Addressing experiential avoidance is a key aspect of ACT intervention, and such behaviours can significantly hinder personal growth and emotional well-being. We wanted to consider how internal family systems (IFS) offers a complementary approach that can effectively tackle avoidance by fostering internal dialogue and self-awareness. Here’s some of our ideas on how IFS can help […]
In the world of sports, anxiety is a familiar companion. Whether you’re an athlete facing the pressure of competition or someone navigating challenges in leadership, managing discomfort is crucial. Alison Maitland, a sports psychologist who will be hosting a training session for us in March – ‘Thriving in Sport’ alongside Jenna Ashford, recently joined us […]
It is key when learning and later applying ACT to ensure that there is good fidelity to the model. For those newer to ACT, by fidelity we mean the degree to which the intervention is ACT consistent. This can encompass both the techniques, as well as any underlying philosophy of science. The ability to deliver […]
Ahead of our intermediary workshop ACT for anxiety and depression with Russ Harris, we are looking at these so called ‘common disorders’. We might call them our bread and butter, as therapists. Whether we label them diagnostically or view them as symptoms of anxiety or low mood, we frequently engage with individuals facing these issues. […]
Towards the end of last year, we reached out to our social media followers with an important question in the realm of mental health: “When working with clinical procrastination, what would you say most commonly underlies this, in your experience?” The responses were interesting and provided valuable insights that we can explore through the lens […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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