Recordings

UNDER CONSTRUCTION...

Looking for even more learning opportunities? With the LIVE PLUS Recordings registration option (fee required), you’ll get access to:

• all Global CBS Exchange sessions from 10 October
• plus all pre-recorded IGNITE submissions
• plus 14 curated recordings from the 2025 ACBS World Conference (including workshops, plenaries, panels, and symposia)

—available to watch anytime through 12 November.

Scroll down to explore the World Conference recordings that are included.

(Please note: continuing education credit is not available for any recorded viewing.)
 

2025 Featured Speakers:

Michael Tomasello	Rhonda Merwin

Basic, Applied, and Conceptual Investigations into Contextual Behavioral Science and Neurodiversity - Tarbox, Chastain, Gonzalez, Szabo (Symposium)

Neurodiversity is a concept created by Autistic scholars that asserts that neurological functioning naturally comprises a vast continuum and that there is no correct or normal neurotype, anymore than there is any correct culture, gender, or race. In many respects, the concept of neurodiversity should find a natural home in contextual behavioral science (CBS) because the goals of CBS include understanding each unique person’s behavior-environment interactions, with the goal of helping humans thrive and to decrease suffering. This symposium brings together three papers that address various aspects of the intersection of neurodiversity and CBS. The first presentation sets the stage with a conceptual paper that articulates and discusses the foundational assumptions of neurodiversity and CBS, looking for points of connection and departure. The second presentation consists of a lab study looking at derived stimulus relations involved in social categorization, the likes of which constitute the behavioral foundation for stigma and othering. The third presentation consists of a randomized trial of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based neurodiversity-affirming support group for parents of newly diagnosed Autistic children.

• How Neurodiversity Challenges Contextual Behavioral Scientists to be the Best Versions of Ourselves
Jonathan Tarbox, Ph.D., University of Southern California and FirstSteps for Kids
Neurodiversity is a concept created by Autistic scholars that asserts that neurological f unctioning naturally comprises a vast continuum and that there is no correct or normal neurotype, anymore than there is any correct culture, gender, or race. Furthermore, the concept of neurodiversity was created in the context of the larger disability rights movement and acknowledges neurodivergent people as a group who have been historically and currently oppressed. This conceptual paper will discuss founding assumptions of neurodiversity and the neurodiversity movement, articulate and discuss criticisms of applied behavior analysis and psychology from the neurodiversity perspective, and discuss points of connection and departure between these issues and the foundational assumptions and goals of contextual behavioral science. We will make the case that the principles of neurodiversity are completely consistent with the foundational philosophical assumptions of behavior analysis and contemporary contextual behavioral science, although not necessarily how these fields have actually been practiced. We will conclude with discussing how the neurodiversity movement is influencing ABA and contextual behavioral science to be better and more consistent versions of themselves.

• Exploring Social Categorization: Stigma, Equivalence, and Implicit Attitudes
Amanda N. Chastain, BCBA, University of Illinois, Chicago
Mark R. Dixon, University of Illinois, Chicago
Grady McDonnell, University of Illinois, Chicago
The equivalence model of social categorization provides a framework for studying social stereotyping (Watt et al., 1991). Research has shown resistance to equivalence class formation between culturally opposing stimuli, with little progress in identifying the mechanisms driving this resistance. Prior learning history is of ten cited but remains underexplored in maintaining stereotype -consistent relational networks. Across three experiments with adults aged 18 to 65 years, we use the Implicit Association Test (IAT), a measure of implicit attitudes linked to derived relational responding (Cummins et al., 2018), to assess the strength and valence of pre-existing relational networks and their impact on equivalence performance in stereotype-consistent and stereotype-inconsistent categorizations of neurotypical and neurodivergent social categories. We also examine how prior learning history influence relational network expansion using a stimulus blocking procedure. Preliminary data suggest that pre-existing biases contribute to both resistance to equivalence class formation and relational network expansion via stimulus blocking. This research enhances understanding of how prior relational histories shape social categorization and may inform behavior analytic strategies f or reducing implicit bias.

• Support and Training on Autism for Newly Diagnosed Families (STAND): Development and Testing of a rapid response, ACT-based parent intervention
Cassin Gonzales, University of Southern California
Alexandra Raport, University of Southern California
Jonathan Tarbox, University of Southern California
The months following a child’s new autism diagnosis are characterized as a high stress period in which parents struggle to f eel assured on how to best support their child and family. The Support and Training on Autism for Newly Diagnosed Families (STAND) ACT-Based, neurodiversity-affirming, virtual parent group was developed to support families with psychological adjustment to the diagnosis, navigation of the autism care system, and understanding and responding to child behavior. The STAND randomized control trial recruited 27 parents of children (age 2.5 – 6 years) who were diagnosed with autism in the previous 12 months. Participants completed qualitative interviews and standardized measures at three timepoints over 22 weeks. Half of the participants were randomly assigned to complete the 8-week STAND program and the other half completed the program following the last data collection. Discussion will include, a) a multi-method informed description of parent experiences in the post diagnostic transition period, b) a description of the community-engaged development of the STAND program, and c) the results of efficacy and acceptability testing of the STAND program. 

Discussant: Thomas G. Szabo, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University

How ACT/RFT/FAP Make a Difference for Psychiatrists During Brief, Medication Focused Interactions - Törneke, Pavlatos-Delavoye, Sha, Ryst, Kohlenberg, Fitzgerald (Panel)

ACT/RFT and FAP are part of the didactic and supervision experiences of many psychiatry residents, who ultimately work in settings that are primarily medication based.
This panel will consider the following questions:

• How do you navigate managing symptoms with medications and the ill effects of emotional avoidance? How do you balance this with valued living?
• When is symptom reduction a valued outcome in and of itself?
• How do you navigate the patient’s agenda to feel less pain with issues of living well in life?
• How has learning about ACT/RFT/FAP changed how you personally manage discomfort in session and perhaps help you be more courageous in session and with clinical consultation or supervision?
• How has ACT/FAP impacted you, personally, and has that impacted your practice?

Discussant: Niklas Törneke, M.D., NT Psykiatri
Nicole Pavlatos-Delavoye, M.D., Inspire Sierra
Steven Sha, DO, Providence Portland Medical Center
Erika Ryst, M.D., Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities, College of Education and Human Development, University of Nevada-Reno
Barbara S. Kohlenberg, Ph.D., University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine
Joshua B Fitzgerald, M.D., University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

The Idionomics Revolution: Rethinking Evidence in Evidence-Based Psychological Care - Sahdra (Plenary)

On average, ACT-related processes like acceptance and valued action promote well-being. However, the "normal” effect offers limited insight, and viewing individual differences merely as statistical "error" around a group mean diminishes the rich diversity of human experience. Despite this, our evidence-based "best practices" still rely primarily on group means from randomized controlled trials to guide clinical practice. How can we move away from deficit-focused models of mental "disorders" and beyond methods that measure diverse people against statistical norms? How can we develop evidence that honors human diversity and gives equal weight to individual experiences alongside group-level findings to advance personalized psychological care? This talk will showcase pioneering research in idionomics that bridges the gap between group-level findings and individual experiences, offering fresh perspectives on ACT processes and inviting us to reconsider what constitutes "evidence" in evidence-based psychological care.

Presenter: Baljinder K Sahdra, Ph.D., Australian Catholic University

Interbehaving about Interbehaviorism - Andersland, Sandoz, Fryling, Kellum, Parrott Hayes (Panel)

A renewal and expansion of interest in interbehaviorism and interbehavioral psychology has been observed within recent years. Interbehavioral philosophy and psychology are pertinent to the evolution of Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS) across investigative, interpretive, and applied domains (Finn & Barnes-Holmes, 2021; Hayes & Fryling, 2021; Sandoz, 2021). Pertinence does not, however, guarantee accessibility or actionability. CBS researchers and clinicians may find themselves
interested in interbehavioral ideas, but limited by questions about how to apply these ideas to their work. Question asking and answering is a process which can evolve how particular instances of language function, both as aspects of context and currents of behavior, bridging interpretive systems and promoting the emergence of understanding. In other words, asking questions and hearing answers can expand our behavioral repertoires. We’ve solicited questions about interbehavioral psychology from our communities to promote this continued evolution. And - maybe you have questions and curiosities of your own! In this panel, the speakers will discuss and respond to questions about interbehaviorism and interbehavioral psychology, and their relationship to CBS

Chair: Matt D Andersland, M.S., The University of Memphis
Emily K Sandoz, Ph.D., BCBA, Louisiana Contextual Science Research Group, UL Lafayette
Mitch Fryling, Ph.D., California State University, Los Angeles
Kate Kellum, Ph.D., University of Mississippi
Linda J Parrott Hayes, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Mastering 'Creative Hopelessness': Compassionately Undermining Clients' Unworkable Control Strategies in ACT - Kjelgaard (Workshop)

Many clinicians encounter challenges when implementing the process and practice of creative
hopelessness in ACT. They may struggle with their own reactions to clients' responses, worry about its
impact on clients, or become entangled in control agendas, leading to discussions that undermine the
intervention's effectiveness. Creative hopelessness is designed to help clients recognize the futility of
their current control strategies and open up to new, value-driven behaviors. However, if not delivered
with clarity and compassion, its function can be lost, shifting the focus to content rather than process.
This highly practical and experiential workshop will guide clinicians through the nuanced
application of creative hopelessness, emphasizing compassionate undermining of clients' unworkable
control strategies. Through roleplays and demonstrations, participants will learn flexible and fluent
methods to incorporate this process into sessions. Additionally, clinicians will be encouraged to reflect
on their own processes and how these influence therapeutic outcomes. By engaging in these
experiential activities, attendees will enhance their skills in delivering creative hopelessness
interventions, ultimately fostering more effective client engagement and progress in therapy.

Presenter: Rikke Kjelgaard, M.Sc.,  

Three Lessons about the Brain - Feldman Barrett (Plenary)

This address will describe three unintuitive insights about brain architecture and the corresponding computational affordances from the science of emotion: (1) Your brain’s most important job is efficiently coordinating and regulating the systems of your body (2) predictively (3) to construct signal ensembles that create guide your action and create lived experience. This research approach offers an unintuitive but principled approach that unifies a variety of psychological phenomena into a common explanatory framework with a shared vocabulary for theory building and treatment.

Presenter: Lisa Feldman-Barrett

Under Pressure: Help high-achieving clients live intentionally & flexibly, in a culture that glorifies productivity - Sorensen & Freedman-Diamond (Workshop)

Do your clients struggle with eating disorders, perfectionism, chronic stress, and/or or burnout? In a culture that glorifies hustle and insists it’s possible to look flawless while doing it all, it’s no wonder so many people are under pressure! (Freedman-Diamond, 2024; Sorensen, 2024; Grant, A., 2008; Jack & Dill, 1992) This workshop will explore the contextual effects of the dominant culture in keeping clients stuck chasing unattainable ideals, and help clinicians work effectively with these clients by integrating contextual behavioral science with the Intuitive Eating framework. Participants will learn
evidence-based strategies for helping clients to 1) identify internalized cultural narratives that are driving unhelpful behavior patterns, 2) recognize the experiential control cycle that leads to burnout and perfectionism, 3) differentiate rule-bound vs. flexible and values-driven motivations, 4) intentionally turn toward values and bodily signals (instead of external pressure) for guidance, and 5) set effective boundaries - with the outside world and their own inner critic - to protect their wellbeing
from pressure to achieve and produce.

Presenters: Debbie Sorensen, Ph.D., Private Practice, Denver Colorado &
Paula Freedman-Diamond, Psy.D., HumanKind Psychological Services

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