Contextual Behavioral Science is about helping individuals adapt more effectively to the contexts they live in — while also helping societies build contexts that empower individuals to thrive.
It is an approach to understanding human behavior that can be applied far beyond therapy: toward better people for a better country, and a better country for better people.
This video features a discussion hosted by Nathan Chua (One Life Only Counseling) with guests Eugene (an ACT practitioner and psychiatrist from Malaysia) and Jacob (a licensed counselor from Wisconsin).
Panel Discussion on Scaling Up Contextual Behavioral Science from Individuals to Societies
In this session, the panel explores how the principles of Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be transitioned from individual clinical work to addressing broader societal issues. The discussion covers personal journeys into CBS, the role of language (Relational Frame Theory), and how system design can promote natural cooperation.
Key Topics & Timestamps:
[00:00] – Introductions and the personal journeys of Nathan, Eugene, and Jacob into ACT and CBS.
[18:01] – Scaling CBS: What changes when we move from helping individuals to influencing societies?
[22:42] – The different “spheres” of society: Cultural, technological, and political dynamics.
[24:21] – Marketing and RFT: How advertisers use behavioral science (often unconsciously) for capitalistic aims.
[30:58] – Human evolution and the challenge of cooperating in large populations vs. small groups.
[35:45] – System Design: Creating contexts where cooperation feels natural rather than coerced.
[41:59] – Observations from Malaysia: How “thought speak” and undercurrents of language influence racial dynamics and policy.
[52:44] – The decline of trust in modern societies and how RFT explains the shifting function of government.
[01:05:07] – Dreaming of Change: Practical ideas for reform in transportation, education, and academia using a CBS lens.
Panelists:
Nathan Chua: Author and Counselor based in Metro Manila, Philippines.
Eugene Koh: Psychiatrist and ACT practitioner from Malaysia.
Jacob Martinez: Licensed Professional Counselor from Wisconsin, USA.
Resources Mentioned:
The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris
Stumbling on Happiness by Dan Gilbert
ProSocial by Paul Atkins, David Sloan Wilson, and Steven C. Hayes
Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam
1984 by George Orwell (regarding “Newspeak”)
Better People, Better Country by Nathaniel/Starfly Chua
How can we move beyond just being “healthy” to living wisely?
In this episode of “Two Shrinks Over Drinks,” Nathan Chua sits down with Dr. Hank Robb, a seasoned psychotherapist from Portland, Oregon, and a prominent voice in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Relational Frame Theory (RFT).
Together, they dive deep into the philosophy of behaviorism, the limitations of the DSM “disease model,” and how small groups can drive large-scale societal change. Hank shares his unique perspective on making complex psychological concepts simple, digestible, and—most importantly—actionable for everyday life.
Key Topics Discussed:
[05:13] Technical Eclecticism: Why it’s okay to use diverse techniques but vital to stay grounded in a consistent theory.
[13:00] The Power of “We”: Moving from joint attention to joint intention in therapy and relationships.
[16:14] Creative Hopelessness: Understanding the transformation of stimulus functions—when letting go of a failing strategy opens the door to new opportunities.
[30:08] Misunderstandings of B.F. Skinner: A look at Skinner’s naturalism and why his denial of “supernaturalism” made him a controversial figure.
[53:30] Errors vs. Illness: Why focusing on “wisdom” and “wise choices” is often more helpful than traditional diagnostic labeling (DSM).
[01:03:00] Scaling Change: How principles from Eleanor Ostrom and small, value-driven groups can influence communities and even entire countries.
About Hank Robb: Hank Robb, Ph.D., ABPP, is the author of Willingly ACT for Spiritual Development. He is known for his ability to translate the dense language of RFT into practical metaphors that help clients “willingly acknowledge, willingly choose, and willingly teach.”
About the Host: Nathan Chua is a counselor based in Quezon City, Philippines, and the author of Better People, Better Country.
Why Suicide Risk Is Harder to Predict Than People Think
Most people assume therapists can predict suicide the way meteorologists predict storms. But modern psychological research tells a much more complicated story.
In this video, I discuss why risk factors are not the same as reliable prediction, how human behavior is deeply context-sensitive, and why many contextual behavioral scientists are becoming more cautious about the illusion of certainty in prediction.
This is also why therapy is not only about risk management and control, but about understanding suffering in real time, reducing isolation, building psychological flexibility, and helping people reconnect with workable ways of living.
A contextual behavioral science perspective on therapy, compassion, and human behavior.
One of the fastest ways to destroy a relationship?
Using threats to get what you want.
Bakit kapag tinatakot mo ang partner mo… mas lalo siyang lumalayo?
“Pag umalis ka sa akin, hindi mo na makikita anak mo.”
“Mag-iiskandalo ako.”
“Subukan mo lang, tingnan mo gagawin ko.”
These sound powerful.
Pero in reality…
👉 ito yung mga bagay na mas sumisira sa relationship.
Kasi when you use threats:
Oo, minsan susunod siya
👉 pero dahil sa takot, hindi dahil sa pagmamahal
And over time…
👉 the relationship becomes about escape, not connection
From a behavioral perspective:
👉 Pressure changes how the relationship feels.
Instead of:
safety
trust
It becomes:
tension
control
walking on eggshells
And here’s the painful part:
👉 The more you try to control someone…
👉 the more they start wanting to get away
This doesn’t mean:
❌ “Wag ka na magsalita”
❌ “Hayaan mo na lang lahat”
It means:
👉 How you influence matters more than how strong your words are.
Because in the long run:
👉 Fear can force behavior
👉 But it cannot build a relationship
If this pattern feels familiar in your relationship,
there are ways to shift it without losing yourself.
Feel free to message me.
We offer counseling sessions focused on helping you respond more effectively to complex relationship situations — without pressure, judgment, or one-size-fits-all advice.
The Problem with Oversimplified Advice
Advice like “avoid toxic people” works well on social media because it’s clear, direct, and emotionally satisfying. But it can also create guilt and confusion when people find that they can’t actually follow it.
You might start asking yourself:
“What’s wrong with me?”
“Why can’t I just walk away?”
“Am I weak for staying?”
In many cases, the issue is not weakness — it’s context.
A More Workable Question
Instead of asking:
“Should I avoid this person?”
A more helpful question is:
“What is workable in this situation?”
This shifts the focus from rigid rules to practical, real-life solutions.
What You Can Do Instead
Depending on your situation, more workable options may include:
Setting clear but realistic boundaries
Limiting exposure rather than cutting off completely
Changing how you respond in difficult interactions
Building support systems outside the relationship
Gradually creating options if leaving is your long-term goal
Avoidance is sometimes the right choice — but it’s not the only choice.
A More Flexible Way to Think About Relationships
From a contextual behavioral perspective, the goal is not to follow rules perfectly, but to respond in ways that actually improve your life over time.
Some relationships require distance.
Some require boundaries.
Some require patience and strategy.
And some, eventually, may require letting go.
But the key is this:
The best choice is the one that is workable in your real-life context — not just what sounds good in theory.
Watch the Full Video
Watch the full discussion above to explore this idea in more detail and learn how to apply it to your own relationships.
If this is something you’re going through, you’re not alone.
I was recently invited by Jacob Martinez, a licensed professional counselor from Wisconsin, to contribute to an international ACT training series in collaboration with PESI.
For many years, I’ve been on the other side of these trainings—as a participant, learning from international clinicians and trying to make sense of how these ideas apply in real-world settings.
This invitation marks a meaningful shift for me: from learning within that space to contributing to it.
In this 45-minute segment, I discuss a core distinction in contextual behavioral science:
Functional coherence vs essential coherence.
In simple terms:
Essential coherence asks: “Is this true? What is this really?”
Functional coherence asks: “Does this work? What does this lead to?”
Most of us—including many clinicians—are trained to think in essential terms: labels, traits, diagnoses, and fixed explanations about “what a person is.”
ACT takes a different approach.
Instead of focusing on what thoughts or emotions are, it focuses on what they do—how they function in context, and whether they help a person move toward a meaningful and workable life.
This shift may seem subtle, but it has wide implications—not just for therapy, but for how we understand relationships, culture, and social issues.
I’m sharing this here in the hope of making these ideas more accessible, especially within the Filipino context, where moral and label-based thinking are often emphasized.
Because the real shift is not just learning new techniques.
Through the years after finishing my graduate studies in counseling, I became something of an online junkie for knowledge—trying to understand what it means to be human, and how humans can help other humans live more just and accepting lives.
My continuing education gradually took on a life of its own online, through workshops and training programs from the United States and Australia. Amazon also became part of that journey. Over time, I built a self-funded private library in my search for purpose and meaning as I entered the second half of my life.
Thanks to technology, I was able to access knowledge from around the world without spending an inordinate amount of time and resources pursuing a costly, multi-year, one-size-fits-all program. The books I found along the way became invaluable companions in my learning and growth.
I never imagined that one day I would belong in that same online marketplace—not only as a reader, but as an author.
Today, I’m sharing
“Better People, Better Country: A Psychological Blueprint for a New Philippines,” written under the pen name Starfly Chua.
I post this with mixed emotions. The journey behind this book was not easy. It included my share of pain, sorrow, doubts, and regrets in the search for something simple but difficult: truth that works.
This book is the culmination of that journey—a journey that took more than fifteen years.
