What is the Difference Between a Behavioral Therapist and an ABA Therapist?

When you're searching for the right support for your child, the therapy world can feel like alphabet soup. You've probably heard terms like "behavioral therapist" and "ABA therapist" thrown around, and honestly, it's confusing! We get calls every week from parents in Columbus who aren't quite sure what the difference is or which one their child actually needs.

Here's the thing – both types of therapists work with behavior, which makes it even more confusing. But the training, the approach, and what they focus on can be really different. And when you're making decisions about your child's care, understanding these differences matters. You want to make sure you're choosing the right support that'll actually help your child develop the skills they need.

We've worked with hundreds of families in Columbus who started out feeling overwhelmed by all the options. So we're breaking it down in plain language – no confusing jargon, just straightforward info about what sets these therapists apart. By the end of this article, you'll know exactly what each type of therapist does and which one might be the best fit for your family's needs.

Understanding Behavioral Therapy: The Broader Umbrella

So let's start with behavioral therapists. These are mental health professionals who help people – kids and adults – work through behavioral and emotional challenges using different therapy approaches. Think of "behavioral therapist" as kind of an umbrella term. It can include psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other licensed professionals who've trained in various therapeutic methods.

Behavioral therapists work in lots of different settings – private offices, hospitals, schools, community mental health centers around Columbus. They might use techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), play therapy, or family therapy. Their training varies pretty widely depending on their specific credentials:

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) – focus on relationship and family dynamics
• Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) – provide general mental health counseling
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) – offer therapy and connect families to resources
• Psychologists (PhD or PsyD) – provide therapy and psychological testing

These therapists help with a whole range of issues beyond just autism. They work with anxiety, depression, trauma, family conflicts, ADHD, and general behavioral concerns. The approach is usually more talk-based (when working with older kids and adults) and focuses on understanding emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and how they all connect together. It's valuable work, but it's different from what ABA therapists specifically do.

What Makes ABA Therapy Different?

Now here's where ABA therapy stands apart. ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis, and it's not just another therapy approach – it's actually a science. ABA is based on decades of research about how learning happens and how behavior works. It's recognized as an evidence-based best practice treatment, especially for autism spectrum disorder.

What makes ABA different is how systematic and data-driven it is. ABA therapists don't just work on behavior in a general sense. They break down skills into small, teachable steps. They measure progress with actual data every single session. They use specific principles of learning and reinforcement that've been proven to work through tons of research. When we say ABA is the gold standard for autism treatment, that's not just marketing talk – it's backed by organizations like the American Psychological Association and the Surgeon General.

ABA therapy focuses specifically on teaching new skills and reducing behaviors that might be getting in the way of learning or safety. This includes:

• Communication skills – requesting, labeling, conversational skills
• Social skills – sharing, taking turns, making friends, reading social cues
• Daily living skills – getting dressed, brushing teeth, toileting, eating independently
• Academic skills – pre-reading, math concepts, following instructions
• Play skills – appropriate toy play, imaginative play, playing with peers
• Safety skills – responding to name, staying with caregivers, understanding danger

At the same time, ABA helps reduce challenging behaviors like tantrums, aggression, or self-injury by figuring out why those behaviors are happening and teaching better alternatives. It's intensive, it's structured, and it's designed to create real, measurable changes in your child's life.

ABA Therapist Qualifications and Certification

Let's talk about who can actually call themselves an ABA therapist, because the requirements are pretty specific. The field is overseen by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), which sets national standards. To become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), someone needs at least a master's degree in behavior analysis or a related field, complete supervised practice hours (we're talking 1,500 to 2,000 hours), and pass a comprehensive national exam.

BCBAs are the ones designing and overseeing ABA programs. They do the assessments, create the treatment plans, train the therapy team, and regularly review your child's progress. But there's another important role too – Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). These are the therapists who work directly with your child during sessions, implementing the program the BCBA designed. RBTs complete a 40-hour training course and pass a competency assessment and national exam.

Key Differences in Scope and Approach

So what does this all mean practically? The key differences between a behavioral therapist and an ABA therapist come down to several important factors:

Intensity and Frequency:

• Behavioral therapy: typically 1 hour per week in an office
• ABA therapy: often 10-40 hours per week in natural environments

Approach to Treatment:

• Behavioral therapy: more talk-based, focuses on emotions and coping strategies
• ABA therapy: hands-on skill teaching with constant practice and reinforcement

Use of Data:

• Behavioral therapy: progress tracked through observation and discussion
• ABA therapy: every skill attempt documented with measurable data

Service Locations:

• Behavioral therapy: usually in therapist's office or telehealth
• ABA therapy: in-home, daycare, and school settings where skills are actually needed

The location piece is huge. We offer ABA therapy in-home, at daycare, and at school – basically wherever your child spends their time. Why? Because we're teaching real-world skills in real-world settings. A child might learn something in an office, but struggle to use that skill at home or school. With ABA, we're right there in your child's natural environment, making sure skills actually transfer to everyday life. That's huge for families in Columbus juggling work, school schedules, and everything else.

Treatment Methods and Family Involvement

The methods used are another major difference between behavioral therapists and ABA therapists. Behavioral therapists pull from different therapeutic models depending on what they think will help. It might be more intuitive, more flexible, more based on the therapeutic relationship. There's definitely value in that approach for certain challenges.

ABA therapy is super structured. We start with a comprehensive assessment to figure out exactly what skills your child has and what they need to learn. Then we create an individualized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals. During sessions, therapists use techniques like discrete trial training, natural environment teaching, and positive reinforcement. Everything is broken down into steps your child can succeed at, and we gradually build up to more complex skills.

With ABA, you're not just dropping your child off for therapy – you're part of the team.

Insurance Coverage and Accessibility

Let's be real – cost matters. And here's where things get interesting. Many insurance plans in Ohio, including Medicaid, are required to cover ABA therapy for autism spectrum disorder. That's because there's so much research showing it works. Behavioral therapy might be covered too, but often with more limitations on the number of sessions.

Getting insurance approval for ABA does involve some steps. Your child needs an autism diagnosis, and the ABA provider (that's us!) submits documentation showing why ABA is medically necessary. Sometimes there's waiting for approval, which we know is frustrating when you just want to get started. But once approved, many families find that insurance covers a significant portion of their ABA therapy costs.

For families in Columbus, it's worth knowing that coverage can vary a lot between insurance plans. Some cover 20-40 hours of ABA per week, others might approve fewer hours. We help families navigate this process all the time – it's part of what we do. We'll work with your insurance, explain what's covered, and help you understand your options. The goal is making sure your child gets the services they need without your family going broke in the process.

Which Therapist Does Your Child Need?

So how do you actually decide? Here's our honest take on when each type of therapy makes sense:

Consider a behavioral therapist when your child:

• Struggles with anxiety, depression, or emotional regulation
• Needs family therapy or counseling for relationship issues
• Has ADHD without significant developmental delays
• Would benefit from talk therapy and coping strategies

Consider an ABA therapist when your child:

• Has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
• Has significant delays in communication or social skills
• Needs to learn daily living skills like toileting or self-care
• Shows challenging behaviors that impact safety or learning
• Could benefit from early intervention services

Here's the good news: your child can actually have both if needed! Some kids work with an ABA therapist for skill-building and behavior reduction, and also see a counselor or therapist for specific emotional or mental health support. The key is making sure everyone's communicating. When providers work together as a team, your child benefits from a comprehensive approach that addresses all their needs.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Provider

Whether you're looking for a behavioral therapist or an ABA therapist in Columbus, asking the right questions helps you make an informed decision. Don't be shy about asking about credentials and experience. You want to know:

Essential Questions for Any Provider:

• What specific certifications and licenses do you hold?
• How many years have you worked with kids similar to mine?
• What's your approach to parent training and family involvement?
• How do you measure progress and how often will I get updates?
• What does a typical session look like?
• Do you accept our insurance?

Additional Questions Specific to ABA Providers:

• How often will a BCBA directly supervise my child's program?
• What's your staff training process for RBTs?
• How do you collect and share data with families?
• Can you provide services in-home, at daycare, or at school?
• What's your approach to transitioning skills across different environments?

The best outcomes happen when families feel comfortable, supported, and confident in their therapy team.

Trust your gut, too. Yeah, credentials and experience matter a ton, but so does the feeling you get from the team. Do they seem genuinely warm and caring? Do they listen to your concerns? Do they treat you like a partner in your child's care? The best outcomes happen when families feel comfortable, supported, and confident in their therapy team.

Making the Right Choice for Your Family

Choosing therapy for your child is a big decision, and we get that it can feel overwhelming. You're doing research at night after the kids are in bed, you're comparing options, you're probably second-guessing yourself. That's totally normal! Every parent we work with in Columbus has been right where you are.

The difference between a behavioral therapist and an ABA therapist comes down to training, approach, and what they're specifically equipped to treat. Both play important roles in supporting children and families. But for autism and developmental delays, ABA therapy offers the specialized, evidence-based intervention that can truly transform your child's ability to communicate, learn, and participate in everyday life.

Starting with an assessment is usually the best first step. A comprehensive evaluation can tell you exactly what your child's strengths are and where they need support. From there, you can make an informed decision about which services make the most sense. And remember – you can always adjust. If something isn't working, if you have concerns, if your child's needs change, you can switch approaches or add services.

Conclusion

So what's the bottom line? Behavioral therapists and ABA therapists both work with behavior, but they're really different in their training, methods, and what they focus on. Behavioral therapists use various therapeutic approaches for a wide range of mental health and behavioral concerns. ABA therapists use a specific, research-based science that's designed for autism and developmental challenges, with intensive, data-driven programming.

If you're still not sure what your child needs, that's okay! Reach out to providers, ask questions, maybe schedule consultations with both types of therapists. Working with a Columbus ABA certified therapist means you're getting specialized, evidence-based care from professionals who've met rigorous national standards. The right support is out there, and taking this time to understand your options means you're already doing an amazing job advocating for your child. You've got this.