International Expert in Contextual Behavioral Science
Dr. Graciela Rovner
Pioneer in ACT‑based, process‑oriented rehabilitation


Short Bio
Dr. Graciela Rovner (PhD in Medicine, MSc in Psychology, MSc in Medical Sciences, and MSc in Physiotherapy) is a senior specialist physiotherapist, an internationally recognized researcher, and a pioneer in behavioral medicine. She is the first South American ACT trainer and ACBS Fellow, and the only one who comes from a background in physiotherapy and medical sciences. She is a recognized international leader and pioneer in contextual and functional behavioral medicine.
Spanning Europe and the Americas, her trajectory seamlessly combines clinical practice, research, teaching, and supervision; a lifetime dedicated to transforming how we understand and treat chronic pain, mental health, and long-term illness in an effective, personalized manner.
At Karolinska Institutet, her academic leadership was instrumental in bridging the gap between clinical research and interprofessional education. As Course Director, Dr. Rovner developed and led advanced postgraduate curricula in behavioral medicine tailored specifically for interprofessional healthcare teams. Her teaching portfolio at KI includes contributions to specialized programs in chronic pain and to the implementation of behavioral medicine in primary care.
Process‑Based Science & Implementation
From Foundations to Real‑World Impact
Foundations
Process‑based and mechanism‑focused treatment programs
Functional contextual and ACT- informed assessment and interprofessional rehab
Research Areas
ACT applied in behavioral medicine
Physical activity for chronic pain
Epidemiology in the area of physiotherapy and allergy
Impact
ACT models implemented in Swedish clinics
Significant clinical outcomes and organizational effectiveness
Scalable international use
