A Path from Behavior Analysis to Health and Wellness Practice

Getting Started in Fitness
Picture it, 2017-ish. I had been in and out of fitness my whole life.  Step aerobics in the 1990s. Gym memberships. I had just tested for my second-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. I was warming up in the dojang when someone asked me, “Did I hear you were a personal trainer?” Well, no, but it was something I always wanted to do. As I was driving home, I saw a billboard for a personal trainer prep program at George Mason University, where I work in the Behavior Analysis program. The class was full, and I was busy, but I ordered the materials anyway.  

Building a Foundation
I was clearly in over my head. Learning anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology was not something I could do through self-study. I halfheartedly read the materials, but had no real direction. The next year, my Dad passed away after a long illness.  He left each of us a little sum of money, and I found out that Northern Virginia Community College offered a personal training certificate. Courses included Anatomy and Physiology, Exercise Science, Exercise Programming, Nutrition, and Business. I signed up, and it was just what I needed to do - I even earned Physical Education student of the year! Along the way, I found out about nutrition coaching and health coaching. The American Council on Exercise offered the health coaching certificate, which has now morphed into a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach preparation program. I signed up for that as well as Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach certification. I now hold all of these certifications, as well as CrossFit Level 1 and GEAR Indoor Cycling Instructor credentials.

Identifying the Gap
Since the beginning, I have been very interested in the integration of behavior analysis in health and wellness. I was surprised by how little behavior analysis there was in my preparation programs and in the public health literature. Weren’t we supposed to save the world with behavior analysis? I’m currently working with the Kinesiology program at George Mason to hopefully change that just a little bit. 

Expanding the Work
About a year ago, I was asked to do a presentation for the ABA Reimagined Conference on the intersection of music, behavior analysis, and exercise - I’m also a musician. As I was preparing for the conference, I was texting with a composition professor friend, Dr. Dave Chávez. This began a collaborative partnership we have to this day (see us at the Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis and ABAI this year!). 

Advice for Practitioners
It is definitely tough to get into fitness and behavior analysis. ABA’s built a reputation around being the “autism people” and so a lot of training programs are autism-focused. But there are people out there willing to listen and ready to help. I see my job, in part, to help spread more awareness of how behavior analysis can also help the everyday person seeking to lead a healthier life. For new practitioners, I would suggest getting good training in the science of behavior. Pay attention in your research and philosophical and conceptual courses, especially. This will serve you well later!  Then, once you have passed your BCBA, seek out other certifications in health and fitness from reputable programs. And last but not least, seek out mentorship once you get certified. Especially in the early years, it is important to have guidance and leadership from a mentor. You’ll be unstoppable. 

Dr. Christine Barthold

Christine Barthold is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D™) who has a passion for helping people to be their best selves. She has been working with individuals with developmental disabilities for almost 30 years. An “early adopter” of certification, she received her BCBA (now BCBA-D) in 2001, and has worked in home, hospital, residential, and community settings with individuals across the lifespan. Chris believes that ABA is a science that can be applied to just about anything. In addition to her BCBA-D and Licensed Behavior Analyst (VA) Credentials, she is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise, Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified Coach, and a CrossFit Level 1 Coach. . At present, Chris is an Associate Professor and the Academic Program Coordinator of the ABA program at George Mason University. She also works as a clinical behavior analyst, providing ABA services in the community. When she is not coaching or teaching, Chris is playing music or talking about music. She proficient in 6 instruments (flute, piccolo, clarinet, guitar, bass, piano/keys) and is currently working to add banjo to the list

The Behavior Analysis in Health, Sport and Fitness Special Interest Group (HSF SIG) does not sponsor, approve, or endorse the author, their personal views or opinions, or the information, materials, or advice identified herein.