An Overview of Some Current Challenges Within the Field of Clinical Behavior Analysis‪.‬

Clinical Behavior Analysis (CBA) is facing a number of difficult challenges and in many ways is at an important crossroads. This paper outlines several key issues and discusses possible directions CBA might pursue within the context of the current marketplace. Among the challenges faced today are a lack of common ground between academic psychologists and community-based psychologists and limited dialogue between CBA and mainstream clinical psychology. These are further complicated by economic strains that have led to increasing pressure to change the nature of clinical practice including the use of practice guidelines and empirical based treatment algorithms. Although promising, the basic assumptions of these types of treatment models may be premature. This paper explores some of the possible associated limitations and questions the use of empirical approaches to the exclusion of other treatment modalities at this time. Despite these challenges, CBA may be in a unique position to advance clinical psychology and is seen as having much to offer. The potential strengths of CBA are discussed and recent examples of the use of CBA within traditional clinical settings are highlighted. **********