Dana Paliliunas
Associate Teaching Professor of Applied Behavior Analysis
Dana Paliliunas has over a decade of experience in the field of behavior analysis, engaging in research and providing services in school, clinic, and home settings. Her clinical and research interests include conceptual topics grounded in contextual behavioral science and applied work using approaches such as Relational Frame Theory and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to develop interventions that support skill development and well-being for students, educators, and caregivers in educational settings.
Professional Experience
Dana Paliliunas’ work focuses on education, training, and research in advanced topics in behavior analysis. Prior to her doctorate studies, Dr. Paliliunas obtained her teaching license in special education and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), working in schools as a teacher and behavior specialist. She obtained her master’s and doctorate in Behavior Analysis and Therapy from Southern Illinois University, where she worked under the mentorship of Dr. Mark Dixon. She became an Associate Professor at Missouri State University, where she taught for six years in undergraduate and graduate programs in behavior analysis and clinical psychology. Dr. Paliliunas is a co-author of AIM: A Behavior Analytic Curriculum for Social-emotional Development in Children, which incorporates mindfulness, ACT, and behavior management techniques to target social-emotional development among children and has authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.
Education
- B.S.Ed. Special Education, Loyola University Chicago
- M.S. Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Southern Illinois University
- Ph.D. Rehabilitation, specialization: Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Southern Illinois University
Select Publications and Research
Paliliunas, D., Lee, B., Barker, K., & Caughron, M. (2024). Verbal relations in the context of university experience: An exploratory analysis using a relational density theoretical framework and case example. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 31, 100719.
Paliliunas, D., Burke, R. V., Taylor, S. L., Frizell, C. B., Durbin, K. K., & Hutchings, D. L. (2023). Evaluating an ACT-based brief intervention for educators treatment package on reported well-being and ACT-consistent language in the classroom. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 16(1), 156-171.
Paliliunas, D. (2022). Values: A core guiding principle for behavior-analytic intervention and research. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15(1), 115-125.
Dixon, M. R., Paliliunas, D., Barron, B. F., Schmick, A. M., & Stanley, C. R. (2021). Randomized controlled trial evaluation of ABA content on IQ gains in children with autism. Journal of Behavioral Education, 30, 455-477.
Paliliunas, D., Belisle, J., & Dixon, M. R. (2018). A randomized control trial to evaluate the use of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to increase academic performance and psychological flexibility in graduate students. Behavior analysis in practice, 11, 241-253.