Lou Lasprugato
Psychotherapist, Peer-Reviewed ACT Trainer
Blacksburg, Virginia
United States
Highest Degree Held: MA
Specialties: anxiety, depression, trauma, matrix, therapeutic relationship
Languages spoken: English
Licensures/Certifications: MFT
ACT/CBS Background and Training: I happened upon ACT in 2010 while reviewing the literature for therapeutic approaches that employed mindfulness-based interventions. I recall immediately feeling like I had a found a "home" in the ACT model upon familiarizing myself with the Hexaflex and its core processes of suffering and vitality, which soon after began informing my clinical work and personal development. Upon noticing the profound effects that psychological flexibility skills were having on both my clients and my own well-being, I became more deeply invested in my studies, looking into training opportunities. I subsequently attended a dozen or so trainings starting in 2011, including the following: ACT Boot Camp 4-day intensive training in Reno; 2-day Advanced ACT workshop with Steve Hayes; 2-day Mastering ACT workshop with Robyn Walser; 2-Day ACT within the Therapeutic Relationship workshop with Kelly Wilson; 2-day ACT workshop with D.J Moran; ACT for Anxiety workshop with John Forsythe and George Eifert; ACT for Eating Disorders with Jason Lillis; and several intensive online trainings, including ACT for Advanced Practitioners and Trauma-Focused ACT with Russ Harris; The Essential Workshop for the ACT Matrix with Kevin Polk and Tim Gordon; and Advanced Clinical RFT with Matthieu Villatte, which transformed the way that I approach therapy and facilitate training workshops.
In 2012, I developed the first ACT Skills group series for patients within the Sacramento Valley at Kaiser Permanente, which served as a training forum for colleagues and model for other ACT group offerings. I've been actively providing ACT (and Clinical RFT) trainings for colleagues, students, and other health professionals since 2014, including dozens of 2-day in-person workshops and many multi-session online events for Praxis Continuing Education & Training, Contextual Consulting, and other continuing ed organizations. Starting in 2019, I've facilitated a fair number of workshops and panel discussions at ACBS WorldCon, and I continue to provide training events for ACBS chapters and SIGs. I also provide individual supervision and consultation on ACT, in addition to maintaining a private practice, which is the heart of my work.
Three particularly exciting parts of my career development and affiliation with ACBS were as follows:
In early 2017, I successfully passed the peer-review ACT trainer application process, which was a step towards further immersing myself in the world of training and dissemination.
In June 2022, I was appointed as chair of the ACBS Training Committee, a role in which I was honored to serve for three years, and then subsequently in a consultant role.
In June 2025, I was granted fellowship within ACBS, which I view as a reflection of my ongoing commitment to supporting and disseminating contextual behavioral science/approaches.
For more info on training and consultation with me:
https://contextualscience.org/lou_lasprugatos_training_page
https://contextualscience.org/act_training_consultation_lou_lasprugato
In 2012, I developed the first ACT Skills group series for patients within the Sacramento Valley at Kaiser Permanente, which served as a training forum for colleagues and model for other ACT group offerings. I've been actively providing ACT (and Clinical RFT) trainings for colleagues, students, and other health professionals since 2014, including dozens of 2-day in-person workshops and many multi-session online events for Praxis Continuing Education & Training, Contextual Consulting, and other continuing ed organizations. Starting in 2019, I've facilitated a fair number of workshops and panel discussions at ACBS WorldCon, and I continue to provide training events for ACBS chapters and SIGs. I also provide individual supervision and consultation on ACT, in addition to maintaining a private practice, which is the heart of my work.
Three particularly exciting parts of my career development and affiliation with ACBS were as follows:
In early 2017, I successfully passed the peer-review ACT trainer application process, which was a step towards further immersing myself in the world of training and dissemination.
In June 2022, I was appointed as chair of the ACBS Training Committee, a role in which I was honored to serve for three years, and then subsequently in a consultant role.
In June 2025, I was granted fellowship within ACBS, which I view as a reflection of my ongoing commitment to supporting and disseminating contextual behavioral science/approaches.
For more info on training and consultation with me:
https://contextualscience.org/lou_lasprugatos_training_page
https://contextualscience.org/act_training_consultation_lou_lasprugato
ACT/CBS Experience: Peer-Reviewed ACT Trainer
Additional Information: First and foremost, I see myself as a lifetime student of health, psychology, and the human condition with a value of kaizen (continuously improving).
I have a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a focus in Holistic and Humanistic Studies. In addition to ACT and RFT, I've had specialized training in mindfulness-based approaches, nutritional psychology, addiction, and heart-rate variability biofeedback. I've worked in a variety of settings over the years, including hospital and community-based health care, integrative medicine, crisis with underserved populations, intensive outpatient, and private practice.
I have a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a focus in Holistic and Humanistic Studies. In addition to ACT and RFT, I've had specialized training in mindfulness-based approaches, nutritional psychology, addiction, and heart-rate variability biofeedback. I've worked in a variety of settings over the years, including hospital and community-based health care, integrative medicine, crisis with underserved populations, intensive outpatient, and private practice.