ACT One
What People Are Saying
Sarah Khan
Speaker, Trainer, Advocate
“Having been the victim of Islamophobia for almost a decade, I had developed severe social anxiety disorder and was on the verge of becoming agoraphobic. After going from one failed therapy to another, I had completely lost hope in therapists...until I met Dr. M. Joann Wright.
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When I joined Joann’s intensive anxiety program, I was considered to have the worst anxiety there in comparison to all of the other patients. I couldn’t make eye contact with anyone, my eye twitched, my jaw rattled, and my face would flush red anytime I was around people. Not to mention that I could never even remember my name whenever it was time for me to introduce myself to anyone! Needless to say, my anxiety was debilitating.
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Joann worked with me on a daily basis for a month. Using acceptance and commitment therapy, she helped me embrace my anxieties rather than try to eliminate, avoid, or suppress them — a very different approach when compared to what I had gone through in my prior therapies.
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I stopped labeling my thoughts and feelings as ’negative;’ instead, I’d allow them to come and go on their own accord. Non-judgmental acceptance, self-compassion, mindfulness — all of these practices were taught through daily exercises with Joann. At the end of the month, when I came out of the intensive therapy program with her, I was not only able to recall my name and make eye contact when being introduced to people, but I was even able to carry out a pleasant conversation with them!
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Today I’m a professional public speaker, and I regularly speak about Islamophobia, the stigmas around mental health illness, and my own positive experience with Joann and all of the therapeutic coping skills with which she has equipped me.
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What makes Joann the best therapist I’ve ever known is not only her therapeutic approach in treating her patients, but also her kind, gentle, and extremely empathetic nature. I’ve never had a therapist before who reassures you that you are not alone in your pain and that suffering is a shared human experience. If a therapist can feel ‘with you,’ instead of ‘for you,’ that itself is a step towards healing.”
Dr. D.J. Moran
Founder of Pickslyde Consulting
Past-President of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
"I’ve witnessed Joann Wright “own the room” when presenting to an audience. The people in attendance gain great benefit, insight, and knowledge from her presentations, and leave the event “wowed” and inspired. I have shared the stage with her several times, and I always learn new information and fresh perspectives about her subject matter. Joann an exceptional presenter, and if you invite her somewhere to speak, please let me know so I can watch again."
Dr. Lauren Friedrich, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Director of Clinical Psychology Training
"I count myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from Dr. M. Joann Wright and benefit directly from her guidance. Having been a supervisee of hers for over seven years throughout my early clinical years, I experienced first-hand her expertise in contextual science, behaviorism, case conceptualization, and interventions utilizing evidenced-based practices. Through her leadership and supervision I grew personally, professionally, and academically as she led me through the process of discovering and defining who I wanted to be as a clinical psychologist; mentoring me through development of a highly-specialized program, increasing my knowledge-base and understanding of ACT, DBT, RFT, and experiential approaches to therapy among many other topics, and showing me how to become an effective supervisor to my own supervisees. Truly, Dr. Wright excels in her role as a supervisor, mentor, and educator demonstrating professionalism, knowledge, and a passion for aiding others in developing their skills, competence, and confidence. She exhibits an affable, out-going, and genuine personality, and exudes compassion that I believe drive her to contribute to the professional community with great enthusiasm!"
Steve F, Chicago, IL
"Working with Joann has been a life-changing experience, for sure. Her ability to blend empathy and compassion with a light and openhearted approach really made the difference for me. I'm clearer on my goals, and I'm much more in control of my emotional reactivity to life. Highly recommend her!"
Timothy Gordon, MSW, RSW
“Joann Wright is renowned for being an innovative and engaging ACT trainer. For those who are new to ACT, Joann’s simple instruction with clear description makes ACT easy to integrate to any setting. As an advanced practitioner of ACT learning from Joann, you can expect a fresh take with exciting, novel ways to bring ACT alive in your practice and yourself. I highly recommend you work with Joann and see how ACT can enhance your work and life.”
Laura Koehler, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Linden Oaks Behavioral Health
"Dr. Joann Wright was my supervisor for eight years. There are so many words to describe Joann, including bright, responsible, ambitious, creative, patient, and dedicated. I have observed her abilities to be empathic, sensitive, kind and respectful. However, the word that stands out in my mind the strongest when thinking of Joann is growth. Joann helped me grow clinically, professionally and personally. She provided extensive training and supervision in evidence-based treatments, including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Exposure Response Prevention. Joann provides a full supervision experience, including case consultation, theoretical orientation discussions, case conceptualization, personal growth work and safety/risk prevention. She was not only my supervisor, but also my mentor and I now I am proud to call her my friend."