What does it take to become a great trainer? For Widad Mukhar, it starts with curiosity.

Long before she became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or a Master Trainer, Widad was the quiet observer in the room. As a child, she found herself constantly watching others and wondering why people behave the way they do. That early curiosity would eventually shape her career and her passion for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

“I was always asking why,” she recalls. “Why are people engaging in those behaviors?”

She did not know it at the time, but she was already thinking like a behavior analyst.

An Unexpected Path into ABA

Widad’s career did not begin in ABA. In fact, she initially set her sights on law enforcement. With a background in psychology and criminal justice, she wanted to bridge the gap between the two fields and bring more behavioral insight into the justice system.

That path led her to an internship in juvenile probation, something she had not originally planned on. But once she stepped into that environment, everything changed. “I absolutely loved it,” she says.

She went on to work in a maximum security juvenile corrections facility, gaining firsthand experience in high stress, high stakes environments. While the work was meaningful, she knew it was not her long-term destination. She wanted to do more with psychology and behavior. That search led her to ABA, first as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and eventually as a BCBA.

Finding Purpose as a Master Trainer

Like many BCBAs, Widad spent time working in clinical settings, supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. But over time, she realized she wanted a broader impact.

“I knew that ABA could expand more outside of just children with autism,” she explains.
When she discovered the Master Trainer role at QBS, it aligned perfectly with that vision. The opportunity to teach, consult, and bring behavior analytic principles to a wide range of organizations stood out immediately.

Now, as a Master Trainer, she works with professionals across industries, helping them understand behavior, apply de-escalation strategies when faced with challenging behaviors, and build safer environments for everyone.

A Training Style Built on Connection

Widad’s approach to training is anything but passive. She prioritizes interaction, engagement, and real-world application from the very beginning.

She starts her trainings by learning about the trainees: who they are, what they do, and who they serve. From there, she tailors examples and discussions to match their environments. Rather than lecturing for hours, she creates space for conversation, problem solving, and practice.

Widad’s goal is simple; by the end of the training, participants should feel confident not just understanding the material, but teaching it, using it, and supporting their colleagues.

One of Widad’s strengths as a trainer comes from her diverse background. From juvenile corrections to in-home ABA services, she has experienced behavior firsthand in very different contexts. These experiences allow her to connect with a wide range of trainees, from educators and clinicians to public safety professionals.

“It helps facilitate conversations,” she explains. “Even if the settings are different, behavior is behavior.” That perspective reinforces one of the core messages she shares in every training: the principles of behavior are universal, regardless of the individuals you serve.

Making Training Meaningful

For Widad, effective training goes beyond delivering content. It is about helping people care. One of the biggest challenges she faces is working with trainees who may not have chosen to be there. Some are appointed by their organization and arrive unsure of what to expect, or even resistant to the idea of becoming a certified trainer.

Her response is empathy and engagement. “I try to make it fun, relatable, and useful,” she says. By connecting the material to both professional and personal life, she helps trainees see Safety-Care’s value beyond the classroom.

Among the many training experiences she has had, one moment stands out. During a recertification session, a trainee shared a powerful perspective: “This is our job, but this is their life.”

That statement stayed with Widad. She even wrote it into her trainer manual to serve as a reminder that the work people do using Safety-Care has a lasting impact on the individuals they support. It is not just about completing a shift, checking boxes and receiving a paycheck. It is about shaping experiences and outcomes for others.

Redefining What Safety-Care Means

Widad is passionate about expanding how people think about Safety-Care. While some assume the curriculum is only for high-risk behavioral incidents, she emphasizes that its principles apply much more broadly.

“It is not just for dangerous behaviors,” she explains. “There is always a place for reinforcement.” From early prevention strategies to everyday interactions, the skills taught in Safety-Care can support appropriate, prosocial behavior across all settings and populations.

Advice for New Trainers

When asked what advice she would give to new trainers, Widad keeps it real.

Take your time. Give yourself grace. And practice as much as possible.

There is a learning curve, not just in understanding the material, but in learning how to teach it effectively. Confidence comes with experience. “You are not going to be perfect the first time,” she says. “And that is okay.” Her advice is to lean into opportunities, even when they feel uncomfortable. Those early moments are where growth for new trainers happens.

More Than a Job

For Widad, being a Master Trainer is about more than traveling the U.S. or meeting new people, although she values both. It is about helping others build skills that improve lives. At its core, her work reflects the same curiosity she had as a child. The difference now is that she not only understands behavior, she helps others understand it too. And that impact reaches far beyond the training room.

About Widad Mukhar

Over the last 6 years Widad has immersed herself in a variety of environments to better understand why people behave and interact. From juvenile probation and corrections, elementary school low income families, and adolescents with developmental difficulties – they all connect. Improving the lives of overlooked and underserved communities is why Widad became a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA). Her goal is to keep learning and look for ways to better the future.

Training Safety-Care allows Widad and community members to prevent, minimize and manage everyday interactions with the people in their care. Safety-Care works towards providing more humane, evidence based practices, and safety for all. As a Master Trainer over the last two years, training Safety-Care is one of the ways Widad continues learning about the communities and people around her.