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The International Conference on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Relational Frame Theory (RFT) and Contextual Behavioral Science.
8-10 August 2007
6-7 August Pre-conference workshop
Presenters
Dr. Kirk Strosahl
(Co-developer of ACT; Mountainview Consulting Group)
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Dr. Strosahl obtained his Ph.D. from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA, in 1981. After obtaining his degree, he spent three years working as a faculty member at the University of Washington, Department of Psychology, where he had the opportunity to work closely with both Marsha Linehan Ph.D. and Neil Jacobson Ph.D in treatment development projects. He has authored extensively in the areas of assessment and treatment of suicidal behavior, integration of behavioral health services into general medicine and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. He has been a close friend and colleague of Steven Hayes since 1986. He is co-author with Steven Hayes and Kelly Wilson of “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Experiential Approach to Behavior Change” and, more recently, “A Practical Guide to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy”. He has conducted numerous workshops and field based trainings in the practice of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and is widely respected for his practical, common sense approach to working with even the most difficult clients.
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Dr. Kelly Wilson
(Co-developer of ACT; University of Mississippi) |
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Received his Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1998. He is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Mississippi, Director of the Acceptance
and Commitment Therapy Treatment Development Group and the U of M Center for Contextual Psychology. He currently serves as the President of the Association for
contextual Behavioral Science. Dr. Wilson is a co-investigator on a substance abuse grant at the University of Houston Medical Center and a grant examining the
treatment of chronically anxious and depressed clients being carried out within the British Public Health Service.
Dr. Wilson has presented workshops in 13 countries to
over 3,000 individuals on a wide variety of topics including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Relational Frame Theory as well as on the basic behavior
theory and philosophy underlying ACT. Dr Wilson has central interests in the application of behavioral principles to understanding topics such as purpose, meaning, values, therapeutic relationship, and present moment focused work.
He is co-author of four books including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An
Experiential Approach to Behavior Change, Terapia de Aceptión y Compromiso: Un
Tratamiento Conductual Centrado en los Valores, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain, and Hyväksymis- ja omistautumisterapia käytännön
terapiatyössä as well as over 46 articles and chapters on related basic and applied issues.
Example Publications: |
Dr. Robyn Walser
(Palo Alto VA Medical Center, U.S.A.)
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Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D, is a psychologist for the National Center for PTSD at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Palo Alto and works as a consultant, workshop presenter and therapist in private business. Dr. Walser received her degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nevada-Reno. During her graduate studies she developed expertise in, traumatic stress, substance abuse and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She has conducted ACT workshop trainings in multiple formats and for multiple client problems in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Sweden, and the UK since 1998. She is currently developing innovative ways to translate science-into-practice and is responsible for the dissemination of state-of-the-art knowledge and treatment interventions to health care professionals and trainees across VA facilities nationally, and has published several articles and book chapters on ACT. She continues her research aspirations and is currently involved in research on several projects investigating use of mindfulness and ACT in PTSD populations. Additionally, Dr. Walser was program director for the ACT Summer Institute in 2005.
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Dr. Russ Harris
(Private Practice, Australia)
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Qualified as a doctor in 1989, at the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in the UK. He migrated to Australia in 1991, and set up practice as a GP in Melbourne. There he became increasingly interested in the psychological aspects of medical illness, and he soon developed a special interest in psychoneuroimmunology. Russ teaches mindfulness skills to his patients, including patients with chronic pain, hypertension,depression, stress, and anxiety. He now works in two different, yet complementary roles: both as a therapist and as a coach.
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Dr. JoAnne Dahl
(University of Uppsala, Sweden) |
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Is an Associate Professor in clinical psychology at the Department of Psychology at
Uppsala University. She has a 25 year background in behavior medicine research for
chronic illness and done clinical/research and education with ACT for about 5 years.
ACT research has included RCT treatment studies of chronic pain, (prevention and
rehabilitation) diabetes, epilepsy, headache and social phobia, obesity, stigmatization,
whiplash, long term sick listing. She is first author on two recent books on ACT
and treatment of chronic pain and several articles on treatment of pain and epilepsy.
JoAnne has been responsible for clinical research for ACT and the treatment of drug
refractory epilepsy in projects in Pune India and in Johannesberg, South Africa.
|At present she runs an active ACT lab with a large community of students in the
clinical program at Uppsala University. JoAnne runs national workshops in ACT
regularly in Sweden and Norway as well as internationally in the US, Africa, India,
Europe and recently in Brazil. JoAnne Dahl has recently won a Gold Flame award
from the Epilepsy Organization for her personal involvement in developing
psychological treatment for epilepsy nationally and internationally.
Example Publications: |
Dr. Tobias Lundgren
(University of Uppsala, Sweden)
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Tobias Lundgren is a Swedish licensed psychologist working in the area of behavior medicine. He is both an active clinician and an active researcher. He is conducting at Uppsala University, department of psychology. The main areas of clinical and research interests are pain, epilepsy, sports, self destructive behaviour and development of relevant ACT processes and outcome instruments. He wants to create, develop and evaluate models to help people live a more present, loving, vital and full life. We know that the actions you take in life affect both your bodily structures and your brain structures. Tobias has done several trainings for psychologists, physicians, physiotherapists and nurses in the ACT model in United States, Sweden, South Africa and India.
Example Publications: |
Dr. Simon Dymond
(University of Wales, Swansea, U.K.) |
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(University College Cork, 1996); Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA, 2000) is currently at the University of Wales, SwanseaHe has expertise and interests in Relational frame theory; derived relational responding and the transformation of stimulus functions; experimental psychopathology (fear conditioning, avoidance learning); gambling and electrophysiological correlates of relational responding. He is an International Representative to the Executive Council of the Association for Behavior Analysis (2005-2008) and on the Board of Directors for the Society for the Advancement of Behaviour AnalysisHe is also on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, The Psychological Record, Analysis of Gambling Behavior, and the International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy.
Example Publications: |
Dr. Rob Zettle
(Wichita State University, U.S.A.) |
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Has been involved in ACT to varying degrees for at least the last 25 years. He was Steve
Hayes’ first doctoral student and for his dissertation conducted the first randomized control
trial of ACT (which at the time was known as “comprehensive distancing’) comparing it to
cognitive therapy for the treatment of depression. Since that initial study, he has also
investigated ACT for depression in a group format and compared it to systematic
desensitization with college students experiencing math anxiety. Some of his more basic
research has investigated the relationship between experiential avoidance as a process and
perseverance and emotional reactions to psychologically challenging tasks such as dysphoric
mood induction, the cold pressor, and sorting objects while wearing “dunk goggles.”
His primary clinical interests are in applying ACT to depression and anxiety disorders. He has presented workshops on ACT with depression at the ACT Summer Institute in 2005 and last year at the Second World Conference on ACT, RFT, and Contextual Behavioural Science in London.
Example Publications:
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Dr. Sonja Batten
(Boston VA Medical Center, U.S.A.) |
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Has studied and published on issues related to ACT, traumatic stress, experiential
avoidance, and women's health for over a decade. Dr. Batten studied ACT with Steve
Hayes and Victoria Follette at the University of Nevada Reno from 1994 to 1999. During
that time, she primarily utilized ACT in the treatment of individuals dealing with
posttraumatic problems in living, substance abuse, and depression. She was a project
therapist on the grant evaluating the efficacy of ACT for polysubstance abusing opiate
addicts, and collaborated with other study personnel on the development of the ACT
protocol for this population. She has published numerous treatment manuals, articles, and
book chapters in the United States and Europe on the implementation of ACT.
She has
continued work on treatment development of ACT for PTSD and PTSD comorbid with
substance abuse, collaborating with Sue Orsillo, Steve Hayes, and others. Dr. Batten has
conducted ACT workshops since 1998 and provided specialized training in ACT for
PTSD and PTSD/Substance Abuse at the ACT Summer Institutes in 2004, 2005, and
2006. In 2005, she was the Director for the ACT Summer Institute in Philadelphia. She
has also conducted intensive experiential workshops at the Summer Institute and World
Congress venues. Dr. Batten is currently the coordinator of the Trauma Recovery
Programs for the VA Maryland Health Care System and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
for the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Her research and clinical interests
include emotional functioning, avoidance, and expression in trauma survivors.
Example Publications: |
Dr. John T. Blackledge
(University of Wollongong, Australia)
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J. T. received his Ph. D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2004, after studying Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Relational Frame Theory (RFT), under Dr. Steven Hayes since 1996. He has published eleven peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on ACT & RFT, has presented internationally on these subjects dozens of times, and has conducted ACT training workshops in Australia, the United States, and Ireland. He is currently a Lecturer at the University of Wollongong’s School of Psychology, where he actively researches ACT & RFT and supervises ACT therapists.
Example Publications: |
Dr Joseph Ciarrochi
(University of Wollongong, Australia)
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Dr. Ciarrochi's research has focused on understanding how to reduce suffering, promote
vitality, and promote social effectiveness. One line of his research has focused on the
individual difference factors (e.g., psychological acceptance, emotional intelligence) that
promote well-being. Dr. Ciarrochi has published several books and many journal articles
in this area. A second line of research has focused on evaluating Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy (ACT) in organizations. Dr. Ciarrochi is completing the third year
of a government (ARC) grant to evaluate ACT in the NSW police force. Dr. Ciarrochi
has published several review pieces on ACT and is currently preparing a book for New
Harbinger Press on the links between ACT and CBT.
Example Publications: |
Patricia Robinson (Mountainview Consulting Group, Inc.)
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Patricia Robinson is a consultant with Mountainview Consulting Group, Inc. She has numerous publications about delivering behavioral health services in primary care settings, including three books. Her first book, Treating Depression in Primary Care: A Manual for Primary Care and Mental Health Providers, describes a protocol used in a randomized control trial. The cognitive behavioral interventions (including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or ACT) used in the trial were associated with superior clinical, patient and provider satisfaction, and cost outcomes relative to usual care. Living Life Well: New Strategies for Hard Times, her second book, is a companion self-help book for patients. Her most recent book, Behavioral Consultation and Primary Care: A Guide to Integrating Services (Springer Science+Business Media, 2007), co-authored by Jeffrey T. Reiter, PhD, ABPP, offers practical advice for therapists entering integrated care settings, information for health care administrators, and numerous examples of ACT with children and adults. Dr. Robinson's work also includes several publications on using ACT to address the problems of chronic pain, particularly as they appear in the primary care setting. She continues to provide clinical services in two primary care clinics in the Yakima Valley of Washington state. She and her partner, Kirk Strosahl, are currently writing a trade book for New Harbinger concerning use of the ACT approach with depression. |
Ann Bailey - Illawarra Health |
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Ann Bailey currently co-runs the Specialist Psychological Service, Illawarra Health, which focuses on treatment for Anxiety Disorders and Borderline Personality Disorder. This service specialises in mindfulness-based approaches including ACT and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, winning an Illawarra Health Quality Award for excellence in specialist mental health care, 2003. |
Sonja Temelkovski
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Sonja Temelkovski obtained her Masters degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Wollongong in 2001. After obtaining her degree she worked for four years as a clinical psychologist for the Illawarra Area Health Service, where she was involved in the collaborative development of the Specialist Psychological Service. This service implemented and managed integrated models of care for clients with Anxiety Disorders and Borderline Personality Disorder. Mrs Temelkovski utilised empirically validated group and individual treatment protocols including Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for the abovementioned populations.In the last eighteen months Mrs Temelkovski has worked in the Psychology and Rehabilitation Medicine Departments at Concord Hospital, where she is interested in the psychological aspects of medical illness. At present she works with patients who have been affected by stroke, cancer, neurological conditions, muscular dystrophy and vascular diseases who are experiencing depression, anxiety, stress adjustment reactions and chronic pain. Mrs Temelkovski is interested in the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in health psychology settings. |
Dianne Mooney-Reh
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Dianne Mooney-Reh is a registered psychologist and candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) at the University of Wollongong. She is currently employed by the South East Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service (SESIAHS), and co- runs the Specialist Psychological Service (SPS) with Ann Bailey and Dr Lisa Parker. The Specialist Psychological Service provides efficacious treatment for clients referred for complex anxiety and borderline personality disorder, and utilises a model of care based on the principles and techniques of ACT, DBT and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. |
Lisa Parker
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Dr Lisa Parker, Clinical Psychologist, is currently employed by the South East Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service (SESIAHS), and co- runs the Specialist Psychological Service (SPS) with Ann Bailey and Dianne Mooney-Reh. The Specialist Psychological Service provides efficacious treatment for clients referred for complex anxiety and borderline personality disorder, and utilises a model of care based on the principles and techniques of ACT, DBT and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Lisa has extensive experience in working with both adults and young people who present with multiple problems. |
Linda Bilich
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Linda Bilich is a Clinical Psychologist and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Wollongong. Her research involves using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotional Intelligence and Mindfulness training with the New South Wales Police to promote their well-being, resilience and vitality. Virginia Bayliss and Linda are co-facilitating several workshops with the police.
Linda’s professional interests include organisational psychology, substance use disorders, and co-morbid mental health issues. Linda is also very interested in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and its application in these areas. |
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