Welcome to the second OACBS newsletter! We have lots of exciting updates this month. If you have feedback about the newsletter, would like to contribute information, or would like to help prepare the newsletter, please contact Meghan Marty, PhD, OACBS Member-at-Large.
On-going OACBS Projects
ACT Study Groups
We’ve had a fantastic response to OACBS’ first round of ACT/CBS study groups! There are currently 5 study groups running, 2 on-line and 3 in-person, each focused on reading and discussing a specific ACT or CBS-related book. Thank you so much to the group leaders for being willing to serve as hosts for this first round of study groups! If you are interested in possibly hosting a future study group, please contact Jenna LeJeune, PhD.
Student Outreach
After receiving several requests, OACBS has created a listserv just for graduate students! Our aim is to create a safe space for students to discuss ACT and RFT- related issues amongst themselves. We’d like to thank OACBS members Paul Guinther, PhD and Sandy Bushberg, PhD for agreeing to be moderators. To join, send an email to our Google Group. Please note: this listserv is for students only. If you would like to be involved in student outreach, please contact Jesse Burrell, MA.
OACBS Website
We are continuing to develop a website for OACBS. A special thanks to OACBS member Fred Kane, MDiv who is generously volunteering his time and skills to help put this project into place. If you would like to be involved in the website development project, please contact Scott Rower, PhD.
Upcoming Trainings
The opportunities listed below may be of interest to OACBS members. Please note, these trainings are not endorsed by OACBS and the information is simply provided as a convenience to members.
- An Introduction to Compassion-Focused Therapy” and “Training Compassionate Capacity: Moving Beyond the Basics of Compassion-Focused Therapy
March 20-21, 2015 (Portland)
Russell Kolts, PhD
Offered by Portland Psychotherapy - Quick Start Guide to ACT
March 24, 2015 (On-line)
Russ Harris
Interactive 8-week course for beginners that takes participants step-by-step through the whole ACT model. - The Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) Annual World Conference
July 14-19 2015 (Berlin, Germany)
Dr. Jason Luoma, OACBS member and President of the ACBS, would like to extend a special invitation to all OACBS members to join him at this year’s WorldCon in Berlin, Germany. For those who have not had the opportunity to attend a World Conference, these aren’t your average professional conference! The ACBS World Conference brings together clinicians and researchers to present cutting-edge research in ACT, RFT, and Contextual Behavioral Science, as well as some of the world’s most experienced trainers to lead experiential workshops so that you can hone your skills and learn how to better serve your clients. This is the ACT and CBS-community’s big event, a time to not only expand your skills and knowledge, but also a chance to get to connect with this wonderful community. So please consider joining us this July in Berlin!
Member Spotlight
Laura Heesacker
Ashland, Oregon
Where do you work? I currently work as Behavioral Health Consultant with the Oregon Pain Guidance Group and three area Coordinated Care Organizations in Southern Oregon. I provide clinical oversight for the new Pain Resiliency Program, an ACT based program designed to help individuals live a full and meaningful life along side chronic pain. I also work with Portland State University School of Social Work as a field liaison.
What got you interested in contextual behavioral science (ACT, FAP, RFT, etc.)? I was introduced to ACT through a conference with Kurt Strosahl and Patti Robinson in 1999. I didn’t become an ACT devotee until I attended the first ACT Bootcamp in Reno, NV. It wasn’t until 2014, when both of my children were diagnosed with life threatening health challenges, that ACT became the way I move through each day of my life. My mind is neither friend nor foe, but together we are beginning to find peace with each other.
What is your favorite ACT metaphor? Monsters on the Bus
Name your top 3 values. Compassion (for self and others); Humility; The present
moment
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Spending time with my family and friends, hiking, going to the coast, and being present with myself and my children as we navigate this new world of wonder, pain, and delight!
What might other OACBS members not know about you? My first pet was a one- legged chicken named Sara Grandmother. As a teenager I drove a dirt bike and barrel raced in 4-H. In my 20’s I was a kick boxing bungy jumper, majoring in Business until I failed Financial Management 101-Thank God for small favors!
The Beatles or the Rolling Stones? Beatles Baby!
Anything else you would like to share? I constantly marvel at the many ways ACT provides a foundation for all areas of my life. I am grateful for the strong state, national, and international ACT community that supports my work and life!
Award for Research in Contextual Behavioral Science
Last month, OACBS sponsored the Award for Research in Contextual Behavioral Science at the CREST Jane Goodall Science Symposium. The recipient of the reward was Krista Wurscher and the title of her project was Concussion Symptoms in Relation to Brain Maturity. Krista did an outstanding job in presenting her study and was very passionate about her work. She placed 2nd in the Behavioral – Cognitive Psychology category and will be representing West Linn High School at the State Northwest Science Expo held at Portland State on April 3, 2015. Congratulations Krista!
New OACBS Members
Welcome to our new members! We look forward to your contributions to our chapter.
Lauren Justice
Cydne Collins
Roseann Getchell
Elisabeth Musch
Vanessa Casillas
Andrew Kenagy
Caitlin Parodi
John Szudera
Ann Matko
Paula Staffeldt
Andrew Stuck
A final note from your OACBS Board…
We on the OACBS Board would like to take this moment to thank all of our members who have helped make our first two years such an incredible success! In that short time we have been able to do so many things, from offering trainings, study groups, and a listserv to support our members across the state, to reaching out to other groups through things like student outreach and the graduate student listserv. And we have lots of exciting plans on the horizon, including the launch of our chapter website and more training events. We on the Board hope we have been of service to everyone in our community.
And now, we’d like to ask you to consider joining us as we take our Chapter to the next level. Next month we will be officially calling for nominations to the OACBS Board for the positions of President-Elect and Student Representative. Please consider running for one of these positions. It’s a great group of people and a wonderful opportunity to serve the ACBS community. If already know you are interested, please contact OACBS President, Jenna LeJeune, PhD. And thanks!