ACT essentials
A practical introduction to acceptance and commitment therapy
Confidently integrate ACT into your practice. with this highly practical, on-demand workshop series. If you’re a therapist, coach, or mental health professional, this workshop provides an accessible yet comprehensive introduction to ACT’s core processes. Through engaging video demonstrations, client examples, and hands-on exercises, you’ll gain the skills and tools you need to start weaving ACT into your work immediately. This is not just theory; it’s about practical application that makes a difference.
Background to the workshop
ACT has rapidly emerged as a leading evidence-based approach for helping clients build psychological flexibility and live more meaningful lives. Its focus on acceptance, values, and mindfulness, combined with actionable strategies, makes it a versatile and impactful intervention. However, for those new to ACT, understanding how to translate its principles into practice can feel overwhelming. How do you introduce these concepts to clients? How do you bring the six core processes to life in sessions? This workshop was created to address these challenges, offering a step-by-step guide to mastering the essentials of ACT and putting it into action with confidence.
What you will gain from this workshop
By the end of this workshop, you’ll have:
- A clear understanding of ACT’s foundations, including psychological flexibility and its six core processes.
- Practical tools, metaphors, and exercises to integrate ACT into your sessions, such as the finger trap, leaves on a stream, and the beach ball metaphor.
- Techniques for fostering present moment awareness, acceptance, defusion, and values-based action with clients.
- Skills to use experiential exercises and role-play demonstrations to bring ACT concepts to life.
- Strategies for structuring ACT sessions and creating effective case conceptualisations.
- Confidence in using ACT across a broad range of client presentations and settings.
This workshop goes beyond the basics, equipping you with everything you need to get started and make an immediate impact in your practice.
About this workshop
This on-demand workshop is crafted specifically for flexible learning, combining nine structured modules that guide you through ACT essentials in a clear, step-by-step manner. Each module includes mini-lectures, practical demonstrations, and experiential exercises, allowing you to see ACT in action. Video role-plays bring the concepts to life, showing how to effectively introduce ACT processes to clients. Modules also include client examples, hands-on exercises, and worksheets that you can start using straight away. To help consolidate your learning, the workshop includes a five-week follow-up email series packed with additional videos, handouts, resources, and readings.
What’s included
- Nine comprehensive modules covering all ACT core processes and their practical application.
- Six video demonstrations and role-plays showing ACT techniques in action.
- A wide range of metaphors, tools, and worksheets for immediate use with clients.
- Experiential exercises to deepen your understanding and apply ACT concepts.
- Lifetime access to workshop materials, allowing you to revisit content whenever you need.
What you will receive:
- 30+ worksheets including practical client-ready tools like Notice and name, Hands as thoughts, and Tug of war with the monster and in session tools, formulation templates, the Matrix, and the Six Session Coaching Model
- 15+ videos covering key ACT concepts and demonstrations
- 7 audio exercises and guides for mindfulness and defusion practice
- Worksheets for every ACT process – acceptance, values, defusion, present moment, self-as-context, values and committed action
- Quick-reference guides for each ACT process, packed with key questions, prompts, metaphors, and exercises—your in-session cheat sheets.
- Published papers to deepen your understanding
- Organised by module for easy navigation, review and integration into your practice
- 7 bonus eBooks and practical guides for advanced practice following the workshop, including Mastering acceptance, Troubleshooting values, Working with self-compassion and more!
You’ll also receive a five-week follow-up email series filled with bonus resources after you finish the workshop to help reinforce and deepen your learning.
Who will benefit from this workshop?
This workshop is ideal for psychologists, therapists, counsellors, coaches, and other professionals looking to develop foundational ACT skills. It is designed for those who are new to ACT or who want to refresh their understanding of the core processes. No prior experience with ACT is required, but a basic familiarity with therapeutic approaches will be helpful. Whether you work in a clinical setting, organisational context, or coaching environment, this workshop provides practical, accessible tools to enhance your practice and support your clients in meaningful and transformative ways.
This workshop is part of the ACT pathway – a structured, four-part training pathway designed to take you from foundational knowledge to intermediate-level practice. Each workshop builds on the last, offering a step-by-step approach to developing your skills, confidence, and flexibility in using ACT. Whether you’re following the full pathway or joining at this stage with prior ACT experience, this workshop supports your continued growth as a practitioner.
Course components
- Introduction and overview (3 mins)
- 1.1 Exploring the foundations of ACT (11 mins)
- 1.2 The chinese fingertrap metaphor (5 mins)
- 1.3 Background theory (23 mins)
- 1.4 Language and experiential avoidance (7 mins)
- 2.1 Psychological flexibility (25 mins)
- 2.2 The two pieces of paper exercise (4 mins)
- 2.3 Meet Laura: a client example and formulation (10 mins)
- 3.1 Learning to be here and now (20 mins)
- 3.2 Using present moment exercises (30 mins)
- 3. Client example: building present moment skills (3 mins)
- 3.3a Client example: demonstration (6 mins)
- 3.4 Wrap up and what’s next (4 mins)
- 4.1 Acceptance – opening up to thoughts and feelings (21 mins)
- 4.2 Practical skills and exercises for building acceptance (14 mins)
- 4.3 Client example: developing acceptance and willingness (2 mins)
- 4.3a Client example: demonstration (9 mins)
- 4.4 Wrap up and what’s next (3 mins)
- 5.1 Cognitive defusion – unhooking from thoughts (13 mins)
- 5.2 Spotting fusion and building defusion (25 mins)
- 5.3 Client example: strengthening defusion skills (2 mins)
- 5.3a Client example: demonstration (9 mins)
- 5.4 Wrap up and what’s next (3 mins)
- 6.1 Self as context – the observing self (26 mins)
- 6.2 Key self as context skills and exercises (22 mins)
- 6.3 Client example: self as context work (3 mins)
- 6.3a Client example: demonstration (6 mins)
- 6.4 Wrap up and what’s next (3 mins)
- 7.1 Values – clarifying what truly matters (18 mins)
- 7.2 Bringing values alive; exercises, examples and top tips (43 mins)
- 7.3 Client example: Using values to set a direction (2 mins)
- 7.3a Client example: a demonstration (7 mins)
- 7.4 Wrap up and what’s next (3 mins)
- 8.1 Committed action – living a values-based life (17 mins)
- 8.2 Skills and navigating barriers to action (16 mins)
- 8.3 Client example: Setting goals and taking steps towards values (2 mins)
- 8.3a Client example: demonstration (7 mins)
- 8.4 Wrap up and what’s next (3 mins)
- 9.1 Integration and practice – bringing ACT together (28 mins)
- 9.2 Structuring sessions and weaving processes (25 mins)
- 9.3 Finishing up and next steps after the workshop (8 mins)
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.
This program is sponsored by Contextual Consulting and is approved for 7.5 CE credits for psychologists. To find out more, including attendance requirements and how to access your certificate, go to our continuing education information page.
APA psychologists: This program is sponsored by Contextual Consulting and is approved for 7.5 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 7.5 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.
At the end of this training session you will be able to:
1. Describe the core concepts of psychological flexibility and identify the six core processes of ACT.
2. Demonstrate the use of at least three ACT metaphors or exercises (e.g. finger trap, beach ball, leaves on a stream) in role-play or clinical examples.
3. Apply ACT-based strategies to foster present moment awareness, acceptance, and defusion in client interactions.
4. Develop a case formulation using the ACT model, incorporating functional analysis and psychological flexibility processes.
5. Design and structure an ACT-informed session plan that integrates values clarification and committed action.
6. Evaluate common client challenges and select appropriate ACT tools or responses to address stuckness or resistance.
Recommended reading
Bennett, R., & Oliver, J. E. (2025). Acceptance and commitment therapy: 100 key points and techniques (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Oliver, J., Hill, J., & Morris, E. (2024). ACTivate your life: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy workbook for building a life that is rich, fulfilling and fun (2nd ed.). Little, Brown Book Group.
References
Gloster, A. T., Walder, N., Levin, M. E., Twohig, M. P., & Karekla, M. (2020). The empirical status of acceptance and commitment therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 18, 181-192.
Johannsen, M., Nissen, E. R., Lundorff, M., & O’Toole,M. S. (2022). Mediators of acceptance and mindfulness-based therapies for anxiety and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 94:102156
Hebert, E. R., Flynn, M. K., Wilson, K. G., & Kellum, K. K. (2021). Values intervention as an establishing operation for approach in the presence of aversive stimuli. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 20, 144-154.
Walser, R. D., & O’Connell, M. (2021). Acceptance and commitment therapy and the therapeutic relationship: Rupture and repair. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 77, 429-440.