The Behaviour Analysis
Registration Board
Setting the standard. Protecting the public. Empowering the profession.
Founded in 2023, the Behaviour Analysis Registration Board (BARB) is Sri Lanka’s regulatory body for behaviour therapy.
Become CertifiedWe’re Here to Protect, Equip, and Raise the Bar
At BARB, we do more than issue credentials. We protect families from unregulated care, support therapists in delivering ethical practice, and raise the standards of behaviour therapy across Sri Lanka.
By setting clear guidelines, offering continuous training, and holding professionals accountable, we’re building a system where quality care is the default, not the exception. We ensure every individual, especially the most vulnerable, has access to safe, qualified, and effective behavioural support.
Our Mission
To promote ethical, professional, and evidence-based behaviour therapy through the certification, regulation, and training of behaviour therapy professionals in Sri Lanka and beyond.
Our Vision
A future where every person receives care that is competent, compassionate, and grounded in science; delivered by certified professionals held to the highest ethical standards.
Unregulated Therapy Puts Lives at Risk
In the absence of formal oversight, anyone can call themselves a behaviour therapist regardless of training, accountability, or ethics. This creates confusion for families, risks poor outcomes, and damages the credibility of the entire profession.
That’s why we were created.
To bring clarity, structure, and trust to a growing and vital field.
How We’re Building a Safer, Smarter Future for Behavioural Care
- Certify and register qualified behaviour therapists and analysts.
- Set and enforce ethical guidelines and professional standards.
- Support ongoing training and continuing education.
- Investigate complaints and hold practitioners accountable.
- Collaborate with governments, training bodies, and NGOs.
- Educate the public about the importance of evidence-based care.
Our Core Values
The foundation of our work is built on values that reflect both global best practices and local realities.
Professionalism
Upholding rigour and reliability in every standard we set.
Integrity
Practising with transparency, fairness, and accountability.
Collaboration
Working across sectors to create long-term impact.
Evidence-Based Practice
Grounding all decisions in data, science, and results.
Inclusion & Equity
Championing access to ethical care for all communities.
Advocacy
Promoting dignity and rights for both clients and certified professionals.
Meet the Professionals Guiding BARB’s Vision
Our leadership combines international expertise with local insight ensuring our standards align with global benchmarks while staying culturally relevant and community-responsive.
Dr. Anton James
President
PhD, FBPsS, CPsychol, CSci, CEA, BCBA, IBA
Dr. Anton James introduced certified behaviour therapy to Sri Lanka and established the country’s first ABA-based school for children with additional needs, The Tree House International, run by certified Behaviour Therapists and Behaviour Analysts. A leader in Applied Behaviour Analysis with over 20 years of global experience, he is the first professional from Sri Lanka to be certified as a Behaviour Analyst by the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board. He is also certified as a Behaviour Analyst in Ontario and the United Kingdom. He serves as a Professional Advisory Board Member for the International Behaviour Analysis Organisation and is a Subject Matter Expert in Applied Behaviour Analysis, contributing to the development of pre-approved ABA curricula for institutions worldwide. He is a Chartered Behavioural Psychologist, a Chartered Scientist, and a Chartered Educational Assessor.
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Chrystal (CJ) Honsaker
Secretary
BCBA | IBA | LBA | MEd | PhD Candidate
Chrystal (CJ) Honsaker is a Behavior Analyst with over 23 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She has directed regional ABA programs, supervised clinical teams, and trained emerging behavior analysts, with a strong emphasis on ethical, data-driven service delivery and professional accountability. Her expertise in International Psychology, specializing in Organizations and Systems, informs her work in strengthening regulatory frameworks and developing sustainable behavioral service systems.
Samantha Fernando
Treasurer
RBT, IBT, MSC APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
Samantha is a highly qualified advocate and Co Founder of a multidisciplinary centre for children with developmental disabilities, including autism, called Reach Beyond. She is a Registered Behaviour Technician (USA) and an International Behaviour Therapist specialising in autism and ADHD. She has over 15 years of experience working with children with special needs and is the mother of a son on the autism spectrum. Her pioneering work in Sri Lanka includes launching the nation’s first trilingual disability parent support group in 2016 and organising the first ABA awareness conference in 2007. Samantha is deeply committed to promoting societal acceptance and inclusion in both life and work for all persons.
BARB’s Ethics Committee
The Ethics Committee of the Behaviour Analysis Registration Board (BARB) plays a vital role in maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, fairness, and ethical conduct within the field of behaviour therapy.
The committee operates under a clear mandate to protect the public and preserve trust in the profession. Its members are appointed based on their expertise in behaviour therapy, psychology, ethics, law, or related disciplines.
Key Responsibilities
Review
Reviewing ethical complaints and concerns raised by clients, families, or institutions.
Enforce
Ensuring certified professionals adhere to BARB’s Code of Ethics.
Support
Supporting transparency, due process, and impartial decision-making.
Why Behaviour Therapy Works
Understanding behaviour therapy and how it works is essential for anyone engaging with this field.
Explore Behaviour Therapy →Join Us in Shaping the Future of
Behavioural Health
BARB is at the beginning of a bold journey; establishing national standards, certifying a new generation of professionals, and collaborating with global partners to elevate care throughout Sri Lanka.
If you’re a therapist, an educator, a donor, or a policymaker, there’s a role for you in this mission.
Reach out to explore how we can collaborate