Senior Research Scientist at University of Washington, United States
Dr. Mavis Tsai is a distinguished Clinical Psychologist and Senior Research Scientist at the University of Washington’s Center for Science of Social Connection. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Washington in 1982, where she also received several prestigious fellowships and awards. Dr. Tsai is the co-principal investigator for multiple studies focused on interpersonal connection and functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP). She is the founder of the Awareness, Courage & Love Global Project and has authored several influential books on FAP, including Functional Analytic Psychotherapy Made Simple (2017). Recognized for her significant contributions, she was awarded the Washington State Psychological Association Distinguished Psychologist Award in 2014 and is a Fellow of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Psychology. Beyond her research, Dr. Tsai has contributed extensively to community service and is passionate about addressing loneliness and promoting social connection.
Profile
Scopus
Education 🎓:
Dr. Mavis Tsai holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Washington, earned in 1982. During her doctoral studies, she was awarded the prestigious APA Minority Fellowship from 1977 to 1982 and the APA Division of Psychotherapy Scholarship. Prior to that, she completed her B.A. in Psychology, graduating magna cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1976. While at UCLA, Dr. Tsai received several honors, including being named a Phi Beta Kappa member, a California State Scholar, and being placed on the Dean’s Honor List from 1973 to 1976. Dr. Tsai is also a licensed psychologist in the state of Washington.
Work Experience 💼:
Dr. Mavis Tsai has extensive professional experience, spanning over four decades in clinical psychology and research. Since 2014, she has served as a Senior Research Scientist at the University of Washington’s Center for Science of Social Connection. Her work includes co-principle investigations on several notable studies, such as the Interpersonal Connection Study, Brief Interpersonal Mindfulness Study, and Impact of FAP Training. In addition to her research, Dr. Tsai is the Director of the Functional Analytic Psychology Specialty Clinic at the University of Washington and has been a clinical faculty member since 1989. Her career also includes significant contributions as a clinical psychologist and consultant in independent practice since 1982. Dr. Tsai has held leadership roles in various research projects, including NIH grants and ADAI funding, and has served as a training supervisor for the treatment of depression and nicotine addiction. She has also been actively involved in the academic community through teaching, including extension lectures and pre-doctoral instruction at the University of Washington.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Mavis Tsai has received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout her career. She was named a Fulbright Senior Specialist, serving on the roster from 2009 to 2014. In 2014, she was honored with the Washington State Psychological Association Distinguished Psychologist Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to the field. Additionally, she was named a Fellow of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Psychology in 2016, highlighting her expertise in contextual behavioral science. Dr. Tsai’s academic excellence is also reflected in her early recognition with the APA Minority Fellowship, awarded to her from 1977 to 1982, and the APA Division of Psychotherapy Scholarship, underscoring her commitment to advancing psychological research and practice. These accolades affirm Dr. Tsai’s distinguished career and significant impact on both clinical psychology and therapeutic research.
Research Interests:
Dr. Mavis Tsai’s research interests are centered around the development and application of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the importance of authentic, attuned, and healing relationships in psychotherapy. Her work focuses on understanding and improving interpersonal connections, particularly in the context of mental health and well-being. Dr. Tsai has led several studies on interpersonal mindfulness, the impact of FAP training, and the relationship improvement process. Her research also explores social connection, loneliness, and their impact on mental health, aiming to develop effective interventions to address these issues. As a co-principal investigator, she has investigated various aspects of behavior therapy, including the treatment of co-morbid nicotine addiction and depression. Dr. Tsai’s broader interests include the integration of behavioral science with psychotherapy to foster emotional healing and personal growth.
📚 Publications
- An Awareness, Courage, and Love Online Group Intervention for Chinese Older Adults in the Post-Pandemic Era: Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial
- Authors: Chan, S.C.-Y., Huang, Q.-L., Ho, W.-S., Wong, S., Tsai, M.
- Journal: Healthcare (Switzerland)
- Year: 2024
- Volume: 12(21), 2158
- Citations: 0
- Functional Analytic Psychotherapy: Distinctive Features
- Authors: Munoz-Martinez, A., Skinta, M.D., Sullivan-Singh, S., Kohlenberg, B., Tsai, M.
- Book: Functional Analytic Psychotherapy: Distinctive Features
- Year: 2024
- Pages: 1–139
- Citations: 0
- Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Single-Case Designs on the Efficacy of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy
- Authors: López-Pinar, C., Galán-Doña, D., Tsai, M., Macías, J.
- Journal: Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice (Article in Press)
- Year: 2024
- Citations: 1
- A Replication Randomized Controlled Trial of an Awareness, Courage, and Love Intervention
- Authors: Olaz, F.O., Bañuelos, M.R., Molfino, J., Tsai, M.
- Journal: International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy
- Year: 2022
- Volume: 22(3), 299–314
- Citations: 1
- Helping Couples Connect during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial of an Awareness, Courage, and Love Intervention
- Authors: Tsai, M., Hardebeck, E., Ramos, F.P., Zhang, W., Kohlenberg, R.J.
- Journal: Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being
- Year: 2020
- Volume: 12(4), 1140–1156
- Citations: 16
- Creating Safe, Evocative, Attuned, and Mutually Vulnerable Therapeutic Beginnings: Strategies from Functional Analytic Psychotherapy
- Authors: Tsai, M., Yoo, D., Hardebeck, E.J., Loudon, M.P., Kohlenberg, R.J.
- Journal: Psychotherapy
- Year: 2019
- Volume: 56(1), 55–61
- Citations: 9
- Using the Primary Process Emotional–Behavioural System to Better Meet Patient Needs in Psychotherapy
- Authors: Kuei, T., Tsai, M., McLeod, H.J., White, R.G., Kanter, J.
- Journal: Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
- Year: 2019
- Volume: 26(1), 55–73
- Citations: 3
- A Brief Contextual Behavioral Intervention to Improve Relationships: A Randomized Trial
- Authors: Kanter, J.W., Kuczynski, A.M., Tsai, M., Kohlenberg, R.J.
- Journal: Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science
- Year: 2018
- Volume: 10, 75–84
- Citations: 14
- Saying Good Goodbyes to Your Clients: A Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) Perspective
- Authors: Tsai, M., Gustafsson, T., Kanter, J., Loudon, M.P., Kohlenberg, R.J.
- Journal: Psychotherapy
- Year: 2017
- Volume: 54(1), 22–28
- Citations: 11
- Preliminary Findings on the Effects of Online Functional Analytic Psychotherapy Training on Therapist Competency
- Authors: Maitland, D.W.M., Kanter, J.W., Tsai, M., Manbeck, K.E., Kohlenberg, R.J.
- Journal: Psychological Record
- Year: 2016
- Volume: 66(4), 627–637
- Citations: 12
Conclusion
Dr. Mavis Tsai’s exceptional research, profound impact on the psychological community, and continuous dedication to advancing therapeutic practices solidify her as a prime candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award.