5 Careers in Behavioural Psychology

Do you have a knack for helping people achieve their goals? Turns out, there’s a whole field of study within Psychology called Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) where you can combine your natural affinity for helping others with the science of learning and behaviour to make a real difference in others’ lives … for a living! ABA focuses on helping people by reinforcing positive behaviours and discouraging negative behaviours that are harmful or affect learning.

Fanshawe is launching an Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology degree that will help students apply the principles of ABA wherever their career interests take them. If caring for others is in your DNA, consider one of these five fulfilling careers in Behavioural Psychology.

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1. Autism Treatment

ABA is perhaps most widely known for assisting individuals with autism and related developmental disorders. With autism now affecting 1 in 50 Canadian children and youth, there’s no shortage of positions available to help clients gain different skills from communication, play, self-care to motor and social skills.

2. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment

Treatment programs combine cognitive therapy with ABA to address sources of dependency and discourages behaviours that cause individuals to turn to drugs and alcohol.

3. Fitness and Wellness Coaching

Coaches work with clients to reinforce positive actions to improve diet, physical fitness and work-life balance and discourage behaviours that hinder desired results.

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4. Social Work

ABA has been shown to be beneficial in social work applications including understanding the connection between major lifestyle changes like job loss and mental health with behaviours and then determining the resources needed to help clients overcome their hurdles. 

5. Criminal Justice and Corrections

ABA and criminology work together to help former offenders unlearn maladaptive behaviours so they may find a productive place in society … and prevent future incarceration.