Events Calendar

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for Anxiety: An Introduction

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (called “ACT” for short) is a behaviour therapy that combines processes of mindful attention and willingness with behaviour and cognitive change processes. The objectives of these therapeutic processes are to undermine counterproductive attempts to control or avoid distressing thoughts or emotions, to expand the behavioural repertoire and to enhance psychological flexibility. Successful ACT treatment aims therefore at providing clients with an experienced freedom to enjoy a life that is about what they say matters rather than about tolerating their suffering or relentlessly pursuing its original source.

This workshop will involve both didactic and experiential components with an emphasis on the latter. The workshop will describe the ACT models of pathology and optimal functioning, demonstrate interventions for common anxiety presentations from each of the six main ACT processes, and link the practice of ACT processes in-session to therapist effectiveness.

In this workshop you will learn to:

• Understand the theory supporting ACT and how this
has led to the development of unique intervention
processes
• Adapt some of the techniques you already use to be
consistent with ACT practice
• Conduct a case formulation using the ACT model
• Effectively implement basic ACT interventions
including defusion, acceptance, mindfulness and use of
therapeutic metaphor