ACTivating Your Practice (Part Two)
Introductory - Identify ACT processes and develop intervention skills for targeting them
Course Summary
So, you dipped your toe in the ACT ocean. We’re guessing you enjoyed the refreshing sensation of the warm water of change lapping at your feet, or even the thrill and excitement of the cold water awakening your practitioner soul. Awesome! Here's hoping that engaging people in a model that normalises human struggle and connects us to our common humanity has left you hungry for more?
In part two of this workshop series, we wade deeper into the ACT ocean and offer you the chance to learn new skills and exercises and practice them in a safe and nurturing environment. Now you understand the theory and have some basic techniques in your swim bag, this is more about expanding the skills you have and implementing them in your day to day life and work.
During this four-session online workshop you will:
- Consolidate your existing knowledge and application of ACT’s psychological flexibility model through the use of case formulation
- Learn to identify ACT’s core processes and be able to track them in yourself and your clients
- Further your practical skills in using ACT methods, as well as methods you already know, to achieve a shift in each process, spending a whole session on each part of the 'Open, Aware, and Active' areas of work
- Observe live demonstrations of ACT techniques and then practice those techniques in small learning groups
The workshop will be highly interactive, involving a variety of methods including didactic teaching, experiential exercises, group work, and live/video demonstrations of therapeutic interventions. Please note, as the sessions are largely experiential, you will get the most out of them if you attend live and are able to participate in the practical exercises. Whilst the teaching and demonstration parts of the workshop are recorded, the small group practice sessions in the breakout rooms are not.
Dates
8, 15, 22, 29 April 2024, 7-10pm
Course Curriculum
Richard Bennett & Dawn Johnson
Dr Richard Bennett works as a Clinical Psychologist and Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and as an Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Birmingham. He worked in adult and forensic mental health services in the NHS for over 20 years before setting up Think Psychology, an independent psychology practice offering, therapy, supervision, and training. Richard is also an active member of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Sciences (ACBS) and the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP). He is recognised as a BABCP accredited psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer, and an ACBS Peer-reviewed ACT trainer. He is the co-author of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy: 100 Key Points and Techniques, The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Self-Esteem, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions
Dr Dawn Johnson works as a Clinical Psychologist in private practice, offering therapy, teaching, training, supervision, and consultation. In a long NHS career, she gained extensive experience of adapting and differentiating ACT and other contextual behavioural interventions to work with people with intellectual disabilities, neuro-diversity, people in acute psychological distress, enduring mental health presentations, and the general public. Dawn also uses ACT systemically, having been involved in providing interventions and consultations with families, carers, non-health professionals and with NHS staff at an organisational level. She regularly delivers ACT training and ACT-informed staff wellbeing workshops. Dawn is an active member of ACBS as a board member of the UK and Ireland Chapter, and as a member of various strategic committees. She is the co-author of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions
