As I settle back into life on Long Island, I notice my familiar movements are less robotic and more invigorated and authentic. Yes, I'm catching up on the mundane: piles of mail and laundry. And I'm also determined to continue conversations, water ideas, and see what grows from my second world conference experience. These connections made at the conference are only the beginning of what I know are meaningful stories. Here are a few of the many memorable experiences at the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science World Conference 2026 in Lyon.

Self-disclosure

Hearing Jennifer Kemp, Rikke Kjelgaard, Steven C. Hayes, and Kelly Wilson share their personal journeys was nothing short of inspiring. One area of ACT that drew me in was the importance and intentionality around self-disclosure. This has allowed me to feel at home in the clinical space, where I otherwise felt my social work-self may not have belonged. I chose to attend Jennifer Kemp's workshop "Interoception: One Process to Rule Them All?" Not only did I know I'd learn a ton, but I knew I'd feel seen and heard. I knew that as my social-energy tank depleted, this workshop would validate and replenish me, and it did. Jennifer's emphasis on implicit normative culture and how detrimental that can be to neurodivergent people is exactly what I needed to hear at exactly the right time.

I attended Rikke Kjelgaard’s workshop "A Balancing ACT: Using Intentional Self-Disclosure to Model Psychological Flexibility" and discovered that what I thought was a scar may very well still be a wound. My face is still tender from my cathartic and uprooted tears.

A brave and brief chat with Kelly Wilson and his wife confirmed that his experience with addiction aligns beautifully with ACT from its inception.

And finally Steven C. Hayes' self-disclosure on the big stage emphasized that no one is impervious to vulnerability. We're all human.

Experiential Learning and Embodiment

Lidia Baran's workshop "The Relational Matrix – A Relationship Journey Through the Four Quadrants" provided an experience that allowed attendees to learn through embodied action. We moved through space, but it also felt like transcending time. I felt connected to an earlier version of myself experiencing pain and anger about my relationship. Lidia supported us in staying with what we felt before shifting to the next quadrant. I'm excited to bring this experience to my life and work with clients.

In "It's EPPC! Introducing an ACT-informed Model of Therapeutic Change in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy" with Brian Pilecki, @Temple Morris, and Jason Luoma, the breakout groups allowed us to share and practice while we learned. I felt like I was on the precipice of the next BIG thing. I left with more confidence in my clinical skills to explore the "fringe" yet common psychedelic experiences of my clients. Also, it's worth noting that when you chat with someone from Norway, the states, and Brazil - the collective ACT language unifies us; ACT language knows no boundaries.

Last year in NOLA I had the honor of attending Robyn D Walser, PhD and Manuela O´Connell's workshop on punishment. It was incredible to continue learning from Manuela in "Embodied Flexibility: How the Body Expands the Horizon of CBS." The collective (and magical) experience of connecting with everyone in the room (and beyond) was unforgettable.

Gratitude

In passing, I got to tell revered ACT leaders how much they mean to me. I took a moment to share with Jennifer Shepard Payne, Ph.D., LCSW-C how much I appreciated her kindness and compassion toward me during a workshop in NOLA.

I stopped Dr. Sarah Pegrum and thanked her for introducing me to the concept of mattering. I shared ideas with her about starting a SIG around ACT and Advocacy.

The concept of starting a SIG would not even have been possible without the path laid by Laurie Gallo, PhD. During the Trauma SIG meeting, Laurie shared its genesis: she saw a need for a trauma SIG and was encouraged and supported to start it. Now in year two, it's thriving!

After speaking one on one with Sarah, I then had the chance to attend "Body-Related Shame and the Transformative Power of Perspective Taking" with @Jenna LeJeune and Dr. Sarah Pegrum. On stage, they demonstrated working through shame by allowing us to witness "little Sarah" and her power.

So Many SIGs, So Little Time

If there's one thing I wished I had more of at this conference, it's time to sit in every SIG. The Applying ACT to Addictions SIG (AAA), the Trauma SIG, the Social Work SIG, and the Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity SIG (GSRD) — each one holding an expansive amount of knowledge, lived experience, and diversity. This is where so much of the connection happens. Not on the big stage, but in these tucked-away rooms where people show up as themselves, share what they know, and honor each other. Getting to work with AAA SIG president Deirdre Waters was an honor! Together, we celebrated the energy and enthusiasm from attendees about joining the Applying ACT to Addictions SIG.

My Turn

After noticing and thanking my nerves the entirety of the conference, on the last day in the last session slot, I presented "Connection Over Perfection: Parenting Around Sex, Bodies, and Identity Using ACT" sponsored by the Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity SIG (GSRD); my first presentation at an ACBS world conference; my first presentation outside the states. The attendees were extremely engaged and shared that the presentation was much needed, relevant, and helpful both personally and professionally. The willing, open, and engaged audience was more than I could've dreamed of.

Connection Over Perfection: Parenting Around Sex, Bodies, and Identity Using ACT: Gender and Sexual Diversity SIG Sponsored; Molly England, LMSW

The opportunity to speak on a world stage to clinicians and researchers in contextual behavioral science was even more spectacular because I was able to share the experience with my husband and kids. There have been many times we've travelled for my partner's work, but for this trip to be based around my career means so much to me. It embodies empowerment and fearless strength as a woman, wife, and mom.

The lessons will continue to unfold and the warmth will continue to permeate, and as I settle into my daily routine, I notice feeling more deeply, connecting more closely, and relating more wholeheartedly. I look forward to the next #acbswc in Hong Kong, and I'm excited to build relationships with everyone I had the honor to meet and get to know.

For (many) more photos, visit me on Instagram @mollyaengland

This post was first shared on Rooted In Wellness my LinkedIn Newsletter

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