When learning Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), many practitioners begin with the key concept of promoting psychological flexibility, which is the ability to adapt to life’s challenges while staying connected to what matters most. A natural starting point for beginners is to learn each of the six core ACT processes individually and then apply them […]
As we build towards the end of another calendar year it’s a great time to look back, appreciate and reflect upon our journey over the last 12 months. With over 140 hours of new live CE accredited training, 250+ supervision sessions, 600+ therapy sessions and a plethora of free resource and advice provided, we hope […]
Practical suggestions from ACT to help with grief The festive season is often portrayed as a time of joy, connection, and celebration. However, for those experiencing grief, the lead-up to Christmas can feel particularly heavy. Grief doesn’t take a holiday, and the contrast between the external festivities and internal pain can feel overwhelming. Christmas can […]
Clients often bring struggles surrounding self-forgiveness into the therapy room. This is a complex issue that cannot always been boiled down to a simple process without context, but we were curious on ACT practitioners go to ideas when working with self-forgiveness. We did a recent poll on our social media channels regarding forgiveness and how […]
The loop is a simple yet profound analogy in process based behavioural therapy (PBBT) that helps us navigate complex emotional landscapes and can be transformative for clients in therapy. What is the loop? The loop is an analogy that illustrates how our feelings and situations can often trap us in a repetitive cycle. When someone […]
From 28th November – 2nd December 2024 We know Black Friday is normally about big TV’s and overconsumption, so we thought – hey, why not provide something of real value. For a limited time only we are offering 20% discount across some of our 2025 online training courses. Save 20% off these courses JANUARY ACTing […]
Written by Joe Oliver If I’m completely honest, I often feel disheartened when I receive a referral for problematic anger. The stereotype usually involves working with someone deeply entrenched in their anger, viewing themselves as a victim, and attending therapy only because they’ve been mandated or pressured by others, such as a partner, to address […]
Here’s Dr Joe Oliver’s take of Inside Out 2, from a clinical psychologist and ACT therapist perspective: As a fan of the first movie and its powerful message about embracing difficult emotions, I was keen to check out how this sequel might tackle adolescence and the challenges of puberty. As a reminder, in the first […]
Exploring the history of ACBS UK/ROI: A journey of community, belonging, and purpose For those who couldn’t attend the association of contextual behavioural science (ACBS) conference. Here is a brief summary of the presentation that our founder Dr Joe Oliver gave to attendees, exploring the past, present and future of ACT and the importance of […]
As we celebrate World Kindness Day (observed annually on November 13th) we are reminded of the power of kindness in our lives and our communities. In ACT terms, we are focusing on the value of kindness, and the role this can play in our own lives, as well as our family, friends and the wider […]
As the psychology world embraces online therapy as a convenient and accessible mental health resource, therapists are continually required to adapt their therapeutic approaches. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a widely recognised and effective form of therapy that can be seamlessly integrated into online sessions but at Contextual Consulting we love to understand how […]
by Joe Oliver, Clinical psychologist, founder of Contextual Consulting. If you ask me whether you need to know relational frame theory, I almost always say yes. Understanding and unpacking this theory can significantly enhance and develop your clinical practice. That said, it’s akin to learning to read sheet music – is it necessary to be […]
World Mental Health Day was created with the aim of raising awareness across the world about critical mental health agendas. As World Mental Health Day 2024 approaches, we were pleased to hear that this year’s theme is: “It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace” Recent statistics reveal that 20% of UK employees […]
Procrastination – the act of delaying tasks despite knowing the potential negative consequences – is a common struggle that many of us face at some point in our lives. A recent study titled “Optimal and sub-optimal temporal decisions can explain procrastination in a real-world task” by Sahiti Chebolu and Peter Dayan at the Max Planck Institute […]
Navigating difficult conversations is a reality we all face, whether in personal relationships, professional settings, or therapeutic environments. Having the right approach can make all the difference in how these conversations unfold. In this short video taken from our expert tips for ACT series, Dr Ray Owen shares a technique that he uses, particularly during […]
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