Blog Posts
The 5-Minute Connection Framework That Turns Challenging Behavior Into Collaborative Growth
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Using the ACT Matrix approach, shift from "What's wrong?" to "What matters to you?"- and watch students develop the self-regulation skills that traditional behavior management can't reach.
Tired of power struggles? Ready to reduce your stress while actually helping students change themselves? The Simplicity Shift shows you how to turn everyday conversations into powerful moments of psychological flexibilityâthe research-backed skill that enables students to handle challenges, regulate emotions, and make values-based choices.
Not Another Program
No new curriculum to implement. No additional teaching time required. Just better conversations that change everything.
Evidenced-Based
Built on Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) and psychological flexibility researchâproven to work when rules and consequences fall short.
Created by Practioners
Developed by a licensed psychologist/ school psychologist with 40+ years in education. Co-created with Dr. Kevin Polk, ACT Matrix trainer and creator.
Perfect for teachers, counselors, administrators, and support staff who want practical tools that actually work. Instsant digital download. Practical, proven, classroom-ready
Traditional Approaches Set Stucture but Don't Teach Self-Regulation
Rules, consequences, and behavior charts can help create order. But they often fail to teach students how to regulate themselves when things get hard.
The result? You're constantly managing behavior instead of empowering students to manage themselves.
You experience:
- Endless power struggles with the same students
- Exhaustion from being the external control system
- Frustration when behavior plans don't create lasting change
- Stress from feeling like you're not reaching the kids who need you most
There's a better way.
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The ACT Matrix: A Five-Minute Framework for Building Psychological Flexibility
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The Simplicity Shift teaches you to use the ACT Matrixâa simple visual tool that helps students:
â Identify what matters to them (values/who's important)
â Notice their internal experiences (thoughts, feelings, sensations that hook them)
â Recognize their reactive patterns (behaviors that provide relief but don't work long-term)
â Choose values-based actions (behaviors aligned with what matters, even when it's hard)
This is psychological flexibilityâthe ability to be present with difficult experiences while taking action toward what matters.
It's not about controlling behavior through external systems.
It's about teaching students to regulate themselves through internal awareness.
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Everything You Need to Start Tomorrow
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â Complete Implementation Guide â step-by-step with real examples
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â ACT Matrix Templates â both filled + and immediate implementation tools
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â Prosocial Matrix Diagrams â for classroom and group applications
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â Teacher Quick Reference Sheets â for in-the-moment use
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â Real Classroom Scenarios â see how it works with real students
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â Bonus: Teacher Self-Care Matrix â the same framework to help you stay balanced
đ Save hours on research and development
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Get Instant Access- $9.99Why the ACT Matrix Works: The Science of Psychological Flexibility
The Simplicity Shift is built on Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT)âone of the most researched approaches in modern psychology.
Psychological flexibility is the ability to:
- Stay present with difficult thoughts and feelings (instead of avoiding them)
- Connect with personal values (what matters most)
- Take committed action (even when it's uncomfortable)
Research shows that psychological flexibility:
- Reduces anxiety, stress, and behavioral problems
- Increases academic engagement and resilience
- Improves emotional regulation and decision-making
- Creates lasting change (not just compliance)
The ACT Matrix makes these complex concepts accessible through a simple visual framework that students can learn in minutes and use for life.
Developed by Dr. Kevin Polk (ACT Matrix trainer and creator) and applied to education by Phil Tenaglia (licensed school psychologist, 2016 NJ School Psychologist of the Year), this approach has been proven in thousands of real classrooms over 16 years.
Citation Note:
Want to dive deeper into the research? The ACT Matrix approach is detailed in "The ACT Matrix: A New Approach to Building Psychological Flexibility Across Settings and Populations" (Context Press/New Harbinger).
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How the Simplicity Shift is Different
Traditional Behavior Management
Focus: External control
Method: Rules, consequences, rewards
Goal: Compliance
Challenge: Requires constant monitoring; stops working when you're not there
Best For: Creating structure and order
Standard SEL/Mindfulness Programs
Focus: Emotional awareness
Method: Curriculum lessons, breathing exercises
Goal: Self-awareness
Challenge: Requires dedicated time; hard to apply in the moment
Best For: Building emotional vocabulary
The Simplicity Shift (ACT Matrix)
Focus: Psychological flexibility
Method: Brief respectul conversations using visual framework
Goal: Self-regulation, Self-direction. Empowerment
Strength: Works in 5 minutes; students use it independently; applies to any situation
Best For: Developing skills that last beyond your classroom
The Simplicity Shift doesn't replace your existing approachesâit enhances them. Use it alongside your behavior systems and SEL curriculum to help students develop the internal skills that make everything else work better.
The Simple Shift is For Educators Who Want Real Tools, Not More Theory
Target Audiences:
â Teachers dealing with challenging student behavior and power struggles
â Counselors looking for brief, effective interventions
â Administrators wanting to shift building culture from control to connection
â Support Staff working with students who don't respond to traditional approaches
â Special Education Teams needing strategies for students with emotional/behavioral needs
This Is For You If:
- You're tired of battling for control
- Traditional behavior plans aren't creating lasting change
- You want to help students regulate themselves (not just comply)
- You're experiencing burnout from being the constant enforcer
- You believe connection matters but don't have time for complex programs
This Might Not Be For You If:
- You're looking for a quick-fix behavior management system
- You want detailed data tracking protocols with charts and graphs
- You prefer compliance-based approaches over relationship-based approaches
- You're not interested in understanding what drives student behavior
What Happens When Educators and Students Make the Simplicity Shift
"We had Phil deliver a Matrix in-service with our support staff, and the difference was immediate. Staff and students noticed improvements, and the conversations shifted. Our team found themselves having more collaborative discussions with teachers â and now, teachers have begun using the Matrix in their daily lessons.â ~ Â A Satisfied Student Personnel Services Administrator
"I have to admit, I was skeptical at first. I started using it with my students, and within weeks, they were using the language and could use the Matrix as a tool to help them sort and notice their triggers and reactions. I began to notice that they were reflecting more on themselves. They were helping each other out, offering suggestions where they had previously been more silent and passive. They began to pay more attention in class and were more invested in their progress in my class and others. I was even hearing "matrix conversations" in the hallways, ~ A Secondary Teacher
"The Matrix process gives them the power to change themselves. My job has become easier since they are learning to provide their motivation as they see themselves becoming more successful. I feel rejuvenated!"~ A Behavioral Disabilities Teacher
 Student Feedback
"I am coming to school regularly. I feel like I'm accomplishing something and am excited about graduation."
"I used the diagram to figure out different ways to keep my anger from getting to me."
"Boring still shows up for me. I take it with me and do what I need to do."
"I used the diagram every day to help me get to school when I felt like quitting."
Ready to Make Tomorrow Calmer and More Connected?
Once you click below, you will receive an immediate download. Review your implementation guide today and you can begin your first Matrix conversation tomorrow. Notice what happens when conversations shift from "What's wrong?" to "What matters".
I stand by this guide. If it truly doesnât work for your classroom and you reach out, Iâll make it right.
Frequently Asked Matrix Questions
No. While the ACT Matrix includes present-moment awareness, it's fundamentally different from traditional mindfulness meditation. It's a psychological flexibility framework based on ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Training) that helps students notice internal experiences, connect with values, and choose behaviorsâall through brief conversations, not meditation exercises.
No. The guide includes everything you needâstep-by-step implementation, filled examples, quick reference sheets, and real scenarios. If you can have a conversation, you can use the Matrix. Once students have been shown the Matrix, they use it and show it to friends and family.
Most SEL programs require dedicated curriculum time and teach emotional concepts through lessons. The Matrix is a tool you use in the moment during regular interactionsâit takes 5 minutes and applies to any situation. Use it alongside your SEL program to help students apply what they're learning.
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Yes. Phil began using the Matrix with students who didn't respond to traditional behavior approaches. It works by building connection and helping students regulate themselvesânot by adding more external controls. Many teachers report their most challenging students become their biggest Matrix advocates.
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Elementary through high school. The framework is the same; you just adjust your language. The guide includes examples for different age groups.
Yes. The ACT Matrix is based on decades of research on psychological flexibility and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Training). Studies show psychological flexibility reduces anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems while increasing resilience and academic engagement.
The Matrix enhances existing systemsâit doesn't replace them. Use your school's behavior system for structure and consistency, and use the Matrix to help students develop the internal skills that make your system work better.
My Story
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Phil Tenaglia is a licensed school psychologist and family therapist with over 40 years of experience in education. Named 2016 New Jersey School Psychologist of the Year, Phil has spent his career translating complex psychological principles into practical tools that actually work in real school settings.
Phil also collaborates with Dr. Kevin Polk, founder of the ACT Matrix Academy (TAMA), where they develop ACT Matrix training and continuing education courses for mental health professionals and educators.
He's also the co-author of "The ACT Matrix: A Mindful Process for SEL, Mental Health, Collaboration, and Achievement" (PESI Publishing).
But here's what matters most:
Phil has walked in your shoes. He's worked with the students who don't respond to traditional approaches. He's supported the teachers who are exhausted from power struggles. He's de-escalated countless crisis events. He's helped the administrators trying to shift building culture.
The Simplicity Shift isn't academic theoryâit's the distilled wisdom of 40+ years in the trenches, refined through partnership with the creator of the ACT Matrix, and proven in thousands of real classrooms.
Personal Touch:
Phil also practices aikido and applies its principles of redirection (rather than force) to his work with students and teams. He uses and teaches others how to use "inner aikido"âmeeting resistance with acceptance and redirecting energy toward what matters.
Bring the Simplicity Shift to Your School or Organizarion
Looking to shift your building culture from control-based to connection-based approaches? Want to equip your teachers with practical tools that actually work with challenging students? I provide professional development, in-service training, and ongoing consultation for schools and districts implementing the ACT Matrix framework. Whether you're a principal looking to support your staff, a district leader wanting system-wide culture change, or a superintendent seeking evidence-based approaches to student behavior, I can help.
Let's talk about:
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Half-day or full-day Matrix training for your staff
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Ongoing coaching and implementation support
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Building-wide culture shift strategies
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Custom workshops for specific challenges your school faces
I specialize in applying the ACT Matrix in education and other organizational contexts. With over 40 years as a school psychologist and family therapist, I bring practical experience to every engagement.
Ready to explore what's possible?
Email me directly at [email protected]. I typically respond within 24 hours, and we can schedule a conversation that works for your timeline.
Collaborative Crisis Intervention in Schools
"Transforming Calm to Chaos" is the practical guide for educators seeking practical strategies to help students in crisis. Using the proven ACT Matrix process, this book empowers educators to intervene and build mental health and social-emotional skills in any educational setting. This engaging book, written by leading expert Phil Tenaglia, provides step-by-step guidance and practical tools for identifying, responding to, and preventing crises. Whether you're a teacher, counselor, or administrator, this book will help you and your students navigate crises together and move toward success in school and life. Order your copy today and start transforming chaos into calm in your school!
Discover the Power of Psychological Flexibility Coaching and Training Live or Virtually for You or Your Organization
Are You Looking for Effective and Powerful Social Emotional Learning Tools?
The ACT Matrix is an immediately engaging and simple process to promote awareness of self and others for learners of all ages. Using it leads to less stress and happier and healthier classrooms.
This empowering, evidenced based approach was developed by Dr. Kevin Polk, author of several ACT Matrix texts and peer reviewed trainer. It is known world wide as "the workability model" and has endless applications for those who use it.
The Matrix has been field-tested in classrooms and educational programs. It targets all of the core SEL areas naturally. Teachers report that it boosts student achievement, reduces stress, and leads to improved prosocial behavior among learners.
The ACT Matrix ramps up SEL by promoting psychological flexibility, the ability to notice one's actions and use experience to manage difficult impulses and experiences. Using the matrix increases creativity and allows learners to develop their own problem-solving tools.
At the group and classroom level the matrix promotes psychological safety, leading to shared purposes, increased cooperation and collaboration.
The matrix benefits both teachers and students by establishing a shared point of view that facilitates learning and communication. It gets everyone on the same page while allowing for diversity and individual experience. It is highly adaptive and is easily integrated into your daily routines. You spend more time teaching and your students spend more time learning!
Email: [email protected]
Would You Like In Person / Online Training that Gets Results with Less Hassles?
I have a passion for training and presenting the Matrix, known as the "psychological flexibity point of view".
Matrix training is like bike riding. You learn by practice or doing. As you practice with it you notice what works and the ride becomes smooth and rewarding for you and those you serve.
The Matrix point of view is based on the experience of the user. My live trainings are hands on and designed to leave you with functional tools you can use immediately.
I offer online trainings based on your knowledge and willingness to try out the point of view
Beginner:
This introduces you to the Matrix point of view. You learn how to set the visual and verbal context, and ask a few powerful and respectful questions that will increase psychological flexibility and learning.
Intermediate
Once you have the basics down you will be introduced to verbal aikido or the art of spinning words that turn diificult conversations toward understanding and solutions.
Advanced
This is for those who want to dive deeper and use the matrix as a unifying intervention to spark creativity and productivity for themselves and those they serve.
Email: [email protected]
Are Your Teams Struggling, Disorganized or Distressed?
Does your organization or workplace  struggle with morale issues? Are your teams in conflict, hurting or losing steam? The ACT Matrix will help them get unstuck and re-energized. Productivity and renewed commtiments to your mission soon follow.
We will come to your site (or see you virtually) and show you and your workteams how to move toward shared purposes, neutralize conflicts and increase productivity. Helping teams thrive will also reduce absenteeism and employee turnover.
Training can be tailored to your organization's needs. It centers around  a 3 Step Plan to build consensus , develop workable goals and monitor results over time.
Step 1Â
How to use the Prosocial Matrix to develop shared purposes for work teams, identify obstacles and boost morale.
STEP 2
How to move past sticking points using verbal aikido to reduce conflicts and self-sabotage within teams.
STEP 3
We teach you how to fish on your own so that you and your team can use the prosocial matrix process as on ongoing tool to move toward your goals.
Our style is active and enagaging. Â We will work with you to get the results you want. You will have the tools you need to implement immediate and lasting change.
Email: [email protected]
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I am enjoying and learning a lot from Phil’s webinars and trainings! I have used the Matrix with my clients throughout their lifespan. Using the Matrix has created a new way of looking at the world and has stimulated an avenue to create clearer insight.
Christina Pettinato MS, NCC
Speciality Counselor
As a Student Assistance Counselor, I deal with a variety of issues. Phil’s matrix training has allowed me to promote flexibility and growth with students struggling with addiction. I have seen them use it to take charge of their recovery and spend more time pursuing what is meaningful to them.
The Matrix is an excellent tool that can be used in schools, business, and treatment centers. It has helped me grow as a counselor and increase my flexibility, effectiveness, and productivity.
Maura Nixon MA, SAC
NCC
I work with Phil and have been using the matrix in my classroom for several years. Working with students who are disaffected and discouraged is challenging but the matrix gives them powerful tools that increase their chances for success. They and I notice the difference!
Andrew Bezila, Secondary Teacher
Phil is a local champ regarding therapeutic strategies and support methodology. I have had the good fortune to train with Phil, which has strengthened my consultation and intervention skills. The ACT Matrix is a can’t miss program.
John Lestino
School Psychologist
NASP Delegate