On Friday, September 12th 2025, our TRIBE Residential Home Specialist had the privilege of presenting some of the incredible work we’re doing at The Behaviour Clinic & The TRIBE Team to the Community for Behaviour Analysis (Northern Ireland) at their 3rd annual conference.

This event brought together professionals in the field of Behaviour Analysis from across the UK and Republic of Ireland to explore how our science can be used to support individuals in compassionate and ethical ways.

​The conference, titled “Expanding Horizons: Behaviour Analysis for Complex and Compassionate Care,” showcased a wide range of excellent talks from innovative Behaviour Analysts doing inspiring and transformative work across the field. It was inclusive, welcoming, and provided space for original, forward-thinking discussions that I believe will help propel our science in the right direction.

As someone whose main role is applying Behaviour Science and delivering Trauma Informed Care directly with clients, presenting at conferences is never something I feel entirely confident doing. It often brings with it a wave of challenging private events—including feelings of inadequacy that many of us know as imposter syndrome. However, it’s always an honour to be invited to share our work, and by “practising what I preach” and using behavioural strategies, I was able to overcome those fears and resist the escape and avoidance behaviours that my body, mind, and learning history were urging me toward.

My talk at CfBA (NI) was titled “Trauma-Informed Behaviour Analysis: Evolving Practice for Care-Experienced Children and Their Caregivers.” I aimed to highlight some of the key considerations when using Behavioural Science with individuals who have experienced trauma and been exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

One important takeaway is the value of assessing a child’s history and understanding the link between adverse events and current behaviours. For example, a child who overeats or hoards food may be doing so as a result of long-term food insecurity and neglect prior to entering the care system. The way we use Behaviour Analysis to support this child must look significantly different from how we might support a child without this history.

At The Behaviour Clinic, we’ve developed a model of care we call TRIBE—a trauma-informed framework firmly rooted in Behavioural Science. I believe wholeheartedly (from experience) that Behaviour Analysis, when applied thoughtfully and compassionately, can strengthen and enhance trauma-informed practice in powerful ways.

A huge thank you to Joanne and Monica for organising such an insightful and forward-thinking event. I hope those who attended were able to take something meaningful from my presentation, just as I did from theirs.

If you'd like to know more about our work at The Behaviour Clinic or our TRIBE model, please feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to connect.