Multiple Relationships in ABA: What RBT®s Need to Know

Oct 5 / Alen Faye Crisostomo, BS, RBT
RBT®s often build strong working relationships with clients, families, supervisors, and coworkers. These relationships are important, but problems can arise when a professional relationship begins to overlap with a personal, social, financial, or other relationship.

This is called a multiple relationship.

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Why Are Multiple Relationships Risky?

Multiple relationships can affect the quality of ABA services.


They may make it harder for an RBT® to:

  • Stay objective
  • Follow the treatment plan consistently
  • Report concerns honestly
  • Maintain confidentiality
  • Keep professional roles clear
  • Avoid conflicts of interest


Even when the relationship begins with good intentions, personal feelings or obligations can start influencing professional decisions.

Types of Multiple Relationships in ABA

Multiple relationships can take different forms. They may involve personal, social, financial, or other connections that overlap with the RBT®’s professional role.


Some common examples include:

Personal relationships

A personal relationship may develop when an RBT® becomes involved in a client’s or caregiver’s personal life beyond the professional role. This can include becoming close friends, doing personal favors, or becoming involved in family matters.

Social relationships

A social relationship can happen when an RBT® interacts with a client or caregiver outside of services, such as through social media, social gatherings, or regular personal communication. These situations can make professional boundaries less clear.

Financial relationships

A financial relationship may involve gifts, loans, purchases, business arrangements, or other money-related interactions between an RBT® and a client or caregiver. These situations can create conflicts of interest or affect professional judgment.

Employment relationships

An employment relationship can become complicated when an RBT® has another work-related role with a client, caregiver, or supervisor outside of ABA services. This can create conflicts of interest or make professional boundaries harder to maintain.

Romantic or sexual relationships

Romantic or sexual relationships can seriously blur professional boundaries and create ethical concerns. RBT®s should maintain appropriate professional relationships and seek supervision if a boundary concern develops.

Family relationships

Multiple relationships may occur when an RBT® provides services to someone they are related to or becomes personally involved with a client’s family. These situations can make it difficult to remain objective and keep professional roles clear.

Supervisory relationships

A multiple relationship can develop when a supervisor and supervisee also have another personal, social, financial, or professional relationship. This may affect objectivity, communication, or decision-making within supervision.

Community relationships

RBT®s may sometimes encounter clients or families through schools, churches, neighborhoods, clubs, or other community settings. When professional and community roles overlap, RBT®s should maintain clear boundaries and seek guidance when needed.

What Should an RBT® Do?

If an RBT® notices that a multiple relationship is developing, they should not try to manage it alone.


The RBT® should:

  • Inform the supervising BCBA® as soon as possible.
  • Maintain clear professional boundaries.
  • Protect client confidentiality.
  • Document the concern and guidance received.
  • Follow workplace policies and supervision recommendations.
  • Continue watching for any effect on service delivery.

What If the Relationship Cannot Be Avoided?

Some multiple relationships may be difficult to avoid, especially in small communities, schools, or workplaces.


When this happens, the goal is to reduce the risk.


The RBT® should continue communicating with the supervising BCBA®, keep roles clearly defined, monitor for conflicts of interest, and take additional steps if the relationship begins affecting services.

Multiple relationships can create risks for professional judgment, boundaries, and service delivery. RBT®s should recognize these situations early, communicate with their supervisor, and take steps to reduce risk when a multiple relationship cannot be avoided. Clear boundaries help protect the client, the RBT®, and the quality of ABA services.

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