Clinical Behavioural Sciences Program

For Further Information Contact: Tracey Oliphant, Program Coordinator E-mail: cbs@mcmaster.ca

INTRODUCTION TO ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY (ACT)

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION - Non Credit—3 Full Days—$600

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a functional contextual treatment approach, which views psy-chological difficulties and suffering as problems of experiential avoidance and psychological inflexibility. Un-like other treatment approaches, ACT primarily focuses on reducing experiential avoidance and psychological inflexibility by encouraging individuals to behave in a manner consistent to what is meaningful in their lives, rather than trying to get rid of their troublesome thoughts, feelings, emotions and bodily sensations.

The primary goal of this workshop is to teach the basic philosophy, behavior change procedures and tech-niques of ACT. In addition to lecture and classroom discussions, this workshop will emphasize teaching the core therapeutic processes of ACT experientially.

Upon the completion of this workshop it is expected that participants will be able to acquire a working knowledge contextual behavioural science and apply the basic skills of ACT with a focus on children and ado-lescents and their families.

While there is no formal prerequisite, prior professional experience using behavioral therapies and a general interest in mindfulness-based approaches will be an asset.

Where: McMaster University, HSC (MUMC) - Please see attached Outline and

Registration form for details.

Tutor: Wanda L. Smith, Ph.D., C.Psych. Registered Psychologist, Assistant Clinical Pro-

fessor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, Faculty of Health Sci-

Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Certificate of Completion

Clinical Behavioural Sciences Program

Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University

Tutor: Wanda L. Smith, Ph.D., C.Psych., McMaster University

Email: smithwa@mcmaster.ca

Guest Tutors: TBA

Dates: TBC proposed:

September 14 HSC 3N50, 15 HSC 1J10 and 16 HSC 1J10

Time: 9:00am – 6:00pm

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a functional contextual treatment

approach, which views psychological difficulties and suffering as problems of

experiential avoidance and psychological inflexibility. Unlike other treatment

approaches, ACT primarily focuses on reducing experiential avoidance and psychological

inflexibility by encouraging individuals to behave in a manner consistent to what is

meaningful in their lives, rather than trying to get rid of their troublesome thoughts,

feelings, emotions and bodily sensations. Among contemporary cognitive behavioral treatment approaches ACT has been receiving

increasing attention because empirical evidence suggests that it is particularly effective

with individuals suffering from long-standing and severe difficulties such as anxiety,

depression, addiction, anger, chronic pain, seizures, marital discord, work related stress. The primary goal of this workshop is to teach the basic philosophy, behavior change

procedures and techniques of ACT. In addition to lecture and classroom discussions, this

workshop will emphasize teaching the core therapeutic processes of ACT experientially. Upon the completion of this workshop it is expected that participants will be able to

acquire a working knowledge contextual behavioural science and apply the basic skills of

ACT with a focus on children and adolescents and their families.

WORKSHOP FORMAT:

The workshop will be offered over 3 days – the mornings will be devoted to ACT core

processes and the afternoons will be focused on application or expansion of the

knowledge and skills to the child and adolescent population. Typically a guest tutor with

expertise in this population will lead the afternoon sessions. Experiential exercises, role

plays and observations of portions of the ACT in Action training videos will be introduced

throughout the days. Questions, comments, ideas and experiences are welcome in order

to make the class educational, enjoyable and professionally stimulating for all.

PREREQUISITE for the WORKSHOP:

While there is no formal prerequisite, prior professional experience using behavioral

therapies and a general interest in mindfulness-based approaches will be an asset. REQUIREMENTS and EVALUATION for CERTIFICATE of COMPLETION: In order to receive a Certificate of Completion participants are required to:

Attend all of the workshop dates; and

Actively participate in the class discussions, role plays, and experiential exercises; and

Submit a brief video showing the application of one of the ACT core processes

- present moment awareness, self as context, acceptance, defusion, values -

experiential techniques appropriate to their clinical population; and

Obtain 80% or greater on a final quiz on ACT core processes.

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

Ciarrochi, J. V. Hayes, L. L. & Bailey, A. Get out of your mind and into your life for

teens. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Harris, R. (2009). ACT made simple. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Harris, R. & Aisbett, B. (2012). The illustrated happiness trap: How to stop struggling and start living. Boulder, CO: Shambhala Publications, Inc. Hayes, S., Strosahl, D. K., and Wilson, G. W. (2012). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The process and practice of mindful change (2nd ed.). NY, NY: Guildford.

Turrell, S. & Bell, M. (2016) ACT for Adolescents: Treating teens and adolescents in individual and group therapy. Oakland, CA: Context Press. Wilson, K. G. (2008). Mindfulness for two: An acceptance and commitment therapy approach to mindfulness in psychotherapy. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Certificate of Completion

Workshop Schedule

Fall, 2017

Day 1 The dilemma of human suffering. Taking a functional contextual approach. Psychological flexibility and ACT- the Hexiflex Centred: Present Moment and Self as Context

Day 2

Open: Defusion

Open: Acceptance

Day 3

Engaged: Values and Committed Action

The ACT Therapeutic Relationship and Case Formulation Creating the context for change: Mind versus experience.

Integration

Quiz and course evaluations

Workshop Days will commence at 9am and continue to 6pm.

Lunch breaks will be scheduled from 12:30 – 1:30pm.

CLINICAL BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES PROGRAM

REGISTRATION FORM – INTRODUCTION TO ACT –CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION 2017

SEPT 14, MUMC (HSC) 3N50, SEPT 15, MUMC (HSC) 1J10, SEPTEMBER 16 M U M C ( HSC) 1J10-

All dates must be attended and successfully completed in order to receive the certificate!

PERSONAL INFORMATION (PLEASE PRINT)

LAST NAME

FIRST NAME

CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT:

CURRENT POSITION TITLE

*E:MAIL ADDRESS

TELEPHONE NUMBER (day time)

MAILING ADDRESS (needed to mail certificate)

STREET

CITY PROVINCE

POSTAL CODE

Please note that all correspondence will be emailed.

PAYMENT OF $600 paid by cheque, or money order, made Payable to McMaster University.

Please mail form with payment to the above below:

McMaster University, HSC 3H46A, 1280 Main Street W, Hamilton ON L8N 3Z5

Attention –Tracey Oliphant