AHBA Organization - Person and Behavior in Context (Israeli branch of ACBS)
In collaboration with the Nafarashim Institute for Psychotherapy Research and Teaching
At the School of Behavioral Sciences, Tel Aviv-Yafo Academic College
We invite you to the 2025 ACT Annual Conference:
Psychological flexibility as an anchor in the heart of the storm
Monday | 08.09.25 | 13:00-20:45 | Academic College Tel Aviv-Jaffa
AHBA and ACBS members – a link to register at a discounted price will be sent to you by email.
The annual Israeli ACT Conference is an opportunity for learning, enrichment, professional introductions, and community gatherings. The conference is intended for everyone - those taking their first steps in the world of ACT, through curious women and professionals who want to get to know and hear, to experienced therapists and veteran community members - all are welcome.
We have put together a rich and diverse day, with many opportunities for familiarization, deepening, or expanding with different models, perspectives, and directions, all related to the contextual behavioral world (CBS).
At the heart of the conference is the special meeting of Mr. Steven Polder, a Dharma teacher for more than 30 years and founder of the "Tovna" association, and his wife, Dr. Yasmin Polder-Head, a psychologist, instructor and teacher of Contextual Behavioral Sciences (CBS). The conversation will focus on the experience of the "therapeutic space" and exploring the question of how our presence (behavior...) in the therapeutic space also enables a connection to spirituality.
We will also be able to be impressed, learn, and be inspired by a panel of experienced professionals who will talk about their use of ACT and CBS in times of crisis.
In addition, as is tradition, we will offer a variety of workshops on various topics: a basic introduction to the model for new participants and an encounter with new perspectives on therapeutic work for veterans or those with more experience. An encounter with a focused response in working with different populations and specific challenges alongside a broad discourse on integration in therapy. The workshops are based on didactic learning in a frontal and close manner and practical and experiential experiences in pairs and small groups, exposure to different methods, diverse tools and tangential or complementary methods or theories.
We will end the day, as is tradition, with a social activity that will allow us to connect with the loving power of our community.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Conference Steering Committee:
Dr. Karin Stern, Dr. Naftali Halberstadt, Keren Nissan Ilser, Dr. Orna Stetter, Ami Wiesel, Neta Amiel, Lior Biran, Limor Atar,
Azi Rahim and Dr. Sharon Ziv Beyman
Conference program
13:00-13:30- Gathering
13:30-13:45 - Opening remarks
13:45-14:45- Expert Panel: ACT in Crisis -
Mr. Lior Biran, Ms. Roni Tzur, Mr. David Poni, Dr. Arik Zvieli. Moderator: Dr. Karin Stern.
14:45-15:15- Break
15:15-16:45 - Optional workshops
16:45-17:00- Break
17:00-18:30 - Continue with the selected workshop
18:30-18:45- Break
18:45-19:45 - The space between us and the space beyond: An encounter between spirituality and ACT therapy -
Dr. Stephen Polder and Dr. Jasmine Polder-Head.
19:45-20:45- Social activity
We will end the day, as is tradition, with a social activity that will allow us to connect with the loving power of our community. The activity will be led by a comic actor - and with the audience we will enjoy an improvisational performance on connections: together we will laugh, talk and see our story become a scene on stage.
AHBA and ACBS members – a link to register at a discounted price will be sent to you by email.