The relationships that call forth who we are meant to be
Grounded in decades of behavioral science, ACL™ advances relational health through community, training, and practices — helping people build life-giving relationships where they feel seen, known, and valued.
Our mission
We create life-giving relationships where people feel seen, known, and valued.
Through awareness, courage, and love, we call one another into the fullness of who we are — living authentically, loving boldly, and offering our unique gifts to the world.
In a world facing an epidemic of disconnection, ACL™ equips therapists, coaches, community leaders, healers, and changemakers with a shared practice for building relational capacity — transforming not just individuals, but the communities and organizations they serve.
Watch Dr. Mavis Tsai at TEDx
"The world changes when we become brave enough to share the gifts that only we can give—the truths we dare to speak, the love we dare to express, and the unique selves we dare to reveal."
The story
Our origin story
Decades ago at the University of Washington, psychologists Dr. Mavis Tsai and Dr. Robert Kohlenberg noticed that when they brought their own humanity and vulnerability into the room, responding to clients in real time rather than relying solely on techniques, people began to change in ways they had never witnessed before.
Rather than trying to "fix" clients, they learned to meet them with presence, courage, and care. The therapy relationship itself became a place for healing and growth. Clients learned through authentic, in-the-moment interactions that unfolded between two people. This insight became Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), an evidence-based approach first published in 1991 and now supported by more than 40 years of research.
Over time, Mavis began asking a larger question: If awareness, courage, and love can transform lives in therapy, why should they remain there? These are not merely clinical skills. They are ways of relating, living, and being.
From that question, ACL™ was born — a global movement helping people strengthen relational health, deepen connection, live authentically, and bring their unique gifts to the world.
Dr. Mavis Tsai and Dr. Robert Kohlenberg, co-creators of FAP Photo by Tim Gordon
1991
The first Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) book is published, introducing a relational, in-the-moment approach to change.
2009
Awareness, Courage, and Love (ACL) emerge as the core framework underlying transformational relationships.
2016
ACL Global Project launches, bringing these practices beyond therapy and into communities worldwide.
2023
ACL's international online community launches, connecting people across countries, cultures, and languages.
2026
ACL introduces certification pathways to prepare the next generation of relational health practitioners and facilitators.
Founder
Meet Dr. Mavis Tsai
Mavis Tsai, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, educator, researcher, and internationally recognized pioneer in the science of human connection. As co-creator of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), she helped develop a leading relationship-based behavioral approach grounded in in-the-moment connection. She has co-authored six books and 90+ publications.
Mavis founded ACL™ Global to bring Awareness, Courage, and Love beyond therapy and into everyday life, helping people build relational health and become more fully themselves — living courageously, loving boldly, and offering their unique gifts to the world.
PhD, Clinical Psychology
Co-creator of FAP
Senior Research Scientist, University of Washington
Co-author of 6 books & 90+ publications
TEDx speaker
WA State Distinguished Psychologist Award
Fellow, Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
"When people feel truly seen, known, and valued, they become capable of far more than they imagined—for themselves, for others, and for the world."
Leadership
Board of directors
Holly Yates, LCMHC
President
Certified Functional Analytic Psychotherapy trainer, ACT therapist and author advancing ACL™ in clinical practice.
Julie Gottman, PhD
Board member
World-renowned pioneer, speaker, author, and researcher in relationship science. Co-founder of the Gottman Institute.
Augustine Veliath
Secretary
India's leading name in health communication, with 40+ years in development communication.
Manuela O'Connell
Past-president
ACT and FAP clinician, mindfulness teacher, author, past president and Fellow, Assoc. of Contextual Behavioral Science.
Zach Fairman
Treasurer
Industrial engineer turned organizational leader bridging systems thinking and human development.
Lowell Parker, CFP®
Board member
Financial strategist and institutional leader helping people and organizations align money with meaning.
Founding board
We honor our founding board members, whose leadership helped shape the early vision and growth of ACL™ Global:
Susan Partnow, MA Past president
Isabella Knox, MD Past secretary
Mary Waldon, PhD, LCSW Past treasurer
Graciela Rovner, PhD Past treasurer
Core team
Mavis Tsai, PhD Founder
Michael Uradnik Executive Director
Anja Huesch Manager of Operations
Daneil Newcomb Manager of Community Building & Education
ACL™ is grounded in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), an evidence-based approach rooted in contextual behavioral science and developed by Dr. Robert Kohlenberg and Dr. Mavis Tsai at the University of Washington. FAP emphasizes the transformative power of authentic human connection. ACL™ brings these research-supported principles beyond therapy, translating them into practical relational skills that help people foster belonging, strengthen resilience, and contribute their unique strengths to their families, workplaces, and communities.
Susan Partnow, MA Past president 
Isabella Knox, MD Past secretary 
Mary Waldon, PhD, LCSW Past treasurer 
Graciela Rovner, PhD Past treasurer 
Michael Uradnik Executive Director 
Anja Huesch Manager of Operations 
Daneil Newcomb Manager of Community Building & Education 
Miko Cardenas Media & Communications Specialist 
Valerie Freilich, ICF-PCC Strategic Advisor, Partnership & Impact