Research Labs
The research labs listed below all conduct research relevant to, or informed by, functional contextualism, RFT, and/or ACT.
ACBS Members: If you would like to add your research lab to this list, click on the "add child page" link at the bottom of this page.
Center for Comprehensive Services Carbondale, Illinois - John M. Guercio
Research Focus:
The use of RFT technology to impact sexually deviant behavior in adults with acquired brain injury (ABI).
Using relational operants as part of a treatment package to address substance abuse issues in ABI.
Analysis of racial bias in the ABI population and interventions that employ RFT treatment protocols.
Chapman University (Orange, CA) - Georg H. Eifert
We have developed ACT treatment protocols for anorexia, anger, and anxiety disorders. The two books on anger and anorexia were written for lay people, whereas the anxiety book is a therapist guide.
We are currently investigating the effectiveness of our new unified treatment protocol -- ACT for Anxiety Disorders -- compared to standard CBT for persons suffering from anxiety disorders. The study itself is conducted in the Anxiety Disorders Behavioral Research Lab at UCLA (directed by Michelle Craske) in collaboration with John Forsyth (SUNY Albany). Our ACT for Anxiety Disorders website provides more detailed information on our approach and downloadable therapist resources.
For more information and a list of recent publications, please visit Georg Eifert's faculty home page
For more information on our ACT books on anorexia, anger, and anxiety disorders click here
Goldsmiths College, University of London - Frank Bond
The work in this lab focuses on several ACT/RFT-related areas:
1. Testing the outcomes and mediators of change of ACT interventions in work organisations.
2. Examining the effects of psychological flexibility on health and productivity in the work place.
3. How to measure psychological flexibility.
4. The effects of psychological flexibility on learning and performance.
5. The effects of micro ACT interventions on analogue pain.
Hofstra University, New York: Psychological Evaluation Research and Counseling Clinic: ACT Specialty Clinic
This specialty clinic/lab serves the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at Hofstra University. Doctoral stuudents interested in learning acceptance-based approaches, particularly ACT and MBSR, do their practicum work here. It is common that students in the lab serve as therapists for dissertations of upper level graduate students. In the past, we have evaluated the efficacy of the acceptance-based approach for chronic pain, pain tolerance, anxiety, and driving anger. We have also been using acceptance-based approaches to help people with medical conditions, such a hypothyroidism, lead more fulfilling lives.
Contact the ACT Clinic at 516-463-6633 or e-mail at ACTclinic@hofstra.edu
Illinois Institute of Technology - Patty Bach
Intercollege, Cyprus- Maria Karekla
Clinical Psychology Research Laboratory
This is a newly founded laboratory. We have recently acquired excellent laboratory facilities within Intercollege's training clinic, The Center for Therapy, Training, and Research (KESY). Numerous projects are currently either in the planning stages or under way (more information will be forthcoming).
Projects that have received funding to date include:
2006 Psychosocial relation among exercise involvement and smoking in Adolescents and Young Adults in Cyprus (Η ψυχοκοινωνική σχέση άθλησης και καπνίσματος ανάμεσα στους ‘Εφηβους και Νεαρούς Ενήλικες στην Κύπρο). Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation. (Funded = £40 000 CYP).
2005 Cognitive and Physiological Reactions in Anxiety Disorders (Γνωστικές και Φυσιολογικές Αντιδράσεις στις Διαταραχές του Άγχους). Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation Infrastructure Grant. (Funded = £100 000 CYP).
2005 Smoking in Adolescents and Young Adults in Cyprus. Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation. (Funded = £40 000 CYP)
2005 Epidemiology and Psychosocial Factors of Type I and Type II Diabetes in Cyprus. Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation (Funded = £40 000 CYP)
La Salle University - Frank L. Gardner
Our research lab is curently studying experiential avoidance as a mediator across a wide range of behavioral difficulties within the subdisciplines of clinical, health, and sport psychology. In addition, we are currently evaluating a brief ACT intervention at intake to reduce premature termination of treatment at a community mental health facility, evaluating an mindfulness and acceptance based intervention for enhancing athletic performance, and developing and evaluating an acceptance based model for understanding and treating clinically relevant anger.
Laboratory for the Study of Social Anxiety, Character Strengths, and Related Phenomena- Todd Kashdan
Click on the link below to learn more about the Laboratory for the Study of Social Anxiety, Character Strengths, and Related Phenomena directed by Dr. Todd B. Kashdan at George Mason University
http://mason.gmu.edu/~tkashdan/
Click on the following link to download articles or book chapters (email if you have any problems):
Morehead State University -- JT Blackledge
At the MSU ACT/RFT Research Lab in Morehead, Kentucky, I am currently conducting ACT process and outcome research with advanced undergraduates and Masters students.
National University of Ireland, Galway
The ACT / RFT lab in the Psychology Department at the National University of Ireland, Galway is run by Ian Stewart. Current RFT projects include work on derived equivalence relations; interference between non arbitrary and arbitrary relational responding; hierarchical relational responding; Crel and Cfunc control; the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure; analogical reasoning; the Relational Evaluation Procedure; and the precursor skills required for arbitrarily applicable relational responding. Current ACT projects include the experimental analysis of the effect of values in the context of acceptance.
National University of Ireland, Maynooth
The Language & Cognition Research group in the Psychology Department at NUI Maynooth is one of the most active and prolific RFT research labs in the world. The lab encompasses research activities relevant to many fields of psychology, including child language development, the development of perspective-taking, metaphor, rule-following, goal-setting, emotional responding, and human sexuality, as well as a variety of conceptual issues relating to contextualism, derived relational responding and Relational Frame Theory more generally.
Oregon Research Institute (ORI) - Shawn Boles
Current RFT/ACT Research and Development Projects at ORI:
- RFTMain - Shawn Boles. Developing a web-based system to serve multiple laboratories via management of experiments using any RFT Method (e.g., IRAP)
- ACT and Adolescent Smoking Cessation - Tony Biglan
- ACT and Teacher Burnout- Tony Biglan
- Exploring the Verbal Networks of Adolescents with respect to Healthy and Harmful Behaviors - Shawn Boles, Tony Biglan and Miwa Yasui
Suffolk University - Lisa Coyne
Our research lab is interested in the following broad areas of investigation:
1. Adaptation of ACT-based principles to enhance behavioral prevention and intervention approaches for children, adolescents, and families
2. Parent experiential avoidance and its role in the development and maintenance of impaired parenting, emotion socialization practices, and
child behavior problems
3. Using ACT to enhance teacher behavior management strategies
4. Developing methodology to assess the impact of experiential avoidance in parent-child relationships
Current Research Projects in the Child Research Lab at Suffolk University:
1. Treatment Development & Pilot of an Acceptance and Mindfulness-Based OCD Protocol for Young Children (Aged five to eight)
2. The Role of Parental Experiential Avoidance during In-Session Exposure for Pediatric OCD
3. The Impact of Parent Experiential Avoidance on Parent-Child Interaction in Mindful Awareness vs. Emotion Control Conditions
4. Parental Experiential Avoidance and Context-Specific Stress Tolerance
5. Childhood Reactive Aggression, Emotion Socialization, and Experiential Avoidance
The Chicago School - (M.A. & Psy.D. programs) Sandra Georgescu
The Chicago School http://www.thechicagoschool.edu/content.cfm/programs offers both M.A. and Psy.D. level training in clinical psychology and applied behavioral analysis. Interests among faculty are broad - see faculty profiles for descriptions
University at Albany, SUNY - John Forsyth
Our lab -- the Anxiety Disorders Research Program (ADRP) -- is about understanding processes that transform normal human thoughts and painful emotions into life shattering problems associated with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and even problem anger. We focus on these problems to understand human suffering, not as ends in themselves.
The ADRP laboratory has an explicit process-oriented translational focus. Everyone in the lab is involved in basic and applied treatment oriented research with subclinical and clinical populations. We struggle intensely with philosophical and conceptual issues and make efforts to integrate this activity with our basic and applied work. Students are treated as junior colleagues. This is the model. This is the model that paved the way for the early success of behavior therapy. It is a model that is reflected in the collective lab values statement (see attached below) that we, as a group, have developed.
To date, we have focused on understanding the role of excessive thought and emotion regulation in the development, maintenance, and treatment of anxiety disorders. Included here are studies on how emotion regulation transforms normal fear learning and other experiential processes into clinical problems, the measurement of experiential avoidance, acceptance, and defusion. We are now underway with a multisite collaborative project (the UCLA-Albany Study) testing of our new unified treatment protocol -- ACT for Anxiety Disorders -- vs. standard CBT for persons suffering from anxiety disorders.
Our lab also routinely provides consultation and both brief and intensive professional training workshops for professionals interested in learning more about ACT for Anxiety Disorders.
For additional information please contact Dr. John P. Forsyth at the following address:
John P. Forsyth, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
Faculty Director, Anxiety Disorders Research Program
University at Albany, SUNY
Department of Psychology, SS369
1400 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12222 U.S.A.
Ph: (518) 442-4862
Fax: (518) 442-4867
Email: forsyth@albany.edu
Relevant Links
Dr. Forsyth's Lab
University at Albany, Psychology Department
Acceptance and Mindfulness Books
ACT for Anxiety Disorders Book
University of Almería - Carmen Luciano
View the spanish presentation of the lab:
http://www.ofertacientifica.ual.es/descargas/investigacion/documentos/HUM595_58.ppt#42
The research group with the name of Experimental and Applied Behavior Analysis began in the University of Granada in 1985 and continued in the University of Almería since 1994 under the direction of Carmen Luciano Soriano, professor in the University of Almería, Spain.
The research conducted has been focused in the functional analysis of verbal behavior with special interest in the basic-applied dimension. The research conducted has involved children, parents and adults as well as some research was done with non-human organisms. In the last ten years, the research has been –and it is- tracking the functional analysis of Language and Cognition in the context of the Relational Frame Theory and the analysis of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
The basic-applied dimension research projects concerns:
(1) the conditions to establish relational frames, the analysis of the verbal regulation and the analysis of the transformation of functions,
(2) analyzing the verbal contexts defining the unflexible verbal regulation involved in problematic Experiencial Avoidance,
(3) the transformation of functions in the ACT clinical methods,
(4) the extension of ACT brief protocols to several domains, and
(5) the extension of the analysis of relational frames to establish verbal behavior in children with delayed psychological development.
ACTUAL RESEARCHERS working in the projects:
Dr. Carmen Luciano Soriano, Univ. Almería (mluciano@ual.es)
Dr. Inmaculada Gómez Becerra, Univ. Almería (igomez@ual.es)
Dr. Francisco Molina Cobos, Univ. Almería (fjcobos@ual.es)
Dr. Olga Gutiérrez Martínez, Univ. Granada (olgaguti@ugr.es)
Dr. Marisa Páez Blarrina, Spanish Assoc. Cancer (marisa.paez@aecc.es)
Dr. Carmelo Visdómine, (jcvisdomine@hotmail.com)
Dr. Francisco Cabello, Univ. La Rioja (francisco.cabello@dcst.unirioja.es)
Dr. Francisco Montesinos, Spanish Association Cancer (francisco.montesinos@aecc.es)
Dr. Sonsoles Valdivia Salas, Univ. Almería (sonvaldivia28@hotmail.com)
Dr. Miguel Rodríguez Valverde, Univ. Almería (mvalver@ual.es)
Dr. Mónica Hernández, Univ. Valladolid (mohernan@ual.es)
Laura Carmen Sánchez, Univ. Almería (lss250@ual.es)
Israel Mañas Mañas, Univ. Almería (imanas@ual.es)
Francisco Ruiz Jiménez, Univ. Almería (frj939@ual.es)
Javier Hilinger Sánchez, Univ. Almería (jhilinger@hotmail.com)
Also, Dr. Dermot Barnes-Holmes, Dr. Ivonne Barnes-Holmes (Maynooth, Ireland), and Dr. Michael Dougher (Albuquerque, New Mexico) are colloborating in several of the main projects.
ACTUAL FUNDING:
Actual funding projects directly connected to RFT and ACT are:
* “Derivation of Functions: Analysis of verbal contexts in Experiential Avoidance and in ACT clinical methods”. Financed as Excelent Projects Program by the Andalusian Govertment, 2006-2008.
* “Analysis of Experiencial Avoidance and defusion methods in ACT”. Financed as I+D+I Ministry of Education Program. (2006-2008).
* “Addictive behaviors and altering functions in young people” by Andalusian Govertment”, (Grant to Javier Hilinger), 2004-2006.
* “Development of a telehealth resource for young people engaging in problematic Cybersex on the Internet” by European Comission (Project coordinated by E. Quayle, Cork, Ireland) (Grants to Francisco Ruiz Jiménez and Sonsoles Valdivia Salas)
* “Transformation of Functions according to several relational frames” financed by Ministry of Science and Education (Grant to Miguel Rodríguez Valverde, 2003-2006).
* “Analyzing equivalence” financed by Andalusian Govertment (Grant to Israel Mañas Mañas, 2004-2006).
* “Multiple Esclerosis and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” by University of Almería (Grant to Laura del Carmen Sánchez Sánchez).
THESES
The following theses to achieve the doctor degree (Pre-doc theses are not included here) that have been done under the umbrella of the research group are:
1. Miguel Ángel Delgado Noguera: Influence of a educational training in Sports Education. University of Granada, Ph.D. in 1989.
2. Luis Valero Aguayo: Experimental analysis of new behaviors through equivalence relations. University of Granada, Ph.D. in 1990.
3. Antonio Fernández Parra: Experimental analysis of the formation of phobic behaviors. University of Granada, Ph. D.. in 1990.
4. Javier Herruzo Cabrera: "Say-do" correspondence training. University of Granada, Ph.D., in 1992.
5. Mercedes Vernetta: Diferential effect of two methods in gymnastic skills. University of Granada, Ph. D. 1995.
6. Inmaculada Gómez Becerra: (In)sensitivity to contingencies and verbal behavior. University of Almería, Ph. D. 1996.
7. Francisco Javier Molina Cobos: Learning behaviors through imitation. Implications of verbal behavior. University of Almería, Ph.D. 1997.
8. Serafín Gómez García: Rupture of equivalence relations (co-directed with Dermot Barnes-Holmes). University of Almería, Ph. D. 1998.
9. Mª Carmen Vives: Vocal articulation deficits and generalization. University of Almería, Ph. D. 1999.
10. Carmen Berrocal: Functional analysis in obesity (co-directed with Flor Zaldívar). University of Málaga, Ph. D. 2000
11. Olga Gutiérrez Martínez: Comparison between acceptance and control strategies in a paradigm of self-control. University of Almería, Ph. D. 2003.
12. Carmelo Visdómine: Locus of control and transference of functions. Univesity of Almería, Ph. D. 2004.
13. Marisa Páez: Avoidance and control strategies in patients with breast cancer. University of Almería, Ph. D. 2005.
14. Francisco Cabello Luque: Equivalent relations and protocol analysis by the silent dog method (co-directed with Dermot Barnes-Holmesd). University of Almería, Ph. D. 2005.
15. Francisco Montesinos: Psychological impact of "cancer" and defusion strategies. University of Almería, Ph. D. 2005.
16. Sonsoles Valdivia: Motivational analysis and transfer of functions (co-directed with Michael Dougher). University of Almería, Ph. D. 2005.
17. Mónica Hernández: Quitting smoking and control versus acceptance strategies (co-directed with Jesús Gil Roales-Nieto). University of Almería, 2006 (next presentation).
Relevant publications are:
Related ACT/RFT books:
Luciano, M. C. (dir) (2001). Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso. Libro de Casos (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Cases book.). Promolibro: Valencia.
Wilson, K. G., & Luciano, M. C. (2002). Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso. Un tratamiento conductual orientado a los valores. (Acceptance and Commtiment Therapy. A behavioral treatment oriented to values). Pirámide: Madrid.
University of Maryland at College Park - Center for Addictions, Personality, and Emotion Research
Click on the links below to connect to the research labs of Drs. Kim Gratz and Matthew Tull within the Center for Addictions, Personality, and Emotion Research (CAPER) at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Kim Gratz is director of the Personality Disorders Division of CAPER and conducts research focused on the role of emotion dysregulation and experiential avoidance in borderline personality disorder (BPD) and deliberate self-harm. In particular, this research focuses on understanding the nature and consequences of emotional dysregulation and avoidance in BPD and self-harm (through the use of novel behavioral/experimental paradigms), and applying this understanding to the development of acceptance-based behavioral treatments for these conditions.
http://www.addiction.umd.edu/pd.htm
Matt Tull is director of the Emotion Division of CAPER and conducts research examining the ways in which: (a) emotion regulation strategies that function to avoid emotions may serve as a vulnerability factor for the development and maintenance of panic and post-traumatic symptoms; and (b) emotional approach and acceptance (such as through mindfulness) may serve as a protective factor for anxiety disorder-related pathology.
University of Massachusetts at Boston - Liz Roemer
Visit the link below to view Liz Roemer's current and former graduate students and examples of their recent research on experiential/emotional avoidance, emotion regulation and mindfulness as they relate to anxiety as well as recovery from traumatic exposure.
University of Mississippi - Kelly Wilson & Kate Kellum
This is the short version of the two-part mission of the Wilson-Kellum Lab at Ole Miss:
Part 1: The Content Mission. Yes, the lab has a mission. To make theoretical and empirical analyses of the role of basic verbal processes in complex human behavior; to aim these analyses at topics that seem central to a life lived well; and, to pursue the applied implications of these analyses in the service of improving lives.
Part 2: The Process Mission. To create an environment in which behavioral scientists are nurtured. The lab will mindfully pursue the professional development of its members in order to equip them to play an important role in the bettering of the human condition through the development, dissemination and application of this science. Professional development is understood in our group in the very broadest possible sense. Too often in psychology and other disciplines, professional development has been very narrowly construed--i.e., becoming a competent psychologist. In our lab, we are interested in the development of whole persons. Joining the lab means making a commitment to have lab be about supporting others, and in allowing yourself to be supported, in the development of a whole life.
Click on the Lab Manifesto link for the full lab mission statement.
We have an APA accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology and also offer Ph.D.'s in experimental psychology at the University of Mississippi. Kate Kellum and I co-direct this lab. If you are interested in doctoral training with us, you should look at the Lab Manifesto and at my Academic Homepage. Surf around my website and you will get a pretty good sense of the culture of our workgroup. If you are thinking about doc training, please do yourself a favor and think hard about the culture of the place you are trained. If you pick well, your graduate training will end with sweet sorrow. You will know it is time to go, but, there will be tears shed as you leave. We are not the most famous or richest place to be trained, but we offer something here that you cannot get elsewhere.
If you are interested in training opportunities and upcoming workshops, visit my training pages.
If you are interested in running RFT studies our lab gives away its software.
University of Missouri, St. Louis - Laurie Greco
Research emphases include:
* Investigation of the nature and role of ACT-relevant processes over time (especially throughout childhood and adolescence)
* Development and evaluation of ACT protocols for youth struggling with various conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, chronic pain, eating disorders, chronic illness)
* Development and evaluation of ACT-relevant measures for children and adolescents (e.g., Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire; Greco et al., 2006; Children's Acceptance and Mindfulness Measure; Greco & Baer, 2006)
* Integration of ACT principles and methods into family, school, and medical settings
University of Nevada - Steve Hayes
The University of Nevada lab is focused on creating a scientific paradigm that supports human transformation. It seeks the development of a coherent, pragmatically useful, innovative, empirical, behavioral approach to psychological science that will enable significant steps forward in our understanding of human beings, the creation of human progress, and in the alleviation of human suffering. It consciously tries to give away its research program by supporting the development of successful research laboratories with these goals world wide. The lab has been at the forefront in the development of functional contextualism, Relational Frame Theory, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Doctoral graduates from Steve Hayes's lab who also agree to a "science oath" receive the "Behavioralis Junkus degree" and learn the secret behavioral handshake. This is the list of "Behavioralis Junkus degree" recipients and their first major post-doctoral and / or current positions.
- Robert Douglas "the Z" Zettle
Wichita State University - Jeanne M. Devany
Auburn University
(now at The Grove Clinic, Asheville, NC) - Arlinza E. "Sonny" Turner*
Albert Einstein School of Medicine
* deceased - Irwin Rosenfarb
Auburn University
(now at Alliant University) - Edelgard Wulfert
State University of New York at Albany - David Steele
Greensboro Area Health Education Center
(now at a US military clinic in German) - Joseph Raymond Haas
Children's Behavioral Services, Reno, NV - Susan Melancon McCurry
University of Washington School of Medicine - Durriyah Khorakiwala
Keiser Permanente Hospital
(now in private practice, Pleasanton, CA) - Regina Lipkens
University College of North Wales
(now at Sancta Maria Psychiatric Hospital, Sint-Truiden, Belgium) - Christoph Leonhard
Harvard Medical School
(now at Illinois School of Professional Psychology) - Barbara S. Kohlenberg
Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Reno
(now at the University of Nevada, Reno) - Niloofar Afari
University of Washington School of Medicine - Jacqueline Pistorello
University of Nevada, Reno - Robyn Walser
Weber State University
(now at the Palo Alto VA, National Center for PTSD) - Kelly G. Wilson
University of Mississippi - David M. Sayrs
Pierce College
(now at the University of Washington) - Winifred C. T. Ju
Center for the Disabled, Cohoes, NY
(now at the West Salem Clinic, Salem, OR) - Adam M. Grundt
Dartmouth College
(now at the Hazelton Institute) - Patricia Bach
University of Chicago School of Medicine
(now at the Illinois Institute of Technology) - Richard Bissett
University of Nevada, Reno
(now at Rural Clinics, Carson City, NV) - Elizabeth Gifford
Center for Health Care Evaluation
Palo Alto Veteran's Administration and Stanford University - Jennifer Gregg
San Jose State University - J. T. Blackledge
University of Wollongong, Australia - Akihiko Masuda
University of Texas Health Sciences Center
Two additional esteemed lab graduates are:
Ken Huntley
and
Dosheen Cook
Here are the dissertations that have come from the lab over the years:
COGNITIVE THERAPY OF DEPRESSION: A CONCEPTUAL AND EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF COMPONENT AND PROCESS ISSUES
by ZETTLE, ROBERT DOUGLAS, PhD
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO, 1984, 560 pages
STIMULUS EQUIVALENCE AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN (RETARDATION)
by DEVANY, JEANNE MARIE, PhD
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO, 1985, 82 pages
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TWO CLASSES OF MEASURES EXAMINED IDIOTHETICALLY AND NOMOTHETICALLY
by TURNER, ARLINZA EARL, PhD
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO, 1986, 332 pages
THE USE OF THERAPIST RULES, SELF-RULES, AND CONTINGENCY-SHAPED FEEDBACK IN THE TREATMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS DEFICITS IN ADULTS
by ROSENFARB, IRWIN SHIMON, PhD
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO, 1986, 258 pages
HIGHER-ORDER CONTROL OVER EQUIVALENCE CLASSES AND RESPONSE SEQUENCES: AN EXPERIMENTAL ANALOGUE OF SIMPLE SYNTACTICAL RELATIONS
by WULFERT, EDELGARD, PhD
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO, 1987, 131 pages
CONDITIONAL CONTROL OF EQUIVALENCE AND THE RELATIONS DIFFERENT AND OPPOSITE: A BEHAVIOR ANALYTIC MODEL OF COMPLEX VERBAL BEHAVIOR
by STEELE, DAVID LEE, PhD
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO, 1987, 136 pages
The effects of verbal consequences for rule-following on sensitivity to programmed contingencies of reinforcement
by Haas, Joseph Raymond, PhD
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO, 1991, 209 pages
Client metaphor use in a contextual form of therapy
by McCurry, Susan Melancon, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 1991, 262 pages
An analysis of the process of client change in a contextual approach to therapy
by Khorakiwala, Durriyah, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 1991, 240 pages
A behavior analysis of complex human functioning: Analogical reasoning
by Lipkens, Regina, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 1992, 214 pages
The evaluation, and remediation of obstacles to Japanese/European-American intercultural communication from a behavior analytic perspective
by Leonhard, Christoph Harald, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 1994, 180 pages
Transfer of function through equivalence: Modification effects based upon nodality and contextual control
by Kohlenberg, Barbara Saree, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 1994, 117 pages
Examining the differential effects of feedback in ply-form and track-form on staff training of consumers in a sheltered workshop
by Huntley, Kenneth Robert, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 1995, 104 pages
A study of paradoxical cognitive responding in thought suppression
by Afari, Niloofar, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 1996, 148 pages
Acceptance, suppression, and monitoring of personally-relevant unwanted thoughts in women diagnosed with borderline personality disorder
by Pistorello, Jacqueline, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 1998, 240 pages
The effects of suppression and acceptance on thought and emotion
by Walser, Robyn Darleen, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 1998, 189 pages
Relational acquisition of stimulus function in substance dependence: A preliminary examination of drug versus nondrug related equivalence classes
by Wilson, Kelly Gene, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 1998, 104 pages
An experimental analysis of the effects of an intrusive academic advising package on academic performance, satisfaction, and retention
by Sayrs, David Michael, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 1999, 101 pages
Acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of symptoms of psychosis
by Bach, Patricia Ann, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 2000, 87 pages
Dismantling instruction to distract from a painful stimulus: Approach/avoidance functions of distracting instructions
by Grundt, Adam Matthew, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 2000, 155 pages
Toward an empirical analysis of verbal motivation: A possible preparation for distinguishing discriminative and motivational functions of verbal stimuli
by Ju, Winifred Chin-Teh, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 2000, 255 pages
Processes of change: Acceptance versus 12-step in polysubstance-abusing methadone clients
by Bissett, Richard Thorman, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 2001, 351 pages
Culture and acceptance and control-based strategies: Predictors of psychological adjustment among Asian Americans and Caucasian Americans
by Cook, Dosheen, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 2003, 99 pages
Acceptance-based treatment of regulatory internal stimuli in nicotine-dependent smokers: A controlled comparison with transdermal nicotine replacement
by Gifford, Elizabeth Ruth van der Veen, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 2003, 181 pages
A randomized controlled effectiveness trial comparing patient education with and without acceptance and commitment therapy for type 2 diabetes self-management
by Gregg, Jennifer Ann, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 2004, 291 pages
University of North Texas-Amy Murrell
My lab is quickly growing. Our work group now includes me, a post-bac. student, an undergraduate, and 8 graduate students. We have 2 MTS RFT tasks up and running. One examines sexual fantasies in college women. We have an IRAP on that subject pending IRB approval as well, so we should be going on that soon. The other ongoing piece is a replication/extension of my parenting study (dissertation). It includes two experiments examining class acquisition and flexibility, tranformation of function, etc. We have several other projects in the research phase, just being designed- two on ACT treatment of children and parents, one on improving the measurement of acceptance and willingness in child populations, and one on the relationship bewteen worry and relational framing. We are committed to having these projects running next academic year, and I will be submitting at least one application for federal funding. I will keep the group posted on that. I just started a website. It still needs some work, but my mission statements for my practicum and research teams are posted. You can check it out at http://people.unt.edu/arm0154.
University of Wales, Swansea - Simon Dymond & Louise McHugh
The RFT & ACT Lab is a sub-group of the Learning and Behaviour research group at the University of Wales, Swansea. Coordinated by Simon Dymond and Louise McHugh, current research projects include work on perspective-taking, derived semantic priming, transformation of functions, experimental psychopathology (fear, avoidance, thought suppression), and the development of hierarchical relations. A growing group of undergraduates, postgraduates, and externally funded researchers participate in lab meetings, conferences, and workshops. A new Masters in Behaviour Analysis commences in September 2006 during which students will have the opportunity to pursue a research project in RFT or ACT related topics.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Behavior Therapy and Research Lab
Research in the BTRL has two related foci. One focus is on understanding and developing treatments for OC-Spectrum disorders in children and adults. A second focus is on evaluating the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and trying to understand the related mechanisms of change. The BTRL is directed by Dr. Doug Woods.
ONGOING ACT-RELATED RESEARCH
Treatment Studies
Behavior Therapy for Adults With Chronic Skin Picking
This study is funded by the Trichotillomania Learning Center, Inc. We are looking for adults over the age of 18 with a Chronic Skin Picking problem. The study is being conducted to compare ACT+HRT to a TAU condition for CSP. Treatment is free for those who qualify. The study has not started yet, but should begin sometime in the Summer of 2005. Please contact Chris Flessner for more information on this study, or call (414) 229-6078.
Behavior Therapy for Adults with Trichotillomania
This study seeks to evaluate the best way to administer a ACT+HRT for trichotillomania in adults. The study is being conducted in conjunction with the Trichotillomania/BFRB Specialty Clinic, and is offered to Clinic clients as one potential option for treatment.
ACT Related Studies Examining Factors Underlying Psychopathology
Experiential Avoidance as a Mediator Between Unpleasant Private Experiences and CSP
COMPLETED RESEARCH
Treatment Studies
Woods, D. W., Wetterneck, C. T., & Flessner, C. A. (2005). A controlled evaluation of acceptance and commitment therapy plus habit reversal as a treatment for trichotillomania.
Teng, E. J., Woods, D. W., & Twohig, M. P. (in press). Habit reversal as a treatment for chronic skin picking: Comparison to a wait-list control. Behavior Modification. Twohig, M. P. & Woods, D. W. (2004). A Preliminary Investigation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Habit Reversal as a Treatment for Trichotillomania. Behavior Therapy, 35, 803-820.
ACT Related Studies Examining Factors Underlying Psychopathology
Begotka, A. M., Woods, D. W., & Wetterneck, C. T. (2004). The relationship between experiential avoidance and the severity of trichotillomania in a non-referred population. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 35, 17-24.
Marcks, B. A. & Woods, D. W. (in press). A comparison of thought suppression to an acceptance-based technique in the management of personal intrusive thoughts: A controlled evaluation. Behaviour Research and Therapy.
Norberg, M. M., Woods, D. W., & Wetterneck, C. T. (2005). Examination of the mediating role of psychological acceptance in relationships between cognitions and severity of chronic hairpulling.
Wetterneck, C. T. & Woods, D. W. (2005). Hair pulling antedecents in trichotillomania: their relationship with experiential avoidance.
University of Wollongong, Australia - Joseph Ciarrochi
The University of Wollongong research lab, located in New South Wales, Australia, is dedicated to conducting ACT & RFT research at all levels of the basic-applied continuum. Currently, Joseph Ciarrochi's work focuses primarily on validating the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Training with normal populations (e.g., the NSW Police Force; secondary school-based ACT interventions), as well as on ACT-relevant instrument validation and population-based studies.
Joseph provides research supervision to University of Wollongong students, and is happy to consult on/participate in ACT/RFT research conducted in Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere.
Uppsala University, Sweden
The ACT Lab in Uppsala at the department of psychology represents a conserted effort in forwarding ACT clinical research. It aims at supporting students doing or interesting in doing clinical research in ACT at all levels. The vision of the Lab is to work towards a breadth of application, clarity of protocols, ease and clarity of training therapists, clarity of adherence and competence , adequacy of process measures, tightness of the control conditions, tests against known technologies, linkks to basic processes and large scale effectiveness. The Lab is open to all interested student at the department of psychology, both the clinical psychology program as well as the other programs at the department. It is open to students of all levels but will probably be of most interest to those involved in or close to being involved in the masters level thesis or doctoral dissertation. The program scheduled for every other Friday afternoon between 13-1600 is comprised of a combination of smaller lectures in general methodological areas such as the use of END NOTE reference system, statistical programs, update on research followed by a practical part where students may use the group to practice clinical skills of ACT needed for research projects.
The following is a list of the areas of ACT where there are ongoing studies at some stage, along with areas that need to be addressed. This organisation may help new students see where they might like to aim research efforts.
Breadth of Application
Behavior medicine
Chronic Pain
Long term muscular skeletel pain
Chronic headache
Epilepsy
Treatment of partial complex seizure drug refractory
Treatment of partial complex seizures for people in developmental countries with no access to anticonvulsant drug therapy
Lab studies: dismantling effects of ACT and BT on seizure process
Diabetes
Eating disturbances
Anorexia
Obesity
Constipation
Asthma
Psychiatric disorders
Social Phobia
Psychometric studies
Process measure ACT specific
Bull’s eye
AAQEP (AAQ for epilepsy
AAQ in Swedish
Biological measures such as the use of EEG, EMG, GSR, MRT or other psychophysiological measures to study process of treatment.
Relational Framework Theory
Study circle
Stigmatization study for epilepsy
Cooperation with RFT labs in the UK
Development of IRAP/RFT Lab (may involve younger students)
Values work
Standarization of values compass protocoll
Values workbook
IRAP RFT lab study for Values frames
Protocolls
Uppsala 4 session base protocoll (a good place to start)
Create video tapes of individual and group sessions
Development of a base manual.
Education and training
Vertical organization of students where students with experience train new students in protocols, ACT core skills and the use of measurments
Students doing clinical thesis may use the lab to practice skills, get help with problems in developing manuals, clinical skills, measurement problems, statistics and writing up of the project.
Utah State University--Michael P. Twohig, Ph.D.
I am an assistant professor in the clinical psychology program at Utah State University. Our (the lab's) research generally focuses on treatment development and treatment evaluation. We work to determine the effectiveness of particular treatment modalities, but we have an equal emphasis on determining why these treatments work (mechanisms of action). Our work focuses on therapies in the "behavioral" and "empirically supported" tradition including ACT, CBT, and BT or exposure therapies. I have done a lot of work in anxiety disorders, especially OCD and trichotillomania, but I am very interested in many clinical areas. I also work with both adult and child populations.
I have very good training in ACT. I received my Ph.D. under Steve Hayes at Reno. Steve and I continue to collaborate on a NIMH grant that tests ACT for OCD. I am also well trained in CBT after doing my clinical internship under Maureen Whittal, Melisa Robichaud, and Jach Rachman at UBC in Vancouver, BC.
I work very hard to help my students do well in whatever area of psychology they are interested in whether it be clinical, research, or both. We have a very active research lab and students should expect to publish quite a lot while working with me. I also offer training in ACT throughout your entire time at USU.
We have a very nice research space and student's are generally funded throughout their time at USU.
Finally, the snowboarding, hiking, rock climbing, ect. are wonderful in Utah!
If you have an interest in working with me please contact me by phone or e-mail.
You can also look me up on USU's psychology webpage.
Mike
Western Michigan University - Eric Fox
The Language, Cognition, & Instructional Technology Lab in the Psychology Department at Western Michigan University is run by Eric Fox and focuses on applications of contextualism, RFT, and ACT in organizational and educational settings.