There will be independent opportunities for you to meet other ACT practitioners from around the world online.

Meetings are free for ACBS-members. In other words, if either time, geographical or financial issues have been putting constraints in the past for you to improve your ACT skills, they no longer need to be this this time round. Just drop in online and practice your ACT skills with colleagues as passionate about ACT and Functional Contextualism as you are! For more information, dates and access to the meetings, see the Online Act Peer Supervision Group webpage.

(This webpage was updated on October 2025)

An overview of resources, people, and practice opportunities that can help you getting started

The Portland model is an ACT-consultation format developed by Thompson et al. (2015). Since its publication, the model has become popular in the ACBS community as a peer-to-peer learning format. And no wonder, it is a very effective and low cost way ACT-practitioners can practice their skills.

If you want to start facilitating your own consultation group, it can be daunting to get started or continue when things don't go as hoped. Regardless of your level of expertise in ACT (i.e. whether beginner or expert) and regardless of your familiarity with the Portland model (i.e. whether low or high), this page gives you an overview of ressources, people, and practice opportunities that can support you while dveloping your Portland model facilitator skills.

 Learn about:

• The model's core features and advantages (e.g. deliberating skills + community building at the same time)
• How the model has been applied in and adapted to the most diverse settings in the ACBS-community over the years
• Members who share their personal tips with you how to successfully set up and facilitate your own group
• Ways and (online) places you can gain first-hand use and facilitator experience with this powerful learning format
• Dates and time of the next 3-hour online Portland model introductory workshop

-
 

1) Access existing resources

Make use of the articles, PowerPoints, and summaries generously shared by our community members:

- Link to original JCBS-article (also to directly download from this page; see attachments below)
- Portland Model information page of the Portland Psychotherapy Training website (with links to meeting outline, role descriptions, Hexaflex Monitor form, Transition Form, session structure)
- PowerPoint Slides of excellent introduction (public talk) to the Portland model by Michael Swadling
- Portland Model Meeting Guide (2 pages ppt file for download below)
- In Hebrew: See 3 documents below for download (attachment section) + explainer video of the Portland model in Hebrew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDScTlWUq6U (17 minutes)
 

Got some resources (ppts, overviews, cheat sheets, case studies, summaries, videos, etc. - in English or any other language!) that you would be willing to share with other members? Spread some community love and share them with other members. E-mail valerie_kiel[@]yahoo.com and they will get uploaded here.

2) Talk to an ambassador

Ambassadors are community members from around the world who have first-hand experience of facilitating Portland model consultation groups. Ambassadors are a great knowledge source because frequently, they have tweaked the model to adapt to their specific purposes and (work)cultures, and settings - much to learn and get inspired by. They are happy to share their experience with you and talk to you about your facilitator plans and questions in more detail. Please note: While ambassadors will not be able to help you set up your consultation group or support you in other time-consuming ways, they have plenty of tips and lessons learned to offer that will save you from re-inventing the wheel and increase the chances your group will be successful.
 

Finnland

Tiina Tuominen
President-elect Finnish Chapter (holding office as president as of May 2022)
Experience: Facilitating peer supervision meetings for chapter members (in person)
Languages you can contact Tiina: Finnish, English
e-mail: [email protected]

Mikko Vuokare
Languages you can contact Mikko: Finnish, English
[email protected]
e-mail: [email protected]
+358405808705

Kalle Partanen
psykologi, psykoterapeutti
Languages you can contact Kalle: Finnish, English
Arvokas mieli Oy
p. 046 810 7474
http://arvokasmieli.fi
e-mail: [email protected]
 

Norway

Eli Alperstein
Experience: Facilitating f2f and online meetings
Languages you can contact Eli: Norwegian, English
[email protected]
 

USA, San Francisco

Michal Vurek
Clinical Social Worker, has participated in a f2f (virtual during the pandemic) closed consultation group for several years in the Bay Area
Experience: Facilitating f2f meetings
Languages you can contact Michael: English
[email protected]
 

USA, Boston area

Daniel P. Johnson, PhD (he, him, his)
Experience: Facilitating a portland model group that I co-founded at the VA as a postdoc and one I started at my current workplace, which has 10-14 members weekly in the past 3 years.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
617-862-9510
email: [email protected]
website: https://www.danielpjohnsonphd.com
 

Australia

Michael Swadling (he/him)
Experience: Facilitating a Portland model group since 2015, originally for early-career therapists.
Clinical psychologist and board-approved supervisor; 2021-2023 Secretary of ANZ ACBS
email: [email protected]
or via Facebook message: www.facebook.com/urbanlabyrinth
 

Israel

Orin Gerstenhaber
Member Israeli ACBS -chapter
אורן גרסטנהיבר MSW
עו"ס קליני, פסיכותרפיסט ומדריך קוגנטיבי התנהגותי/ACT
orin-therapy.com
054-6322659

Extra information: Powerpoint and word documents on the Portland model in Hebrew for download in the attachments
 

*Not seeing a a person in your local area or speaking your (preferred) language? Consider posting your query on the professional listserv, or on specific SIG's and chapter listserves or various ACT/CBS-focused Facebook groups.

**Do you have first-hand experience with the Portland model yourself and would like to be added as ambassador, then please get in touch so we can add your name and contact details to the list):They in the most diverse settings and culturesWould you like to start your own consultation group based on the Portland Model? Do you wonder how to tweak the format to specific contexts or users (e.g. private praxis or university students)?
 

3) Join an existing consultation group and learn from the facilitators there

No interest to set up your own group, but in for some peer-to-peer learning hours? There are many (online and f2f) consultation groups running in the community already. Some of them are open to ad-hoc participants and even new stable members:

The ACT for Military SIG consultation group meetings

Bi-weekly drop-in peer consultation group (every other Friday)

Not seeing a group you want or can join? Consider posting your on the professional listserv, or on specific SIG's and chapter listserves or various ACT/CBS-focused Facebook groups
 

4) Attend an experiential primer into the Portland model (3 hours online-workshop)

*** This webinar is ONLY for ACBS-members ***
 

If you are looking for a way to familiarize yourself with the Portland model of peer consultation (Thompson et al. 2015) and experience first hand how easy it is to practice your ACT-skills with peers, then this highly interactive online Portland introduction might be just the right thing for you.

Over the course of 3 hours, you will first learn more about the model's main features (experiential learning, deliberate practice, and community building). Then, after some warming up exercises, you will practice in small groups (max 4 people) to follow the format. This will give you a good idea about both the advantages and challenges of the format. We will discuss the lessons learned from this practice part together and also review typical mistakes made when applying the model at first (and how to avoid them). Finally, you will get a chance to reflect upon the possibility to set up your own Portland model consultation group or join an existing one as a facilitator or member (online or locally).
 

This online-workshop is for you if you:

• Have a basic understanding and some practical experience with the ACT-model.
• Have no or very little experience with the Portland model and want an experiental introduction into this awesome consultation format.
• Want to set up your own (online or F2F) peer consultation group, or want to learn how to facilitate a group.

If you want to attend, you need to commit to the following:

1) Have a functional camera and audio, both switched on throughout the webinar.
2) Stay until the very end of the workshop.
3) Sit in a private and quiet spot with no other people being able to listen in or appearing behind you on camera (cats on keyboards do not count.)
4) Be willing to co-create an interactive and respectful learning environment with other members attending.

Saturday, 5 November 2022

Start of 3-hour webinar in different time zones:

San Francisco, USA Saturday 5 November 2022 at 09:00 PDT
Mexico City, Mexico Saturday 5 November 2022 at 10:00 CST
New York, USA Saturday 5 November 2022 at 12:00 EDT
Buenos Aires, Argentina Saturday 5 November 2022 at 13:00 ART
Freetown, Sierra Leone Saturday 5 November 2022 at 16:00 GMT
London, United Kingdom Saturday 5 November 2022 at 16:00 GMT
Amsterdam, Netherlands Saturday 5 November 2022 at 17:00 CET
Jerusalem, Israel Saturday 5 November 2022 at 18:00 IST
Nairobi, Kenya Saturday 5 November 2022 at 19:00 EAT
Ankara, Turkey Saturday 5 November 2022 at 19:00 TRT
Singapore, Singapore Saturday 6 November 2022 at 00:00 SGT
Sydney, Australia Saturday 6 November 2022 at 03:00 AEDT

Check your corresponding timezone: www.worldtimebuddy.com

To register for this online-workshop, please send an e-mail to: valerie_kiel[at]yahoo.com.

Please note:

This is a FREE online workshop for ACBS members ONLY. Please do not share the Zoom-link with non-members.
The Zoom meeting room that the workshop will be held in will close exactly 5 minutes after starting time. Please make sure to login on time to avoid disappointment.
 

5) Meet fellow Portland model facilitators

Would you love to hear how other facilitators are running a Portland model based group (e.g. how they have adapted the original format, which warm-up exercises they do; using real plays versus role-plays) and exchange ideas and experiences how to deal with common challenges and obstacles? Then come to the online meet-up to learn from and get inspired by the experiences and lessons learned from fellow facilitators.

 

********

Help us keeping this page content fresh and meaningful. Here's how:

• Want to get listed (or removed) as an ambassador in your local area or language?
• Are you running a consultation group and would like to open it up to other members (or want a listed one removed)? 
• Do you have experience with the Portland model and would you like to share your knowledge with others and offer an introductory webinar for FREE and ONLINE to community members?
• Do you have ressources (case studies, summaries, ppts, videos, etc. - in English or other languages) you would be willing to share with other members?
   

In all those cases, we would love to hear from you! Please send your message to valerie_kiel[at]yahoo.com
 

Format of the Group

Using the "Portland Model" (link below), we spend the first half of our time on a short opening exercise, short introductions, and then set and follow an agenda for any announcements, questions about ACT, or consultation questions attendees bring in with them. The second half is dedicated to practice. In the 25 to 30 minute practice portion there is a Skills Builder who volunteers to be in the "therapist" role (often, but not always, identifying a specific skill or process they would like to practice); an Assistant to the Skills Builder who provides support and guidance during the session as desired by the Skill Builder; a Case Presenter who is in the "client" role and offers a "real play" (something that is true and personal to them that they would feel okay to offering to the Skills Builder to work with); and a Hexaflex Monitor who tracks skills being practiced. Experiential appreciations, Hexaflex Monitor debrief, and Technical Discussion follows. Group ends by members signing up for the roles they would like to step into in the next month.

Membership

As we discuss clinical cases in this group, we limit attendance to those who are licensed healthcare professionals seeing clients in a clinical context (e.g. LCSWs, LPCs, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, registered dietitians, etc.) - OR- those in training who are working under supervision towards becoming a licensed healthcare professional (e.g. graduate students, interns, psychologist residents, etc.).

Membership is not limited to those in the Portland, Oregon area.

Meeting Information

This group meets online, via Zoom, on the 2nd Friday of every month from 3:30 - 5:30 pm Pacific time. Zoom link and role information is emailed out every month to members of the Google group listserv. The group has been meeting one way or another since November 4, 2005.

Contact Information

For more information about the group, our values, and what we do, or to join the Google group listserv see: https://www.portlandpsychotherapytraining.com/acceptance-and-commitment-therapy-peer-clinical-consultation-group/

Portland Model link:  https://contextualscience.org/sites/default/files/Supervision%20peer%20group%20Format.pdf

(This information was last updated on 9/18/2026)

Format of the Group:
Spanish:
Grupo presencial de supervisión entre pares basado en el Modelo Portland, enfocado en practicar y profundizar intervenciones desde las terapias contextuales (ACT y otros enfoques cognitivo-conductuales de tercera generación) a través del trabajo experiencial. Cada encuentro comienza con un breve ejercicio de mindfulness. Un/a participante toma el rol de "Presentador/a", trayendo una situación personal o de algún paciente/conocido, y otro/a el de "Practicante", poniendo en juego habilidades e intervenciones contextuales en tiempo real (formato real-play). El resto del grupo observa y brinda devolución sobre el proceso (movimientos dentro del Hexaflex, vínculo terapéutico, etc.), con un/a integrante que cumple el rol de "Monitor" para ofrecer una devolución más detallada. Los encuentros duran aproximadamente 90 minutos y suelen cerrarse con una comida compartida y charla informal.

English:
In-person peer consultation group based on the Portland Model, focused on practicing and deepening interventions from contextual behavioral therapies (ACT and related third-wave approaches) through experiential work. Each meeting opens with a brief mindfulness exercise. One participant takes the role of "Presenter," bringing a personal situation or one involving a patient/acquaintance, while another takes the role of "Practitioner," applying contextual skills and interventions in real time (real-play format). The rest of the group observes and gives feedback on the process (movement within the Hexaflex, therapeutic relationship, etc.), with one member acting as "Monitor" to offer detailed feedback. Sessions run approximately 90 minutes and close with a shared meal and informal conversation.

Membership:
Spanish:
Dirigido a profesionales de la salud mental que compartan los valores de ACT y de las terapias cognitivo-conductuales de tercera generación, y que conozcan mínimamente las bases teóricas de estos modelos. No se requiere experiencia previa como practicante, y también se puede participar únicamente como observador. Se espera confidencialidad, comodidad y buen trato entre los miembros del grupo.

English:
Open to mental health professionals who share the values of ACT and third-wave cognitive-behavioral therapies and have at least a basic understanding of the theoretical foundations of these models. No prior experience as a practitioner is required, and participation as an observer only is welcome. Confidentiality, comfort, and respectful treatment within the group are expected of all members.

Meeting Information (location, dates, times, etc.):
Spanish:
Encuentros presenciales en Bariloche, Argentina, de aproximadamente 90 minutos de duración (opcionalmente solemos quedarnos después a cenar y charlar de forma informal). La frecuencia actual es de dos veces al mes, rotando entre la zona de "los kilómetros" y el centro de la ciudad.

English:
In-person meetings in Bariloche, Argentina, approximately 90 minutes long (optionally we usually stay after for dinner and casual chatting). Frequency is currently twice a month, rotating between the "kilometers" area and the city centre.

Contact Information (name, email, phone number, etc.):
Mg. Iván Waisman · [email protected]
Lic. M.Fernanda Rincón · [email protected]
 

(This page was last updated on 9/17/26)

Hi,

If you are looking for a peer consultation group in Belgium (Vlaanderen) or the Netherlands, please check out: www.acbsbene.com/intervisie-groepen. You have to become a member of the ACBSBeNe to view and respond. See: contextualscience.org/acbs_belgium_netherlands_chapter or www.acbsbene.com for more information.

ACT and Mindfulness Consultation Group at City University

An ACT consultation group will be starting on the City University campus. The group will take the form of case discussion/review, discussion, application and demonstration of ACT and Mindfulness techniques and sharing of research and resources.

The group is intended to be a good learning ground for all involved and recognizes that at times, we all feel like imposters, fools and nerr-do-wells.

Based on interest, meetings will continue through out the year. There will be no cost for the meetings. All are welcome, no matter your level of training in ACT. However, a familiarity with the model will support you to better participate in the discussion. All cohorts are welcome as well as professors and along with any interested clinicians or students from the broader community.

For more information or to communicate your interest, please email me at [email protected].

Sean M. Swaby, MA
Internationally Certified Clinical Addiction Counsellor with the CACCF (http://www.caccf.ca/)

(This information was last updated in November 2017).

ACT Peer Consultation Group for Kitchener-Waterloo/Guelph/Hamilton and area, Ontario, Canada

Format of the Group
Informal discussion of readings, resource sharing, conference summaries, video viewings, case consultation, case presentations with role/real play infused with contributions/input from members (Format originally based on the Portland model).

Membership/Experience
Psychotherapy providers and graduate-level trainees (all skill levels and experience welcome) who are interested in learning more about ACT and its clinical application and have a willingness to contribute in some way to the meeting.

Meeting Information
Monthly from 6:30-8:00 pm, the third Monday of the month (day of week can vary)
Currently meeting online. Location occasionally subject to change -- Location will be provided upon registration.

Contact Information
Maria Geleynse ([email protected])

(This information was last updated on 9/18/2026)

ACT Peer Consultation Group for Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

The Ottawa Affiliate of ACBS hosts a montly peer consultation group.

Format of the Group
We use the Portland Model in our peer consultation group to develop new ACT skills.

Meeting Information
We meet in person either the first Tuesday or the first Wednesday of each month.  The date, time, and location alternate each month in order to accommodate different schedules.
The best way for people to get information about the next group meeting is to either email Kathryn Palmer or to join the Ottawa Affiliate Facebook group.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ACBSOtt/

Contact Information
Kathryn Palmer M.Ed., RP, C.C.C.
Email: [email protected]

(This webpage was updated on 10/21/2020)

ACT Peer Consultation Group for Tbilisi, Georgia

Format of the Group

We are a small peer consultation and discussion group for professionals interested in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS), and Relational Frame Theory (RFT).

Our meetings are informal and collaborative. We discuss ACT concepts, clinical applications, readings, videos, podcasts, and other materials related to ACT and CBS, and we sometimes include experiential exercises and case-based discussion.

Meetings are held either online or in person, including at the Psychotherapy and International Education Center (PIEC) in Tbilisi.

Membership

The group is open to ACT practitioners and other professionals interested in ACT and contextual behavioral science who value collaborative learning, openness, curiosity, equality, and a non-hierarchical group atmosphere.

The group is conducted in Georgian, so participants should be fluent in Georgian.

Meeting Information

The group meets periodically rather than on a fixed weekly schedule.

For current meeting information, please contact the group coordinator.

Contact Information

Tamar Loladze, PhD
Psychotherapist and Assistant Professor
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +995 555 646 472

We gather every other Wednesday at 8:00 pm (Mexico Central Time) to practice our skills through the portland model of peer consultation.

Everyone with any level of interest or knowledge in ACT are welcome!

Nos reunimos cada dos miércoles a las 8:00 pm (hora central de México) para practicar nuestras habilidades a través del modelo Portland de consulta entre pares.

¡Todas las personas con cualquier nivel de interés o conocimiento en ACT son bienvenidas!

[email protected]

Facebook

ACT Peer Consultation Group for Região Centro e Norte, Portugal

Format of the Group

Portuguese Comp. ACT consultation group (intervision/supervision): The Portland model
The group is a mixed 2h online/presencial

The purpose of the Portuguese Comp. ACT peer consultation group is two fold:

1) Provide ongoing didactic and experiential training in the competent use of ACT with a variety of clinical and non problems. Certain group members may serve as the senior content experts; however, as participants in the consultation group attend and participate over time, they will be expected to actively present material to others (the see one, do one, teach one model) and take responsibility for the direction of the group. Group members also commit to outside learning in the form of reading books, intentional practice, attending trainings, and/or joining the ACT listserv, as it is impossible to cover every aspect of the comp. ACT model in a two hour monthly meeting.

2) To provide consultation to individuals who are working to apply compassion ACT in their clinical or non-clinical (sport context/social, etc) work. This group is for people who are actively interested in using ACT in their work and want to improve their application of ACT principles. Consultation may involve case conceptualization, practicing experiential exercises, role-plays, or discussion of whether ACT is appropriate for a given patient or presenting problem.

Membership

• While not diminishing the importance of other forms of knowledge, we agree that this is an Compassion ACT-focused consultation group, not a general consultation group. Thus, we will work to focus the group on the application of Compassion and ACT principles and work to come back to these principles when the focus wanders.
• Group members agree to hold the content of what others say int he consultation groups confidential out of respect to the attendees and the individuals with whom we work – this is important both with respect to the sharing of difficult clinical cases and for experiential exercises that may occuring the group.
• Group members also agree to practice radical respect for one another and to realize that they are in the “same soup” with one another – just as we strive to do with clients in therapy or prevention intervention programs or ACT interventions in specific contexts
• Discussion of group process is not a primary goal of the group, although if there are issues present in real time in the group that are relevant to the understanding of the ACT model, those can be used as invivo examples.

Group values:
Creating caring communities (perhaps with as small as two members, like with our clients) where people are supported in living toward possibilities that they may not even see, rather than living out of limiting ideas of how they think life works. We will work to bring this sense of freedom and possibility in to this group.

• Lifelong learning and nurturing a “beginner's mind” to remain open to surprise, wisdom, and wonder.
• Openness to alternative perspectives.
• Living a life that is present, open, and authentic.
• Making this work more manifest in our own lives and in teaching it to those who also care to learn about it.

Individual commitments that have been spoken to thus far:

• I commit willingly to feeling what I will feel when I model what I know,both verbally and non verbally,abou thow to live Compassion mind and ACT.
• I will work to shape the group process so that we have a group that doesn't simply talk about ACT, but actually does Comp. ACT in our meetings.
• I will work to create an experience of choice in the group,not coercion.
• I commit to valuing the values oft hose in this group.
• I commit to willingly to experience whatever shows up for me. I am committed towillingly have my discomfort in our group.
• I will bring my full self to the meetings.
• I commit to doing the hard work in life (in addition to during group) that I ask my clients to do each day by showing up fully
• not attempting to check my insecurities at the door on the way in
• I commit to be an active and willing participant in the group.
• I will prepare for the group meetings in someway, either preparing a case, a question, or an intention for my self for the meeting.
• I will not buy the story “yeah, but I'm not as real of an ACTtherapist as X” as that only serves an avoidance function for me and does not move me towards being the therapist I want to be for the clients I serve.
• I commit to process experiential exercises from an honest personalst and point and not attempt to separate my own experience from that which “clients” experience.
• I commit to allowing every one in our group space to experience what they experience – not rescuing others – when painful internal experiences arise in relation to an experiential exercise or discussing challenging clinical or psychoeductional work.
• I commit to being open to feedback from the group with a corresponding willingness to ask questions if I do not understand or disagree.
• I plan to use the ACTmodel consistently during the 2-hour meeting in order to learn new skills and to practice and refine those skills I am familiar with.
• In order to learn, I commit to act, fail, learn and continue to advance my knowledge of ACT.
• I commit to practice risk-taking in both presenting and playing the “therapist role” in our meetings.
• I will appreciate the efforts of all other group members and support them where I can.
• I will respect others and value their contributions.
• I commit to work toward differentiating between that which is ACT-consistent and that which is ACT-inconsistent.
• I commit to asking questions when I'm not sure of something.
• I am committed to offering my self as a resource for the training mission of the group.
• I am committed to making the group a place where I choose to grow and learn about ACT and functional contextualism. I will do this even if my thoughts and feelings suggest otherwise, and will make an effort to be there with patience and compassion.
• I commit to having fun.

Meeting Information

Online (zoom) or presential (Aveiro/Coimbra/Viseu) every last friday of each month ( 14h30-16h30, Lisbon local time)

Contact Information

ACT Peer Consultation Group for Sweden

Format of the Group
Swedish Speaking

Membership
Swedish speaking, member of the Swedish Chapter.

Meeting Information
Every forth Monday in the month starting January 23rd 2023.
Time: 19-20:30 Swedish time

Contact Information
Thor Bengtsson, President of the Local Swedish Chapter
[email protected]

Vi träffas med jämna mellanrum (tiderna för våren 2023 kommer längre ner) digitalt.
Deltagandet är gratis och bara tillgängligt för medlemmar i ACBS Sweden.
För att behålla en trygg atmosfär tar vi oss rätten att stänga tillträdet till gruppen när det blir för många (Internationellt brukar max 8 per möte vara lagom).
Vi respekterar varandra och pratar aldrig om det någon har delat med sig av i mötet utanför mötet.

Varje möte varar 90 minuter och bygger på aktivt deltagande från alla och vi hjälper alla att förstå strukturen. Men i stort sett går det ut på följande:

• Välkommen
• En person utses som håller i tidsramar och struktur
• En deltagare håller en kort mindfulnessövning
• Alla ger positiv återkoppling
• Två personer träder fram, en som tar en "terapeutroll" och en som tar en "klientroll". Den som tar klientrollen pratar om riktiga problem den själv upplever, det vill säga "real play".
• Första rundan varar ca 15 minuter, då leder samtalet fram till där klienten "fastnar".
• Efteråt en runda med positiv återkoppling från alla.
• Andra rundan prövar terapeuten en intervention. Ibland kan vi byta så att en annan får vara terapeut om terapeuten vill det.
• Slutligen en tredje runda med positiv återkoppling.

Det går att läsa mer om konceptet här.

Datum för våren 2023, alla datum är tiden 19-20:30:
23/1
27/2
27/3
24/4
22/5
26/6
 

Observera att tryckfelsnisse har varit framme, det är ju fjärde MÅNDAGEN vi siktar på att ses. Nya datum här!

ACT Peer Consultation Group for Tampa, FL, USA

Format of the Group
Our monthly meetings consist of didactic peer-to-peer supervision, experiential exercises, and role/real plays, and case consultation to advance knowledge and use of contextual behavioral sciences (CBS), including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The Portland Model is often used as a guide for each meeting, though it is not strictly adhered to for every meeting to allow for workable flexibility.

Membership
Some knowledge of CBS is recommended but not required. All skill levels are welcome.

Meeting Information
Meeting are held the first Friday of every month from 10:00am - 12:00pm EST.
14502 Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618-2022

ACT Peer Consultation Group for Athens, GA, USA

Format of the Group
The group meets once a month. For the past three years, we have chosen a book to guide us for the year. First, we went through ACT Made Simple by Harris, then Wilson and Dufrene's Mindfulnesss for Two, then ACT on Life, not on Anger. During our meetings, we share experiential exercises, consult on cases, and generally explore how to use ACT in our work.

Membership
People working in mental health or students in a related field are invited to participate. One need not already be conversant in ACT. Members are required to commit to at least three months of participation to join the group to promote group cohesion.

Meeting Information
Times, dates, and locations vary.

Contact Information
Contact Kate Morrissey Stahl at [email protected] for more information or to join.

ACT Peer Consultation Group for Atlanta, GA, USA

Format of the Group
We follow the Portland Model of case consultation (https://contextualscience.org/portland_model_of_peertopeer_consult). We also read a text together in the weeks between meetings for discussion and practice.

Membership
Requirement for membership: an Atlanta-based mental health practitioner who either actively uses ACT in their practice or is seeking help in how to learn and practice ACT. All skill levels are welcome and we have a diverse experience level among our members.

Meeting Information
We meet once/month, currently the first Friday, from 9a-11a. We meet in Oakhurst and most of our members practice in Oakhurst, Decatur, Brookhaven, and Buckhead.

Contact Information
Rachel Waford Hall, PhD
phone: 404-969-5395
email: [email protected]

(This webpage was updated on January 20, 2019)
 

ACT Peer Consultation Group for Augusta, GA, USA

Format of the Group
This group has sometimes focused on particular topics in learning ACT and other times has focused on case consultation. We are currently following the Portland model of peer consultation, engaging in role play to practice skills and obtain consultation help.

Membership
Any graduate level students or licensed mental health professionals interested in learning ACT are welcome to join.

Meeting Information
We are meeting the first and third Fridays of the month, from 12pm - 1pm on the Health Sciences Campus at Augusta University. Call for directions.

Contact Information
For more information or to join us contact Amy House
[email protected]

Format of the Group
Chicago ACBS is hosting a bimonthly peer consultation group! The group is free and open to all skill levels. We utilize the Portland Model in addition to other modes of practicing and understanding ACT. If you are interested, please contact Kat Johnson at [email protected]

Membership
All skill levels welcome!

Meeting Information
We meet virtually 2X per month on Fridays at 11AM central.

ACT Peer Consultation Group for Portland, ME, USA

Format of the Group
The group provides a supportive place for members to learn together using a variety of formats including case presentations, discussion of relevant ACT topics, practice of mindfulness exercises, occasional practice of other experiential exercises, and other formats.  Please review this site (www.smact.me) for more information and sample agendas.

Membership
The group is a mix of 10+ individuals from various mental health and healthcare disciplines. The group has recently decided to be OPEN to new members. We ask that new members (a) already have introductory training in ACT and some self-study, (b) have an interest in gaining knowledge and improving skills with ACT, and (c) make a commitment to regular monthly attendance (i.e., attending more often than not). This group is only open to professionals in healthcare and mental healthcare fields (not open to the general public).

Meeting Information
We currently run an ACT Peer Consultation Group here in Portland, Maine, on the third Friday of each month from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Contact Information
If you are interested in participating in our group, please contact Joel Guarna ([email protected]) for additional information and to be placed on the email list where we discuss the agenda and make plans. We hope you will join us!

ACT Peer Consultation Group for Troy, NY, USA

Format of the Group
We do case consultations, discussions of ACT and ACT-related theories (e.g., FAP) and therapy techniques, as well as sharing information about publications and training conferences.

Membership
So far the membership has consisted of 3 licensed psychologists. However group membership is open to any State-licensed or State-certified mental health professional (e.g., social workers, psychiatrists, school psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners).

Meeting Information
Monthly Monday morning meetings, usually from 9 to 1030 am, are at the office of Dr. Martin Lyden. The address is 267 Hoosick Street, Troy, NY 12180 (see the website, drlyden.com, for driving directions and a map). The specific Monday may vary from month to month.

Contact Information
Martin Lyden, Ph.D.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 518-271-6949

Durham, North Carolina (USA) has a Community Consultation Group that meets once a month. It is led by Dr. Rhonda Merwin. Additional information can be found on the website: www.ACTatDuke.org.

(This information was submitted by Lisa Honeycutt on June 13, 2017)

ACT Peer Consultation Group for North and South Carolina, USA

Format of the Group
This group is hosted by ACT Carolinas. It is open to all experience levels. Being a member of ACBS is required.The consult group begins with a mindfulness exercise and then discussion of case consultations, therapeutic challenges and support of peers.

Membership
This group is hosted by ACT Carolinas. It is open to all experience levels. Being a member of ACBS is required.

Meeting Information
Virtual meetings are on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 10am ET. Quarterly, ACT at Duke hosts the consult meeting.

To receive the Zoom link, please complete the values & confidentiality statement: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y9HQECoQNSKkFE0J8fw9XE4ahcpSWkp6N5Z-dDm3JKSbuA/viewform?usp=preview

Contact Information
Valerie Akins, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
[email protected]
https://sites.google.com/view/act-carolinas/home

ACT Peer Consultation Group for Providence, RI, USA

Purpose of the Group

We all initially formed in 2022 with the intention to:

• To provide ongoing didactic and experiential training in the competent use of ACT with a variety of clinical problems.

• To provide consultation to individuals who are working to apply ACT in their clinical work.

  Our approach is base upon the Portland Mode.

Format of the Group

The session is typically broken down into segments, with the first segment concentrating on a concept, skill, or process, then dedicating the rest of the time to integrating the topic into a series of role plays allowing for skills practice and feedback.   

Membership
People working in mental health or students and helping professionals in a related field are invited to participate. No experience is necessary.  We ask for a minimal donation of $5 per session and have gotten the format recognition with the Rhode Mental Health Association for continuing education credits. 

You can learn more about us here:  www.riact.org

See how this is applied and join us here: www.AQALTherapies.com

Learn more about Todd here:  www.toddschmenk.com

Meeting Information
We meet the 2nd Monday of every month from 11am until 1pm at 2100 Broad Street, Cranston, RI

Contact Information
Contact Todd Schmenk at [email protected] for more information or to join.

ACT Peer Consultation Group - Dallas, TX

Format of the Group
Ongoing case consultation with meetings every 4 weeks for 60 minutes each. Meetings typically consist of brief, informal 'checking in,' then bulk of time devoted to structured case consultation.

Membership
Current members vary in their skill level and experience, but all have an open mind and an eagerness to learn. All are welcome!

Meeting Information
Meetings are currently held every 4 weeks on Thursdays at 12pm CST

Contact Information
Findley Harris: [email protected]

ACT Peer Consultation Group for Seattle, WA, USA

Format of the Group
Our consultation group is based on the consultation group model developed at Portland Psychotherapy (www.portlandpsychotherapyclinic.com). The two priorities of the group are to learn and practice ACT; we have adopted the Portland Psychotherapy group consultation model because it provides a structure and format to help facilitate learning ACT and to reduce or avoid some of the challenges that occur with consultation groups dedicated to learning a specific therapy. We are guided by our values of acting with compassion and courage, and being open and willing to support each other in our learning. The group is divided into 2 segments: the first segment (lasting about 1 hour) is dedicated to learning/sharing brief ACT exercises, discussing ACT-related topics, and ACT-focused case consultation. The second segment (lasting about 1 hour) is experiential practice of ACT skills, typically through a role play of clinical situations/experiences. Although we follow a very structured format we have a lot of fun and have tasty snacks at all of our meetings!

Membership
Mental health care provider or researcher; open to all levels of experience with ACT, although some familiarity with contextual behavioral science may be helpful.

Meeting Information
1st Friday of each month from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Seattle Psychology, PLLC located in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle (corner of N. 45th and Stone Way).

Contact Information
Christeine Terry: [email protected]; 206-963-6313.

(This page was last updated on 8/30/2024)