ACT in the workplace

In today’s fast-paced work environment, employees are faced with a range of challenges and experiences that can lead to feelings of:

• Overwhelm due to uncertainty
• Difficulty navigating complex or confusing situations
• Disconnection from personal meaning

There is a growing need for skills-based training to promote employee  psychological well-being in the workplace. The importance of psychological well-being has become increasingly recognised by organisations during the pandemic (CIPD, 2021). Exacerbated workplace distress has emphasising the need for effective support programs (Harvard Business Review, 2010).

The ACT in the Workplace program (Flaxman, Bond & Livheim, 2013) offers an innovative, easy-to-implement, and sustainable approach to enhance employee resilience and organisational capability. Built on a solid foundation of evidence, this program demonstrates its effectiveness (Flaxman & Bond, 2010; Towy-Swift et al, 2021). If you’re interested in learning how to deliver this program, the Train-the-Trainer course is an excellent choice for you.

What you’ll learn on this workshop

• How to deliver engaging ACT programmes to groups of employees in workplace settings
• The core components of the programme with live demonstrations
• The underlying rationale for the design of the programme and how it relates to the processes of ACT
• The behaviours and skills involved in ACT-oriented group facilitation
• Have a chance to practice some of the core segments with your fellow attendees
• Hear about the latest research developments around ACT in workplace settings
• Learn key strategies to develop buy-in from employees and organisations

Afterwards you’ll be able to:

• Describe how to deliver engaging ACT programmes to groups of employees in workplace settings
• Explain core components of the programme with live demonstrations
• Demonstrate a sound understanding underlying rationale for the design of the programme and how it relates to the processes of ACT
• Apply behaviours and skills involved in ACT-oriented group facilitation
• Describe  the latest research developments around ACT in workplace settings
• Utilise key strategies to develop buy-in from employees and organisations

Who would benefit from this workshop

This ACT Train-the-Trainer course is designed for:

• Psychologists
• HR professionals
• Counsellors
• Therapists
• Business consultants
• Workplace well-being managers
• Learning and development managers

These professionals should be in a position to deliver workplace interventions that improve employees’ psychological well-being and enhance adaptability.

Ideally applicants for this course should possess some or all of the following qualifications and experience:

• Understanding of the basic processes and principles of ACT and mindfulness-based interventions,
• Experience applying ACT in their own life,
• Relevant professional training,
• Previous experience delivering well-being interventions in workplace settings.

For those seeking introductory ACT courses, you’ll find an on-demand course presented by Joe Oliver here.

Why ACT is an ideal workplace intervention

 ACT-based training offers numerous advantages for workplace interventions:

• It is  evidence-based,
• Demonstrated to improve psychological well-being
• Significantly reduces burnout
• Decreases worry and rumination outside working hours
• Teaches skills applicable to all aspects of life
• Can be flexibly adapted to suit the organisation and its challenges
• Serves as a foundation for a comprehensive approach to organisational well-being

One key strength of using ACT in the workplace is its adaptability to various sectors and a wide range of workplace challenges. Your trainer, Ross McIntosh, a highly experienced ACT practitioner, has spent the last seven years working with diverse workplace populations, both in-person and online, to adapt and deliver ACT-based training. Ross has leveraged this core training protocol to design and implement numerous organisational interventions, including workshops addressing anxiety, work recovery, and preparedness for change.

ACT Train-the-Trainer program overview

In this Train-the-Trainer program, Ross aims to share the core ACT in the workplace training manual, along with his experience and skills in delivering the program to adult populations across all sectors. Throughout the program, Ross will demonstrate the training manual’s core elements as if participants were attending a workplace training session. He will pause frequently during practical demonstrations to offer deeper insights into specific strategies, the facilitator’s stance, and examples of responding to participants’ experiences.

Additionally, Ross will lead discussions on marketing ACT programs to different workplace populations, using “taster” sessions, addressing ethical issues, and program evaluation.

Participants will receive a copy of the full step-by-step training manual by Dr. Paul Flaxman and Ross McIntosh.

A follow-up 90 minute Q&A session with Ross will be held, allowing participants to ask questions, share experiences, and reflect on any aspect of the program. This session will be recorded.

Testimonials for our ACT workshops

From Workplace attendees on an ACT workshop delivered in line with the City University protocol to NHS professionals:

“Thank you so much. It’s been really great and super useful and thought provoking”

“It’s been fantastic and so well timed for me – may even go as far to say life changing”

“Thank you Ross I’ve found this so useful and really valued having time each week to step back from work and learnt so much!”

From attendees on a Train the Trainer Programme:

“I’ve really valued your wonderful facilitation, great modelling and so useful.”

“It’s been a great opportunity Ross, you have a calming and thought provoking delivery style.”

“Essential training for anyone serious about ACT interventions in organisational contexts – 5 stars.” Eric Winters, trainer and author of “Swipe Right on Your Best Self”

Twenty years of research into ACT in the workplace

Dr Paul Flaxman at City University of London has been one of the research leaders in this space and was the lead author of the seminal book “The Mindful and Effective Employee” published in 2013. This book is a training manual for improving well-being and performance in organisations.

Over the last six years, Paul and Ross have re-designed and further adapted the training manual. This new manual forms the foundation of this Train-the Trainer programme.

Together, Paul and Ross McIntosh have worked as a scientist/practitioner partnership delivering ACT-based intervention globally across a wide range of workplace sectors, including over 20 NHS Trusts, with teams of educational psychologists, the prison service and central government departments. Their training has been adopted by workplace practitioners in the US, Uganda, Canada, and Australia. Ross has also delivered ACT based workplace training to teachers, school well-being leads, Nursing Directors in New South Wales, UK ballet companies, charities (e.g., MIND, 16-25 Independent People and The Shoreditch Trust), the Institute for the study of Muslim Civilisations (part of the Aga Khan University), an American bank, AIMIA, Nectar Loyalty, with hedge fund managers and a global technology company.

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.