direct work with the young person, with family support continuing alongside.
Adults: You work directly with your BCBA on goals you set for yourself.
When ABA Therapy May Be Appropriate
When structured behavioral support can be useful
Applied Behavior Analysis is built around goals that can be observed, practiced, and measured, so it tends to fit when there’s a specific skill to build or a behavior to change.
At Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry, that decision accounts for the broader clinical picture: diagnosis, developmental needs, current functioning, family priorities, other treatment, and the settings where a behavior happens. If ABA therapy isn’t the right fit, we’ll recommend what is.
Meet the clinicians who provide ABA Therapy
Not sure whether ABA therapy is the right place to start?
Tell us what’s going on, and we’ll recommend a starting point.
Answer a few questions about what’s prompting you to reach out for your child. Our team reviews your answers and recommends where to start.
Insights from our ABA therapy team:
Answers to common questions about ABA therapy, with clinical perspective from our behavior analysts.
