Behavior Consultant Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More (2023)

Behavior consultants are professionals who work with individuals who have behavioral issues. They may help these individuals develop new skills or modify their behavior through a variety of techniques, including applied behavior analysis (ABA), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and other approaches.

Behavior consultants commonly work in schools, hospitals, residential treatment centers, and other settings where they can interact directly with clients.

Behavior Consultant Job Duties

Behavior consultants have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Providing group therapy sessions for children with behavioral problems, such as anger management issues
• Working with parents and families to identify causes of behavior problems and develop treatment plans
• Conducting psychological evaluations of children to assess their emotional and behavioral problems
• Interviewing parents about the child’s behavior at home and school
• Recommending interventions, therapies, or other treatments that can help change a child’s behavior
• Developing long-term treatment plans that include methods to reinforce positive behaviors and eliminate negative ones
• Conducting individual therapy sessions with children to address their behavioral problems
• Conducting research on the latest methods for treating specific disorders or behaviors
• Creating intervention plans based on data collected from interviews, evaluations, and other assessments

Behavior Consultant Salary & Outlook

Behavior consultants’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the type of work they do. Some behavior consultants may work as independent contractors for an hourly rate, while others may work for a company that pays them a salary.

• Median Annual Salary: $72,500 ($34.86/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $163,000 ($78.37/hour)

The employment of behavior consultants is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

Demand for behavioral therapy and counseling services will increase as more health insurance plans cover these services. Behavioral therapy can be covered by health insurance when it is provided by a licensed therapist or counselor. However, some health insurance plans do not cover this type of treatment.

Behavior Consultant Job Requirements

A behavior consultant typically needs to have the following qualifications:

Education: Behavior consultants need at least a bachelor’s degree to work in the field. A bachelor’s degree in psychology, behavioral science or a related field provides the foundation for a career in behavior consulting.

Many behavior consultants choose to pursue a master’s degree in behavior analysis or a related field. These programs typically take two years to complete and include coursework and supervised practicum experience.

Training & Experience: Most behavior consultants receive on-the-job training from their employers. This training may include shadowing an experienced consultant or working with a supervisor to complete tasks.

Certifications & Licenses: Behavior consultants must be licensed or certified in their state or province. Laws and requirements vary from state to state, so check the requirements in your area to make sure you’re pursuing the right certifications.

Many behavior consultants also get additional certifications to make themselves more competitive candidates when applying for jobs.

Behavior Consultant Skills

Behavior consultants need the following skills in order to be successful:

Active listening: Active listening is the ability to focus on the speaker and understand their message. Behavior consultants often need to listen to their clients and their colleagues to understand the challenges they face and the reasons behind their actions. This information can help them develop effective solutions.

Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s perspective. As a behavior consultant, empathy is an important skill to have when working with clients. You may need to understand why a person has certain habits or why they may not be motivated to change. Being able to understand their perspective can help you create a plan that works for them.

Collaboration: Behavior consultants often work with other professionals to help their clients improve their behavior. For example, a client may need to see a medical professional to treat an underlying condition that contributes to their poor behavior. A behavior consultant may work with the client’s medical professional to ensure the client receives the treatment they need.

Confidentiality: Confidentiality is the ability to keep information private. Behavior consultants often work with individuals or small groups and may have access to sensitive information about their clients. They may also work with employees who are not comfortable sharing personal information. As a behavior consultant, you should be able to keep information private and maintain the trust of your clients.

Problem-solving: Behavior consultants often use problem-solving skills to develop strategies for changing employee or client behavior. For example, if a client has a tendency to be late to meetings, a behavior consultant might suggest implementing a new calendar system to help them arrive on time. They might also use problem-solving skills to address any challenges that arise during the implementation of a new behavior.

Behavior Consultant Work Environment

Behavior consultants work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, clinics, private practices, and research laboratories. They may work with individuals, families, or groups. Many behavior consultants work a standard 40-hour week, although some may work evenings or weekends to accommodate their clients’ schedules. Some behavior consultants travel to their clients’ homes or workplaces. The work of a behavior consultant can be stressful, as it often involves dealing with difficult behavior problems. However, most behavior consultants find their work to be very rewarding, as they are able to help people improve their lives.

Behavior Consultant Trends

Here are three trends influencing how behavior consultants work. Behavior consultants will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for More Technical Skills

As businesses become more complex, the need for behavioral consultants with technical skills will increase. This is because businesses are looking for consultants who can help them solve problems quickly and effectively.

Behavior consultants who are able to understand and implement technology solutions will be in high demand, as they will be able to provide valuable insight into how businesses work and how they can be improved.

The Emergence of a New Type of Consultant

The emergence of a new type of consultant is a trend that is being seen in the behavior consulting industry. This new type of consultant is known as a “behavioral change agent”, and their job is to help organizations make changes to their culture or processes in order to improve productivity or efficiency.

As this trend continues to grow, behavior consultants will need to develop new skills in order to stay competitive. These skills may include training in communication, leadership, and team building.

More Focus on Employee Engagement

Employee engagement has become an increasingly important topic in recent years, as employers have realized the impact it can have on their bottom line. As a result, behavior consultants who specialize in employee engagement can expect to see an increase in demand for their services.

Behavior consultants who are able to help employees feel engaged and motivated at work will be in high demand, as employers look for ways to keep their employees happy and productive.

How to Become a Behavior Consultant

A career as a behavior consultant can be incredibly rewarding. It offers the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, and to help them overcome challenges that are standing in the way of their success.

To become a behavior consultant, you need to have a strong understanding of human behavior and psychology. You also need to be able to think critically about the causes of behavior and how to change it. Additionally, you need to be able to effectively communicate your ideas and methods with others.

If you want to become a behavior consultant, there are several ways you can go about doing so. You can get a degree in psychology or behavioral science, which will give you the necessary knowledge base. You can also take online courses or workshops on human behavior and psychology. And you can read books and articles on these subjects.

Advancement Prospects

As a behavior consultant, you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of clients. You may find that you prefer to work with certain types of clients, such as those with anxiety disorders or those with eating disorders. You may also prefer to work with clients of a certain age group, such as children or adolescents. As you gain experience, you may want to specialize in a particular area. For example, you may want to become a certified behavior analyst or a certified autism specialist. You may also want to open your own private practice.

Behavior Consultant Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we provide individualized support for people with developmental disabilities so they can lead happy, healthy, and productive lives. We’re looking for a behavior consultant to join our team and provide support to our clients and their families. The ideal candidate will have experience working with people with developmental disabilities, as well as experience conducting behavior assessments and developing behavior support plans. He or she will be patient, compassionate, and have a strong commitment to helping others.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as a resource to parents, teachers, and other professionals working with children with autism or other developmental disabilities
• Conduct functional behavior assessments (FBA) to identify the purpose of problem behaviors and develop positive behavior intervention plans (BIP)
• Train parents, teachers, and other staff on how to implement positive behavior support strategies
• Monitor progress of individual students and make necessary adjustments to behavior plans
• Keep detailed data on student progress and write reports summarizing findings
• Collaborate with other members of the educational team to ensure that behavioral goals are aligned with academic and social goals
• Attend IEP meetings and provide input on behavioral goals and objectives
• Advocate for the needs of students with autism and other developmental disabilities
• Stay up-to-date on current research and best practices in the field of behavior analysis
• Serve as a liaison between families and school personnel
• Model appropriate professional behavior for students, families, and colleagues
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding student information

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in psychology, education, or related field
• Board certified behavior analyst (BCBA)
• 3+ years experience working with children with autism or other developmental disabilities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Creativity and flexibility

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• 5+ years experience working with children with autism or other developmental disabilities
• Experience developing and implementing behavior intervention plans
• Experience with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Bilingual—Spanish or Mandarin preferred