AASW Webinar Recording | ACTing Together: Social Work, Psychology and Contextual Behaviour Science for supporting children, teens and families

Capability Levels: Evolving; Established. Expert

Social workers have long established their expertise working with children and teens in the context of their families and social networks.

Together, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker Toni Hanna and psychologist Sarah Mooy will explore how social work, psychology and contextual behaviour science can work together to support and empower young clients and their families.

This webinar will explore how practitioners can utilise frameworks and models to apply Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in clinical practice. It will cover the approach contextual behavioral science (i.e. the home of ACT) takes to understanding human behavior, and will consider how practitioners can improve the quality of life for children, teens and their families through targeted assessments and interventions tailored to the contexts in which certain behaviours occur.

This webinar will focus on theory and applied practice and will provide participants with additional resources as well as pathways for those who would like to learn more.

Who should register? Social workers and mental health practitioners of all levels are encouraged to attend. This session is most suitable for mental health practitioners who have limited clinical experience with ACT and would like to develop their skills further.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Understand the connection between ACT and Contextual Behavioural Science
• Evaluate and select appropriate frameworks and models for implementing ACT in clinical practice
• Consider strategies for applying ACT in a developmental and functional way with children, young people and their families (from assessment to clinical application)

AASW Credentials: Mental Health (Focussed Psychological Strategies); Clinical

Presenter

Toni Hanna is an Accredited Mental health and Clinical social worker based in rural SA. Her practice is The Sisterhood for Wellbeing – a feminist and intersectional practice for women and children. She has been a social worker since 1995 and has worked in challenging and diverse settings – building a wide knowledge base and skill set. She has been using ACT since 2009 and is experienced in delivering services to clients struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma among other issues.

Toni is on the board of ANZ ACBS - 'the home of ACT'. She has also served on the board for the Social Work special interest group within ACBS internationally. She has presented at ANZ ACBS conferences and had a joint workshop accepted for an international ACBS conference. Toni has also been involved in developing the ACT guidelines for use in Australia.

Toni has a passion for working with neurodivergent clients of all ages and has established a neuro-affirming group The Acceptance Project. This ACT based group is grounded in theories such as double empathy – and is now into its 3rd year providing support and acceptance to its participants.

Toni is the mother of 2 teens, one of whom is neurodivergent and gender diverse - the most wonderful teachers, although she does spend a lot of her spare time trying to understand Gen Z memes.

Sarah Mooy (BSc. Psych. (Hons)., M.Ed. Behaviour Analysis) is a registered Psychologist and Contextual Behavior Analyst. Sarah has been dedicated to working with children, adolescents, and families for over 25 years in the UK and Australia, with twelve years as a registered psychologist. Sarah has worked across education, home settings, and private practice with neurodivergent individuals & families. Sarah also supports children and teens who are seeking help with their mental health. With a background in behavioural psychology Sarah works in a compassionate, functional, and creative way, providing a non-judgemental space to explore what is uniquely helpful for those she supports.