When Life Interrupts Treatment: A Behavioral Look at Trauma, Healing & Hope
- Ashley Carrigan
- Jun 25
- 2 min read
Imagine this: a parent, already juggling the weight of everyday life, suddenly finds themselves in crisis—a job loss, a painful breakup, the anniversary of a childhood trauma. Their child is receiving therapy for developmental delays, and sessions continue, but the energy in the home has shifted. The parent seems distracted. They’re forgetting materials. They're cancelling appointments. They're nonresponsive to communication attempts. They're late. Eventually, they stop attending altogether. This isn’t a story about noncompliance. It’s a story about being human.
The Invisible Barriers to Treatment
When people hear “treatment adherence,” they often think about following directions—doing what the therapist said to do. But in behavior science, treatment adherence is much more than rule-following. It’s about maintaining consistent, value-aligned action in the face of life’s unpredictability.
Many families struggle to stick with treatment not because they don’t care, but because trauma, stress, or mental health issues silently pull them away. These moments—often unseen—are where clinical behavior analysis (CBA) meets real life.
Psychological Flexibility: The Heart of Healing
Psychological flexibility is a person’s ability to shift, stay present, and keep moving toward their values, even when it’s hard. Think of it like emotional agility. When someone is overwhelmed by fear, grief, or anxiety, their ability to stay consistent with treatment often decreases. This doesn’t mean failure—it signals a need for support, not correction.
Clinicians using trauma-informed and compassionate-based strategies help clients—and their families—rebuild flexibility. They don’t just focus on skills. They focus on the whole human.
The Science of Compassion
In ABA and clinical behavior analysis, we study how verbal interactions and past learning experiences shape behavior. Compassionate care is more than a kind tone—it’s a strategic tool rooted in verbal conditioning and behavioral principles. When a caregiver hears, “You’re doing the best you can,” and it’s followed by authentic support, we’re reinforcing engagement.
By focusing on trust, safety, and flexibility, we create environments where healing is possible—and where treatment can stick, even during life’s hardest moments.
Key Takeaways
Treatment nonadherence is often a symptom, not a behavior problem.
Psychological flexibility can be taught and supported—through ACT-based tools, functional assessments, and values-aligned care.
Compassion is measurable and impactful. It changes behavior just like reinforcement does.
When we meet families with understanding—especially in their most difficult seasons—we don’t just improve outcomes. We build resilience. And that’s where true healing begins.
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