Sara Cristina Robayo Perez - Bogotá, Colombia

Could you please tell us a little about you and your background?
I am a psychologist with a master's in clinical psychology from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and a PhD student in Psychology at the Universidad de los Andes. I have four years of experience providing individual clinical care to cisgender adults and trans and non-binary people. I currently work in a program promoting health care for children and adolescents with rare diseases. My line of research centers on social connection among Colombian trans and non-binary people. I am also coordinating a research project that evaluates the effect of Functional Analytical Psychotherapy on interpersonal intimacy repertoires of trans and non-binary people.

How did you become interested in CBS?
Since my undergraduate studies, I have had access to several books and classes about contextual behavioral therapies. I particularly became interested in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and I joined a study group in which I participated in research activities and experiential exercises. During that time, I realized that I wanted to delve into the FAP's change mechanisms. Later, I had the chance to research on FAP's therapeutic effect on Colombian gay men. I consider that contextual behavioral therapies enable clinical psychologists to translate behavioral principles within the therapeutic context and promote the client´s behavioral change.

Could you tell us about your research and application interests?
My experience working with Colombian TGNC (transgender and gender non-conforming) individuals in both clinical and research contexts has underscored the importance of developing research using cost-effective therapies like FAP, tailored to meet this population’s unique needs and the contextual barriers they face. Currently, I am working on FAP’s application with TGNC individuals who hold intersectional identities. This population may encounter additional stressors and often have limited access to social support.

On the other hand, given the idiographic approach and growing evidence base of behavioral contextual therapies, I am particularly interested in exploring their mechanisms of change to foster social connection in Latinx people.

Could you tell us about your experience at the World Conference this year?
This was my first time attending the ACBS World Conference. I was genuinely thrilled to meet researchers and psychologists from around the world who share interests and passion for contextual behavioral therapies. Every person I met was so interesting and shared brilliant ideas and updates on their work. At the beginning, I was a bit scared since English wasn’t my first language, but the logistic team was very helpful in providing the help I needed. It was an amazing opportunity to get in touch with the latest technological advances in contextual therapies and the contributors behind these achievements. During the Conference, I had the chance to share the findings of a FAP application with Colombian gay men. Despite my doubts and fears, I felt a warm response from the audience, who were willing to share their knowledge and support. This experience also made me realize how research like this buil ds the foundation of science and how forming social networks is essential for constructing and disseminating knowledge.

Was there anything that stood out to you about the CBS community?
I'd like to start by saying that this event was much more than I had imagined. One of the most memorable aspects of my experience at the conference was the warmth and appreciation that experts and professionals from around the world showed toward the work of Latin American researchers. The presentations and thematic axes illustrated the scope of contextual sciences and their contributions across different contexts and professional areas. I can also highlight the growing interest in and development that contextual therapies have gained on our continent. Finally, I would like to underscore the importance of events like the Conference to promote contextual therapies as an opportunity to develop prolific lines of research sensitive to the needs and values of our culture.

What did you take back from your experience that has been helpful to you?
Throughout this event, I certainly understood the importance of creating local and international social networks to facilitate the dissemination of our research work. Attending events such as the ACBS Conference facilitates the exchange of research teams that can promote academic collaborations and support the development of research. At the conference, I connected with professionals who taught me a lot about therapeutic work with populations with intersecting identities. These reflections on clinical considerations derived from this meeting have strengthened my work with third-wave therapies, making me more aware of how my identity categories influence my clinical practice and the application of behavioral principles.

Since the conference, I have become more willing to take interpersonal risks, reaching out to others who share my research and professional interests to explore opportunities for collaborative work.

Do you have anything else that you would like to share with the community?
I want to express my deep gratitude to the DEI fellowship committee for this opportunity and to everyone who allowed me to present my research team’s work. I am proud and grateful to have participated in this conference—for the inspiring people I met, the networks I built, and the professional growth it fostered. I see huge potential in contextual therapies to address pressing issues in behavioral health. Spaces like this conference are essential for advancing contextual sciences and supporting the growth of the professionals who attend.