Relational Frame Theory (RFT) made simple: introductory module

This is  an introductory taster to the module series. You can view the whole series here.

Relational frame theory is arguably one of the most exciting and interesting psychological theories to emerge in the last 20 years. As a behavioural account of human language, it helps understand the incredible generativity, complexity and creativity that goes along with cognition. It gives us an insight into the all-important concept of the Self, how this emerges in our early development and how we develop unhelpful attachments in later life. It helps us craft and develop impactful metaphors to build lasting change. It gives us insights into intelligence and ways to promote and build cognitive abilities. It allows us to bring precision to our understanding of the range of thorny issues humans encounter so that we can craft interventions that are impactful.

Having said all that, RFT also happens to be a theory that can leave you weeping quietly in frustration as you fight through the at impenetrable forest of complex jargon and theory. Most practitioners would say they are very curious about RFT are want to learn more, but find the dense theory hard going. Which for most of us, can be off-putting.

Wouldn’t it be great learn about RFT in a straight-forward, simple way? A way that was practical and helped you expand your toolkit? Maybe even fun? Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this workshop series, Dr Joe Oliver will breakdown RFT into a series of  easy-to-understand learning modules that not only makes sense, but will enhance the precision and impact of your work as a practitioner.

He will use lots of examples, exercises and a live demonstration to bring the theory alive and give you a real sense of the usefulness of relation frame theory. Just like learning to read sheet music, you don’t have to know to play an instruments, but it opens up a whole new world if you do.

Module overview

Introduction: Introduction to the workshop [5 mins]

• Introduction to the module series and overview of each module.

Module 1: Introduction & Background to RFT [25 mins]

• Do we need to learn RFT?
• Introduction to RFT
• Brief history lesson of behaviourism
• Co-operation and evolution
• The symbolic species

Module 2: A developmental perspective and learning to learn [26 mins]

• Different types of learning
• Child development and learning
• The problem with learning by consequence
• Learning about the symbolic world
• Learning with symbols

Module 3: Overview of relational responding [38 mins]

• Derived relational responding – what is it?
• Relational frames – the basic components
• An introduction to mutual and combinatorial entailment
• Moving to more complex relational framing
• Types of relational frames
• Transformation of stimulus function – what is it and how do we use it?

Module 4: Using RFT in practice [54 mins]

• Using relational frames as tools
• RFT and the ACT Matrix – an overview
• Co-ordination framing – what is it and how do we use it?
• Distinction framing- what is it and how do we use it?
• Opposition framing – what is it and how do we use it?
• Hierarchical and deictic framing – what is it and how do we use it?
• A live demonstration where Joe demos using different relation frames in a session

Module 5: Widening out RFT [38 mins]

• Key points for using RFT in client sessions
• Developments in RFT – the MDML/ HDML model
• RFT and problematic self narratives
• RFT and metaphors
• Next steps in your RFT journey