ACT for adolescents
An intermediate level DNA-V model skills workshop
Are you ready to move beyond the basics and refine your therapy skills with adolescents? ACT (DNA-V) for adolescents – Beyond technique and into advancing your skills is the workshop for practitioners who want to build deeper understanding of therapy to accelerate their results when working with young people (aged 12-24). Led by internationally renowned clinical psychologist Dr Louise Hayes, this workshop focuses on advancing your skills using DNA-V, a developmental and neuroaffirming framework designed specifically for young people. This is not about worksheets or cookie-cutter techniques—it’s about learning how to work with the whole adolescent and create meaningful change, even in complex or challenging cases.
Background to the workshop
Adolescents today face a unique set of challenges that require more than just basic therapeutic tools. While traditional therapy approaches can provide valuable support, they often fall short of addressing the multifaceted nature of adolescent difficulties. AI tools and companions cannot address the essential factors facing adolescents – how to love and connect with others. Factors such as high-conflict family dynamics, systemic pressures, struggles with autonomy, and the complexities of neurodivergence mean that adolescents bring a level of nuance and complexity to therapy that can be difficult to navigate. Anxiety, trauma, the modern world, and other common presenting issues for young people are often deeply interwoven with these contextual factors, making it essential for practitioners to move beyond standardised tools and protocols.
For professionals who have completed introductory training in ACT or DNA-V, the question often arises: “How do I tailor these approaches to meet the unique needs of adolescents?” This workshop was designed to address that question, helping practitioners develop advanced therapeutic skills that focus on process, function, and flexibility. It aims to equip therapists with the tools needed to adapt effectively to the developmental, systemic, and relational complexities of working with young people, taking their practice to the next level.
What you will gain from this workshop
This workshop is designed to help you expand your therapy skills and improve your capacity to engage young people aged 12-24 in counselling, therapy, or well-being support. It builds on foundational knowledge of ACT or DNA-V, offering an intermediate-level focus on moving beyond protocols and into process-based work. You’ll develop skills to deepen your therapeutic impact and tackle the complexities of working with adolescents.
In the workshop, you will:
- Practice with therapeutic processes, not just protocols: Learn to work with flexibility, responding to what emerges in the moment rather than relying solely on structured techniques.
- Develop your functional skills: Build your ability to identify the function of behaviours and use this understanding to create meaningful change.
- Explore practical clinical examples: Work with real-world scenarios, including supporting neurodivergence, trauma, anxiety, risk behaviours, and working within family systems.
- Engage the whole person: Learn to work with the client’s full self, addressing their cognitions, emotions, sensations, physiology, actions, motivations, self-concepts, and social contexts.
- Improve adolescent engagement: Gain insights and strategies to foster deeper engagement and create lasting change with young people.
Sessions 1 and 2: Focus on function and process in your skillset
- Learn to apply a functional lens to your case assessment and therapy planning, moving beyond surface-level interventions.
- Practice your therapy skills by focusing on process rather than rigid techniques.
- Explore how to respond dynamically to specific presenting issues, with take-away strategies to use directly with your clients.
Sessions 3 and 4: Work with specific presentations
- Deepen your therapy skills for addressing complex adolescent presentations, with a focus on:
- Supporting neurodivergence
- Trauma
- Anxiety and modern stressors
- High-risk behaviours
- Family and systemic dynamics
This workshop is intermediate because it builds on the foundational skills you already have, helping you refine and expand your practice. It moves beyond introductory concepts, encouraging you to work more flexibly and confidently with the nuanced needs of adolescents. Whether you’re looking to enhance your understanding of process-based therapy or want practical tools for specific adolescent issues, this workshop will provide the next step in your professional development.
About this workshop
This workshop is lead by Dr Louise Hayes, clinical psychologist, founder of DNA-V, and an internationally recognised ACT trainer. She has trained over 20,000 professionals and is the author of four acclaimed books, including The Thriving Adolescent. A past president of ACBS and adjunct senior research fellow at LaTrobe University, Louise is known for her practical, engaging, and innovative workshops.
This live online workshop will be split into four sessions over two weeks. The structured format allows you to enhance your learning and have time to practice in between sessions. Each session will combine mini-lectures, experiential techniques, breakout discussions in small groups, and practical demonstrations. The focus will always be on making the learning engaging, relevant, and fun.
You will receive:
- Electronic handouts
- Access to the recording for six months
- Bonus materials for use with young people
Who will benefit from this workshop?
This workshop is designed for professionals who work with young people aged 12-24, including psychologists, counsellors, social workers, behaviour analysts (BCBAs), teachers, and other allied health professionals.
Participants need to have attended an introductory-level ACT (hexaflex) or DNA-V workshop from any recognised training provider. Pre-reading materials will be provided to ensure you are familiar with DNA-V before attending the workshop.
If you need a refresher to the ACT model, you can access our FREE Introduction to ACT to get up to speed.
If you’re new to Louise’s work, you can start learning right now:
- Read our knowledge hub post on the DNA-V model
- Download chapters of her books, free resources, and training – louisehayes.com.au
- Go to Louise’s YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@DrLouiseLHayes
- Access Louise’s collection of resources – https://dr-louise-hayes.mykajabi.com/resource-library
- Read a sample chapter on achievement from the book – What makes you stronger
- Read a sample chapter on feeling afraid from the book – Your life your way
What past participants say
“Louise’s workshops are incredibly practical and inspiring. I left with concrete skills I could apply immediately in my work with adolescents. Her approach is refreshingly engaging and down-to-earth!”
– Dr Sarah C, Clinical Psychologist
“This was hands-down the best training I’ve attended in years. Louise has a way of making complex ideas feel achievable, and her passion for working with young people is infectious.”
– James P, Counsellor
“I’ve been using ACT for a while, but this workshop helped me take my understanding to a whole new level. Louise’s teaching style is both clear and motivating, with just the right mix of theory and practice.”
– Emma R, Child and Adolescent Therapist
“Louise is a brilliant trainer. She combines clinical expertise with warmth and humour, making the learning experience unforgettable. I feel much more confident working with adolescents now.”
– Dr Michael Tan, Educational Psychologist
“The balance of practical tools, live demonstrations, and Louise’s deep understanding of adolescent challenges made this workshop a game-changer for my practice.”
– Rebecca S, Family Therapist
Group booking discounts
Discounts are available for group bookings from the same organisation, such as NHS Trusts. For more information or to explore CPD contract options, please contact us.
Recommended reading
- Read our knowledge hub post on the DNAV model
- Download chapters of her books, free resources, and training – louisehayes.com.au
- Read a sample chapter on achievement from the book – What makes you stronger
- Read a sample chapter on feeling afraid from the book – Your life your way
References
For a full list of relevant publications, visit the DNA-V website.
After this workshop, participants will be able to:
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Respond flexibly and dynamically in therapy sessions by using process-based therapeutic skills rather than relying solely on structured techniques or protocols.
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Identify the function of adolescent behaviours and apply this understanding to design interventions that create meaningful and lasting change.
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Address complex adolescent presentations such as neurodivergence, trauma, anxiety, high-risk behaviours, and systemic family dynamics with confidence and precision.
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Work holistically with adolescents, engaging their full self—including their emotions, thoughts, actions, motivations, and social contexts—to foster deeper therapeutic connection and change.
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Implement strategies to enhance adolescent engagement, creating a safe, meaningful therapeutic environment that supports long-term growth and well-being.
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Apply advanced DNA-V concepts to support adolescents’ resilience, autonomy, and personal growth in a developmentally appropriate and neuroaffirming manner.
APA psychologists: This program is sponsored by Contextual Consulting and is approved for 12 CE credits for psychologists. Contextual Consulting is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Contextual Consulting maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Nationally certified counselors: This workshop is available for 12 credit hours. Contextual Consulting Ltd. has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7578.
To find out more, including attendance requirements and how to access your certificate, go to our continuing education information page.
If you have disability and require adjustments or accommodation, please email us at admin@contextualconsulting.co.uk to discuss your needs and we will do our best to help you.
Booking cancellation
The registration fee will be refunded minus a administration charge if cancellations are received at least two weeks before the workshop date.
Cancellations within two weeks of the event date are charged the full registration fee, other than in exceptional circumstances that can be verified.
Event cancellation
In the event of cancellation of the course outside of our control we will not be held accountable for travel and/or accommodation costs incurred. However, the workshop fees will be refunded.
All workshops will be subject to minimum delegate numbers being met; in the event that a workshop should be cancelled delegates will be given no less than 2 months’ notice.
Replacing delegates
If a delegate is unable to attend and a replacement is nominated there may be a charge depending on the individual circumstances, this will be advised at the time. Please contact the us to request a replacement of delegates at least a week before the workshop date.
Contextual Consulting is committed to the identification and resolution of potential conflicts of interest in the planning, promotion, delivery, and evaluation of continuing education. Potential conflicts of interest occur when an individual assumes a professional role in the planning, promotion, delivery, or evaluation of continuing education where personal, professional, legal, financial, or other interests could reasonably be expected to impair their objectivity, competence, or effectiveness.
There was no commercial support for this event. None of the planners or presenters for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.