The ACBS Social Work SIG Board is delighted to announce Jennifer Shepard Payne, PhD, LCSW, as the recipient of the 2022 ACBS Social Work Award. Dr. Payne’s innovative work covers all three of the award areas: social work innovation, social justice, and CBS advancement within social work.

Dr. Payne has developed an adaptation of ACT that is culturally tailored to African-Americans suffering from social injustice and race-related trauma. Her upcoming book Out of the fire: Healing Black trauma caused by systemic racism using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy will be released by New Harbinger in December 2022.

Matt Boone, LCSW, nominated Dr. Payne for this award, and noting the importance of her work said, “creating and disseminating culturally competent treatments is inherently a social justice move.”

Dr. Payne currently serves as a research scientist and clinician at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress (CCFTS) and at the Center for the Neuroscience of Social Injustice. She is also an assistant professor in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Within ACBS, Dr. Payne has served on the Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, has served as co-coordinator of the DEI SIG, and has presented in SIG webinars. In addition, Dr. Payne serves on the board of MEND, a nonprofit devoted to supporting and training clinicians of color to help alleviate the suffering of intergenerational and racial trauma.

Learn more about Dr. Payne’s work here.

Learn more about the ACBS Social Work award here.

Congratulations to Marie Vakakis, recipient of the ACBS Social Work SIG Early Career Scholarship, and Amanda Savage Brown, recipient of the Recognition of Excellence in Social Work Award!

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The ACBS Social Work SIG Board is delighted to share with you the work of Marie Vakakis, awardee of the 2023 Early Career in Social Work Scholarship!

Marie Vakakis is the deserving recipient of the esteemed 2023 ACBS Early Career in Social Work Scholarship. With a passion for supporting individuals to improve their mental wellbeing and build strong relationships, Marie has made significant contributions to the field of social work as a Mental Health Social Worker, Family Therapist, presenter, podcaster, and trainer.

Throughout her career, Marie has worked with individuals and families in various settings, including schools and community health centers. One of the therapeutic approaches that has been instrumental in her practice is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Marie has skillfully integrated ACT with other modalities and tools to address a wide range of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. She firmly believes in the power of ACT to promote psychological flexibility and build resilience in individuals, particularly in her work with families.

Innovatively incorporating ACT into her online parenting course, "Connected Teens," Marie equips parents with the tools needed to develop greater awareness of their own thoughts and emotions, fostering a more supportive and nurturing environment for their children. Recognizing the importance of reaching a broader audience, Marie has also utilized podcasting as a powerful tool through her podcast, "Inside Social Work." Through this platform, she provides educational resources, shares best practices, and interviews experts on various mental health and wellbeing topics, becoming a go-to resource for social workers seeking guidance, support, and inspiration.

Marie's dedication to promoting open discussions around mental health and breaking down the associated stigma is evident in her work. With over a decade of tertiary studies and clinical experience, she seamlessly combines academic knowledge and practical expertise in her programs, podcast, and workshops. Through her efforts, Marie aims to empower individuals to speak confidently about their experiences and contribute to a more inclusive and understanding society.

The ACBS Early Career in Social Work Scholarship acknowledges Marie Vakakis' exceptional achievements in the field of social work and her commitment to advancing the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Her innovative use of ACT, coupled with her podcasting platform and educational programs, has made a profound impact on the social work community. Marie's dedication to improving mental health outcomes and promoting resilience is truly commendable, and this scholarship recognizes her potential as an emerging leader in the field.

You can learn more about Marie's work at https://marievakakis.com.au/ and thetherapyhub.com.au

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The ACBS Social Work SIG Board is delighted to share with you the work of Amanda Savage Brown, awardee of the 2023 Recognition of Excellence in Social Work Award!

Amanda Savage Brown is the recipient of the prestigious 2023 ACBS Annual Recognition of Excellence in Social Work Award from the social work special interest group of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Science. Amanda's dedication to addressing the overlooked psychosocial concerns of women with breast implants and her innovative use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) have made a significant impact in the field of social work.

Driven by her background as a social worker and former public health scientist, Amanda embarked on a mission to raise awareness about the temporary and problem-prone nature of breast implants and the countless women experiencing systemic health effects from them. The FDA has issued safety alerts to warn the public about their risks. Recognizing the lack of resources addressing the psychosocial aspects of living with or removing problematic breast implants, Amanda developed an ACT-based inner healing program for women considering or recovering from silhouette-altering breast surgery.

In 2022, Amanda authored the groundbreaking book "Busting Free," the first self-help guide tailored specifically for women who explant. The book received critical acclaim, winning the 2022 Best Independent Book Award for Women's Wellbeing, the 2023 Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award Finalist, Grand Prize Short List, and Honorable Mention in Health. Her work has been featured in various publications and media outlets, including Ask Us Beauty Magazine, Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine, CBS Chicago, ABC Nightline News, and a Nightline Impact episode on Hulu.

Amanda's commitment to educating mental health providers about the mental well-being of women with breast implants led her to present at Yale's 2023 Women's Mental Health Conference and serve as the keynote speaker for the 2023 Social Work Foundation Conference in Chicago. Through her efforts, she aims to shed light on the hidden psychological impact of breast implants and advocate for the recognition and support of women facing these challenges.

It is our honor to celebrate the innovative nature of her work and its contribution to advancing Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS) within the social work community. Her dedication to meeting the psychosocial needs of women on their journeys with breast implants, while also providing continuing education opportunities for social workers, exemplifies the values of service, social justice, and human dignity upheld by the social work profession. Amanda's efforts have not only challenged societal norms but also brought crucial attention to a marginalized population, making her a deserving recipient of this esteemed award.

You can learn more about Amanda's work here https://amandasavagebrown.com/busting-free/