In this workshop you will learn by experiencing enactments related to each of the core ACT processes. We will review a simplified map of ACT processes – being in the present moment and connected to Self / being open and allowing inner experience (thoughts and emotions) while connected to Self Kindness / engaging meaningfully in life connected to chosen values. These 3, in short-hand are being: Present, Open, Engaged. We will work with exercises from the book The Liberated MInd, by Steven Hayes, so that you have a set of instructions available to use with clients in session (from the book) as well as directly relevant reading to further your learning.
In this workshop you will learn by experiencing enactments related to each of the core ACT processes. We will review a simplified map of ACT processes – being in the present moment and connected to Self / being open and allowing inner experience (thoughts and emotions) while connected to Self Kindness / engaging meaningfully in life connected to chosen values. These 3, in short-hand are being: Present, Open, Engaged. We will work with exercises from the book The Liberated MInd, by Steven Hayes, so that you have a set of instructions available to use with clients in session (from the book) as well as directly relevant reading to further your learning.
We will also explore how knowing the core ACT processes identify new ways to fiddle with client processes and can become a map for becoming unstuck as a therapist in any moment in session. In addition, we will practice using the language of ACT core processes to describe clinician’s existing process enactments, as a way to map in-session process therapy interventions to evidence based treatment kernels. While ACT is a holistic approach that emphasizes mindfulness and self compassion and experiential learning, it is also considered a 3rd wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT. In addition to increasing clinician creativity and flexibility in the moment, the ability to express process work related to a map of evidence based processes of psychological flexibility from a recognized cognitive behavioral therapy may be of value in treatment planning and note-taking.
Learning Objectives
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Be able to identify specific client processes targeted through specific process enactments
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Be able to identify the 6 core processes that are defined by the evidence base of ACT and describe how they may be targeted using at least one method (presented at the workshop today or already used by the therapist)
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Be able to deliver client psychoeducation regarding potentially problematic uses of mindfulness practices to avoid rather than allow inner experience
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To be able to map existing clinician process enactments to a simplified ACT process model of Present Moment Awareness, Openness to inner Experience, and Engagement