Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Capability Levels: Emerging; Evolving

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is often referred to as a ‘third wave’ behaviour therapy, and has accumulated a solid research base and strong clinical following over the past 20 years.

While earlier forms of traditional Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) focused heavily on symptom reduction (seeing painful thoughts and feelings as symptoms that should be eliminated) and the treatment of diagnostic syndromes, ACT seeks to help clients live in greater accordance with their personal values while learning to cultivate a healthier, more accepting relationship with painful thoughts and emotions when doing so helps the client move their life towards those deeply held values.

ACT accomplishes these goals utilising a broad range of therapeutic techniques which incorporate metaphor, experiential practice, mindfulness and acceptance-based methods.

This course will introduce therapists to the ACT model and demonstrate ways in which ACT processes can be applied therapeutically.

The course will use video role-play demonstrations and experiential exercises, and provide opportunities for direct practice. “ACT is generally seen as fitting comfortably with the underlying philosophies and assumptions of social work. It is a therapy which is inherently non-pathologising, which holds the client as the ultimate expert of their own experience, and which strives to help individuals flourish and thrive in accordance with what they truly value."

This introductory course is perfect for clinicians who have no background knowledge of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or who have only been exposed to the model briefly, and those who wish to gain a more thorough understanding of the core ideas and principles it encompasses.

Learning objectives

Participants will obtain an understanding of:

• The philosophical and scientific foundations of ACT
• How to think about behaviour in functional terms
• The central goal of psychological flexibility
• The six core ACT processes which give rise to psychological flexibility
• Basic case conceptualisation using the ACT model
• Some practical exercises and metaphors to help clients develop greater skill in using the six core processes

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

Presenter

Brendon Knott is a Clinical Psychologist with over 17 years’ experience working with a diverse range of client groups within the public and private sectors. He developed a strong interest in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and the overarching field of Contextual Behavioural Science (CBS) in 2003, and has worked clinically within this framework since that time. Brendon works with a broad range of presenting issues from an ACT perspective including depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, personality disorders, adjustment issues, grief and domestic violence. He is also experienced in applying the principles of ACT to groups and individuals with a range of physical health problems such as diabetes, stroke, obesity and the management of chronic health problems.

Brendon is also an experienced lecturer and trainer, who currently lectures on ACT and contextual behavioural therapies to undergraduate and postgraduate psychology students at the University of Newcastle. Brendon runs training workshops for helping professionals from a range of disciplines (psychology, social work, nursing etc) on ACT, as well as broader ACT-related topics such as functional analysis and functional contextual treatment interventions.