Introducing acceptance and commitment therapy
Learn how to use ACT in your practice
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) stands out as one of the most dynamic and adaptable therapy approaches in the contemporary therapy landscape. For therapists, psychologists, and practitioners alike, a solid understanding of concepts such as acceptance, defusion, and values is essential. Being able to utilise tools informed by these principles in your sessions is crucial.If you are seeking a comprehensive, engaging, and highly practical foundation in ACT, this workshop is tailored for you. By participating, you will enhance your skills and confidence in applying ACT techniques. You will emerge equipped with a full toolkit, primed and prepared for your upcoming sessions.
Background to this workshop
ACT is a highly impactful model that can bring about significant changes in people’s lives. It equips individuals with the skills to fundamentally transform their relationship with internal thoughts, feelings, and emotions, enabling them to make substantial progress in their lives. This model delves into profound questions about meaning and purpose, offering a transformative shift in how individuals navigate their existence.
Knowing where to begin, which techniques to utilise, and how to approach clients’ problems from an ACT perspective can be perplexing. Acquiring new knowledge and developing skills may initially feel counterintuitive or difficult to grasp. If you are seeking a structured, comprehensive, step-by-step approach to learning ACT that is both practical and creative, this workshop is designed for you.
About this workshop
Led by master trainer Dr Joann Wright, this workshop goes beyond the basics of the ACT model. Joann will guide you through the specific nuances that enhance your ability to gain a deeper understanding of your clients’ needs and effectively support them in moving closer to the life they desire. She will cover the six core processes of ACT, providing theoretical insights, practical applications, and opportunities for experiential learning. These processes include defusion, acceptance, contact with the present moment, self-as-context, values, and committed action. Additionally, Joann will enhance your understanding of the model by exploring the behavioural foundations of ACT, including the links between the core processes and behavioural theory and relational frame theory as a behavioural theory of human language.
Throughout the workshop, Joann will train you in key ACT interventions, such as utilising workability and creative hopelessness to enhance motivation and change behaviour. You will also learn how to strengthen perspective-taking skills and effectively address challenging and unwanted thoughts. Joann will guide you in creatively engaging clients with fluid or structured presentations, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and practical application of the ACT model.
During the workshop, Joann will also delve into the application of ACT in different therapeutic settings, such as individual and group therapy. Furthermore, she will explore how you can incorporate additional modes of learning, such as music, art, and imagery, to enhance your clients’ comprehension of the concepts.
The course also covers the self-practice/self-reflection (SP/SR) model developed by James Bennet-Levy as it pertains to ACT. This section of the workshop is highly interactive and offers a profound exploration of using the ACT model processes and skills in your personal life. We will examine your own struggles and professional challenges, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of how ACT can be applied and integrated into your own experiences through self-reflection and self-practice, creating personal and professional behavioural change and new habits.
What will you get out of this workshop?
In this workshop, you will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to apply the ACT model effectively with your clients. The following are some of the key areas that will be covered:
- Assisting clients to enhance their behavioural repertoires to move towards the life they desire.
- Providing a fresh perspective on their relationship with their internal behaviours such as thoughts.
- Developing awareness of when clients are moving towards wilfulness and helping them transition into willingness.
- Facilitating increased contact with the present moment, allowing for greater distance from past and future thoughts.
- Supporting clients in cultivating a more flexible and lighter relationship with their conceptualised self.
- Exploring values across different domains of clients’ lives.
- Guiding clients in adhering to committed actions that align with their chosen life path.
- Deepening your understanding of relational frame theory (RFT) to enhance your ability to engage in effective perspective-taking with clients.
- Learning the self-practice/self-reflection model, enabling you to apply the core processes of the ACT model to your own struggles. This practice will enhance your empathy and compassion towards your clients’ challenges.
Who would benefit from this workshop?
This workshop is designed for clinicians, psychologists, BCBAs, UKBA (Cert)s, coaches, and practitioners seeking to expand their knowledge of the ACT model. It is suitable for individuals with little to no previous experience in ACT, as well as those who have some familiarity with the model but wish to deepen their understanding and explore new applications.
Group booking discounts
Contextual Consulting offer discounts for groups of people from the same organisation e.g. an NHS Trust that does not have a contract arrangement with us.
Please email us here to arrange a group discount or find out more about our CPD contracts here.
After this workshop you will be able to:
- Identify the six core processes of ACT and describe their theoretical behavioural underpinnings.
- Implement key ACT interventions, such as workability and creative hopelessness, to facilitate behaviour change in your clients.
- Utilise skills in perspective-taking and effectively addressing problematic internal behaviours.
- Describe how ACT can be used in different therapeutic settings, including individual and group therapy, and identify how to tailor interventions accordingly.
- Describe three additional modes of learning, such as music, art, and imagery, to enhance clients' understanding and engagement with the ACT concepts.
- Implement the self-practice/self-reflection (SP/SR) model and utilise it with your own personal struggles, fostering greater empathy and compassion towards your clients' challenges.
APA psychologists: This program is sponsored by Contextual Consulting and is approved for 12 CE credits for psychologists.
Behaviour analysts: This workshop is available for 12 BACB Learning CEUs. Contextual Consulting is an approved BACB ACE Provider # OP-20-3415.
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.
Recommended pre reading:
Luoma, JB., Hayes, S.C., and Wasler, R.D. (2017). Learning ACT: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Skills Training Manual for Therapists. Oakland, CA.
Relevant references:
Blackledge, JT (2003). An Introduction to Relational Frame Theory: Basics and Applications. The Behavioral Analyst Today, V3, Issue 4.
Szabo, T.G. (2023). ACT and Applied Behavior Analysis. Oakland, CA.
Torneke, N. (2010) Learning RFT: An Introduction to Relational Frame Theory and its Clinical Application. Oakland, CA.
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.