Round 15
ACT is Within the Scope of Practice of ABA
Podcast Description:
ACT is Within the Scope of Practice of ABA
On June 25, 2026, ABA Ultimate Showdown brought the published debate to life for the first time, taking the conversation off the page and onto the stage at the NJ ABA 21st Annual Conference at The Palace at Somerset Park in New Jersey.
The motion on the floor: “Acceptance and Commitment Training is within the scope of practice of Applied Behavior Analysis.”
Two distinguished behavior analysts argued opposing sides in a structured live debate format, complete with opening remarks, rebuttals, and a live crossfire where audience questions were directed straight to the debaters. The session was co-moderated by two members of the Graham Behavior Services clinical team. This debate was recorded live during the final session of the conference on Thursday, June 25, from 3:45 to 4:35 PM ET. You can view the original session listing on the conference schedule. The full audio episode will be posted in January 2027. Check back then to listen!
The motion on the floor: “Acceptance and Commitment Training is within the scope of practice of Applied Behavior Analysis.”
Two distinguished behavior analysts argued opposing sides in a structured live debate format, complete with opening remarks, rebuttals, and a live crossfire where audience questions were directed straight to the debaters. The session was co-moderated by two members of the Graham Behavior Services clinical team. This debate was recorded live during the final session of the conference on Thursday, June 25, from 3:45 to 4:35 PM ET. You can view the original session listing on the conference schedule. The full audio episode will be posted in January 2027. Check back then to listen!
Podcast resources:
This episode follows the ABA Ultimate Showdown structured debate format, modified for a live conference setting:
- Introduction of the podcast, the motion, and the debaters
- Opening remarks (approximately 7 minutes per debater)
- Rebuttals (approximately 5 minutes per debater)
- Live crossfire with audience and moderator questions (approximately 15 minutes)
- Summary and final focus (approximately 2 minutes per debater)
- Moderator closing remarks
Format influenced by Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas, and Oxford-style debate traditions, as well as the National Speech and Debate Association.
About the speakers:
Thomas Szabo, PhD, BCBA-D, In Support of the Motion
Dr. Tom Szabo is a core faculty member in the Department of Psychology and Counseling at McNeese University, a peer-reviewed ACT trainer, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he studied under W. Larry Williams and Steven C. Hayes.
For nearly 20 years, Tom has focused his work on psychological flexibility across clinical, educational, organizational, and community settings. He has developed ACT-based programs for autistic individuals, parents, caregivers, siblings, and staff, and his research addresses ACT training for behavior analysts and mental health practitioners, including work related to race, gender, neurodiversity, and disability. Through the Commit and Act Foundation, he has trained therapists internationally and is currently conducting funded research on reducing intra-familial violence.
Tom is the author of ACT and Applied Behavior Analysis: A Practical Guide to Ensuring Better Outcomes Using Acceptance and Commitment Training, published by New Harbinger Press.
At this debate, Dr. Szabo argued in support of the motion.
For nearly 20 years, Tom has focused his work on psychological flexibility across clinical, educational, organizational, and community settings. He has developed ACT-based programs for autistic individuals, parents, caregivers, siblings, and staff, and his research addresses ACT training for behavior analysts and mental health practitioners, including work related to race, gender, neurodiversity, and disability. Through the Commit and Act Foundation, he has trained therapists internationally and is currently conducting funded research on reducing intra-familial violence.
Tom is the author of ACT and Applied Behavior Analysis: A Practical Guide to Ensuring Better Outcomes Using Acceptance and Commitment Training, published by New Harbinger Press.
At this debate, Dr. Szabo argued in support of the motion.
Awab Abdel-Jalil, PhD, BCBA-D, Questioning the Motion
Dr. Awab Abdel-Jalil is the Vice President of Applied Research at Upstate Caring Partners and an adjunct professor at the Institute for Applied Behavioral Science at Endicott College. He completed his undergraduate training at the University of North Texas under Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz and earned his PhD at Endicott College under Dr. T.V. Joe Layng.
Awab is a coauthor of Nonlinear Contingency Analysis: Going Beyond Cognition and Behavior in Clinical Practice and the editor of the forthcoming Case Studies and Applications in Nonlinear Contingency Analysis. He has published on topics including assent, exposure therapies, and the constructional approach, and has presented more than 70 symposia, workshops, and papers at major behavioral science conferences. His areas of expertise include nonlinear contingency analysis, clinical behavior analysis, emotions, problem solving, and exposure therapy.
At this debate, Dr. Abdel-Jalil questioned the motion.
Awab is a coauthor of Nonlinear Contingency Analysis: Going Beyond Cognition and Behavior in Clinical Practice and the editor of the forthcoming Case Studies and Applications in Nonlinear Contingency Analysis. He has published on topics including assent, exposure therapies, and the constructional approach, and has presented more than 70 symposia, workshops, and papers at major behavioral science conferences. His areas of expertise include nonlinear contingency analysis, clinical behavior analysis, emotions, problem solving, and exposure therapy.
At this debate, Dr. Abdel-Jalil questioned the motion.
Featured Speakers:
Thomas Szabo, PhD, BCBA-D, In Support of the Motion
Awab Abdel-Jalil, PhD, BCBA-D, Questioning the Motion
About the Moderators:
Jilian DeTiberiis, MA, BCBA, Chief Clinical Operations Officer, GBS
Jilian DeTiberiis earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Rowan University and her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at Caldwell University. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and holds certifications in both elementary and special education. Jilian has extensive experience across public schools, private autism programs, and clinical leadership, and has presented on sleep, trauma-informed care, social skills, and other topics at Autism NJ and NJABA. She is also a Certified Sleep Science Coach and GBS’s resident sleep expert.
Megan Miller, MA, BCBA, Clinical Supervisor, GBS
Megan Miller is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has been working with individuals with disabilities since 2003. She holds an undergraduate degree in special education from The College of New Jersey, a Master of Arts from Kean University specializing in high incidence disabilities, and a post-graduate certification in ABA from Penn State University. Megan spent the first twelve years of her career as a special education teacher in Hawaii and New Jersey before joining the GBS clinical team. She is also the producer of the ABA Ultimate Showdown podcast.
Moderators:
Jilian DeTiberiis, MA, BCBA, Chief Clinical Operations Officer, GBS
