Using Acceptance and Commitment Training and Behavior Skills Training to Enhance Therapist Pairing Skills

ABSTRACT Pairing, sometimes called rapport building, is a technique used to contribute to therapeutic relationships and help establish instructional control with clients. While these skills have been explicitly trained in previous studies, engaging in these skills in natural therapeutic settings could be difficult due to environmental stressors common to these environments. In this regard, acceptance and commitment training (ACT) can be a useful supplement to traditional performance management techniques (e.g., training, feedback). The present study examined three operationalized presession pairing skills with three Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). A concurrent multiple probe design across participants was used to evaluate the use of ACT training on these skills. Participants were first exposed to a brief ACT module. Following monitoring of performance, participants whose percentage of skills fell below inclusionary criteria were provided with supplemental behavioral skills training (BST). Results suggest that ACT alone may result in temporary performance increases, however, 2 of 3 participants required additional support with BST to reach acceptable levels. In short, ACT may be an effective methodology to improve employee performance, but it likely should be a complement to effective training and performance management processes.