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Welcome to the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science! We are a professional association advancing the practice and science of evidence-based treatments from the contextual behavioral tradition. These include:

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Relational Frame Theory (RFT)
  • Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP)
  • Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

We are a supportive community of clinicians, researchers, students, and associated practitioners committed to the goal of alleviating human suffering and improving human well being. We host chapter events virtually and in-person throughout the Bay Area. To learn more about educational training workshops, interactive discussions, and informal social opportunities, check out our events page.


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Membership

Chapter events are hosted both virtually and in-person throughout the Bay Area. To learn more about educational training workshops, interactive discussions, and informal social opportunities, check out our events page.
Learn

JOIN THE CHAPTER

Join the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of ACBS today to start enjoying the many benefits of membership! Annual dues are $40 for Professional or Affiliate members and $10 for Student / Intern / Retired / Emeritus members.

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OUR VALUES

The San Francisco Bay Area ACBS Chapter is a group of dedicated mental health colleagues who work in community and deeply value Commitment to Learning, Community, Inclusivity, Openness, and Generosity

Mission

Current Leadership Committee

Sarah Carr, President

Sarah Carr, LMFT is the Founder and Clinical Director of mindfulSF, a wellness center that offers evidence-based therapy and mindfulness classes throughout the Bay Area. When Sarah isn’t teaching or providing therapy she can be found scouring the pages of Yelp for new restaurants and experiences. 

Shane O’Neil-Hart, Vice-President

Shane O’Neil-Hart, LCSW is a therapist and trainer specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). He works as the Senior Clinical Manager for the Mental Health Coaching Program at Lyra Health where he provides training and content development in evidence based treatments, primarily ACT.

Emily Wharton, Member-At-Large

Emily Wharton, PsyD, is a psychologist at Palo Alto Veterans Affairs, and enjoys engaging Veterans in individual and group ACT, DBT, and trauma-focused treatments in the Addiction Treatment Services residential and intensive outpatient programs. Emily loves hiking with her puppy, dancing, and singing painfully off-key.

Mai Manchanda, Secretary

Mai Karitani Manchanda, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Kaiser Santa Clara Behavioral Health Center/Crisis Stabilization Program. Mai can frequently be found practicing carpool karaoke or rehearsing dance choreo while waiting in line.

David Montgomery, Treasurer

David Montgomery is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working at the Sentio Counseling Center. In his free time David enjoys studying Spanish and taking hikes in the East Bay.

David Montgomery, Treasurer 

David Montgomery is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Most recently David worked as a grief counselor at By the Bay Health. In his free time David enjoys studying Spanish and taking hikes in the East Bay

Christy Tadros, Member-At-Large

Christy Tadros is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. After many years working in different medical and clinical settings, teaching yoga and developing therapeutic programs, Christy founded WestCoast Therapy and Wellness, a Bay Area clinic devoted to supporting people in living their most full and meaningful lives.

Michael Vurek, Past President

Michael Vurek, LCSW is a Supervising Licensed Therapist at the DBT Center of Marin where he provides individual and group psychotherapy, supervision and training.  He is one of the founding members of the Chapter and served as president of the board from 2016 - 2018.  Most importantly, he is grandpa to 4 children, ages 11 to 19.


Erik Bromberg, Member-At-Large

Erik Bromberg, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working as a pediatric behavioral health therapist at Kaiser San Francisco and in private practice. Erik is passionate about working with youth with anxiety disorders and adapting ACT processes in work with youth and families.   

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Tova Abelman, Student Rep

Tova Abelman is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at the Bill Wilson Center. She is pursuing her MA in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Drama Therapy at California Institute of Integral Studies. Tova is passionate about evidence-based practice and the wide CBT umbrella including ACT, CBS, DBT, and ERP.

Ellen Ross, Member-At-Large

Ellen Ross, PsyD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Owner, and Founder at True North Psychology in San Jose. She takes joy in finding a great fit metaphor in her work and can often be found exploring the vast number of hikes available in Northern California and beyond.


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