Rob Holdsambeck, PhD, BCBA‑D

Executive Director

Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies

Founder and Co-Executive Director

Holdsambeck Behavioral Health

Chapter Adjunct

ABAI

www.holdsambeck.com

Email Rob Holdsambeck, PhD, BCBA-D

Joseph Dagen, PhD

Interview with Joe Dagen, PhD

“I use the science of behavior every day! The energy industry is very exciting, and now more than ever.”

Kent Johnson, PhD

Interview with Kent Johnson, PhD

“I tutored 40 kids when I was 9-12 years old. In college, I became passionate about…catering to children who could do better if we taught them better. Behavior analysis was the vehicle for me to make gains in education.”

Lori Diener-Ludwig, PhD

Interview with Lori Ludwig, PhD

“I’ve worked in a variety of industries including automotive, human services, non-profit, print, retail, and oil and gas across a range of companies, from global Fortune 500s, creative start-ups, to local small businesses.”

Eitan Eldar, PhD, BCBA-D

Interview with Eitan Eldar, PhD, BCBA‑D

“We began an instructional program in 1990 with three students. Now there are over a hundred students and more than 10 staff in that program, plus a few other programs in Israel.”

Rob Holdsambeck, EdD, LCP, BCBA-D

Interview with Rob Holdsambeck, PhD, BCBA‑D

“​Getting a child with Autism to communicate with signs, symbols or words when they previously used ‘meltdowns.’…I am happy that the company I created gives opportunities to these kids (and also lots of jobs to talented ABA professionals).”

A. Charles Catania, PhD

Interview with Charles Catania, PhD

“We need to find more and better ways to educate the general public about our science.”

Francis Mechner, PhD

Interview with Francis Mechner, PhD

“If you want to make advances in your field, don’t stay in the safe and fashionable middle, go for the edges.”

Philip N. HIneline, PhD, BCBA-D

Interview with Philip Hineline, PhD

“While Skinner was a very nice guy he was often demonized. Many people only accept behavior analysis after they see the practical applications.”

Kennon "Andy" Lattal

Interview with Andy Lattal, PhD

“I am most proud of the 43 doctoral students I have trained, and the numerous sabbatical visitors who have spent time working with me. These people are the future of our field…”

Ronnie Detrich, PhD

Interview with Ronnie Detrich

“Behavior analysts should work on speaking to a broader audience in ways that the audience is receptive to and finding ways to disseminate and tell our story more effectively.”

Interview with Ramona Houmanfar, PhD

“I’m proud of my students and their work, and how we developed a line of research related to communication/verbal behavior and RFT/rule governance in organizations. Developing your niche is hard to do and takes courage.”

Janet S. Twyman, PhD, BCBA, LBA

Interview with Janet S. Twyman, PhD, BCBA, LBA

…my approach is the same: make sure the behavior is doable; ensure there’s motivation and environmental support; reduce or eliminate coercion; always look to the contingencies.

D. Dwight Harshbarger, PhD

Interview with Dwight Harshbarger

“This stuff is powerful, I’m gonna keep doing it.”

Beth Sulzer-Azaroff, PhD

In Memory of Beth Sulzer-Azaroff from Trustee Kent Johnson

The Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies...
H.S. (Hank) Pennypacker, PhD

In Memory and Honor of H.S. Pennypacker

Dear Friends of the Cambridge Center for...
Interview conducted by Sorah Stein
This is the bio section that I am building longer to see how it looks when there is a lot more stuff here. I am wondering how the spacing will look and if we need to add more of this or that if you know what I mean. It is snowing outside and looks like it will continue to snow for a long time. The northeast is cold, very cold. I have been told that there are places that are colder but I’m not sure of that.
How and /or why did you get into the field? 

I’d like to say that it was a well-researched decision but it was just luck. I was in undergraduate pilot training so I thought that it didn’t matter what I selected as a major. My dad was an engineer so he was hoping I would stay in math or engineering. I studied them a bit but felt out of place with a pocket protector and slide rule roaming around campus. As luck would have it, I ended up in Hank Pennypacker’s classes at UF during a very exciting time in our field.  ​

​​I really enjoyed precision teaching and figured that if things worked out, I might become a professor of psychology. Hank introduced us to the works of folks like Ivan Pavlov, Ogden Lindsley and BF Skinner. Then he told us about things like the “Worm Runner’s Digest,” which was loosely built around the idea that you could get an earthworm to crawl across a petri dish if you just understood operant conditioning. He encouraged us to look for applications of our science wherever we chose to work. I ended up doing some work at a place that dealt with neurodevelopmental disorders. To use a fishing analogy, I was hooked.

What do you think is your most important accomplishment?

​Getting a child with Autism to communicate with signs, symbols or words when they previously used “meltdowns.”  When I started my ABA work, these kids (and adults) were often locked away in facilities called state hospitals. In truth, they were more like warehouses. Ivar Lovaas was starting his work at UCLA and many of us were skeptical. Over time, I came to understand the power of early intensive types of behavioral intervention. I am happy that the company I created gives opportunities to these kids (and also lots of jobs to talented ABA professionals).

What do you think the field should be doing more?

​I was an early advocate of some type of certification or licensing for behavior analysts.  ​

​I am pleased that it is growing and evolving. I think we have to continue to be vigilant to guard against people claiming they know or practice our science when they do not. One of the reasons I stay committed to the mission of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies is that it gives me a platform to do two important things. First, I think we can serve as a much needed filter. When new claims are made or new issues emerge, we have some amazing people to help us sort through what is real and what is hype. Keep in mind that we are not bound by the politics of a University nor are we driven by any profit motivation. All of these people (myslef included) volunteer their time. If you are a parent of a child or adult with special needs who is looking for help, I think we owe it to you to “separate the wheat from the chaff.” Second, I hope that we can do more to serve as a catalyst for good ideas and programs. There are so many.

What is your favorite thing about behavior analysis? 

​I appreciate the scientific approach to helping.  From my early days in Gainesville to now, I have found the majority of my colleagues aligned in that way. In the rare instance that they are not, I choose to move on.  ​

What advice do you have for folks just entering behavior analysis? 

​Find good mentors and spend less and less time with people that drag you down. Our field thrives on diversity; embrace it. If you read our recent book, “Behavioral Science; Tales of Inspiration, Discovery and Service,” you will see what I mean. (PS. In case you don’t already know, Sorah donated a ton of time to line editing that book for us).

I also like the Michael Dell approach to business success and it has served me well: “never be the smartest person in the room.”  ​

​Among my many job duties, that dictum is by far the easiest to follow.  ​