Using RFT to build psychological flexibility
Understanding RFT principles in ACT practice
This workshop is for anyone who needs to deepen their understanding of the clinical applications of RFT. Understanding and using complex language processes is integral to building the bridges that allow us to work effectively with others and impact the world. In short, our words matter.
Language changes everything. From infancy through adulthood, language influences and dominates our sense of self, our choices, our opportunities, our relationships, our communities, our societies – the cultures that shape us all. Language is an inescapable part of what makes us human, what allows for us to act with meaning and purpose and also what brings us suffering. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and relational frame theory (RFT) offer a lens for viewing psychological flexibility and prosociality as key language repertoires at the heart of what we as contextual behaviour scientists do. As such, a comprehensive understanding of complex language and the increasingly complex web of interlocking contingencies that influence every one of us, is critical to the effectiveness in our work.
About this workshop
In this workshop, Dr. Siri Ming presents a view of ACT as fundamentally being the promotion of psychological flexibility within cooperative contexts for behaviour change, and requiring functional analyses at all levels from the self to systems. She will show how, when conceptualising cases, we need to consider how behaviour operates within interlocking contingencies from the self (including biological/medical factors as well as our own “selfing” behaviour and considering ourselves within the analysis) up through the groups, systems and cultures within which we all operate. She will also discuss how we need to do so with an understanding of the language repertoires involved that both support and hinder psychological flexibility.
Siri will link common ACT tools and frameworks to basic behaviour analytic principles and a conceptually systematic, RFT-based definition of psychological flexibility. She will use a principles-based approach to defining psychological flexibility which then supports the identification and consideration of multiple related repertoires at different levels of development, and a range of potential interventions. Most importantly, she will show how viewing ACT as a framework for promoting psychological flexibility, rather than as a set of techniques or procedures, allows for an individualised, culturally responsive, functional approach to intervention.
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is for clinicians, practitioners, BCBAs, UKBA (Cert)s, and therapists who work therapeutically with clients and who want to deepen their understanding of the clinical applications of RFT
After this workshop you will be able to:
- Define psychological flexibility, prosociality, and cooperation as complex language repertoires, foundational to the conceptual basis of an ACT approach to supporting psychological flexibility.
- Describe the relationship between psychological flexibility and inflexibility as requiring analysis that goes beyond topography and considers variables at all levels from self to systems.
- Describe foundational repertoires and elements of psychological flexibility that can be promoted and supported beginning in early childhood and continuing at all points of development.
APA psychologists: This program is sponsored by Contextual Consulting and is approved for 3 CE credits for psychologists.
Behaviour analysts: This workshop is available for 3 BACB Learning CEUs. Contextual Consulting is an approved BACB ACE Provider # OP-20-3415.
Nationally certified counselors: This workshop is available for 3 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.
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.
Recommended background learning
Understanding and Applying Relational Frame Theory: Mastering the Foundations of Complex Language in Our Work and Lives as Behavior Analysts
by Siri Ming, Evelyn Gould and Julia H. Fiebig
Any previous reading, training or tutorials on RFT will be helpful, including:
References
Foody, M., Barnes-Holmes, Y., Barnes-Holmes, D., Törneke, N., Luciano, C., Stewart, I. et al. (2014). RFT for clinical use: The example of metaphor. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 3(4), 305-313.
Harte, C., Barnes-Holmes, D., de Rose, J. C., Perez, W. F., & de Almeida, J. H. (2023). Grappling with the Complexity of Behavioral Processes in Human Psychological Suffering: Some Potential Insights from Relational Frame Theory. Perspect Behav Sci, 46(1), 237-259.
Luciano, C., Törneke, N., & Ruiz, F. J. (2023). Clinical Behavior Analysis and RFT: Conceptualizing Psychopathology and Its Treatment. In M. P. Twohig, M. E. Levin, & J. M. Petersen (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (pp. 109-143). Oxford University Press.
Plumb, J. C., Stewart, I., Dahl, J., & Lundgren, T. (2009). In search of meaning: values in modern clinical behavior analysis. Behav Anal, 32(1), 85-103.
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.