Welcome to My World of Positive Systems Approach: A Journey Through 4 Decades of Clinical Psychology

Hello and welcome to my website! I am thrilled to have you here and eager to share my passion for clinical psychology, applied behaviour analysis and Positive Systems Approach in supporting people who present with challenging behaviours. My journey over the past 4 decades has been shaped by a commitment to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges, and I am delighted to introduce myself and the unique perspective I bring to the field.

A Journey of Experience and Evolution

My professional journey began at Western University in London, Ontario. There, I underwent formal training with a specialization in clinical psychology, applied behavior analysis and developmental disabilities. Following the completion of my Ph.D. and subsequent registration as a Clinical Psychologist in Ontario, I embarked on my career at the now-closed Oxford Regional Centre in Woodstock, Ontario. The early days of my career coincided with a significant shift in the landscape of mental health institutions. The deinstitutionalization movement of the 1970s and 1980s led to the closure of large facilities like the Oxford Regional Centre. During this time, my role was distinctive; I was part of a "Community Services" team dedicated to facilitating the transition of individuals from institutional settings to community placements, aligning with my strong belief in community empowerment and deinstitutionalization.

Embracing a Positive Systems Approach

Early in my careers I started to develop what would come to be the cornerstone of my professional philosophy - namely, what I referred to as Positive Systems Approach (PSA). As I outline in my book, this is not just a clinical technique for addressing severe behavioral issues; rather, it is a comprehensive philosophy that demands adoption by support workers, managers, and all caregivers. PSA operates as a 24/7 strategy focused on prevention through the reconfiguration of environmental and support arrangements, ultimately enhancing an individual's prospects for success. This approach, often described as a synthesis of Applied Behavior Analysis and Systems Theory, is at the core of my work. I firmly believe that the most effective application of Applied Behavior Analysis should consider critical system factors, recognizing behavior as a form of communication. In my book, I aim to delve into the key components of PSA, explaining its integration with Applied Behavior Analysis, and providing case examples to illustrate its practical application.

Join Me on This Exploration

As you navigate through my website, you'll find insights into my professional journey, the evolution of applied behaviour analysis, and an outline of the principles of the Positive Systems Approach. I invite you to join me on this exploration of ABA, systems theory, PSA and the integration of these philosophies in real-life scenarios.

Future Blog Posts

In the future, I plan on using these blog posts to expand on material in the book as well as provide more case studies based upon my 4 decades of clinical practice in the developmental disabilities and dual diagnosis fields. I will also respond to any questions (FAQ) that people have presented to me in the past and those that come up in any training sessions or personal communications.

Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to sharing more with you as we embark on this journey together.

Best regards,

Dr. Bob Carey