ACTing it out: using chairwork to enliven your sessions
Exploring the applications of chairwork in ACT
Course Description
Chairwork represents a collection of experiential therapeutic methods and a medium for providing therapy. Used for over 100 years, many therapists regard it as one of the most powerful and exciting ways of working. This experiential, exploratory, and practice-focused workshop will introduce the four ‘pillars’ of chairwork and how they can be incorporated into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Attendees will have the opportunity to observe and practice methods for working with values, supporting cognitive defusion, working with self-narratives and self-multiplicity, and enacting ACT metaphors.
A common question people ask is can chairwork be used in an online therapy? The answer is absolutely yes! Matt and Tobyn have published research on just this topic and will cover key practical methods to successfully adapt chairwork to an online environment.
Attendees are expected to have a good working knowledge of ACT.
For those seeking an introductory ACT course, you’ll find an on-demand course presented by Joe Oliver here.
Learning points
At the end of this workshop you will be able to:
-Use enactive methods to facilitate cognitive defusion and flexibility
-Bring ACT metaphors to life via dramatic means
-Work with self-narratives and self-multiplicity in novel ways
-Integrate chairwork into your ACT practice
References and recommended reading
-Bell, T., Montague, J., Elander, J., & Gilbert, P. (2020). ‘Suddenly you are King Solomon’: Multiplicity, transformation and integration in compassion-focused therapy chairwork’. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 31, 223–237.
-Pugh, M. (2019). Cognitive behavioural chairwork: Distinctive features. Routledge.
-Pugh. M., & Bell, T. (2020). Process-based chairwork: Applications and innovations in the time of
-COVID-19. European Journal of Counselling Theory, Research and Practice, 4, 1-8
-Pugh. M., Dixon, A., & Bell, T. (2022). Chairwork and the therapeutic relationship: Can the cart join the horse? Journal of Clinical Psychology. Advanced online publication.
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.
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.
At the end of this workshop you will be able to:
-Use enactive methods to facilitate cognitive defusion and flexibility
-Bring ACT metaphors to life via dramatic means
-Work with self-narratives and self-multiplicity in novel ways
-Integrate chairwork into your ACT practice
This program is sponsored by Contextual Consulting and is approved for 7 CE credits for psychologists. To find out more, including attendance requirements and how to access your certificate, go to our continuing education information page.