What is a conflict of interest in behavioral practice?

A conflict of interest in behavioral practice arises when an individual's personal interests could potentially influence their professional judgment or responsibilities. This situation can lead to biased decision-making or unethical behavior, compromising the effectiveness of treatment and the well-being of clients. An RBT must maintain integrity and objectivity, ensuring that their actions are always in the best interest of the clients they serve.

While having multiple clients in one household or professional relationships with others in the field may create complexities, these situations do not inherently compromise an RBT's judgment as long as proper boundaries and ethics are maintained. Similarly, providing services outside of one's expertise pertains more to competence than to conflicts of interest. Thus, understanding and identifying scenarios where personal interests might cloud professional responsibilities is crucial for ethical practice.