OACBS Updates:
Racial Reckoning Task Force (RRTF)
The Racial Reckoning Task Force (RRTF) formed in response to a long-overdue call to action catalyzed by Mr. George Floyd’s murder on May 25th, 2020. After an initial statement released by the board in June, the beginnings of the task force were set in motion. The official first meeting of the task force was held online on 10/12/20 and we have been meeting twice a month since November. Efforts have been towards the alleviation of human suffering that is inherent in our community due to systemic racial injustice and to work towards an advancement of well-being for ourselves, our clients, and the communities we serve. Tasks and areas of focus have included email posts; identifying how we might better support and connect Black, Indigenous, and clinicians of color and BIPOC clients in Oregon; and exploring ways to support increased access to workshops and conferences for BIPOC clinicians within ACBS.
The RRTF is open to any current OACBS member who is interested in joining and aligning themselves with the work. We meet online on the first Monday of the month at 3:00 and the third Friday of the month at 4:00. For more information please email: racial-reckoning-task-force-oacbs@googlegroups.com
Mike Bricker (Eugene, OR) STEMSS Training Institute Disseminating Valuable Information on ACT in treatment of SUDs:
Mike will be presenting for the Vermont Addiction Counselors Association on “Acceptance is not surrender– ACT in treatment of SUDs” in May.
Mike Bricker MS, CADC-II, NCAC-2, LPC is a consultant on “dual recovery” from substance use and mental disorders through the STEMSS Institute, and specializes in blending research-based treatment with other Wisdom Traditions. He is also a Behavioral Health Clinician for Strong Integrated Behavioral Health in Eugene OR. Mike specializes in providing trauma-informed care to participants in treatment for methamphetamine and other drugs of abuse, and Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid use disorders. He has educated and trained Counselors in Alaska, Oregon and the Navajo Nation. Mike is a seasoned trainer who presents regularly at national conferences, is a member of the NAADAC Speakers’ Bureau, and an Approved Education Provider.
ACBS Updates and Listserv Nuggets
ACBS Virtual World Conference Call for Submissions– Open
This year the ACBS world conference will be held virtually. The conference theme is: “Broadening Our Vision: Using CBS to Nurture a Just and Sustainable World“
Deadline for Oral Submissions: 15 February 2021
Deadline for Poster Submissions: 20 March 2021
For more information: https://contextualscience.org/wc2021virtual_call_for_submissions
ACBS Foundation Grant 2021
The ACBS Foundation aims to promote CBS projects around the world. With the goal of facilitating interventions that promote well-being, we are proud to announce a new funding mechanism for ground-breaking projects that share this aim in the realms of interventions, training, and research.
In particular, the ACBS is looking to support and fund projects that break new ground relating to climate change, interventions in hitherto untested populations, novel applications or modalities of interventions, projects focused on dissemination, projects that address public policy, that measure outcomes of training, examin interventions in naturally occurring groups, that have potential to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion, and/or address institutional racism, projects involving developing nations, refugees or other disenfranchised or marginalized people, projects that address biological correlates of CBS-relevant targets (multi-level approaches), or interventions using technology that would have a wide reach to help people in their natural contexts.
The call is open from 1/15/2021- 3/1/2021
For more information: https://contextualscience.org/acbs_foundation_grant_2021
World Health Organization recommends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the management of chronic pain in children
ACT’s new status in the WHO “Guidelines on the management of chronic pain in children” is a result of two decades of ACT research on pain.
According to the guidelines, the WHO specifically recommends ACT for use in said treatment, in support of “moderate certainty evidence” of improvement of functional disability. In fact, cognitive behavioral therapy and related interventions (ACT, etc) received the strongest recommendations; more highly recommended than medications.
For more information: https://contextualscience.org/news/world_health_organization_recommends_acceptance_and_commitment_therapy_for
Upcoming Professional Trainings
The opportunities listed below may be of interest to OACBS members. Please note, these events are not necessarily endorsed by OACBS and the information is simply provided as a convenience to members. If you know of any CBS-related training events in our area that you’d like announced in the next newsletter, please e-mail that information to Member At Large, Chelsea Davis-Laurin.
Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Guide Flexible Exposure
Brian Thomson, PhD, Director of Portland Psychotherapy Anxiety Clinic
Fri, February 26, 2021— Online workshop
1:00- 2:30PM PST
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a process-based treatment focused on strengthening psychological flexibility, a transdiagnostic process of change that refers to the ability to remain present while taking action towards meaningful life directions (Ong, Levin, Twohig, 2020). There is growing research support in the use of ACT with or without exposure in treating anxiety and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (Bluett et al. 2014). ACT has been called an exposure-based treatment (Luoma, Hayes, & Walser, 2017): it may help prepare clients for exposure, and exposure may strengthen psychological flexibility (Thompson, Luoma, & LeJeune, 2013).
For more information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/using-acceptance-and-commitment-therapy-to-guide-flexible-exposure-tickets-128758126021
ACBS World Conference 2021
June 24-27 2021, Virtual
The World Conference brings together clinicians and researchers to present cutting-edge research in, among other modalities, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Relational Frame Theory (RFT), and Contextual Behavioral Science, as well as experienced trainers to lead experiential workshops so that you can learn how to better serve your clients. Registration is now open!
Keep an eye out for OACBS table or events!
Brian Thompson, Brian Pilecki, & Joanne Chan plan to submit a proposal for a workshop entitled: Using Exposure to Strengthen Psychological Flexibility.
This proposal marks a historical moment for OACBS history as it is the first to gain sponsorship from the organization. Congratulations to Brian, Brian, and Joanne for the sponsorship and best of luck with the submission; we hope to see your work on the world stage!
Focused ACT for Brief Interventions
Dr. Patti Robinson and Dr. Kirk Strosahl
This course opens for enrollment on February 17, 2021— Online
Focused ACT for Brief Interventions teaches you focused acceptance and commitment therapy (FACT), a system for making the most of every minute and catalyzing transformational change from your very first session with a client.
In 6 content-packed modules, you’ll learn the structure of FACT sessions as well as strategies for efficiently building psychological flexibility as the trainers guide you through insightful video instruction, clinical roleplays, and practical exercises to help you personalize and apply what you’ve learned.
After completing this on-demand course, you’ll have a set of concrete steps and tools to help you organize sessions, create impactful interventions, and make a difference with any client in a short amount of time.
Peer Consult Groups in Oregon
Newberg: We meet third Thursdays from 12-1. Next meeting is March 19th. For more information email Joel Gregor gregorpsyd@hotmail.com
Medford/Ashland: Bi-monthly on the third Tuesday of the month at 4:30. Rotates between Medford at Rogue Community College and Ashland. Format is peer skills-building group with a rotating book we read together. Contact Sarah Verducci for info sarah@sarahverducci.com.
Portland: Every 2nd Friday of the month, Portland Psychotherapy hosts an ACT peer clinical consultation group from 3:30-5:30pm. This group is a forum for clinicians to engage in didactic and experiential consultation about the clinical use of ACT. It is mainly composed of professionals working in the mental health field, but graduate students pursuing a mental health-related degree are also welcome. Further information is here.
Welcome New OACBS Members!
| Luke | Allen |
| Katherine | Davis |
| Samantha | Domingo |
| Renee | Gestalt |
| Carol | Gross |
| JACK | Kasl |
| Candice | Kennedy |
| Ceri | Lan |
| Britania | Latronica |
| Jean | Lee |
| Meagan | O’Leaey |
| Nina | Paul |
| Patricia | Robinson |