Wife and Husband Trainers - Drs. Jamie & John Forsyth
We are a husband and wife team. We love teaching, sharing, and training the public and professionals. We've seen how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (or ACT, said as one word) has benefited us in our marriage, our professional work, and in our personal lives. Together, we are on a similar path and that path, and the wisdom it contains, has taught us a great deal about human suffering and how to promote psychological health and wellness. We are known to infuse our teaching and trainings with energy, humility, lightheartedness, and compassion, and our down-to earth workshops are consistently praised for their clarity, depth, and utility.
We maintain a regular meditation practice, including yoga, and both of us serve as members of the teaching faculty at The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinbeck, NY, The Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA, The Cape Cod Institute, Eastham, MA, The Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, MA, and 1440 Multiversity, Scotts Valley, CA. We specialize in multi-day teachings and trainings, and particularly Retreat Style workshops for the public and mental health professionals. We also offer single and multi-day ACT trainings at the beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels. In 2019 we have several multi-day and Retreat Style Workshops schedfule and several other trainings lined up and in the works for 2020.
To arrange a workshop or training with us, please send us an email at [email protected].
We maintain a regular meditation practice, including yoga, and both of us serve as members of the teaching faculty at The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinbeck, NY, The Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA, The Cape Cod Institute, Eastham, MA, The Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, MA, and 1440 Multiversity, Scotts Valley, CA. We specialize in multi-day teachings and trainings, and particularly Retreat Style workshops for the public and mental health professionals. We also offer single and multi-day ACT trainings at the beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels. In 2019 we have several multi-day and Retreat Style Workshops schedfule and several other trainings lined up and in the works for 2020.
To arrange a workshop or training with us, please send us an email at [email protected].
Short Bio Sketches
John P. Forsyth, Ph.D. is an author, speaker, and trainer in the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based approaches, including practices that cultivate loving kindness and self-compassion. For over 20 years, his work has focused on developing ACT and mindfulness practices to alleviate human suffering and promote psychological health and vitality. His personal journey and experience, balanced with practical insights grounded in scientific evidence, offers hope to those wishing to find a path out of suffering and into wholeness. For an expanded biosketch, visit About Dr. John P. Forsyth - Expanded Biosketch.
He has written several popular books, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anxiety Disorders (for mental health professionals), and three self-help books for the public: The Mindfulness & Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety, 2nd ed.,, ACT on Life, Not on Anger, and Your Life on Purpose. His latest book, Anxiety Happens, is for the general public.
John holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, and is a professor of psychology and director the Anxiety Disorders Research Program at the University at Albany, SUNY, in Upstate New York. He is a widely sought-after ACT trainer, speaker, clinical supervisor and consultant and serves as a senior editor of the ACT book series with New Harbinger Publications.
Collectively, his work has helped foster growing interest in acceptance and mindfulness in psychology, mental health, medicine, and society.
He has written several popular books, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anxiety Disorders (for mental health professionals), and three self-help books for the public: The Mindfulness & Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety, 2nd ed.,, ACT on Life, Not on Anger, and Your Life on Purpose. His latest book, Anxiety Happens, is for the general public.
John holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, and is a professor of psychology and director the Anxiety Disorders Research Program at the University at Albany, SUNY, in Upstate New York. He is a widely sought-after ACT trainer, speaker, clinical supervisor and consultant and serves as a senior editor of the ACT book series with New Harbinger Publications.
Collectively, his work has helped foster growing interest in acceptance and mindfulness in psychology, mental health, medicine, and society.
Jamie R. Forsyth, PhD is an active and gifted clinical psychologist and clinical supervisor, with extensive expertise in the use and application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with severe forms mental illness (e.g., psychosis and personality disorders) and forms of psychological and emotional suffering in inpatient, outpatient, and college mental health settings. Beyond ACT, is a skillful integrationist and researcher, with specialized knowledge in relational and process-oriented therapeutic work, addictions, motivational interviewing, including mindfulness and self-compassion practices.
Jamie holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and works as part of a group private practice in Upstate NY, where she offers psychological evaluations and ACT-based outpatient psychotherapy to adults presenting with significant psychological, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Jamie is also actively engaged in the dissemination of ACT and mindfulness practices within her community and, along with her husband John, co-leads ACT professional workshops in the United States and abroad. Her clinical work, grounded in evidence-based know-how, offers unique insights into the nuances of ACT as it unfolds in clinical practice.
Although ACT is her primary theoretical orientation, Jamie considers herself to be an integrationist and thus draws upon relational and psychodynamic theories to help create a holistic person-centered approach to treatment. Her clinical wisdom, coupled with the depth and scope of her knowledge and skills, bridges various approaches and streams of practice within an ACT point of view.
Jamie holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and works as part of a group private practice in Upstate NY, where she offers psychological evaluations and ACT-based outpatient psychotherapy to adults presenting with significant psychological, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Jamie is also actively engaged in the dissemination of ACT and mindfulness practices within her community and, along with her husband John, co-leads ACT professional workshops in the United States and abroad. Her clinical work, grounded in evidence-based know-how, offers unique insights into the nuances of ACT as it unfolds in clinical practice.
Although ACT is her primary theoretical orientation, Jamie considers herself to be an integrationist and thus draws upon relational and psychodynamic theories to help create a holistic person-centered approach to treatment. Her clinical wisdom, coupled with the depth and scope of her knowledge and skills, bridges various approaches and streams of practice within an ACT point of view.
Workshop Testimonials
"John’s full day ACT workshop (via Zoom in 2021) to the clinical psychology doctoral program here at Binghamton University was a huge success. Besides the many practical tips and instructions, he was able to get the participants actively involved. Comments from both graduate students and faculty praised everything from his accessible and humorous style to his outstanding slides and handouts to his comprehensive coverage. While he kept to the planned schedule without any trouble, he also generously hung around afterwards to answer every question and to further discuss participants’ observations and comments."
~ Stephen Lisman, Ph.D.
SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus
"I attended John and Jamie's 5-day workshop at the Esalen Institute. I had previously attended ACT Bootcamp & ACT II prior to this training. I highly recommend this training to therapists who want to further help and support the integration of ACT in their clinical work. I found their approach to integrating values into each of the other ACT processes as well as creative hopelessness strategies to be particularly helpful. I also appreciated their emphasis on cultivating self-compassion into ACT. John and Jamie are highly skilled, engaging, and fun! I got in touch with what has been holding me back in my personal struggles while becoming more skillful in using ACT interventions."
~ Teresa Williams, LPC, CDCII
Counseling Solutions of Alaska, Anchorage, AK
www.counselingsolutionsak.com
"John and Jamie’s ACT workshop at the Omega Institute was fun, inspiring, and informative. They present the ACT model unconditionally while allowing the students to take away examples and exercises who are applicable to themselves and their clients. I recommend the workshop for anyone wanting to understand the nuts, bolts, and nuances of ACT."
~ Rob Polishook, MA, CPC, mental training coach and director of Inside the Zone Sports Performance Group
“Both John and Jamie were thorough and enthusiastic in sharing their knowledge and real life experiences with ACT in their lives and the lives of their clients. I enjoyed their light hearted teaching style and ability to engage participants in sharing and learning together. I appreciated the spiritual approach to counseling and the collaborative effort of navigating the universal experience of suffering and creating meaning in life.”
~ Lorraine Lambert, Counselor
"This 5 day training workshop carefully and clearly simplifies the structure of the ACT model. It provides opportunities to practice experiential exercises that can be brought into one’s clinical practice. Jamie and John Forsyth present the ACT model with extraordinary humility and humor. Their willingness to present elements of their personal stories is perhaps the best example (of the many interventions presented), of how the ACT model can provide support and guidance for anyone seeking to live more in line with their values."
~ Jo Stein, MSW, Lee, MA
"I attended John and Jamie’s 5 day workshop at the Omega Institute at the suggestion of a friend. Unfamiliar with ACT, I went in pretty blind. With each passing day of the workshop, I walked away with more and more knowledge and experience on how I was to begin implementing the ideas and strategies discussed right away. (I mean right away, while at the retreat center!) ACT in itself is powerful and the delivery of the ACT principles by Jamie and John were clear, hands on, and manifested a level of excitement that is hard to put into words. You also can't ignore the playful dynamic of the two of them as a married couple in the delivery of the material but make no mistake, both are passionate, knowledgeable and bring something unique to the experience. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone looking to expand and broaden their knowledge of ACT."
~ Gwen Uss, GC-C
Interfaith Minister, Grief Counselor, Private Practitioner, Retreat Leader, and Workshop Facilitator. www.hopefulheartsolutions.com
~ Stephen Lisman, Ph.D.
SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus
"I attended John and Jamie's 5-day workshop at the Esalen Institute. I had previously attended ACT Bootcamp & ACT II prior to this training. I highly recommend this training to therapists who want to further help and support the integration of ACT in their clinical work. I found their approach to integrating values into each of the other ACT processes as well as creative hopelessness strategies to be particularly helpful. I also appreciated their emphasis on cultivating self-compassion into ACT. John and Jamie are highly skilled, engaging, and fun! I got in touch with what has been holding me back in my personal struggles while becoming more skillful in using ACT interventions."
~ Teresa Williams, LPC, CDCII
Counseling Solutions of Alaska, Anchorage, AK
www.counselingsolutionsak.com
"John and Jamie’s ACT workshop at the Omega Institute was fun, inspiring, and informative. They present the ACT model unconditionally while allowing the students to take away examples and exercises who are applicable to themselves and their clients. I recommend the workshop for anyone wanting to understand the nuts, bolts, and nuances of ACT."
~ Rob Polishook, MA, CPC, mental training coach and director of Inside the Zone Sports Performance Group
“Both John and Jamie were thorough and enthusiastic in sharing their knowledge and real life experiences with ACT in their lives and the lives of their clients. I enjoyed their light hearted teaching style and ability to engage participants in sharing and learning together. I appreciated the spiritual approach to counseling and the collaborative effort of navigating the universal experience of suffering and creating meaning in life.”
~ Lorraine Lambert, Counselor
"This 5 day training workshop carefully and clearly simplifies the structure of the ACT model. It provides opportunities to practice experiential exercises that can be brought into one’s clinical practice. Jamie and John Forsyth present the ACT model with extraordinary humility and humor. Their willingness to present elements of their personal stories is perhaps the best example (of the many interventions presented), of how the ACT model can provide support and guidance for anyone seeking to live more in line with their values."
~ Jo Stein, MSW, Lee, MA
"I attended John and Jamie’s 5 day workshop at the Omega Institute at the suggestion of a friend. Unfamiliar with ACT, I went in pretty blind. With each passing day of the workshop, I walked away with more and more knowledge and experience on how I was to begin implementing the ideas and strategies discussed right away. (I mean right away, while at the retreat center!) ACT in itself is powerful and the delivery of the ACT principles by Jamie and John were clear, hands on, and manifested a level of excitement that is hard to put into words. You also can't ignore the playful dynamic of the two of them as a married couple in the delivery of the material but make no mistake, both are passionate, knowledgeable and bring something unique to the experience. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone looking to expand and broaden their knowledge of ACT."
~ Gwen Uss, GC-C
Interfaith Minister, Grief Counselor, Private Practitioner, Retreat Leader, and Workshop Facilitator. www.hopefulheartsolutions.com
