Program

Complete, Final, Program - July 1, 2, & 3 (for ACBS members)

(please login to your current paid member account to download/view the pdf) (If you need to find something specific in the program, do a "Control+F" to find a name or title.) If you prefer, far below is a list of what will be at the World Conference III. Below are Workshops, Invited Talks, Symposia, Papers, & Posters.

Wednesday, July 1

Wednesday Morning 9:00-9:45am 

1. Welcome to the ACBS World Conference III, the University of Twente, and Enschede 

Plenary (9:00-9:45am): 

Room: Vrijhof – Agora/ Amphitheater 

ANDO ROKX, GGNET, Netherlands 

PROF. DR. HUBERT COONEN, Deacon Faculty of Behavioral Sciences, Twente University 

DRS. K. LEMKE, M.D., Member of the board of directors of GGNET 

STEVE HAYES, University of Nevada, Reno 

EMILY RODRIGUES, ACBS 

Target Audience: All 

 

Wednesday Morning 10:00am 

2. ACT in the Workplace Symposium (10:00-Noon): ACT - Other/ Organisational Psychology, Stress at Work, Burnout, Human Services Workers, Stigma 

Room: Vrijhof – Agora Chair: FRANK BOND, Goldsmiths, University of London, U.K. 

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced 

• The Impact of ACT training on Leadership FRANK BOND, Goldsmiths, University of London, U.K. 

• The Impact of ACT and CBT on Stress at Work Paul Flaxman, City University, U.K. FRANK BOND, Goldsmiths, University of London 

• The Impact of ACT Training on Stress and Burnout in Human Services Workers JO LLOYD, Goldsmiths, University of London, U.K. Frank Bond, Goldsmiths, University of London 

• Can ACT reduce staff stigma? Preliminary findings and work in progress SUE CLARKE, Dorset Healthcare Foundation Trust, UK GEORGINA TAYLOR, University of Southampton Kelly Wilson, University of Mississippi, USA Bob Remington, Southampton University, UK This symposium will present original research on organisational applications of ACT. The papers cover ACT interventions and investigations for stress management, leadership, stigma and burnout in a range of organisational contexts including human services workers, public sector workers and financial services. 

 

3. From Verbal Content to Experiential Process with the iView Workshop (10:00-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ Functional Contextualism and Mindfulness 

Room: Vrijhof – Amphitheater 

KEVIN POLK, PH.D., ACT Gone Wild and Togus VA 

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced 

This will be a discussion of setting up the therapeutic context for ACT using the iView and then showing how the iView is used to transform a client's verbal story into experiential process. In this way clients are given multiple exemplars of ACT-consistent discrimination tasks. 

Educational Objectives: 

• Participants will learn what the iView is. 
• Participants will learn how to use the iView in relationship to their clinical practice. 

 

4. Using ACT to Improve Management of Chronic Pain in Primary Care Workshop (10:00-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ Chronic Pain 

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal A 

PATRICIA ROBINSON, PH.D., Mountainview Consulting Group 

Target Audience: Beginner 

Most chronic pain patients receive the majority of their care in primary care settings. They are often unhappy with the services they receive, and primary care providers often feel unprepared to address pain that does not respond well to treatment. This workshop suggests specific strategies for re-organizing care delivered to primary care patients who suffer from chronic pain. Participants will learn methods for integrating ACT strategies into primary care team interactions with patients, techniques for using ACT in on-going, monthly classes, approaches to evaluating outcomes, and strategies for preventing onset of chronic pain. 

Educational Objectives: 

• Learn strategies for teaching ACT to medical colleagues 
• Learn techniques for using ACT in monthly primary care classes 
• Learn strategies for preventing onset of chronic pain 

 

5. Applying ACT to Cases of Complex Depression: New Clinical and Research Perspectives Workshop (10:00-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ Depression 

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal B 

BRANDON A. GAUDIANO, PH.D., Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Butler Hospital 

KRISTY L. DALRYMPLE, PH.D., Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital 

Target Audience: Intermediate 

Clients who present or are referred to psychotherapy for "major depression" typically have a heterogeneous mix of problematic behaviors for which they are seeking help. However, current clinical trial research and empirically-supported psychotherapy manuals tend to narrowly focus on depressed mood as the target problem, and fail to provide clinicians with a real-world approach for dealing with the multiple, complex problems that often co-exist with complaints of depression. ACT represents a trans-diagnostic approach that may offer a particularly useful clinical model for treating and understanding the depressive experience and its typically co-occurring problems. This workshop will describe newer clinical and research applications of ACT for complex cases of depression. Participants will learn how to use ACT in concert with traditional behavioral interventions such as behavioral activation and exposure techniques. Novel research being conducted by the presenters in these areas will also be described, including treatment development and testing of ACT-based interventions for depressed individuals with psychotic experiences, social anxiety concerns, or suicidal behaviors. 

Educational Objectives: 

• Participants will learn how ACT can be used to extend and enhance traditional behavioral interventions for multi-problem, depressed individuals. 
• Participants will understand how to apply ACT to problems often related to depression, including psychosis and social anxiety. 
• Participants will learn about new research being conducted using ACT to treat complex cases of depression. 

 

6. Developing Your Skills as an ACT Trainer, Part 1 Workshop (10:00-Noon): ACT - Skills/ Training 

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal C 

JASON LUOMA, PH.D., The Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center, PC 

ROBYN D. WALSER, PH.D., National Center for PTSD at the VA Palo Alto 

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced 

In a discussion format, we will conduct a needs assessment for trainer development. We will help trainers identify common places where trainers can get stuck in workshops, conduct an assessment of their own strengths and weaknesses as a trainer, and help them develop plans for self-development as a trainer. This needs assessment will provide the material for the second part of the workshop to be conducted on the last day of the conference. In this second workshop, experienced trainers will develop a workshop that responds to the training needs identified in part 1 of this workshops series. If someone plants to attend part 2 of the workshop, it would also be helpful to go to part 1 in order to provide input into what will be in part 2 of the workshop. 

Educational Objectives: 

• Identify learning needs as a trainer. 
• Develop a plan for next steps in trainer development. 
• Develop learning focus for part two of the workshop. 

 

7. ACT for Well-Being of Children and Adolescents: Conceptualization, Prevention, and Intervention Symposium (10:00-Noon): ACT - Clinical, ACT - Other/ Mindfulness, Early Intervention, General Psychological Health, Stress, Adolescents, Diabetes 

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1212 

Chair: JOSEPH CIARROCHI, University of Wollongong 

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced 

 

• On being present and feeling good: The link between present-moment awareness and emotional well-being amongst adolescence 

JOSEPH CIARROCHI, University of Wollongong Todd Kashdan, George Mason University Patrick Heaven, University of Wollongong Peter Leeson, University of Wollongong 

 

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) To prevent stress and promote health: Psychological Treatment of Youth under Stressful Conditions - A Pilot Evaluation of the Impact of ACT in an Adolescent Group 

FREDRIK LIVHEIM, Karolinska Institutet, medical university Emma Stavenow, University of Copenhagen 

 

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for adolescents: Study 1 - individual treatment delivered in mental health services, and Study 2 - a group program delivered in schools 

LOUISE HAYES, Ph.D, University of Ballarat 

 

• Measuring processes of behavioral modification during a Diabetes Management Summer Camp: Acceptance in Diabetic Children 

GIOVANNI ZUCCHI, PSY.D., Villa Maria Luigia Hospital, Parma 

Giovanni Miselli, Psy.D., IULM University 

Giovambattista Presti, M.D., IULM University Paolo Moderato, Ph.D., IULM University Paola Accorsi, M.A., C. Magati Hospital, Reggio Emilia

Valerio Miselli, M.D., C. Magati Hospital, Reggio Emilia 

 

This symposium will explore the relevance of ACT for improving the well-being of children and adolescents. Paper 1 examines the relation between the present-moment awareness component of mindfulness and other psychological measures such as tendency to avoid, neuroticism, antisocial tendencies, and psychological flexibility in 10th grade students. Paper 2 describes a study using ACT – delivered by group leaders with limited traning – as an early intervention for young adults with already elevated levels of mental ill-health. Paper 3 reports on two pilot studies using ACT with adolescents as part of beyondblue: Australia’s national depression initiative. Paper 4 investigates the effect of a brieft 5-day summer camp for children with type 1 diabetes. 

 

8. Values in ACT: Conceptualization, Clinical Exercises and Assessment Symposium (10:00-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ Values 

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1216 

Chair: REGAN M. SLATER, University of Mississippi 

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced 

• What are Values? Unpacking Values as Conceptualized in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 

REGAN M. SLATER, University of Mississippi 

Stephanie L. Nassar, University of Mississippi 

Maureen K. Flynn, University of Mississippi 

Kate K. Kellum, University of Mississippi 

Kelly G. Wilson, Ph.D., University of Mississippi 

 

• An Improved Measure of Valued Living: The Valued Living Questionnaire-II (VLQ-2) 

STEPHANIE L. NASSAR, University of Mississippi Maureen K. Flynn, University of Mississippi 

Regan M. Slater, University of Mississippi 

Kate K. Kellum, University of Mississippi 

Kelly G. Wilson, Ph.D., University of Mississippi 

 

• Values-Centered Exercises: Impact of Values Work on Psychological Well-Being 

MAUREEN K. FLYNN, University of Mississippi 

Regan M. Slater, University of Mississippi 

Stephanie L. Nassar, University of Mississippi 

Kate K. Kellum, University of Mississippi 

Kelly G. Wilson, Ph.D., University of Mississippi 

This symposium will discuss values, from unpacking the definition presented in Mindfulness for Two, an assessment of values to be used in both research and clinical work, and exercises to explore values work.

 

9. Experimental analysis of complex human behavior: Disambiguation of relational networks and transformations of functions through hierarchical and analogical relations. Symposium (10:00-Noon): RFT - Research/ Relational responding

 Room: Hogekamp – HO 1220

Chair: FRANCISCO RUIZ, University of Almería

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

 

• Relational coherence in ambiguous and unambiguous relational networks

Jennifer L. Quiñones, University of Nevada

STEVEN C. HAYES, Ph.D., University of Nevada

 

• Transformation of functions through hierarchical frames.

 ENRIQUE GIL, University of Almería

Carmen Luciano, Ph.D., University of Almería

Francisco Ruiz, University of Almería

Vanessa Sánchez, University of Almería

 

• Transformation of functions through analogical relations: An experimental analysis of metaphors as clinical method.

FRANCISCO RUIZ, University of Almería

Carmen Luciano, University of Almería

 

• Modelling Hierarchical Relational Responding

IAN STEWART, NIU Galway

This symposium brings together different topics from relational responding and Relational Frame Theory (RFT) fields. The first paper addresses the topic of the derivation of ambiguous relations. Specifically, the paper presents two experiments that were conducted to examine how individuals disambiguate relational networks. The second presentation discusses the nature of hierarchical relational responding and presents the advances to extend the model presented by Griffee & Dougher (2002) to arbitrarily related stimuli and categorization under the control of contextual cues for hierarchical relational responding. The third presentation provides further evidence of the transformation of functions through hierarchical relations proceeding from an independent laboratory. Participants were trained to respond to arbitrary stimuli as several relational contexts (specifically as similar, different and hierarchical relations) and then a complex relational network was formed. Functions were given to some stimuli and the transformation of functions was observed according with the specific relational context. Finally, the fourth presentation tries to provide a RFT account of the use of metaphors as clinical methods. Specifically, this paper shows a series of studies that explore the conditions under which transformation of functions occurs through analogical relations.

 

10. Introduction to ACT in Dutch; Introductieworkshop ACT – Nederlandstalig Workshop (10:00am-4:15pm): ACT - Skills/ Theoretical and experiential introduction to ACT therapy

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1224

JACQUELINE A-TJAK, PsyQ at Zaandam, The Netherlands

INGRID POSTMA, GGZ West Friesland, Hoorn, The Netherlands

Target Audience: Beginner

This is a workshop to introduce ACT to folks who take an interest in ACT, but know little of this form of therapy. The workshop will be held in Dutch, because it aims at Dutch and Flemish people who want to attend the world conference. We will address the ACT model of Psychological Flexibility and Inflexibility at a theoretical level and in experiential exercises. This will be done according to the ACT book: Learning ACT, which is available in Dutch at the beginning of 2009. The workhop aims at giving people some basic understanding of ACT, which will help understanding other workshops at the world conference with more ease. It can also been seen as a stand-alone workshop for people who want to get more acquainted with ACT. Deze workshop is bedoeld voor wie behoefte heeft aan een overzichtelijke en praktische kennismaking met ACT. Theoretische basiskennis wordt afgewisseld met experientiële oefeningen, waarin de deelnemer aan den lijve kan ondervinden wat ACT ‘met je doet’. De workshop laat deelnemers kennismaken met de basisprincipes van het ACTmodel van psychologische (in)flexibiliteit.

Educational Objectives:

• Have an understanding of the model of psychopathology underlying ACT
• Being acquainted with the six core processes
• Having experienced what it is like to undergo experiential exercises (experience the six processes)
• kennismaken met de 6 ACT kernprocessen: acceptatie, defusie, zelf-als-context, contact met het huidige moment, waarden en toegewijde actie.
• kennismaken met de ACT opvatting van wat psychopathologie is
• kennismaken met enkele ACT interventies

 

11. Framing different behavioral strategies in a coherent picture: Where ACT takes place Symposium (10:00-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ Insomnia, academic behavior, social behavior, gambling

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1228

Chair: GIOVAMBATTISTA PRESTI, M.D., Ph.D., IULM University, Milan; IESCUM (Italy)

Discussant: BENJAMIN SCHOENDORFF, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon (France)

Target Audience: Intermediate

• Case report: Compulsory, school and social problem behaviors in an 18 yrs old student GRETA CARLOTTI, PSY.D., Humanitas School of Childhood and Adolescence Clinical Psychology, Milan, IESCUM (Italy)

Giovambattista Presti, M.D., Ph.D., IULM University, Milan; IESCUM (Italy)

Paolo Moderato, Ph.D., IULM University, Milan; IESCUM (Italy)

 

• Case report: Dysfunctional behavioral repertoire in a pre-adolescent girl with congenital dwarfism Ramona Carlotti, Psy D., Humanitas School of Childhood and Adolescence Clinical Psychology, Milan, IESCUM (Italy)

GIOVAMBATTISTA PRESTI, M.D., PH.D., IULM University, Milan; IESCUM (Italy)

Paolo Moderato, Ph.D., IULM University, Milan; IESCUM (Italy)

 

• Case report: Dysfunctional behavioral repertoire in a young woman with mild mental retardation and bipolar disorder

FRANCESCA SCAGLIA, Psy. D., Academy of Behavior and Cognitive Sciences (ASCCO), Parma; IESCUM (Italy)

 

• ACT and 'Impulsive' behavior: A case study of pathological gambling

SARA BORELLI, Psy. D., Academy of Behavior and Cognitive Sciences (ASCCO), Parma; Risorse Psicologiche, Reggio Emilia; IESCUM (Italy)

 

• Case report: Applying ACT in a case of prolonged avoidance of school by an adolescent boy with performance anxiety

MASSIMO RONCHEI, Psy. D., Academy of Behavior and Cognitive Sciences (ASCCO), Parma; IESCUM (Italy)

 

• ACT approach in Chronic Insomnia: A case study KATIA COVATI, Academy of Behavior and Cognitive Sciences (ASCCO), Parma; Istituto Fysios, Parma; IESCUM (Italy)

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) works on human cognition, by creating spaces for expanding behavioral repertoires beyond the boundaries that restrict individual functioning. In addition it helps lowering barriers to implementing additional behavioral strategies that might directly address individual dysfunctional behavioral patterns. This symposium aims to address the synergy that arises from implementing ACT with other behavior modification strategies: e.g. functional behavior analysis, token economy, stimulus control strategies. Clinical cases presented and discussed have a wide range of behavioral disfunctioning often nested in complex symptomatic pictures. ACT contribution within a unique coherent behavioral frame of intervention will be presented. Advantages and disadvantages of using different strategies, in terms of efficacy and effectiveness, will be also discussed

 

12. Psychological Flexibility and Disordered Eating: Conceptualization and Treatment Symposium (10:00-11:00am): RFT - Research, ACT - Clinical, Other/ Eating Disorders, Experiential Avoidance and Eating Pathology, Mindfulness, Health Promotion

Room: Vrijhof – Kleine Zaal

Chair: THOMAS PARLING, M.SC., Department of Psychology, Uppsala University

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Anorexia nervosa and implicit attitudes: An IRAP-study

THOMAS PARLING, M.SC., Department of Psychology, Uppsala University Martin Cernvall, M.Sc., Department of Psychiatry, Uppsala Academic Hospital

Ata Ghaderi, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, Uppsala University

 

• Experiential Avoidance and Eating Pathology in a Sample of College Students in Cyprus

MARIA KAREKLA, PH.D., University of Nicosia

 

• Evaluation of relaxation response and mindfulness strategies in overweight women: A two year randomized trial

CAROLINE HORWATH, PH.D., University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Greer Hawley, MSc,

Andrew Gray, B Com (Hons),

Alison Bradshaw, MSc,

Lisa Katzer, MSc,

Janine Joyce, M Health Sci.,

Sue O'Brien, BHSc

This symposium discusses the analysis and treatment of eating disorders. Paper 1 reports on preliminary findings from a study examining the implicit attitudes towards body-shape and body perceptions using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP). Paper 2 examines the relationship between experiential avoidance and other psychological factors, and eating pathology. Paper 3 compares a relaxation and mindfulness program with two other non-dieting programs using results from a 10-week intervention as well as follow-up data.

 

13. ACT and Chronic Illness Symposium (10:00-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ Physical Health, ACT Processes, Intervention, Research Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 5

Chair: DAVID GILLANDERS, University of Edinburgh, U.K.

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

• Beliefs, Acceptance, Knowledge, Emotional Distress and Self Care in Older People with Type 2 Diabetes.

DAVID GILLANDERS, University of Edinburgh, U.K. Vicky Thurlby, NHS Lanarkshire, U.K.

 

• ACT based Treatment of Chronic Pain - Outcome data to three years

KEVIN VOWLES, PH.D., University of Bath, U.K.

Lance McCracken, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, U.K.

Jeremy Gauntlett-Gilbert, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, U.K.

 

• Flexing the gut - Quality of Life in Irritable Bowel Syndrome NUNO FERREIRA, University of Edinburgh, U.K.

David Gillanders, UNiveristy of Edinburgh, U.K.

 

• The Evolution of General Psychological Flexibility and Pain Specific Acceptance across time in people with Chronic Pain

ALEXANDRA DIMA, University of Edinburgh, U.K.

David Gillanders, University of Edinburgh, U.K.

In this symposium we will explore ACT relevant processes such as avoidance, fusion, acceptance, beliefs and behaviour as these apply to living successfully with chronic illness. Papers will outline original clinical research on chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome and diabetes.

 

14. Getting Started with ACT Experiential Supervision Skills Workshop (10:00-Noon): ACT - Skills/ Supervision for ACT Clinicians

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 6

MARY SAWYER, Private Practice Sydney Australia

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

This workshop will focus on how to do ACT experiential supervision and the challenges of providing supervision for your peers, interns or students. It will be both didatic and experiential, exercises will be completed in pairs as well as in group. On the spot feedback/guidance will be given during the workshop process. There will be adequate time to process and discuss the experinces of each participant. The main aims of the workshop are to develop psychological flexibility within the supervisor and the supervisee to assist both to utilise the processes of mindfulness, acceptance and committed action to do with whatever shows up in your ACT practice. Educational Objectives: At the completion of this workshop participants will have: 1. A better understanding of ACT experiential supervision. 2. Practiced supervising using role play with feedback. 3. Experienced their own barriers to clinician competence in the same process used with their clients.

 

15. Tinnitus and acceptance - "Is it the sound or your relationship to it?" Symposium (10:00-11:00am): ACT - Clinical/ Clinical trial

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 3

Chair: GERHARD ANDERSSON, Linköping University Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

 

• Randomized Controlled Trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Tinnitus Distress

VENDELA WESTIN, Linköping University

 

• Clients' in-session acceptance and cognitive defusion behaviors in ACT treatment of tinnitus distress HUGO HESSER, M.SC., Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning; Swedish Institute for Disability Research, Linköping University, Sweden Vendela Westin, M.Sc., Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning; Swedish Institute for Disability Research, Linköping University, Sweden

Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, USA

Gerhard Andersson, Ph. D., Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning; Swedish Institute for Disability Research, Linköping University, Sweden

Tinnitus it defined as the perception of internal noises without any outer auditory stimulation and is a common condition reported by approximately 10-15% of general adult population. Despite recent advantages in research on tinnitus, few medical treatments can successfully alleviate the symptom. A growing number of studies support acceptance to be associated with less distress across chronic medical conditions, but to date this new avenue has not been extensively explored with tinnitus. This symposium will present the research on acceptance and related psychological processes with tinnitus. We will provide a brief overview of the condition and consider the theoretical ideas and clinical observations why acceptance might be useful for individuals suffering from tinnitus. Outcomes from acceptance-based psychological treatment of tinnitus distress will be highlighted along with the mechanisms by which the therapy might work. Data from controlled outcome trials, clinical process studies, correlational analyses will be presented to illustrate what we know so far about acceptance and tinnitus and provide listeners with broad coverage of the research within the area.

 

Wednesday Morning 11:15am

 

16. When Physical Struggles Overwhelm: ACT and Behavioral Medicine Symposium (11:15-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ Lupus, Chronic Pain, Health Psychology

Room: Vrijhof – Kleine Zaal

Chair: FRANCISCO MONTESINOS, PH.D., Spanish Cancer Association (aecc)/Instituto ACT, Madrid, Spain.

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the Treatment of Psychological Problems Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

 TOMÁS QUIROSA-MORENO, University of Almería

Carmen Luciano, Ph.D., University of Almería N. Navarrete-Navarrete, Systemic Autoimmune Disease Unit, University Hospital "Virgen de las Nieves," Granada Olga

Gutiérrez Martínez Ph.D., Universidad de Barcelona

 

• Web Based Interventions for Relapse Prevention after Pain Management Program

NINA BENDELIN, M.SC., Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Sweden

Gerhard Andersson, Ph.D., Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Sweden

Björn Gerdle, Ph.D., Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Sweden

 

• Psychooncology and ACT: State of research and new challenges

FRANCISCO MONTESINOS, PH.D., Spanish Cancer Association (aecc)/Instituto ACT, Madrid, Spain. Marisa Páez, Ph.D., Instituto ACT, Madrid

ACT-based interventions have been successfully used with a several chronic diseases. The papers in this symposium examine the effectiveness of ACT components for patients with lupus, chronic pain, and cancer. Paper 1 reports on a study examining the efficacy of a brief six-session protocol for women diagnosed with systemic lupus eythematosus. Paper 2 evaluates an acceptance-based intervention for chronic pain delivered via the internet. Paper 3 reviews the state of ACT research with individuals with cancer using data from case studies, clinical trials, and randomized studies.

 

Wednesday Lunch 12:00-1:15pm

 

Wednesday Afternoon 1:15pm

 

17. Working with Values in Chronic Pain Panel Discussion (1:15-3:00pm): ACT - Clinical/ Pain

Room: Vrijhof – Agora

JOANNE DAHL, University of Uppsala

KENNETH FUNG, M.D. FRCPC MSc, University of Toronto

MATEUSZ ZUROWSKI, M.D. MSc FRCPC, University of Toronto

RIKARD WICKSELL, Pain Treatment Service, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital

KEVIN VOWLES, PH.D., University of Bath, U.K.

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

ACT is emerging as a useful modality to treat chronic pain, a prevalent condition with significant long-term disability. For those afflicted with chronic pain, values are often abandoned in the natural pursuit for pain alleviation. Clinically, working with values is an important cornerstone in therapy, and in many treatment protocols, tend to become a therapeutic focus earlier compared to the treatment of other conditions. In this symposium, we would like to share, discuss, and raise questions about values work in the treatment of chronic pain. Specifically, we will explore: (i) definition of values; (ii) clinical application of values in chronic pain, including techniques to facilitate identification of values and ways of working with them; (iii) operationalization of values for measurement to facilitate tracking of clinical progress and research.

 

18. Towards a functional contextualist neuroscience Symposium (1:15-3:00pm): Other/ Basic behavioural science, neuroscience, ACT

Room: Vrijhof – Amphitheater

Chair: BENJAMIN SCHOENDORFF, Inserm, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon, France

Discussant: STEVEN C. Hayes, PH.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Discussant: Kelly G. Wilson, PH.D., University of Mississippi

Target Audience: Intermediate

• Don't you mind speaking of mind? Reflecting on mirror neurons and other homunculi on the Neuroscience scene

PAOLO MODERATO, IULM University, Milan (Italy)

 

• An exploration of acceptance related processes in presurgically implanted epileptic patients by means of real-time frequency-band analysis system

BENJAMIN SCHOENDORFF, Inserm, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon, France

Traditionally, behavior analysis has largely tended to consider brain functioning as being the preserve of physiologists rather than part of the science of behavior. This symposium/panel discussion will address the question of whether there is room for a functional contextualist neuroscience, or are attempts at linking neuroscience and behaviour necessarily reductionist? This symposium/panel discussion will bring together a general discussion of the issues as well as how they relate to presented neuroscience research projects.

 

19. ACT-Based Contextual Behavioral Supervision Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Other/ ACT Supervision

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal A

SONJA V. BATTEN, PH.D., University of Maryland School of Medicine

ROBYN D. WALSER, PH.D., National Center for PTSD, Palo Alto

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

Supervision in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is vital to learning to competently use this treatment model. In order to be an effective supervisor in this model, a context for establishing willingness to experience is fundamental. The supervisor needs to both model willingness and promote such behavior in supervisees in a way that is tangible and transferable to therapy sessions. Thus, working with the supervisee on personal acceptance and commitment, while also pointing to the parallel processes for the client can be a powerful training tool. Strategies for providing quality supervision that is ACT-consistent and compassionate will be presented. This workshop will begin with a discussion of the importance of the expression of emotion in ACT-based supervision. Suggestions will be made for shaping the ability of therapists in training to willingly experience and express emotion, with clarification of appropriate supervisory boundaries. This didactic discussion will be followed by multiple role plays and experiential exercises in which attendees will practice different ways of responding to challenging content in a supervisory setting.

Educational Objectives:

• Discuss the theoretical basis for including emotions in the psychotherapy supervision process.
• Describe how to focus on acceptance of emotion and thoughts, both within the supervisee's experience and the client's experience.
• Describe how to help supervisees assess the cost of avoidance as it relates to their own and to their clients' lives, as well as the process of psychotherapy.

 

20. Investigations into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Real Life Symposium (1:15-3:00pm): ACT - Other/ Non-Clinical Populations

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal B

Chair: NADIA LUCAS, University of Mississippi

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• The Effect of Commitment and Behavior Change Processes in ACT on Public Speaking Anxiety

NADIA LUCAS, University of Mississippi Regan Slater, University of Mississippi

Kelly G. Wilson, University of Mississippi

Kate K. Kellum, University of Mississippi

 

• Mindfulness at the Front of the Room: An Evaluation of ACT for Public Speaking Anxiety

REGAN M. SLATER, University of Mississippi Nadia Lucas, University of Mississippi

Kelly G. Wilson, University of Mississippi

Kate K. Kellum, University of Mississippi

 

• The Effects of ACT for Body Image Disturbance on Eating Behavior and Valued Living

Emily K. Sandoz, University of Mississippi

K. K. Kellum, University of Mississippi

Kelly G. Wilson, University of Mississippi

LINDSAY MARTIN, University of Nevada, Reno

 

• Examining the Effects of a Values Intervention to Enhance Motivation and Commitment to Engage in Studying Behavior

 JENNIFER C. PLUMB, University of Nevada, Reno

Michael Levin, University of Nevada, Reno

Steven C. Hayes, University of Nevada, Reno

Kate L. Morrison, University of Nevada, Reno

People often have psychological difficulties in their everyday lives that are not necessarily diagnosable but still create significant distress and disruption of valued living. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a therapeutic approach rooted in behavior analysis and has been found to be effective in helping people to live a valued life in the face of a variety of psychological difficulties. The following studies are designed to consider interventions rooted in ACT principles and relevant outcomes and change processes in non-clinical populations.

 

21. Self-as-context Made Simple Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Skills/ Mindfulness/Self-as-context

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal C

RUSS HARRIS, M.D., private practice, Melbourne, Australia

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

This is a highly experiential workshop that was well-attended and well-received in ACT SI4. It demonstrates in simple, clear, non-technical language many different ways to talk about and facilitate the experience of self-as-context -- from lengthy interventions such as the classic "Observer Exercise" to extremely brief ones. It brings together metaphors and experiential exercises from ACT practitioners such as Steve Hayes, Robyn Walser, Kirk Strosahl, Kelly Wilson, JoAnne Dahl, and Hank Robb (as well as some of my own innovations). By the end of this workshop, attendees will have repeatedly experienced the psychological space of self-as-context, and will have a variety of tools to facilitate this process in therapy. They will also get an opportunity to practice some of these techniques on each other.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn how to talk in simple everyday language about self-as-context
• Experience the "psychological space" of self-as-context
• Learn a variety of techniques for facilitating this experience in therapy

 

22. Integrating Values in Context: Conceptualizations and Applications of Valued Living Symposium (1:15-3:00pm): ACT - Other, ACT - Clinical/ Values, Therapy with Christians, Measurement, Values, Spirituality, Religion, "Other" Acceptance-based approaches

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1212

Chair: AMANDA C. ADCOCK, M.S., University of North Texas

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• The ImPActS model of principled living: Measuring the extent that people find principles to be Important, Pressured by others, Activated, and Successfully engaged

JOSEPH CIARROCHI, University of Wollongong

 

• The Meta-Valuing Measure: Measuring Valuing Behavior and the Whole Life Concept

AMANDA C. ADCOCK, M.S., University of North Texas Cicely LaBorde, M.S., University of North Texas

AMY MURRELL, PH.D., University of North Texas

 

• Preliminary support for a spiritually integrated approach to valued living in the face of spiritual struggles

CARMEN K. OEMIG, M.A., Bowling Green State University

Kenneth I. Pargament, Ph.D., Bowling Green State University

Meryl Gibbel, M.A., Bowling Green State University

Maria Gear, M.A., Bowling Green State University

Elizabeth Krumrei, M.A., Bowling Green State University

Carol Ann Faigin, M.A., Bowling Green State University

Shauna McCarthy, Ph.D., Bowling Green State University

Kavita Desai, M.A., Bowling Green State University

The papers in this symposium focus on values and their role in psychological well-being. Paper 1 discusses the ImPActS model of principled living. This model suggests that ACT helps people to (1) identify what principles are important to them (Importance), (2) identify what principles are under compliance pressure (Pressure), (3) increase the extent that they engage in principle-congruent activity (ACTivity), and (4) increase the extent that they succeed at living their principles (Success). Paper 2 explores how practicing ACT with Christians can be aided or hindered by the rules that are brought into the therapy room. Paper 3 discusses values as augmentals and the importance of flexibility in valuing. In order to measure the difference between valuing flexibly and values as augmentals, a new measure called the Meta-Valuing Measure (MVM) will be discussed and the psychometric properties will be presented. Paper 4 deals with a nine-week, spiritually-integrated, group intervention – for the negative mental and physical health indicators associated with the “darker side” of religion and spirituality – called the Winding Road and its similarities with an ACT-based approach.

 

23. The Primary Care Behavioral Health Model: A Platform for ACT in Health Care Workshop (1:15-3:00pm): ACT - Clinical/ Primary Care, Transdiagnostic

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1216

PATRICIA ROBINSON, PH.D., Mountainview Consulting Group

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate

This workshop describes a model for behavioral health consultation services in primary care settings. Given a trans-diagnostic approach, broadly applicable strategies, and theoretical principles that suggest a focus on struggle between patient and provider, ACT offers a great deal to the mission of integrating behavioral health services into primary care.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn about a new job for behavior therapists (the primary care "Behavioral Health Consultant")
• Consider case examples demonstrating use of ACT in brief encounters with primary care adult and child patients
• Learn strategies for working as a part of a primary care team that includes a behavioral health provider

 

24. An Introduction to Behaviorism & Relational Frame Theory for Beginners Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): Behavior Analysis/ RFT

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1220

JOHN T. BLACKLEDGE, Morehead State University

 Joanne Steinwachs, Private Practice

NIKLAS TÖRNEKE, Private Practice, Sweden

Target Audience: Beginner

The workshop will discuss basic behavioral principles (e.g., operant & classical conditioning, generalization) and their relevance to psychotherapy. In addition, relational frame theory will be introduced, along with a discussion of RFT's continuity with basic behavioral principles and its implications for clinical practice. The workshop is appropriate for those unfamiliar with behaviorism and/or RFT, with the links and common focus between the two, or the relevance of all these behavioral principles to psychotherapy.

Educational Objectives:

• Be able to define basic behavioral principles like operant conditioning, classical conditioning, extinction, stimulus function, and generalization, and identify their relevance to psychotherapy
• Understand the links and common focal points between relational responding and more conventional behavioral processes like operant and classical conditioning.
• Understand why RFT is relevant to psychotherapy.

 

25. RFT: Research, Measurement, and Theoretical Issues Symposium (1:15-3:00pm): RFT - Research, RFT - Other, RFT - Clinical/ IRAP, Implicit Attitudes, Experimental Behavioural Analysis, Evolution, Selectionism, Executive Functioning, Schizophrenia

Room: Vrijhof – Kleine Zaal

Chair: SEAN HUGHES, B.A, National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Novel Implicit Attitudes: What Do We Know about Them and What Do We Have to Learn?

SEAN HUGHES, B.A, National University of Ireland, Maynooth

 

• RFT and evolution: Are memetics the missing link?

MARCO KLEEN, PsyAdvies and BrainDynamics Groningen

 

• A behaviour-analytic perspective on the diagnosis of executive dysfunctions GWENNY JANSSEN, DRS, Radboud University Nijmegen

Jos Egger, Ph.D., Radboud University Nijmegen

Hubert De Mey, Ph.D, Radboud University Nijmegen

 

• Schizophrenia, language and cognition: Suggestions for RFT research

MARTIN CERNVALL, M.SC., Uppsala Academic Hospital

Ian Stewart, Ph.D., National University of Ireland, Galway

Ata Ghaderi, Ph.D., Uppsala University

The scope of RFT research and analyses has expanded considerably since the inception of the theory. This symposium discusses the further extension of RFT to several areas of interest. Paper 1 presents a series of four studies on establishing and consolidating novel implicit attitudes and the utility of the IRAP in distinguishing between naturally occurring versus laboratory-induced implicit attitudes. Paper 2 discusses the relationship between memetics and RFT in explaining contragenetic behavior, such as terrorism and warfare. Paper 3 explores the idea that the broad set of cognitive skills known as executive functions is a subset of rule-governed behavior. Paper 4 examines the potential for RFT research on schizophrenia when it is understood as a failure of lateralization and the dominance of language in one hemisphere.

 

26. Applications of ACT to children, adolescents and their parents: Case studies Symposium (1:15-3:00pm): ACT - Clinical/ Children and parents

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 5

Chair: FRANCISCO RUIZ, University of Almería

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Application of ACT on a persistent oscurity phobia in a 11 years old boy.

 

FRANCISCO RUIZ, University of Almería Vanessa Sánchez, University of Almería

Carmen Luciano, Ph.D., University of Almería

Rosa M. Vizcaíno, University of Almería

 

• Application of ACT on a case of bullying in a 9 year old boy

Francisco Ruiz, University of Almería

ROSA M. VIZCAÍNO, University of Almería

Carmen Luciano, University of Almería

 

• Application of ACT to improve the performance of a 12 year old chess-player, to treat familiar problems and self-injury behaviors.

FRANCISCO RUIZ, University of Almería

Carmen Luciano, University of Almería

 

• ACT in family: a case on eating disorders

MARISA PÁEZ, PH.D., Instituto ACT

This symposium presents four clinical cases of children/adolescents an their parents treated with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The first paper describes the intervention and results of an application of ACT in a 11-years-old boy who presented a persistent oscurity phobia. The second paper explore the utility of ACT in bullying. Specifically, a case of a 9-years-old boy suffering bullying and social exclusion is presented. The third paper extends previous studies on chess performance presenting the case of a 12-years-old chess-player who suffered high levels of competitive anxiety and presented oscurity phobia, familiar problems and self-injury behaviors. Finally, the fourth paper presents a case of an adolescent with a swallow phobia who presented a very restricted diet because of her fear to choke. The interventions are described highlighting the sinergical effect of the use of ACT components with contingencies management in the treatment of clinical problems in children, adolescents and their parents.

 

27. RFT and the Self: Theory, Research and Applications Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): RFT - Clinical/ The Self Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 6

CARMEN LUCIANO, University of Almeria, Spain

JENNIFER BOULANGER, University of Nevada, Reno

IAN STEWART, University of Ireland, Galway

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate

The self is a key concept within Acceptance Commitment Therapy as well as psychology more broadly. Relational Frame Theory defines the self in terms of responding verbally to one's own behavior and predicts that relational responding give rise to three distinct senses of self. Over the last decade RFT/ACT research has empirically examined several concepts related to the self including verbal self-discrimination, perspective-taking and self-rules. The current workshop will outline the RFT/ACT approach to self; describe developmental and clinical research that has explored these concepts; discuss self-issues in therapy, drawing on RFT conceptualizations and provide for experiential exploration of senses of self. Educational Objectives: 1. Understand the RFT conceptualization of self and its implication for self-discrimination, perspective-taking, and self-regulation. 2. Become familiar with key RFT studies on the self & perspective taking. 3. Understand the nature of "language traps" and how they contribute to difficulties in self-regulation.

 

28. OCD and Case Formulation in ACT Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ Case Formulation OCD

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 3

MARTIN BROCK, Institute of Mental Health Nottingham

Target Audience: Intermediate

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a new model of behavioural treatment that emphasizes acceptance of internal experience while maintaining a focus on positive behaviour change. This approach is designed to address maladaptive avoidance of internal experiences associated with many problems in functioning while also focusing on making and keeping commitments. A Functional Contextual Model for OCD and also a Case Formulation approach in ACT has been developed; both will be described in this workshop. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is recognized as a complex disorder and is difficult to treat, due in part to the intrusive nature of the types of thoughts which can be highly distressing and motivation to abate, avoid or eliminate them is strong. In this experiential workshop opportunities will be given to develop awareness of the typical experiences found in OCD and to explore and share the challenges for therapists. Finally an opportunity will be given to formulate a case within OCD.

Educational Objectives:

• Participants will begin to understand the Core Activities of Case Formulation in ACT.
• Participants will have an understanding of a Functional Contextual Model of OCD.
• Participants will explore the highly intrusive nature of OCD.

 

Wednesday Afternoon 3:15pm

 

29. Training Nurses in ACT Skills for Medical Treatment Planning Invited Lecture (3:15-4:15pm): ACT - Skills/ Training

Room: Vrijhof – Agora

KEVIN POLK, PH.D., ACT Gone Wild and Togus VA

FANNY ROBICHAUD, RN, VAC Canada

Target Audience: Intermediate Nurses are often on the front line of recommending and monitoring behavioral goals for physical health that ultimately affect mental health. This program will show a training that we do to help nurses help clients through a contextual point of view.

 

30. Identifying Key Processes Involved in Disorders and Therapies Symposium (3:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ rumination, borderline personality disorder, Cognitive mediation

Room: Vrijhof – Amphitheater

Chair: JOSEPH CIARROCHI, University of Wollongong

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• The role of rumination in borderline personality disorder

RUTH A. BAER, PH.D., University of Kentucky

 

• Key cognitive constructs in classical and new-wave cognitive behavioral psychotherapies: relationships with each other and with emotional distress

IOANA CRISTEA, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca

Daniel David, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca

Madalina Sucala, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca

 

• Identifying the Active ingredients in ACT. What we know and what we need to know.

JOSEPH CIARROCHI, University of Wollongong

This symposium will explore the importance of identifying processes that may be critically involved in the development or the treatment of disorders. Paper 1 examines the role of rumination as avoidance behavior in Borderline personality disorder. Paper 2 presents a study comparing the key cognitive constructs of three forms of cognitive behavioral therapy - Rational-emotive behavioral therapy, cognitive behavior therapy Beck version, and ACT. The final paper reviews evidence on the core ACT mediational hypotheses and discusses ways to help pinpoint the active ingredients in ACT.

 

31. Theoretical Frameworks and Therapeutic Possibilities Invited Lecture (3:15-4:15pm): Other/ Philosophy of Psychology

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal B

MICHAEL MCEACHRANE, Department of Philosophy, University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced This talk will cast doubt on the seemingly ubiquitous connection between Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Relational Frame Theory (RFT) in two ways. (i) By questioning some of the connections between language and cognition as posited by RFT. And (ii), by considering a more piecemeal approach to explaining, and seeking remedies for, human suffering. Instead of aspiring to a capitol-F-theoretical-Framework in service of a capitol-T-Therapy, a more piecemeal approach could perhaps cast new light on ACT as well as open up to a greater range of therapeutic possibilities.

 

32. The Efficacy and Process of ACT: A systematic review and meta-analysis Invited Lecture (3:15-4:15pm): ACT - Other/ Meta-Analysis

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1212

LARS-GÖRAN ÖST, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Sweden

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a treatment that has attracted a lot of clinical interest during the past 5-10 years. The number of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) has also increased to a large extent and there are now 22 published RCTs on psychiatric or medical disorders. In this invited lecture, a meta-analysis using the primary outcome measure from each study will be presented. Then the APA Task Force criteria for empirically supported treatments (Chambless et al., 1998) will be applied to assess if ACT can be considered evidence-based for one or more specific disorders. Finally, process research assessing factors that mediate treatment outcome will be reviewed and evaluated. The presentation will end with suggestions concerning further outcome and process research on ACT.

 

33. Reinventing Empirical Clinical Psychology in the Electronic Age: An Invitation to Participate in the First Fully Distributed Research Network Ever Created Invited Lecture (3:15-4:15pm): Other/ Science as a Public Trust

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1216

KELLY G. WILSON, PH.D., University of Mississippi

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

There is a received view of empirical clinical psychology and the way to make progress within it that masquerades as the only well-reasoned view. The received view accepts a number of dubious assumptions. The assumed prerequisites to progress include large randomized clinical trials, a focus on DSM diagnostic categories, enormous concern for internal validity over external validity, for Type 1 error at the expense of Type 2 error, and on outcome over change processes, among others. This collection of assumptions creates problems that are unlikely to be self-correcting. While they have led to increasing confidence, I will question whether they have led to increasingly effective and disseminable treatments. Barriers to self-correction that emerge from a model of science are ironic, since science, as a way of knowing, is unique in its capacity for self-correction. We have a chance within ACBS to cultivate a different sort of research effort than has ever existed. In part the potential for this research effort emerges from contextual science sensibilities, but also in part from the availability of electronic means for the distribution knowledge and collection of data. What would it look like to build a network of providers who participated in research across settings, client difficulties, cultures, and countries? What would our treatments look like if they were vetted in a persistent and iterative way by both real world providers as well as by behavioral scientists? What would our treatments look like if they were persistently examined in clinical trials, real world clinics, and in the basic laboratory—where all are equal partners? The answer to these questions is: I don’t know. However, trends within and without ACBS are telling. In this address, I will advocate for a contextual behavioral science that is inclusive, horizontal, relevant, iterative, and progressive. I will advocate that ACBS take a leadership role in the development not just of a new psychology, but also a new way of doing psychology. Finally, I will invite the membership, all of the membership, to join in the invention of a new way forward.

 

34. Welcome to the functional Babel: Talking ACT in non English-speaking countries Symposium (3:15-4:15pm): ACT - Other/ Research and language issues

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1228

Chair: GIOVAMBATTISTA PRESTI, M.D., Ph.D., IULM University, Milan; IESCUM (Italy)

Discussant: GIOVANNI MISELLI, PSY. D., IULM University, Milan, IESCUM (Italy)

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Babel's AAQ-II: Do different languages result in different outcomes in Europe?

JEAN-LOUIS MONESTÈS, CNRS 8160, Centre Hospitalier Ph. Pinel

NELE JACOBS, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek (Belgium)

Marco Kleen, PsyAdvies.nl / Brain Dynamics Groningen, Groningen (Netherlands)

Francis De Groot, Psychiatrisch Centrum Broeders Alexianen, Boechout (Belgium)

Jacqueline A-Tjak, PsyQ, Zaandam, (Netherlands)

Maria Karekla, University of Nicosia, Cyprus

Frank Bond, Goldsmiths, University of London

Giovanni Miselli, Psy. D., IULM University, Milan; IESCUM (Italy)

Matthieu Villatte, Ph.D., University of Picardie

• Building towers in Babel: Spreading and sharing knowledge, translating manuals and self-help books

MATTHIEU VILLATTE, PH.D., Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens (France)

Jean-Louis Monestès, CNRS 8160, Centre Hospitalier Ph. Pinel (France)

Giovambattista Presti, IULM University, Milan; IESCUM (Italy)

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) seems to have gained the great momentum in the last year 10 years, developing outside the English-speaking laboratories and clinics where it was studied and experimentally developed. The behavioural tradition behind it distinguishes between topography and function of verbal as well as non verbal behaviours. Thus ACT is based on a functional contextual vision of language and its effects on human behaviour and cognition. Translating and adapting textbooks, self-help manuals, clinical techniques and assessment instruments imply thorough research whether different verbal topographies, which may be correct from a grammatical and syntactic point of view, might not exert equal functions in the different verbal communities. This phenomenon, which follows logically from RFT (Relational Frame Theory) itself, the model of mind functioning behind ACT, needs to be addressed within the different research, clinical, publishing contexts that help the implementation of ACT in non-English speaking countries. This symposium aims to draw the lines of action taken in different countries all over the world in translations of books, adaptation and validation of scales, in everyday clinical work, and in research while implementing ACT in each verbal community. In addition it aims to foster international collaboration on relevant problems. Roadblocks arising from cultural differences between countries, cultures and languages are discussed, and recommendations for future work on these matters.

 

35. Using ACT with Non-Clinical Populations: Findings from Recent and Ongoing Outcome Studies Symposium (3:15-4:15pm): ACT - Other/ Non-Clinical Populations, ACT Treatment Outcome

Room: Vrijhof – Kleine Zaal Chair: MICHAEL LEVIN, University of Nevada, Reno

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• ACT for Stigma and Burnout with Substance Abuse Counselors

STEVEN C. HAYES, University of Nevada, Reno Jacqueline Pistorello, University of Nevada, Reno

Jason Luoma, Ph.D., Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center, PC

Barbara Kohlenberg, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Roger Vilardaga, M.A, Michael Levin, University of Nevada, Reno

Jason Lillis, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Mikaela Hildebrandt, University of Nevada, Reno

 

• Using ACT to prevent mental health problems among college freshman

JACQUELINE PISTORELLO, PH.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Jason Lillis, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Chelsea MacLane, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Michael Levin, University of Nevada, Reno

Jennifer Boulanger, University of Nevada, Reno

Anthony Biglan, Ph.D., Oregon Research Institute

John Seeley, Ph.D., Oregon Research Institute

Research has tested the impact of ACT across an increasingly broad range of problems. Recently, this has included using ACT in non-clinical populations targeting areas such as stigma and prevention. This symposium will present a series of studies using ACT in non-clinical populations. Results from outcome trials that have been recently completed, or are in progress, will be presented. In addition, we will discuss differences encountered in using ACT in these populations as compared to clinical populations.

 

36. The Trainer Peer Review Process: Introduction and Updates Panel Discussion (3:15-4:15pm): Other/ Training

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 5

JASON LUOMA, PH.D., The Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center, PC

AMY MURRELL, PH.D., University of North Texas

RAINER SONNTAG, M.D., Private practice, Germany

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Being listed as a trainer on the ACBS site is meant as a pragmatic way to help learners find high quality ACT training. The ACT Trainers in this community are committed to training with high fidelity to the model and work from explicit, agreed-upon shared values as they train others in ACT. The ACBS community uses a peer-review process to balance the need to protect and foster the high fidelity of ACT training with the need to keep the community open to new talented, innovative, qualified trainers. This panel discussion will provide an overview of that peer-review process and answer audience questions. 

 

Wednesday Plenary 4:30-5:45pm

 

37. Perspectives on How Best to Produce Progress in Applied Psychological Science Plenary (4:30-5:45pm):

Room: Vrijhof – Agora/ Amphitheater

Chair: KELLY WILSON, University of Mississippi

RUTH BAER, University of Kentucky

STEVE HAYES, University of Nevada, Reno

LARS-GÖRAN ÖST, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Sweden

Target Audience: All

This session will examine the model of scientific development underlying ACT, contextual behavioral science, and will compare it to other models of how best to produce progress in the behavioral sciences. In that context we will discuss the state of the current evidence in ACT and to a lesser degree other third generation approaches, consider whether adequate progress is being made, and compare where we are relative to progress being made in the field at large. Educational Objectives: Participants will: 1. Have a general understanding of the extant ACT evidence base. 2. Understand the potential value of an iterative, horizontal, theory-driven approach to treatment development. 3. Understand the current criticisms of ACT treatment development to date. 

 

Wednesday Night Barbeque & Music 6:00pm-12:00am

 

Dinner (6:30-8:00pm)

Location: Boerderij Bosch

Music/Social (6:00pm-11:30pm)

Location: Boerderij Bosch

 

Thursday Morning 9:00am

 

38. Learning Hexaflex Processes Using Mindfulness for Two Videos Workshop (9:00-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ Psychotherapy training

Room: Vrijhof – Agora

KELLY G. WILSON, PH.D., University of Mississippi

EMILY K. SANDOZ, University of Mississippi

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Learning to detect shifts in core ACT processes is central to flexible responding on the part of the therapist. The six core ACT processes described in the hexaflex can be detected through a variety of verbal and nonverbal manifestations. In this workshop, attendees will be provided with coding instructions for all six core ACT processes. We will watch a series of video segments and learn to code the segments based on the indicators described in the coding instructions. Reviewing of segments will quickly help therapists and researchers to see instances of all ACT processes and transitions from high to low levels of functioning in each. In addition, we will brainstorm potential intervention strategies based on changes in ACT processes. This will be a very active, hands on session intended to build on the fly fluency in seeing and responding to shifts in ACT processes.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn verbal and nonverbal signs of psychological inflexibility.
• Learn to detect values and commitment fusion.
• Learn to generate treatment alternatives based on detected changes in ACT processes.

 

39. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Finding Life Beyond Trauma for the Survivor and the Therapist Workshop (9:00-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ Trauma, PTSD

Room: Vrijhof – Amphitheater

ROBYN D. WALSER, PH.D., National Center for PTSD

JACQUELINE PISTORELLO, PH.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Victoria M. Follette, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Target Audience: Intermediate

Many individuals who have been diagnosed with PTSD or have experienced trauma are struggling with difficult memories, painful feelings and unwanted thoughts and they take great efforts to avoid these private experiences. Trauma can have a powerful negative impact in individual’s lives. Therapists, too, can come to feel overwhelmed, burnt-out and discouraged by the repeated and often horrific stories of trauma. Avoidance can began to play a role in therapist’s life. Acceptance, an alternative to avoidance, can create a new context from which the trauma survivor and therapist may view the world and the self. This workshop will focus on use of acceptance and mindfulness techniques and on re-committing to values following trauma. We will also explore the clinician’s experience of working with traumatized individuals and personal impact and how ACT applies to the therapist when working in the field of PTSD. Educational Objectives: 1. Explore the process of experiential avoidance as it relates to trauma. 2. Describe the application of ACT with trauma survivors with a particular focus on values lost as a result of the trauma. 3. Conduct experiential exercises to demonstrate the implementation of ACT to reduce burn-out in working with trauma survivors.

 

40. ACT with The Challenging Patient Workshop (9:00-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ personality disorders

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal A

KIRK STROSAHL, Central Washington Family Medicine

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

Most clinicians struggle to find a positive therapeutic foothold with challenging patients. Challenging patients often present with high risk behaviors such as suicidal/self destructive behavior, alcohol or drug abuse and are often described as "help seeking, help rejecting". Challenging patients have a way of shifting responsibility onto the clinician for solving the patient's problems or influencing the patient to try more adaptive behaviors. The combination of high risk behavior and power shifting creates a therapeutic impasse and often, confrontation, mutual negative labelling and therapy termination. This workshop will introduce participants to an ACT model for addressing challenging behaviors ranging from suicidality to missing appointments to non adherence to agreed upon homework. We will explore how fusion and emotional avoidance on both the part of the patient and the therapist feed this vicious cycle. Participants, through large and small group exercises, will get to practice skills designed to solve these communication obstacles. Video demonstrations will be used to demonstrate a simple case conceptualization method that will allow the clinician to predict in advance whether a patient is likely to turn into a "challenging patient".

Educational Objectives:

• Appreciate the central characteristics of a challenging patient from an ACT perspective.
• Learn how to address high risk and challenging behaviors from an ACT framework.
• Learn to identify and manage "hot buttons" that draw clinicians into therapeutic struggle with challenging patients

 

41. Demystifying Relational Frame Theory Workshop (9:00-Noon): RFT - Other/ Functional Contextualism

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal B

DANIEL J. MORAN, PH.D., BCBA, Trinity Services, Inc.

PATRICIA BACH, PH.D., Illinois Institute of Technology

Target Audience: Beginner

Arbitrarily applied what? Derived relational who? If you started learning about Relational Frame Theory (RFT), and then stopped when you read: Crel {ArxB and BrxC...}, or have just been interested in learning the basics of RFT, this is the introductory workshop for you. This workshop will outline and explain the basic concepts of RFT and help the audience members understand an expanded functional approach to verbal behavior. We will discuss, from a behavior analytic point of view, how people can listen with understanding and speak with meaning. The workshop will simplify functional contextualism principles and discuss the basic RFT research methods and results in a manner that will help people who are new to RFT to begin applying the concepts to their own behavior analytic endeavors. We plan to make clear the core assumptions of functional contextual behavior analysis and how they apply to discussing language and cognition. We aim to not let your eyes glaze over as we discuss transformation of stimulus functions, generalized operants, and the different types of derived relating. Most importantly, we plan to help everyone have an enjoyable time while "framing events relationally" about RFT.

Educational Objectives:

• Workshop attendees will be able to list and describe six basic principles of functional contextualism, and also contrast those principles from mainstream psychology principles.
• Attendees will be able to compare and contrast conditioned discrimination and derived relational responding, in research contexts and in daily use.
• Attendees will be able to define arbitrary applicable relational responding, along with mutual entailment and combinatorial entailment.

 

42. A Practitioner’s Field Guide to Developing Effective Language Training Programs Using Relational Frame Theory (RFT): Part 1- The Basics of RFT Workshop (9:00-Noon): RFT - Clinical/ RFT-Research, ABA, Early Language Training Programs, Education, Fluency, Precision Teaching

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal C

NICHOLAS M. BERENS, University of Nevada, Reno/ Center for Advanced Learning, Inc.

TIMOTHY WEIL, University of South Florida

CARMEN LUCIANO & FRANCISCO JOSÉ RUIZ-JIMÉNEZ, Universidad de Almería

MARTHA PALAEZ, Florida International University

Target Audience: Beginner

This two part workshop will guide practitioners and researchers through the basics of RFT, how to conceptualize early language training programs using RFT, and finally using the core premises of RFT in more traditional educational programs. The first workshop will cover beginner level concepts of behavior analysis and RFT. Having established a foundational understanding of RFT, this workshop will then begin to assist in the conceptualization of early language training scenarios. The first workshop is ideal for those working with autistic children, young children with mild-language delays, and young children in general. Those interested in the basics of RFT and/or language building programs based on RFT will benefit from the workshop. Educational Objectives: Attendees will: 1. understand the core principles and premises of RFT, 2. be able to think about how these core features may extended to clinical contexts involved in language training with young children, & 3. understand preliminary frames (coordination, comparison, distinction, and opposition) and be able to use these behavioral distinctions in their current clinical settings.

 

43. Creative Confusion: An idiot's guide to ACT in groups Workshop (9:00-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ Groups

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1212

KEVIN POLK, VA - Togus

MARK WEBSTER, South Hampshire CBT Ltd- Southampton

BENJAMIN SCHOENDORFF, Claude Bernard University- Lyon

JEROLD HAMBRIGHT, VA - Togus

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

In this workshop we will first give live demonstrations of the group sessions and then present the theory behind each module. The day will be divided into four separate sections and at each juncture the various therapist skills that are used will be discussed. Participants in this workshop will be introduced to the group treatment manual that has been developed and will learn a basic set of skills to deliver it. Included in the day will be an introduction to the iView which is the basic ACT stance that is used throughout. The main modules will then be covered in turn- Suffering and Solutions, Rule of World and Rule of Mind, Hooked and Unhooked and finally the MegaView.

Educational Objectives:

• Understand the ACT stance in Groups.
• Become familiar with the group protocols.
• Learn skills required to deliver in group format.

 

44. Turning your life toward maturity: ACT with older adults Workshop (9:00-10:30am): ACT - Clinical/ Older Adults

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1216

ERWIN LUTZKE, Riagg Rijnmond, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

“All aspects of experience have a benign quality to them, having a language of their own which can be looked upon with a friendly, compassionate gaze” is inherent to ACT and to maturity. The life-line method, adapted from FAP and introduced to ACT by JoAnne Dahl, is quick to demonstrate all 6 core processes. This has profound and far reaching implications for therapy with older adults. Its’ practice is able to evoke an immediate felt sense of the ground on which one stands, calling for acceptance, awareness of one’s conditioning, but also for mindful action. Clarifying values on personal and spiritual levels introduce a higher order context, showing a path on which we are simply free to build and expend energy as we choose. A freedom that many older adults may have deemed not possible.

Educational Objectives:

• Participants will be able to use all 6 core processes operating in unison, in one excercise;
• Participants will be able to illustrate how all response types are clarified on the life-line;
• Participants will be able to explain from where ACCEPTANCE derives its’ power.

 

45. ACT Early: Acceptance, mindfulness and values in early intervention for psychosis Workshop (9:00-10:30am): ACT - Clinical/ Psychosis

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1220

ERIC MORRIS, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust/ Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK

JOE OLIVER, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK

SALLY BLOY, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate

The stance of acceptance and committed action may allow for flexibility in response to persisting psychotic experiences, as has been suggested in ACT studies with the seriously mentally ill (Bach & Hayes, 2002; Gaudiano & Herbert, 2006). There may also be exciting potential for researching the impact of ACT in the early phase of psychosis - helping first episode clients to recover from psychosis through the development of mindfulness toward unusual experiences and critical appraisals, and committing to values-based actions (Morris & Oliver, 2009). More specifically, the use of ACT may: 1. foster the development of a psychologically flexible stance toward anomalous experiences, 2. enable a "values-based" recovery, 3. reduce the impact of "fear of recurrence" of psychosis through development of mindfulness and self as context, 4. enable individuals to notice the process of self-stigmatisation, contexts where this operates as a barrier, and commit to valued directions in the face of these appraisals, and 5. improve relapse prevention plans through the use of mindfulness and committed action. We will describe a group program we have developed, as well as individual work with young people who have experienced a first episode of psychosis. We will present adaptations to ACT to suit the needs of young people from an inner-city setting, including variations of "classic" exercises and procedures to engage a traditionally difficult group of clients. Examples of case formulations and treatment approaches will illustrate the principles of using ACT in an early intervention setting.

Educational Objectives:

• To learn the rationale for ACT/mindfulness interventions with clients experiencing a first episode of psychosis.
• To learn the theoretical background for using mindfulness interventions with young people who are at risk of psychosis.
• To build understanding for using ACT in groups with young people who are experiencing psychotic symptoms.

 

46. ACT and Anxiety: Toward Flexibility with Fear and Worry Symposium (9:00-10:30am): ACT- Clinical/ Psychological Flexibility and Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Treatment Mediation, Psychological Flexibility, Randomized clinical trial

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1224

Chair: MARIA KAREKLA, Ph.D., University of Nicosia

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Psychological Flexibility and Anxiety: Preliminary Data from an Epidemiological Study in Cyprus MARIA KAREKLA, Ph.D., University of Nicosia

Margarita Kapsou, M.A., University of Cyprus

Georgia Panayiotou, Ph.D., University of Cyprus

 

• Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Group Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: Preliminary Results

NANCY KOCOVSKI, PH.D., Wilfrid Laurier University; Ryerson University

Jan Fleming, M.D., Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; University of Toronto; Ryerson University

Martin Antony, Ph.D., Ryerson University; Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre, St. Joseph's Healthcare

 

• Psychological Flexibility as a Mediator of Treatment Outcome in Exposure-driven CBT NOT based on ACT: Intermediate Results from a Randomized Treatment Study of Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia ANDREW T. GLOSTER, Technical University of Dresden Michael Höfler, Technical University of Dresden

Jens Klotsche, Technical University of Dresden Franziska Einsle, Technical University of Dresden

Hans-Ulrich Wittchen, Technical University of Dresden

 

 • Cognitive therapy versus rational emotive behavior therapy versus acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized clinical trial

Daniel David, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca

Aurora Szentagotai Tatar, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca

IOANA CRISTEA, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca

This symposium examines therapeutic approaches to anxiety including mindfulness, acceptance, and psychological flexibility. Paper 1 presents results from a survey on the prevalence of anxiety disorders in Cyprus, and its correlation with psychological flexibility. Paper 2 compares Mindfulness and Acceptance Group Therapy with Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy for the treatment of social anxiety disorder. Preliminary data on approximately 70 participants will be presented. Paper 3 examines the role of psychological flexibility as a mediator of treatment outcome in patients diagnosed with Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia based on the results from a randomized treatment outcome study consisting of two exposure-based CBT groups and a waitlist condition. Paper 4 discusses the progress of a study designed to investigate the efficacy, mechanisms of change, and the cost-effectiveness of Cognitive Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.

 

47. ACT Through CBT and CBT Through ACT - Are they so different? Workshop (9:00-10:30am): ACT - Clinical/ Comparative Psychotherapy

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1228

KENNETH FUNG, M.D. FRCPC MSc, University of Toronto

MATEUSZ ZUROWSKI, M.D. FRCPC MSc, University of Toronto

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

Relational frame theory (RFT) posits that the core of language is the process of arbitrarily applied relational responding. Indeed, research outside RFT has shown that individuals with schizophrenia exhibit deficits in associative learning and acquired equivalence learning (Keri et al., 2005; Farkass, et al., 2008) and these processes could be readily described from an RFT-perspective, ie. as mutual entailment, combinatorial entailment and transformation of stimulus functions.

Educational Objectives:

• Identify and appreciate common therapeutic processes and techniques in ACT and CBT.
• Distinguish unique therapeutic processes and techniques in ACT and CBT.
• Reflect on the optimal application of ACT and CBT principles and techniques appropriate to the specific therapeutic context.

 

48. Recent Investigations Using The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure Symposium (9:00-10:30am): RFT - Research/ IRAP

Room: Vrijhof – Kleine Zaal

Chair: NIGEL VAHEY, NUI Maynooth

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

• Resistance to Anti-smoking Information As a Function of Implicit Expectancies Toward Smoking and Smoking-cessation

NIGEL VAHEY, NUI Maynooth

Dermot Barnes-Holmes, NUI, Maynooth

 

• An implicit measure of emotional avoidance

NIC HOOPER, University of Wales, Swansea

 

• Will the Real Nazi Please Stand-Up; Attitude Formation and the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP).

SEAN HUGHES, NUI Maynooth

 

• Testing an adaptation of the IRAP to increase sensitivity to detect implicit relations at the individual level

MIKE LEVIN, University of Nevada, Reno

The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) is an RFT-based protocol for the investigation of implicit cognition, or, in RFT terms, relational responding as it occurs under conditions of minimal contextual control. The respondent in an IRAP study is required to respond under strict time constraints in accordance with relational networks that are either consistent or inconsistent with hypothesised learned relational repertoires. Differences in average reaction times to consistent versus inconsistent networks provide some confirmation of the hypothesised relational learning history. In the present symposium, research from a number of international laboratories will be presented. The studies involved constitute a range of different IRAP based investigations examining technical IRAP as well as applied social and clinical issues. The presentations, from expert IRAP researchers, will hopefully provide some useful insight into the state of the art with respect to this protocol.

 

49. ACT Treatment of Stuttering Workshop (9:00-10:30am): ACT - Clinical/ Control of automatic behavior

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 5

JOSÉ ANTONIO GARCÍA HIGUERA, Centro de Psicología Clínica 2, Madrid, Spain

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate

Stuttering is a speech problem that, in adults, is reluctant to treatment and may limit strongly stutterers' life. ACT may provide a therapeutic body to overcome such limitations. Normally, ACT is presented through its core processes. Each one of these processes influence psychological flexibility. A psychological problem may be analyzed by referring to these core processes. The advantage of building an ACT model of a psychological problem is that ACT provides a set of treatment strategies to solve it. From core processes related to utter blockings, the following may be related to stuttering: (1) Thought fusion, (2) Experiential avoidance, (3) Being present, (4) Values, and (5) Self as content. Consequently, the ACT strategies that may help cope with stuttering are: (1) Defusion, (2) Acceptance of emotions associated with blocking, (3) Mindfulness of speech behaviors, (4) Values clarification, (5) Self as context, and (6) Committed action. Clinical experiences of how to perform these strategies and results obtained in clinical practice will be shared in workshop. Generalization of the model to other behaviours will be discussed.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn an ACT model of stuttering in adults.
• Learn how to apply ACT-consistent techniques to stuttering cases.
• Learn how the model may be applied to other conscious control attempts of automatic behaviours.

 

50. Time-Series Designs in Clinical Practice Symposium (9:00-10:30am): ACT - Clinical/ single case design Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 6

Chair: JENNIFER L. BOULANGER, University of Nevada, Reno

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• A multiple-baseline study of ACT for self-stigma around sexual orientation: Issues in the measurement of less overt behaviors.

JAMES YADAVAIA, University of Nevada, Reno

 

• Exploring feasibility through single case design: A single case of ACT with a woman with traumatic brain injury

MERRY SYLVESTER, M.A., University of Nevada, Reno

 

• Time-Series Designs in Clinical Practice and an Example Using the Training of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy through Videoconferencing

JASON LUOMA, PH.D., Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center, PC

Rikard Calmbro, Södra Älvsborgs Sjukhus, (the Hospital of Southern Alvsborg), Västra Götalands

 

• Using Time-Series Designs to Aid in Case Conceptualization, Treatment Targeting, and Progress Monitoring: A case of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the long-term treatment of a severe, multi-problem client

JENNIFER L. BOULANGER, University of Nevada, Reno

Time-series designs are a well-established and effective scientific method for developing and testing new interventions or adapting established treatments for use with unique populations or clinical problems. Time-series, or single-subject designs, focus more intensively on intervention with a smaller number of individuals through the repeated measurement over time of a client's behavior and the context in which it occurs. Because these designs do not require large samples of participants, they are ideal for clinicians who are interested in improving client outcomes and contributing to the scientific literature through their own clinical practices. This symposium will familiarize the audience with the logic of time-series designs, demonstrate the application of these methods through case presentations, and discuss the unique issues that arise in designing and implementing time-series designs in nontraditional research settings. The first paper will describe the logic of time-series designs, with a focus on the multiple-baseline design. To illustrate the application of this method, data on the training of a clinician in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy using videoconferencing will be presented. The second paper will demonstrate how to use repeated measures to choose treatment targets and monitor progress by presenting data on a long-term Acceptance and Commitment Therapy case with a multiproblem client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. A third paper will present a multiple-baseline evaluation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to reduce self-stigma regarding sexual orientation. This study will illustrate the development and evaluation of problem-specific measures and interventions targeted at less overt behaviors. Finally, a single case of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with a woman with traumatic brain injury will be used as an exemplar of the use of time-series design to determine feasibility for larger-scale clinical trials.

 

51. ACT of Love: Sex and Intimacy Workshop (9:00am-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ Relationships

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 3

ANDO ROKX, GGNET AAD VAN LEEUWEN, Private Practice

MONIQUE BARNOUW, GGNET

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

For most of us and our clients intimate relationships are at the core of what we value in our lives. Relationships seem to be related to physical and mental health, quality of life and even survival. Nevertheless intimate relationships seem to be hard to get and even harder to keep. Divorce rates in the US and in Europe are around 50 % and even higher for second or third marriages. Adultery rates are on a conservative guess 30 %, but in some studies numbers up to 75% are found. Relationships are a major source of emotional pain and suffering even (or maybe, in some cases, especially) if they don't end up in divorce. It's difficult to balance the need for security, intimacy and dependency versus the need for self-development, passionate love, sex, autonomy and honesty. In this workshop we want to linger around these questions. Who are the people who once were so close in your life that it felt they were the one and only you cared for, and where did you lose them? How do you feel about your present relationship, what do you value, and what do you avoid? Where is the longing part, where is the missing part? What have become your solution(s) to "make things work" and what is the price you pay for that? How do sex and intimacy influence each other? What is your story about your partner(s) and your relationship and how does that story relate to the life you value?

Educational Objectives:

• Getting some understanding of the role of avoidance and conflicting values in intimate relationships.
• Understanding how "solutions" ( i.e. denial, justification, understanding, creating distance or leading a double life) might create the actual problems.
• Finding a way to get stuck relationships back on the move again. Partners are caught in their story, that might serve multiple purposes, but stands in the way of getting what they really are longing for. 

 

Thursday Morning 10:45am

 

52. A Group ACTivation Program for Us Old Folks Invited Lecture (10:45-Noon): ACT - Other/ The Aged

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1216

SVEN RYDBERG, PH.D., Fahraeus & Rydberg, Ltd.

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate

A behavioural activation format is presented. Purposes: (1) Acceptance of ageing and death for all, (2) commitment to helping others, for those willing, (3) entertainment and socializing. At a Swedish senior-citizens residence, the author has been running weekly 1-hour morning meetings for 1.5 years. Now we usually have 20 minutes (initially more) of unpretentious readings, at times a song, etc.; followed by a previously announced, more formal presentation and/or discussion. Increasingly, invited external and younger presenters, including TV companies, have come. Participants usually have been 12-36, initially 4. Ages: 70-95 years. A small grant finances this mainly qualitative research. It is mainly based on video recordings, interviews, and questionnaires.

 

53. Training Psychological Flexibility and Successful Living Outside of the Clinic Symposium (10:45-11:45am): Other, ACT - Skills, ACT - Clinical/ Experiential Avoidance, Education, E-learning, Research, Parent Training, Autism, Parental Stress

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1220

Chair: GIOVANNI MISELLI, PSY.D., IULM University Milan; IESCUM Italy

Target Audience: Intermediate

• Coping Strategies and the Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance

TIZIANA PENNATO, University of Pisa

Olivia Bernini, University of Pisa

Fiammetta Cosci, University of Pisa

Carmen Berrocal, University of Pisa

 

• Elearning and behavior modification: Measuring the differences of ACT based and CBT based Podcast on the academic behavior of students of an Italian University

GIOVANNI MISELLI, PSY.D., IULM University Milan; IESCUM Italy

Julian McNally, M.Psych, Counselling Psychologist

Francesco Pozzi, M.S., IULM University Milan; IESCUM Italy

Elisa Rabitti, M.A., IULM University Milan; IESCUM Italy

Giovambattista Presti, M.D., IULM University Milan; IESCUM Italy

Giovanni Zucchi, Psy.D., Villa Maria Luigia Hospital, Parma

Paolo Moderato, Ph.D., IULM University

 

• ACT for parent of childern diagnosed with autism: Developing and evaluating group intervention for supporting parents in Italy

GIOVANNI MISELLI, PSY.D., IULM University Milan; IESCUM Italy

Giovambattista Presti, M.D., IULM University Milan; IESCUM Italy

Paolo Moderato, Ph.D., IULM University Milan; IESCUM Italy

This symposium explores the relevance of ACT related concepts to non-clinical populations. Paper 1 discusses the mediating role of experiential avoidance in the relation of specific forms of coping strategies such as self distraction, denial, behavioral disengagement, and self blame with depression, anxiety, and alexithymia. Paper 2 evaluates the efficacy and effectiveness of two audio e-learning programs on psychological flexibility, performance, and academic behavior with students at an Italian university. The research project, the electronic tools developed, and the preliminary results will be presented and discussed. Paper 3 discusses the development and evaluation of an ACT based group intervention for supporting parents of autistic children. The ACT intervention delivered in a short format and data on its outcomes at follow-ups of 1 and 3 months will be presented.

 

54. Using ACT to empower the unconscious Workshop (10:45-Noon): ACT - Skills/ Social and cognitive psychology

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1224

JACQUELINE A-TJAK, PsyQ at Zaandam, the Netherlands

Target Audience: Beginner

Social and Cognitive Psychology have shown a great interest in the differences between conscious and non-conscious information processing. Research in this area has shown the huge impact of non-conscious information processing on behavior. As such, it is interesting for therapists in general and ACT therapist in particular to make use of this knowlegde and help client to make good use of this unconscious processing. This contribution gives a short overview of research findings and draws conclusions on the consequences for therapy. There will be exepriential exercises to bring these consequences into practice.

Educational Objectives:

• Gain knowlegde of research findings concerning the unconscious information processing
• Apply this knowledge to the theory and practice of ACT (therapy)
• Being able to use this knowledge in the practice of doing therapy

 

55. Assessment, Treatment, and Process in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Illness Symposium (10:45-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ Assessment, Treatment, Process Analysis, Chronic Illness

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1228

Chair: KEVIN E. VOWLES, PH.D., Centre for Pain Research, University of Bath

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Measuring acceptance and fusion in individuals seeking treatment for chronic fatigue

KEVIN VOWLES, PH.D., Centre for Pain Research, University of Bath Nikie Catchpool, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases

Anne Johnson, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases

Kathryn Bristow, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases

Katherine Hadlandsmyth, University of Missouri - St Louis

 

• The function of acceptance and values in pediatric Sickle Cell Disease

LINDSEY L. COHEN, PH.D., Georgia State University

Aki Masuda, Georgia State University

Kevin E. Vowles, Centre for Pain Research, University of Bath

Josie Welkom, Georgia State University

Crystal Lim, George State University

Amanda Feinstein, George State University

 

• ACT in the treatment of epilepsy: Where are we now and where are we going?

TOBIAS LUNDGREN, University of Uppsala

JoAnne Dahl, University of Uppsala

Lennart Melin, University of Uppsala

Nandan Yardi, Yardi Hospital

Bryan Kies, University of Cape Town

 

• Development and Evaluation of a Self-help based ACT treatment for persons with long-standing chronic pain

 JOANNE DAHL, PH.D., University of Uppsala

Tobias Lundgren, University of Uppsala

In recent years, the burden of chronic illnesses on healthcare systems in the developed world has been increasingly recognized. With the ACT literature, there is now a substantial amount of data indicating that many ACT processes are key predictors of functioning in individuals with chronic illness. The present symposium will highlight new areas of measurement, as well as refinements in areas that have been the subject of previous inquiry. Our intention is to be broad in scope; therefore, data from a number of diverse conditions will be presented (i.e., Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, chronic pain, epilepsy, Sickle Cell Disease) from adolescents and adults. The analyses presented will focus on how key ACT processes can best be approached in clinical and research settings to guide intervention and experimentation.

 

56. RFT Methods Applied to Clinical & Health Psychological Issues Symposium (10:45-Noon): RFT - Research/ RFT-Clinical

Room: Vrijhof – Kleine Zaal

Chair: LOUISE McHUGH, Swansea University

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Thought Suppression and the Transfer on Stimulus Functions

NIC HOOPER, Swansea University

Louise McHugh, Swansea University

Jo Saunders, Swansea University

 

• Transformation of Health Risk Functions of Pseudo-Food Names

EMILY K. SANDOZ, University of Mississippi

Chad E. Drake, Kelly Wilson, University of Mississippi

 

• Comparing IRAP, IAT and Facial Electromyography (EMG) as measures of implicit attitudes towards the overweight

Sarah Roddy, NUI Galway

IAN STEWART, NUI Galway

 

• Implicit future expectations and autobiographical memory in depression LIV KOSNES, Swansea University

Louise McHugh, Swansea University

Jo Saunders, Swansea University

Robert Whelan, Trinity College

Relational Frame Theory has suggested that language and cognition may be analyzed as derived relational responding, and over the last decade RFT researchers have been exploring a variety of linguistic and cognitive phenomena based on this theoretical interpretation. The present symposium presents a selection of recent studies that demonstrate the application of RFT-based methods to empirical issues in areas of health and clinical psychological interest. Paper 1 investigated the transformation of thought suppression functions; Paper 2 investigated the transformation of health risk functions of pseudo-food names; Papers 3 and 4 employed the Implicit Relational Evaluation Procedure to examine implicit versus explicit anti fat attitudes and future thinking in depression, respectively.

 

57. Stress Reduction through Acceptance and Mindfulness Symposium (10:45-Noon): Other, ACT - Clinical/ Mindfulness, ACT and Work Stress

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 5

Chair: IVAN NYKLICEK, PH.D., Tilburg University

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Can a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention Change Personality?

IVAN NYKLICEK, PH.D., Tilburg University

 

• The Effectiveness of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Work Stress on Innovation, Cognitive Interference, and General Health Symptoms

ERIN BANNON, Bowling Green State University

This symposium examines the role of mindfulness and acceptance in reducing stress. Paper 1 discusses the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention in reducing characteristics of Type D personality and present results from a randomized controlled trial. Paper 2 describes the results of an ACT intervention for work stress and its impact on propensity to innovate, cognitive interference, and general health symptoms.

 

58. New Research on Measuring Stigma and its Relationship to ACT Processes Symposium (10:45-Noon): ACT - Other/ Stigma, ACT Processes

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 6

Chair: MICHAEL LEVIN, University of Nevda, Reno

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

 

• Measuring weight stigma

Jason Lillis, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

MICHAEL LEVIN, University of Nevada, Reno

 

• Development and Psychometrics of a New Measure of Self-Stigma in Addiction

JASON LUOMA, PH.D., Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center, PC

Alyssa Rye, University of Nevada, Reno

Kara Bunting, University of Nevada, Reno

Chad Drake, Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center, PC

Barbara Kohlenberg, University of Nevada Medical School

Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

 

• Generalized Prejudice: Testing a Relational Frame Theory Account of Prejudice and Stigma

MICHAEL LEVIN, University of Nevada, Reno

Roger Vilardaga, M.A., University of Nevada, Reno

Jason Lillis, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Jacqueline Pistorello, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Jason Luoma, Ph.D., Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center, PC

Barbara Kohlenberg, University of Nevada Medical School

 

• Predictors of stigma among addictions counselors ROGER VILARDAGA, M.A., University of Nevada, Reno

Jason Luoma, Ph.D., Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center, PC

Michael Levin, University of Nevada, Reno

Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Jacqueline Pistorello, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Mikaela Hildebrandt, University of Nevada, Reno

Barbara Kohlenberg, University of Nevada Medical School

Nancy Roget, University of Nevada, Reno

 

This symposium will present a series of papers examining stigma and its relationship to ACT processes. Papers will present new measures of self stigma related to weight and substance abuse, as well as potential models for how ACT processes may interact with other important factors to predict stigmatizing attitudes towards oneself and others. 

 

Thursday Lunch 12:00-1:15pm

 

ORIËNTATIE LUNCH VOOR MOGELIJK OP TE RICHTEN NEDERLANDS/VLAAMSE CHAPTER VAN DE ACBS (DUTCH/FLEMISH MEETING) Organizational Meeting

Room: Vrijhof - Kleine Zaal

JACQUELINE A-TJAK, PsyQ at Zaandam, The Netherlands

MARCO KLEEN, BrainDynamics Groningen, PsyAdvies

Target Audience: Dutch/Flemish interested in networking and possibly starting an ACBS chapter

Informatie: deze lunch is bedoeld voor Nederlandstalige ACBS leden die mogelijk geïnteresseerd zijn in het helpen opzetten van een Nederlands-Vlaams ACBS Chapter. Meer informatie bij Jacqueline A-Tjak en/of Marco Kleen.

 

GERMAN-SPEAKING ACT GROUP Organizational Meeting

Room: Vrijhof - Vergaderzaal 5

JAN MARTZ, FMH Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, ACT-Therapeut, Switzerland

RAINER SONNTAG, Private Practice, Germany

Target Audience: All German speakers interested in networking

 

An opportunity to get connected, vitalize our relationships, and discuss / plan for the further dissemination and development of ACT and RFT in German-speaking countries. Who knows, we might even launch a german-speaking chapter at ACBS? 

 

Thursday Afternoon 1:15pm

 

59. Walking Through an Initial ACT Session Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ Assessment and Intervention

Room: Vrijhof – Agora

STEVEN C. HAYES, PH.D., University of Nevada

Target Audience: Intermediate

In this session I will present an initial ACT session with an actual client. After considering possible ACT targets we will walk through the session with an eye toward ACT processes.

Educational Objectives:

• To learn the seven processes that underlie and ACT model.
• To learn client cues that indicate presence or absence of these processes.
• To apply these concepts to the interpretation of an actual case.

 

60. ACT in Practice: Case conceptualization in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ Case conceptualization

Room: Vrijhof – Amphitheater

PATRICIA BACH, PH.D., Illinois Institute of Technology

DANIEL J. MORAN, PH.D., BCBA, Trinity Services, Inc.

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate

This workshop will provide a step-by-step framework for functionally conceptualizing client behavior problems, and will discuss selection and application of specific ACT interventions based on the six core ACT processes described in Steven Hayes 'hexaflex' model. Participants will practice experiential exercises and have the opportunity to practice case conceptualization and developing their own ACT consistent interventions, exercises, and metaphors using clinical examples from their own practices. This workshop will be based on content from the publication ACT in Practice: Case Conceptualization in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, (Bach and Moran, 2008). The workshop will use a case-based approach beginning with instructor supplied cases and later using participants' clinical cases for practice in ACT case formulation, selecting interventions, and assessing the effectiveness of interventions, and outcomes. There will be a 60 minute slide presentation, demonstrations, large group exercises and case-based practice. Participants will be provided with handouts to use with their clients for assessment and homework assignments to augment in session interventions. Worksheets will also be distributed for the participants to use to facilitate ACT case formulation. Educational Objectives: 1. Workshop participants will become familiar with the six core ACT principles of defusion, self-as-context, acceptance, values, committed action, and contacting the present moment, which will be described from a strict behavior analytic perspective. 2. Workshop participants will be able to select ACT interventions appropriate for addressing specific core principles and learn how to apply specific ACT interventions based on the case formulation. 3. Workshop participants will learn to use ACT case conceptualization to facilitate creating one's own ACT consistent metaphors, exercises, and interventions for application in the context of a client's unique history and presenting complaints and assessing the effectiveness of interventions.

 

61. Mindfulness and Acceptance in the Treatment of Depression Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ Depression

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal A

KIRK STROSAHL, Central Washington Family Medicine

PATRICIA ROBINSON, PH.D., Mountainview Consulting Group

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

ACT has been shown to be an effective treatment for clinical depression. In this workshop, participants will learn a systematic approach to depression using ACT principles. Based on the Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Depression (Strosahl & Robinson, 2008), attendees will learn how emotional avoidance and fusion with unworkable rules about living combine to foster depression. In the ACT model, depression is a result of systematic avoidance of more pressing personal issues. Attendees will learn an 8 step approach to depression that helps the patient identify core values; understand the protective role that depression plays in avoiding painful private experiences; identify strategies for separating self from the products of reactive mind; identify and defuse from self defeating story lines that reinforce depressive behaviors; and techniques for developing an "ACT lifestyle" that will help inoculate the patient against relapse. Video demonstrations and small group role-playing will be used to demonstrate core treatment strategies.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn how emotional avoidance and fusion with unworkable rules about living combine to foster depression.
• Learn an ACT-consistent 8 step approach to addressing depression symptoms
• Learn techniques for developing an 'ACT lifestyle' that will help inoculate patients against relapse

 

62. Child ACT-ing with Functional Contextualism: From the Playroom to the Supervisor's Office Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ Children

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal B

AMY R. MURRELL, University of North Texas

AMANDA C. ADCOCK, University of North Texas

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Contrary to the traditional majority view of adult psychopathology, the psychological distress of child clients has often been conceived in contextual terms. The influence of environmental factors on children is, in deed, a cornerstone of developmental psychology. This influence is seen in a variety of treatment approaches, including psychoanalysis, cognitivism, and behaviorism alike. The definition of context has expanded over time; and now, many clinical scientists, from varying theoretical backgrounds, acknowledge that such influence is complex and interactive - including internal as well as external - and historical, as well as current, events. This broad definition of context as relevant to child development and distress is fitting of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The underlying philosophy of ACT is functional contextualism (FC). Derived from radical behaviorism, functional contextualism focuses on behavior ongoing in and with context. Individuals subscribing to FC as their worldview, such as ACT therapists, can thus see clients sitting inside a rich and broad context of environmental stimuli. This examination allows for a view of child clients, and people in general, as whole, complete, and perfect. A brief overview of contextual approaches to child treatment will be presented, most heavily emphasizing ACT. The effectiveness of FC as it relates to therapy and supervision will be discussed. The presenters will describe examples of how FC informs their approach to clinical work, primarily using examples of child clients. Presenters will also focus on how a FC approach informs training. This workshop will be primarily didactic; however, some role plays and experiential work will be used.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn how to conduct an ACT consistent functional analysis with a child client.
• Learn how to recognize how functional contextualism is related to therapeutic stance.
• Learn how to facilitate transfer of information from therapy to supervision and vice-versa.

 

63. A Practitioner's Field Guide to Developing Effective Language Training Programs Using Relational Frame Theory (RFT): Part 2- From Research to Practice Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): RFT - Clinical/ RFT-Research, ABA, Early Language Training Programs, Education, Fluency, Precision Teaching

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal C

NICHOLAS M. BERENS, University of Nevada, Reno/ Center for Advanced Learning, Inc.

TIMOTHY WEIL, University of South Florida

CARMEN LUCIANO & FRANCISCO JOSÉ RUIZ-JIMÉNEZ, Universidad de Almería

MARTHA PALAEZ, Florida International University

Target Audience: Beginner

This two part workshop will guide practitioners and researchers through the basics of RFT, how to conceptualize early language training programs using RFT, and finally using the core premises of RFT in more traditional educational programs. The second workshop will provide a brief review of the main concepts of RFT that are relevant to early language training, review some new developments in the RFT research base that are relevant to practitioners, and provide examples of more advanced clinical strategies that promote language development. Experts in the field will show their data, present clinical videos, and engage attendees in activities that will translate into good clinical work. This workshop will be ideal for practitioners and researchers interested in accelerating language development for semi-verbal children, who work with children with learning disabilities, and who just want to get a deeper understanding of RFT.

Educational Objectives: Attendees will:

• understand the current state of the RFT research base as it applies clinical settings dealing with language training,
• be able to translate recent research into their current practice, &
• understand more advanced or later developing frames (e.g., temporal/spacial, deictic, hierarchical, and relations among relations) and be able to conceptual how to target those behavior in a clinical setting.

 

64. ACT and Living Successfully with Psychotic Experience Symposium (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ Psychosis, ACT Processes, Intervention, Research

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1216

Chair: DAVID GILLANDERS, University of Edinburgh, U.K.

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Acceptance and Present-Moment Processes with People who Hear Distressing Voices

ERIC MORRIS, Institute of Psychiatry, U.K.

Philippa Garrety, Institute of Psychiatry, U.K.

Emmanuelle Peters, Institute of Psychiatry, U.K.

 

• Psychotic Symptoms and Illness Beliefs do not Predict Successful Valued Living With Psychosis, But Psychological Flexibility Does.

LAURA WEINBERG, NHS Fife, U.K.

DAVID GILLANDERS, University of Edinburgh, U.K.

 

• The Relationship between Self-Schemas, Illness Beliefs, Psychological Flexibility and Distress in people with Psychosis.

REBECCA LOWER, NHS Forth Valley, U.K.

DAVID GILLANDERS, University of Edinburgh, U.K.

 

• The Impact of Psychological Flexibility and Negative Schemas on Changes in Delusional Ideation Over Time

JOE OLIVER, South London & Maudsley NHS Trust, U.K.

KENNEDY MCLACHLAN, Open Polytechnic, New Zealand

• Developing a trans-diagnostic ACT group in an acute psychiatric inpatient ward.

GORDON MITCHELL, NHS Fife, U.K.

AMY MCARTHUR, NHS Fife, U.K.

LAURA WEINBERG, NHS Fife, U.K.

Lucy Clark, NHS Fife, U.K.

Marie Mirfield, NHS Fife, U.K.

In this symposium we will explore ACT relevant processes such as avoidance, fusion, acceptance, present-moment processes, beliefs, schema, distress, and behaviour as these apply to living successfully with psychotic experiences. Papers will outline original clinical research on ACT processes and interventions for this client group.

 

65. ACT for Disordered Eating: Conceptualization, Assessment, and Intervention Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ Disordered Eating

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1220

EMILY K. SANDOZ, University of Mississippi

LINDSAY M. MARTIN, University of Mississippi

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Disordered eating is a class of behaviors associated with devastating disruptions of life, frightening medical consequences, and traditionally unsuccessful interventions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an emerging behavior therapy that may offer a unique approach to changing an individual's relationship with food, the body, the self and others in service of a life that he or she values. This workshop will focus on a combination of didactic and experiential orientation to conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of disordered eating from an ACT perspective.

Educational Objectives:

• Become oriented to empirical support for ACT with eating disorders
• Learn how to conceptualize disordered eating from an ACT perspective
• Learn strategies for treatment of disordered eating from an ACT perspective

 

66. Teaching ACT More Directly & Making Room for "Second Wave" Moves Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ Teaching more directly

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1224

HANK ROBB, PH.D., Private Practice

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Many practitioners attempting to grasp the basic moves in ACT find the explanations often get in the way. In this workshop participants will experience more direct methods to transmit basic ACT moves including acceptance, defusion, self-as-context, committed action, values and contact with the present moment; all of which are aimed collectively at developing psychological flexibility. Additionally, the workshop will show practitioners how to "make room" for "Second Wave" Behavior Therapy moves. The workshop aims to demonstrate A way, not THE way, to introduce ACT processes in preparation for their use to address troublesome life issues. Participants will watch this introductory protocol conducted with a workshop participant in a manner similar to that provided to most of the speaker's new clients. Participants will be asked to offer personal or role-play case material with the aim of seeing how that material can be situated in this landscape of ACT processes and addressed within that context. Participants will discuss and integrate what they have experienced.

Educational Objectives:

• Observe more direct methods of instantiating ACT principles while including "Second Wave" moves;
• Explore the application such methods actual issues;
• Consider ways to incorporate basic moves in participant's repertoire.

 

67. Issues of Values and Committed Action in the Context of End of Life Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Skills/ End of Life

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1228

MARTIN BROCK, Institute of Mental Health Nottingham

SONJA V. BATTEN, PH.D., University of Maryland School of Medicine

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

Within the ACT model, the context for change is underpinned by a focus on the processes of Values and Committed Action, that is, defining and pursuing the path that makes one's life rich and meaningful. End of life presents a stark perspective to view these processes, provides unique opportunities and challenges for both clients and therapists and is indeed the one event that will happen in all our lives. This workshop will offer an experiential setting in which to explore these issues and will give the opportunity to practice relevant techniques with each other. We propose that whether or not clinicians specifically work with clients at end of life, these issues will face all clients from time to time, or their family members -- thus affecting the work of therapy. In addition, we suggest that an ongoing awareness of the inevitability of end of life can energize both day to day living, and the clinical setting.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn about current data relevant to ACT approaches to End of Life
• Explore the challenges presented by End of Life, either for self or loved ones
• Explore utilising components of values and committed action in context of awareness of imminent or future end of life

 

68. The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP): Where From, How To, and Where To Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): Other/ IRAP

Room: Vrijhof – Kleine Zaal

NIGEL VAHEY, National University of Ireland Maynooth

IAN STEWART, National University of Ireland Galway

LOUISE MCHUGH, University of Wales Swansea

LIV KOSNES, University of Wales Swansea

Dermot Barnes-Holmes, NUI, Maynooth

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate

A key objective of the workshop will be to summarise the key empirical literatures that gave rise to the IRAP, and to then collate the rapidly expanding IRAP literature itself. The authors will draw on this empirical base to outline key principles of how best to design and implement IRAPs so as to both maximise precision and minimise attrition. These principles will be illustrated in practice for workshop participants by the workshop facilitators. The IRAP is a computerised response-time measure derived from an integration of the account of human language and cognition provided by Relational Frame Theory (RFT), and the substantial cognitive literature addressing so-called “implicit” attitudes. In broad terms the model underlying the IRAP conceptualises implicit effects as being driven by immediate and relatively brief relational responses; in contrast, explicit (self-report) measures then are thought to reflect more elaborated and coherent relational response networks for which implicit attitudes are precursors. More simply, the IRAP captures spontaneous and automatic evaluative responses, whereas self-report measures capture more carefully considered deliberative reactions. Whereas explicit measures are frequently criticised as suffering from the limitations of introspection, and as largely reflecting a person’s tendency to respond in a socially desirable manner, implicit measures are relatively impervious to such confounding biases. Indeed, to date numerous studies have shown that the IRAP supplements traditional explicit measures, to provide greater prediction of target behaviours and a more precise understanding of the processes of attitude and behaviour change (see http://psychology.nuim.ie/IRAP/IRAP_Articles.shtml). Implicit attitudes appear to be particularly useful in the analysis of relatively established behaviours that do not often come under deliberative control such as those underlying addictive compulsions or prejudice. The workshop facilitators will provide workshop participants advice on how best to harness these strengths for the purposes of their individual research interests.

Educational Objectives:

• To describe, introduce and place the IRAP within the extant literature. This will include communicating the broad psychometric properties of the IRAP within the theoretical framework of the newly offered Relational Elaboration and Coherence Model (RECM), a model derived from RFT.
• Using role-play, to provide workshop participants with the core practical knowledge of how to prepare and maintain subjects across the IRAP procedure. This information is particularly important for minimising the substantial possibility of task attrition among novice users.
• To use role-play experience to illustrate important IRAP design parameters that have a bearing on the difficulty and relevance of each IRAP design to target groups. The objective is to equip workshop participants decide between the qualities of competing IRAP designs for their particular application.

 

69. Relational Frame Theory (RFT) for Dutch-speaking participants: The theory, its rootings and implications Relational Frame Theory (RFT): De theorie, haar oorsprong en implicaties Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): RFT - Other/ RFT - Concepts, history, applications

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 5

HUBERT DE MEY, PH.D., Radboud University Nijmegen

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate

Deze workshop bestrijkt het brede gamma van aspecten die te maken hebben met RFT. Eerst komen de fenomenen aan de orde die middels RFT verklaard moeten worden. Vervolgens geef ik een inleiding in basisbegrippen van de gedragsanalyse, een noodzakelijk preludium omdat RFT niet uit de lucht komt vallen maar naadloos aansluit op de onderzoeksagenda van B.F. Skinner en het onderzoek van Murray Sidman. In de ontwikkeling van RFT staat het experiment, met menselijke deelnemers, centraal. Ik zal laten zien dat hoe dit gebeurt, en hoe deze experimenten ons hebben geleid naar het juiste inzicht in de rol van taal en cognitie. Dit inzicht wordt ons verschaft door het baanbrekende werk van Steven Hayes c.s. in Amerika, en van Dermot Barnes-Holmes c.s. in Ierland. Rule-governed behavior (RGB) is een term door Skinner bedacht ter onderscheiding van “contingency-shaped,” en heeft duidelijk gemaakt hoe belangrijk taal en cognitie zijn in de sturing van gedrag. RGB maakt gebruik van relational frames. Wat is relational framing, hoe komt het tot stand, wat doet het, en waarom is het geen cognitieve theorie maar gaat het wel over cognities? Deze en andere vragen zijn onderwerp van de workshop. Deze workshop is dus breed van opzet, en geeft de deelnemer een beeld van het grote belang van de gedragsanalyse, en van RFT in het bijzonder, ten behoeve van de praktijk van alledag, van de clinicus, de opvoeder, de therapeut, de maatschappelijk werker, de onderwijzer, maar ook van de econoom en de politicus, zeker in tijden waarin de door hen gefêteerde neoliberale theorie van de vrije markt heeft bewezen psychologisch niet levensvatbaar te zijn.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn how to evaluate the role of private events (language and cognition) in the determination of behavior.
• Learn how to set up an experiment on equivalence learning.
• Learn how to better appreciate and specify the role of context in the analysis of contingencies.

 

70. Developing Your Skills as an ACT Trainer, Part 2 Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Skills/ Training Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 6

JASON LUOMA, PH.D., The Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center, PC

ROBYN D. WALSER, PH.D., National Center for PTSD at the VA Palo Alto

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

This workshop is part two of a two-part workshop. In this second part of the workshop, a series of exercises and didactic segments will be developed by experienced trainers that will respond to training needs identified in part one of the workshop. This workshop is intended for those who are interested in developing their skills as trainers and supervisors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn new ways to respond to difficult points in training.
• Learn new ideas for how to address future training needs.
• Engage experiential exercises designed to help with trainer flexibility.

 

Thursday Plenary 4:30-5:45pm

 

71. Presidential Address: The Importance of RFT to the Development of Contextual Behavioral Science Presidential Address (4:30-5:45pm): RFT - Other/ Contextual Behavioral Science

Room: Vrijhof – Agora/ Amphitheater

STEVEN C. HAYES, PH.D., University of Nevada, Reno

Target Audience: All

ACBS is not about acceptance and commitment therapy or even third generation CBT more generally -- it is about creating a more progressive psychology based on a developmental strategy called "contextual behavioral science." In this talk I will review the progress of Relational Frame Theory, and its importance to that development strategy. RFT is showing itself to be a clinically useful analysis, with good precision, scope, and depth in a domain that has challenged psychology since its inception. As progress continues, RFT will present opportunities for the ACBS community but it will take considerable effort to realize those opportunities.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn what context behavioral science is.
• Learn some of the recent progress in RFT research.
• Learn some ways in which RFT can be clinically useful. 

 

Thursday Night Dinner & Follies

6:00pm-12:00am Dinner (6:00-8:00pm)

Room: Vrijhof – Audiozaal

 

Follies (8:15-10:00pm)

 Room: Vrijhof – Agora/Amphitheater

 

Music/Dancing (9:30pm-12:00am)

Room: Vrijhof – Audiozaal

 

Friday Morning 9:00am

 

72. ACT With Love Workshop (9:00-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ Relationship Issues

Room: Vrijhof – Agora

RUSS HARRIS, M.D., private practice, Melbourne, Australia

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

This workshop, which draws on my forthcoming book "ACT With Love" looks at how we can simply and effectively apply the ACT model in relationship issues - whether one or both partners attend sessions! ACT is very effective with relationship issues. (I base this statement not just on my own clinical experience, but on that of anecdotal evidence from numerous other therapists I have trained). The workshop is both didactic and experiential. Experiential components focus on compassion, acceptance and forgiveness of a partner. Attendees will also get the opportunity to practise some simple exercises in pairs, to learn some useful defusion techniques for couples.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn a simple model for applying ACT to relationship issues
• Learn to adapt classic ACT exercises to couples
• Learn a simple technique for developing compassion

 

73. ACT and Mindfulness with chronic pain Symposium (9:00-10:30am): ACT - Clinical/ chronic pain

Room: Vrijhof – Amphitheater

Chair: ERNST BOHLMEIJER, Ph.D, University of Twente

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Results of a meta-analysis

Martine Veehof, University of Twente

ERNST BOHLMEIJER, Ph.D, University of Twente

 

• A multidisciplinary approach in a rehabilitation centre

KARLEIN SCHREURS, PH.D., Roessingh Rehabilitation Centre, University of Twente

 

• ACT in Teams

PETER HEUTS, Rehabilitation physician; Rehabilitation Centre Leijpark, Tilburg

The aim of this symposium is to present and discuss current evidence for ACT and mindfulness as treatment of chronic pain and the implementation of ACT in multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatments. Results of a meta-analysis Paper 1 presents the results of a meta-analysis of 15 studies on the effects of acceptance-based therapies (Mindfulness and ACT) with people with chronic pain on mental and physical health. Paper 2 discusses the implementation of ACT interventions in one of the inpatient programs for chronic pain at the pain department of the Roessingh Rehabilitation Centre started in 2005. Treatments are delivered in groups of 6 to 7 patients. The program consists of three days inpatient treatment during eight weeks and one day of treatment six months later. Values are introduced to all patients in the first four weeks of the program. In the second part, four group sessions of ACT are offered to those patients who show the most experiential avoidance. These ACT interventions are implemented in a context of a multidisciplinary treatment delivered by psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational and sport therapists and social workers, supervised by a rehabilitation physician. When we started, the psychologists were the only professionals who were trained in ACT. Meanwhile, the other professionals are more aware of ACT, although most of them have not yet followed any form of training. Results of this program will be presented. We would like to discuss the design of the studies, measurement instruments and the challenges of implementing ACT in a non-academic setting with professionals of different education. Paper 3 describes the development and implementation of an ACT training for multidisciplinary teams. The training consists of 5 lines (i.e.: introduction in RFT; clinical ACT model/hexaflex; case conceptualization; personal development of the care provider; exercises & metaphores). The training consists of 3 sessions of 2 days each. The first session is mainly informative and partly experiential. The second and third sessions are highly experiential and offer plenty of opportunity to develop skills. We would like to share our experiences with this programme with colleagues for the purpose of further development of multidisciplinary work with ACT.

 

74. Sticky Thoughts & Other Unwanted Experiences Workshop (9:00-Noon): ACT - Skills/ Intrusive Thoughts

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal A

ROBYN D. WALSER, PH.D., National Center for PTSD

MARTIN BROCK, Institute of Mental Health Nottingham

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a promising treatment that is progressing contemporary psychological approaches more appropriate to the human condition. Within the ACT model the context for change is underpinned by a focus on the role of experiential avoidance and the associated control agenda. The current data for ACT is promising and the ACT model suggests that developing willingness to be present to currently avoided thoughts and other unwanted experiences is helpful. However it is apparent , particularly within presentations such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that some thoughts and experiences seem more "sticky" than others. That is, the intrusive nature of these kinds of thoughts can be highly distressing and motivation to abate, avoid or eliminate them is strong. Willingness to be present to these types of thoughts is challenging, given their nature and the attendant social disapproval. This workshop will offer an experiential setting in which to explore these issues and will give the opportunity to practise relevant techniques with each other designed to promote willingness and acceptance around these sorts of "sticky" experiences.

Educational Objectives:

• Explore typical "sticking points" in developing willingness to be present to unwanted thoughts and experiences.
• Explore how one's personal fusion as a therapist and non-acceptance may be an obstacle.
• Develop enhanced skills in recognising and responding to experiential avoidance as it is related to particularly challenging thoughts found in OCD and PTSD.

 

75. Contextual Behavioral Science and ACT/RFT: Discussing scientific strategy and future directions in research Workshop (9:00-Noon): ACT - Other/ Philosophy of Science, Research Methods in ACT/RFT

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1212

MICHAEL LEVIN, University of Nevada, Reno

ROGER VILARDAGA, University of Nevada, Reno

JENNIFER BOULANGER, University of Nevada, Reno

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

The ACT/RFT research program is part of a larger scientific strategy within psychology, which we term contextual behavioral science (CBS). Features of CBS include a clear explication of philosophical assumptions, development of analytic abstractive theoretical models from basic research, and an expanded list of methodologies used to answer research questions. Exploring the various features of our scientific strategy can be helpful for evaluating the current progress of the ACT/RFT research program and provide insight into future directions for research. The current workshop will involve an interactive discussion with attendees regarding CBS and the ACT/RFT research program. During the workshop we will present an overview of CBS, outlining its key features. The audience will engage in an active discussion around each of these features, including their role in ACT/RFT research and areas for further development and exploration such as new methodologies to use or questions to address. We will discuss functional contextualism and how it informs theory, methodology and intervention technologies. We will discuss the important role of basic research and how this work can inform the development and refinement of theoretical models of pathology and intervention. We will then discuss the variety of methodological approaches employed within CBS to address our scientific questions including measurement development, component studies, processes of change research, time series designs, RCTs, effectiveness research, and training studies. Other features of CBS, such as the need to foster dissemination in the community and the culture at large will also be discussed. A review of the current ACT literature, and to a lesser extent RFT, from the perspective of this CBS approach will be presented throughout and audience members will engage in evaluating the current success in meeting the goals of CBS and potential future directions, including the exploration of new research questions and the use of new methodologies.

Educational Objectives:

• To present a review of the specific goals and features of contextual behavioral science
• To discuss the success of current ACT and RFT research in meeting these goals
• To discuss future research directions for ACT and RFT research based on these reviews

 

76. Practical mindfulness for meditation hating clients: The appliance of heartrate coherence training Workshop (9:00-10:30am): ACT - Clinical/ Mindfulness

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1216

MARCO KLEEN, BrainDynamics Groningen, PsyAdvies

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

In ACT the concept of mindfulness is applied pragmatically. The effectiveness of the exercises taught are more important than their theoretical form. When confronted with clients who do not like meditation-like interventions heartrate coherence training is an option. By using an easy to apply biofeedback method clients can be taught defusion and mindfulness skills without spending hours exploring raisins.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn about the possibities to use biofeedback within an ACT context.
• Learn about heartrate variability as a possible biological marker for mindfulness.
• Think about ways to let 'difficult clients' make use of mindfulness.

 

77. Young clinical ACT researchers from Uppsala University Symposium (9:00-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ pain, epilepsy, obesity, LGBT teenagers

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1220

Chair: JOANNE DAHL, PH.D., University of Uppsala, Sweden

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• A short term self help based manual treatment for patients with severe chronic pain

JENNY THORSELLl, University of Uppsala, Sweden

REBECCA TINGVALL, Uppsala University

ANNA FINNAS, Uppsala University

MARIA GYBRANT, University of Uppsala, Sweden

Emma Jokimaki, Moa Brathen, Elin Waxin, Karin Andersson, Sofia Fredriksson, Johanna Aronsson

 

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Increase of Social Support in Families of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth: A pilot study with multiple baselines

MALIN DAHLSTROM, University of Uppsala, Sweden

EMMA WALLIN, University of Uppsala, Sweden

 

• Acceptance and Commitment therapy for bariatric surgery patients JoAnne Dahl, University of Uppsala, Sweden

SANDRA WEINELAND, University of Uppsala, Sweden

 

• ACT in the treatment of epilepsy: Where are we now and where are we going

TOBIAS LUNDGREN, MS, University of Uppsala, Sweden

JoAnne Dahl, University of Uppsala, Sweden

Lennart Melin, University of Uppsala, Sweden

Nandan Yardi, Yardi Hospital, Pune

Bryan Kies, University of Cape Town, South Africa

The aim of this symposium is to show the research activity in clinical research research applications in the ACT model. The symposium will show a wide range from on-going research, to completed master theses, doctoral level research. The application cover ACT treatments of chronic illness such as pain, epilepsy, and obesity as well as other applications such as problems of acceptance between parents and LGBT teenagers. Many of these applications use internet based treatment and are as a rule are very short and cheap.

 

78. Explorations into ACT and Literature Symposium (9:00-10:30am): ACT - Clinical/ Literature

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1224

Chair: MAUREEN K. FLYNN, University of Mississippi

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Crying Out in the Dark: A Look into ACT and Literature

MAUREEN K. FLYNN, University of Mississippi

Kelly Wilson, Ph.D., University of Mississippi

 

• My Deep and Abiding Interest in Transitions

KELLY G. WILSON, Ph.D., University of Mississippi

 

• Once, Twice, Three Times a Loser: Cognitive Fusion and the Antihero in Mid-Twentieth Century American Short Fiction

TROY DUFRENE, New Harbinger Publications

Many forms of psychological inflexibility that people often experience are exemplified in the mediums of literature and poetry. Through these works, the ubiquity of human suffering can truly be seen and felt. Their words resonate with the anguish and freedom that our neighbors, friends, co-workers, clients, family members, and perhaps even ourselves experience at some point in life. This symposium will examine three examples of such experiences from an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) conceptualization.

 

79. Behavioral Approaches to Learning Using Derived Relational Responding and Fluency Symposium (9:00-10:30am): RFT - Research, Behavior Analysis/ Establishing Relational Responding, RFT in Education, Behavioral Momentum and Fluency Training

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1228

Chair: NICHOLAS M. BERENS, University of Nevada, Reno/Center for Advanced Learning

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Acquisition and fluency of the arbitrarily applicable derived relational responding in accordance with opposition and comparison contexts

Rosa M. Vizcaíno, University of Almería

Carmen Luciano, Ph.D., University of Almería

Vanessa Sánchez, University of Almería

FRANCISCO RUIZ, University of Almería

 

• Increasing the Rate of Derived Relational Responding: An Applied Investigation

NICHOLAS M. BERENS, University of Nevada, Reno/Center for Advanced Learning

Steven C. Hayes, Ph. D., University of Nevada, Reno

Kimberly N. Berens, Ph. D., Center for Advanced Learning/UNR

 

• A Demonstration of an Easy Token Economy in an Applied Setting

ALYSSA WILSON, University of Mississippi

Jonathan H Weinstein, University of Mississippi

Kelly G. Wilson, University of Mississippi

Karen Kate Kellum, University of Mississippi

This symposium will discuss aspects of a behavioral approach to education and learning, particularly derived relational responding and fluency. Paper 1 describes a study with a four-year old child to examine the process involved in establishing fluency and flexibility across several frames of relational responding. Paper 2 evaluates the use of a fluency criterion across multiple exemplars of derived relational responding with synonyms and antonyms to improve the rate of responding to novel sets of stimuli. Paper 3 discusses an intervention to increase the target behavior and demand compliance of a participant at an after-school tutoring program.

 

80. Relational Frame Theory: An overview of the evidence to date Workshop (9:00-Noon): RFT-Research/ Empirical Evidence

Room: Vrijhof – Kleine Zaal

IAN STEWART, NUI Galway

EMILY K. SANDOZ, University of Mississippi

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

Relational Frame Theory (RFT; e.g., Hayes, Barnes-Holmes & Roche, 2001) is a comprehensive account of language and cognition from a behaviour analytic perspective, with potential applications in disparate areas of psychology and current applications in such major areas as adult clinical psychotherapy, education, developmental delay, occupational and social psychology. The present workshop will introduce the core principles of RFT and present an up-to-date overview of the empirical evidence in favour of this approach, including work by RFT researchers and others whose work strongly supports the RFT conception of language as arbitrarily applicable relational responding. The workshop will attempt to convey the current state of the evidence as well as possible future directions for RFT research. Implications for clinical research and practice will also be discussed.

 

81. Living a Vital Life with Obsessions: Treating OCD with ACT Workshop (9:00-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ OCD

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 5

JENNIFER PLUMB, M.A., University of Nevada, Reno

BENJAMIN SCHOENDORFF, Calypsy, Lyon, France

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the few DSM diagnoses that is functionally defined. The DSM criteria for OCD is more dimensional (as opposed to categorical) than many other disorders, and as such is more amenable to a functional approach to treatment such as ACT. ACT can be successfully applied to OCD due to its 1) focus on acceptance, defusion, self-as-context and mindfulness strategies aimed at changing the function (rather than the form or frequency) of obsessions, and 2) focus on increasing values-based behavior (as opposed to behavior predominantly in the service of reducing obsessions) in the face of such uncomfortable private experiences. ACT is also suitably flexible to work with many forms of OCD, including sub-types of OCD deemed difficult-to-treat (e.g., hoarding, primary obsesssional cases) and behaviors on the O-C spectrum (e.g., tics, skin-picking, hair-pulling). In this workshop we will discuss a) state of the extant literature on ACT for OCD, b) case conceptualization of OCD and O-C spectrum cases from an ACT perspective including a discussion about exposure from an ACT perspective, c) the challenges associated with using ACT in this population, d) OCD-specific assessment instruments, and e) specific methods we have found fruitful in treating OCD. This workshop will be interactive, and participants will be asked to take part in experiential exercises and role plays.

Educational Objectives:

• Understand the relevance of the ACT model for the treatment of OCD
• Experientially contact some of the difficulties faced by OCD sufferers
• Learn how to flexibly use ACT moves and exercises with OCD sufferers

 

82. Relational Frame Theory - Basic concepts and clinical implications Workshop (9:00am-4:15pm): RFT - Other/ A conceptual overview of RFT with a clinical focus

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 6

NIKLAS TÖRNEKE, NT Psykiatri, private practice

JASON LUOMA, PH.D., Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, and Training Center; Private practice Target Audience: Intermediate

Relational Frame Theory (RFT) is the result of an attempt to deal with the area of human language and cognition from a behavioural perspective. Together with well known principles of operant and respondent conditioning it forms the theoretical basis of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. This workshop presents the basic concepts of RFT. The workshop also shows how these concepts can be used to understand common psychological problems and give directions for clinical interventions. The workshop is mainly didactic but will include some experiential parts for illustrative purposes. It is assumed that partakers have a basic understanding of operant and respondent learning.

Educational Objectives:

• To give the attendees an understanding of all the basic concepts of RFT
• To show the relevance of RFT for understanding psychological problems
• To show how RFT can be used to understand the central therapeutic strategies of ACT

 

83. Short mindfulness interventions with the old, the young and the fearful Symposium (9:00-10:30am): Behavior Analysis/ Mindfulness

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 3

Chair: LOUISE McHUGH, Swansea University

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Short web-based manipulation of self-focused attention: a comparison of Attention Training and mindfulness

JEAN-LOUIS MONESTÈS, Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie - Neurosciences Fonctionnelles & Pathologies – CNRS UMR 8160 - Centre Hospitalier Ph. Pinel.

Matthieu Villatte, Université de Picardie Jules Verne,

Amiens G. Loas, Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie - Neurosciences Fonctionnelles & Pathologies – CNRS UMR 8160 - Centre Hospitalier Ph. Pinel

 

• Can changing perspective on one’s own experience increase awareness of negative psychological events in others?

MATTHIEU VILLATTE, PH.D., Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens

Louise McHugh, Swansea University

Jean-Louis Monestès, Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie - Neurosciences Fonctionnelles & Pathologies – CNRS UMR 8160 - Centre Hospitalier Ph. Pinel.

 

• The Behavioural Approach Test (BAT); Thought Suppression Vs Mindfulness

NIC HOOPER, Swansea University Laura Davies, Swansea University Louise McHugh, Swansea University

 

• Stimulus over-selectivity as a model of cognitive functioning in older adults: Mindfulness as a potential intervention

LOUISE McHUGH, Swansea University Anna Simpson, Swansea University

Phil Reed, Swansea University

The current symposium consists of four papers the unifying concern of which is the empirical testing of short mindfulness interventions. The first paper involves a web-based manipulation of mindfulness (self-focused attention) and an unfocused attention intervention. The second paper involves comparing level of mindfulness and psychological flexibility when taking ones own versus another person's perspective in both positive and negative emotional contexts. The third paper compares mindfulness and thought suppression as coping strategies for phobic individuals with phobia related content. The final paper investigates the utility of mindfulness versus unfocused attention in overcoming dysfunctional levels of stimulus over-selectivity in an elderly population. The findings from all four studies suggest the utility of mindfulness in comparison with other interventions including unfocused attention and thought suppression in a range of populations. 

 

Friday Morning 10:45am

 

84. ACT as public mental health Workshop (10:45-Noon): ACT - Clinical/ perevention

Room: Vrijhof – Amphitheater ERNST BOHLMEIJER, PH.D., TU Twente ANDO ROKX, MSc, GGNET

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate

Many people suffer from mild or moderate psychological distress. The presence of mild (subclinical) symptoms e.g. depression, anxiety is the most important risk factor for developing clinical disorders. Experiential avoidance possibly plays an important role in this process. However most people do not seek help. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) could be actively offered to the general population. As an early intervention, it could help people to accept their distress and commit to their values. And thereby prevent unnecessary long duration or deterioration of distress. The University of Twente developed a new preventive intervention for adults with mild to moderate psychological distress: Voluit Leven (living to the full). It is a group intervention for 8-10 people that consists of 8 sessions of 2 hours. It is based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness. Recruitment takes place by advertisements and interviews in local newspapers. The workshop will start with some exercises from the intervention. We will then present the intervention and the results of a randomized controlled trial with 90 participants. We also present some results of a process evaluation that gives insight in how participants appreciate the different exercises and metaphors.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn how ACT can be applied with subclinical populations
• Development and implementation of an ACT-based prevention programme
• How pre-and post measurements can be useful in evaluating and adapting a prevention programme

 

85. The Long Road: The Role of Acceptance and Values in Substance Abuse Treatment Symposium (10:45-Noon): ACT - Clinical, ACT - Other/ Substance Abuse, Addictions, ACT Substance Abuse Disorder

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1216

Chair: MARISA PÁEZ, ACT Institute, Spain

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

 

• Alcoholics Anonymous From a Contextual Behavioral Perspective

MAUREEN FLYNN, University of Mississippi

Kelly Wilson, University of Mississippi

 

• Acceptance, Values and Motivation to Change in Alcohol Addicted Patients

GIOVANNI ZUCCHI, PSY.D., Villa

Maria Luigia Hospital, Parma

Giovanni Miselli, Psy.D., IULM University

Giovambattista Presti, M.D., IULM University

Paolo Moderato, Ph.D., IULM University

 

 • Preliminary data of a Random Clinical trial of ACT and TU (cognitive-behavioural) with substance abuse disorder

MARISA PÁEZ, ACT Institute, Spain

M. López, University of Almería

M. C. Luciano, University of Almería

Several approaches to the treatment of substance abuse, including ACT, have been shown to be effective. This symposium examine compatibilities between ACT and other approaches, and compares ACT with a standard cognitive approach. The fit between Alcoholics Anonymous and ACT, the relationship between variables involved in the psychological models underlying ACT and the Motivational Interview, and a comparison of ACT to a cognitive approach with polysubstance abusing clients will be discussed.

 

86. Building systems with values: Integrated care and beyond… Invited Lecture (10:45-Noon): Other/ Systems, Integrated Care

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1224

MARK WEBSTER, South Hampshire CBT Ltd- Southampton

MICHELLE ORMSTON, Portsmouth City PCT

JULIE HARRINGTON, Portsmouth City PCT

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

The addiction service in Portsmouth began using ACT in its treatment services, and then developed an integrated care pathway, based on values, across the different agencies, including those not using ACT. The concept and process of implementation will be described along with the obstacles that had to be overcome. The pathway will be put in the wider context of management models and computer systems requirements. The current data forms and management information outputs will be presented to show how a values approach provides a basis for healthcare systems to become integrated and run more effectively.

 

87. ACT in the Room: Implications and Applications of ACT in Practice Symposium (10:45-Noon): ACT - Other, ACT - Clinical/ ACT Values, Mindfulness

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1228

Chair: CHRIS TREPKA, Bradford District Care NHS Trust

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

 

• Core ACT values are "Prediction and influence with precision scope and depth": A guide

JOE CURRAN, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Trust, UK

 

• The ABC Course: a pilot ACT course for learning mindfulness

CHRIS TREPKA, Bradford District Care NHS Trust

This symposium will examine issues pertinent to the training and use of ACT by therapists. Paper 1 discusses the role of “prediction and influence with precision, scope, and depth” as values in ACT and RFT. It explores the history and development of these values, examines and contrasts their role in other psychological approaches, and considers the ways in which clinicians can work towards instantiating them in their everyday practice. Paper 2 describes a brief mindfulness training course designed to run alongside a course of individual ACT. Results from a pilot course involving 5 weekly classes conducted for a mixed group of therapy clients and other therapists will be presented.

 

88. Social Communication and Relational Frame Theory Workshop (10:45-Noon): RFT - Clinical/ Perspective Taking

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 3

LOUISE MCHUGH, Swansea University

MATTHIEU VILLATTE, Université de Lille

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Researchers within cognitive and traditional developmental fields have written volumes on the social-cognitive nature of social problems in disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, with the "Theory of Mind" (ToM) construct receiving the majority of attention. While behavior analysis has offered descriptions of how to teach basic social behaviour to individuals with autism, descriptions of complex social behaviour (e.g., understanding deception, empathy, "self-reflection" - all falling under the rubric of "perspective taking") have eluded commonly utilized behavioural intervention resources, and little or no research has attempted to remediate social deficits in schizophrenia. However, researchers within behavior analysis are beginning to investigate how complex social behavior constructs can be examined within a behaviour analytic framework, with recent progress in derived multiple stimulus relations offering particular promise. "Relational Frame Theory" (RFT) accounts of ToM, perspective-taking in particular, have yielded testable hypotheses, developmental profile analyses, and descriptions of treatment protocols. This workshop will summarize this literature, and discuss the relevance to clinical disorders such as autism-related and schizophrenia spectrum related deficits (e.g., understanding deception, intentions, other's interest in discussion topics, other's feelings, etc.).

Educational Objectives:

• Understand the RFT conceptualization of perspective taking and its implication for social communication.
• Become familiar with key RFT studies on perspective taking.
• Learning RFT based techniques to train social communication in populations who are deficient, such as those diagnosed with ASD or schizophrenia. 

 

 

Friday Afternoon 1:15pm

 

89. Know Thyself, Choose Thyself: Exploring Flexibility with Self and Valued Living Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ Self-as-Context

Room: Vrijhof – Agora

EMILY K. SANDOZ, University of Mississippi

ROGER VILARDAGA, University of Nevada, Reno

STEVEN C. HAYES, PH.D., University of Nevada, Reno

STEPHANIE NASSAR, University of Mississippi

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Common to a number of diagnostic categories are disturbances in the way an individual experiences him or her Self. Through complex relational conditioning processes, individuals come to experience themselves in ways that narrow their behavioral repertoire, creating less and less freedom and more distance between them and a live they would value. This workshop will orient the participant to the different ways that the Self can be experienced and to the relationship between Self and Values processes.

Educational Objectives:

• To understand a behavioral account of the development of sense of self.
• To describe how inflexibility with self can hamper valued living
• To list three ways to encourage flexibility with self that will contribute to valued living

 

90. The Art and Science of valuing in psychotherapy Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ Clinical

Room: Vrijhof – Amphitheater

JOANNE DAHL, PH.D., University of Uppsala

JENNIFER PLUMB, M.A., University of Nevada, Reno

IAN STEWART, NIU Galway

TOBIAS LUNDGREN, University of Uppsala

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

This workshop aims at helping therapists approach human problem through a values perspective as a part of the ACT/RFT model. The participants will learn: helping clients clearly define what matters to them; creating a sense of meaning and purpose; providing a framework for setting specific goals in both the short term and the long term; providing a context in which a client may be more willing to experience difficult thoughts and feelings as she moves in valued directions; helping clients practice being more aware of the reinforcing qualities of behaviors in the moment that are related to a larger value. Values clarification is the process of developing values statements that guide client behavior. This is a process that is ongoing throughout therapy. When a client enters therapy, she may not have a clear sense of her values or may have difficulty engaging in behaviors consistent with her values. As therapy progresses, a client’s chosen values and value-directed behaviors may shift as her behavior becomes more flexible. Just as you would periodically check your compass bearing to make sure you haven’t strayed too far from your intended direction, it is also important to engage in values clarification throughout therapy. Second, clients and clinicians work together to develop goals: discrete behaviors that can be evaluated and completed to move the client in the direction of her stated values. Choosing particular goals that are in line with one’s values can take practice. To determine whether a particular goal is in line with her values, the client must practice becoming aware of the reinforcing properties of her values-consistent behaviors. Third, clients build larger and larger patterns of behavior in line with their values, building meaning and developing a purpose to work toward in each moment. This workshop consists of demonstrations, RFT theoretical perspectives, experiential exercises and own applications.

Educational Objectives: Participants will learn:

• How to distinguish between values and feelings, values and judgements, values and rules.
• To understand the RFT perspective on valuing.
• How to use the values compass.
• How to use the bull's eye for valued living.
• How to use a dramatization of the life-line to identify values directions.

 

91. ACT as a Brief Intervention: Theory and Application Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Skills/ Brief Interventions

Room: Drienerburght – Zaal A

KIRK STROSAHL, Central Washington Family Medicine

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

The transdiagnostic focus of the ACT model makes it an ideal approach for addressing a broad range of human problems. The twin themes of acceptance and valued actions are also ideal for application in brief intervention contexts such as primary care, crisis centers, hospitals and schools. This workshop will introduce the basic principles of brief intervention and how to create a useful interface between these principles and ACT work. Participants will learn the defining principles of strategic interventions and how acceptance and valued actions can be integrated into the strategic change framework. Video and live role play demonstrations will be used to highlight key learning points.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn the clinical and service utilization data that argue for a brief intervention approach in most settings
• Learn to apply the key principles of strategic therapy
• Learn to use ACT interventions in a way that is consistent with the strategic therapy framework.

 

92. ACT for young adults (16-28 year olds) - ACT used in group format as prevention or an early intervention aimed towards psychological ill-health and stress Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ General psychological health, stress, prevention, early intervention

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1212

FREDRIK LIVHEIM, Karolinska Institutet, medical university

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

According to calculations by the World Health Organization (WHO), the second largest health problem of the Swedish population today is psychological ill-health. In some further years it is predicted to be the very largest health problem in the Swedish populace (Swedish National Institute for Public Health, 2005). Self reported mental health is found to rapidly deteriorate especially among Swedish "young adults" (defined as 18-24/29 years of age), where the problems are reported to have doubled or tripled in the period of 1988/89 to 2001 (Swedish National Institute of Public Health; 2006). Common problems as reported are anxiety, worry, pain and sleep problems. Since 2006 Fredrik Livheim has been working for Stockholm Centre for Public Health, within Stockholm County Council, to make a detailed treatment-protocol and train new group leaders in "ACT- To cope with stress and promote health" (as it now is called in Swedish). Until now approximately 75 new group leaders (school-counsellors etc) has been trained. Fredrik has also begun to educate new trainers of group leaders in this particular ACT group format. Those trainers also constitutes an ACT-network that can arrange regular ACT booster sessions for the existing group leaders and also arrange education of new group leaders. The focus of the workshop will be on the content in "ACT- To cope with stress and promote health". This will give the participants an understanding and examples of one way of working with young adults in group-settings as prevention or as an early intervention. The workshop will also provide examples of how it is possible to create an infrastructure to make ACT-interventions available to young adults in a larger scale. The participants will be guided through handpicked exercises that are part of the course "ACT- To cope with stress and promote health" as if they themselves were taking part in the full course. A special focus will be on components, exercises and metaphors that are a bit new or unusual in the more "traditional ACT tool-box". For example using a "reward-system" when following up homework, the "bus-metaphor" role-played in a group setting, RFT easily explained for young adults etc. There will be time for questions throughout the workshop. Participants will be encouraged to ask any questions they want, and questions about pitfalls when working with groups will get extra attention. The presenter has extensive experience both of giving the course clinically directly with young adults and also with training group leaders. The presenter is also the program developer of this ACT group format.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn how to apply an ACT-consistent group approach to presenting problems of diffuse mental health problems and stress.
• Learn how to work with the "life-compass" as a tool for values clarification.
• Learn exercises and metaphors that are easy for the participants to adopt and use in their own clinical work, either individually or in group settings.

 

93. Applications of deictic relational framing Symposium (1:15-2:45pm): RFT - Research/ Perspective taking

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1216

Chair: LOUISE McHUGH, Swansea University

Target Audience: Intermediate, Advanced

 

• The Effects Of Teaching Situation-Based Emotions On Perspective Taking

LOUISE McHUGH, Swansea University

Alina Bobarnac, Swansea University

Phil Reed, Swansea University

 

• Deictic Relational Framing and Connectedness among College Students: A Small Analog Study

ROGER VILARDAGA, University of Nevada, Reno

Thomas Waltz, University of Nevada, Reno

Michael Levin, University of Nevada, Reno

Steven C. Hayes, University of Nevada, Reno

Colin Stromberg, University of Nevada, Reno

Kimberly Amador, University of Nevada, Reno

 

• Deictic framing protocols to increase discrimination of own behavior and reduce impulsive behavior

CARMEN LUCIANO, University of Almería

V. Sánchez, University of Almería

Francisco Ruíz, University of Almería

Marisa Páez, University of Almería

R. Vizcaino, University of Almería

O. Gutiérrez, University of Almería

 

• Deictic relational responding in beliefs attribution: People with high social anhedonia are impaired in reversing the frame of I-YOU

MATTHIEU VILLATTE, PH.D., University of Picardie

Jean-Louis Monestès, Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie - Neurosciences Fonctionnelles & Pathologies – CNRS UMR 8160 - Centre Hospitalier Ph. Pinel

Louise McHugh, Ph.D., University of Wales, Swansea

Esteve Freixa i Baqué, Ph.D., University of Picardie

Gwenolé Loas, Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie - Neurosciences Fonctionnelles & Pathologies

The current symposium reports four empirical studies examining deictic relational responding across a number of different populations. The first study trained children with Autistic Spectrum Condition to tact their own emotions, and examined the effect of this training on deictic framing / perspective taking. The second study tested deictic relational framing and connectedness among college students. The third study used deictic framing protocols to increase discrimination of own behavior and reduce impulsive behavior in high and low emotional avoiders. The fourth study explored deictic relational responding and belief attribution in people with high levels of social anhedonia. Findings from the four studies support the contention that deictic relational framing is a distinct relational repertoire the training of which can facilitate social communication.

 

94. Overcoming Resistance - Made Simple Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Skills/ Barriers To Change

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1220

RUSS HARRIS, M.D., private practice, Melbourne Australia

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

This is workshop is both experiential and didactic. It goes step-by-step through the most common factors in resistance and barriers to change -- and how we can not only help clients (and ourselves) to get unstuck, but we can also turn these obstacles and barriers into useful opportunities to develop core ACT skills. It also covers an incredibly simple defusion technique that can be used to overcome any objection to therapy and teach defusion skills at the same time!

Educational Objectives:

• Learn the most common factors in resistance
• Learn a different and more comprehensive interpretation of the popular F.E.A.R. acronym
• Learn a variety of techniques for overcoming resistance and increasing motivation.

 

95. "ACT-ifing" Religious Traditions Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ Spiritual-Theoretical & Practical

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1224

HANK ROBB, PH.D., Private Practice

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate

The principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy have been suggested already to be in, or available for use to support, many traditional dualistic spiritual beliefs and practices. This workshop suggests ACT based principles and practices could be used to support a monistic, pragmatically oriented approach to spiritual development. This workshop will explore the philosophical and practical aspects of such a proposal.

Educational Objectives:

• Identify the outlines of a monistic, pragmatically oriented approach to spiritual development;
• Identify a possible root metaphor for the approach;
• Consider ACT principles as a basis for spiritual development rather than an adjunct to it.

 

96. A Perfect Match: Meditation and ACT Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ Mindfulness, Meditation, Buddhism

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1228

LINDSAY FLETCHER, M.A., University of Nevada, Reno

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one of several third wave behavioral treatments to incorporate mindfulness into therapy. The term mindfulness is borrowed from Eastern religious and spiritual traditions that emphasize meditation practice as an important technique for the alleviation of suffering. While many third-wave therapies emphasize informal mindfulness practices, including ACT, this workshop will explore the inclusion of “formal” practices that may enhance treatment when they are adapted for use with the ACT model. There is a growing literature showing that meditation is a powerful tool for therapists and clients and Buddhist traditions provide a nearly limitless supply of different meditation practices. Furthermore, most meditation-based therapies do not include a values component. Thus, ACT and meditation may mutually benefit each other. The purpose of this workshop will be to teach participants how to conceptualize particular meditation practices in terms of an ACT definition of mindfulness. During the workshop, meditation exercises will be taught experientially. Participants will learn to apply these techniques to provide an ongoing practice for therapists and clients. We will explore how to apply mindfulness skills in the therapy interaction and use clinical examples. This workshop is meant to inspire clinicians and researchers to investigate how meditation may enhance mindfulness when used with clients and therapists.

Educational Objectives:

• Learn meditation techniques that have been adapted for use with ACT.
• Learn how to conceptualize Buddhist meditation techniques in terms of the ACT definition of mindfulness.
• Learn about the empirical support for meditation as a psychological intervention.

 

97. Single Case Designs for Clinicians- Bridging the gap between research and practice Workshop (1:15-4:15pm): ACT - Clinical/ Single subject research, case formulation, treatment planning

Room: Vrijhof – Kleine Zaal

JENNIFER BOULANGER, M.A., University of Nevada, Reno

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Clinicians in private practice rarely have the time, resources, or support to conduct the kind of applied research that is typically awarded grants or published in major peer-reviewed journals. As a result, those who develop, test, and train new therapies rarely have access to the wealth of clinical experience and knowledge possessed by those who practice outside of academic or research settings. However, there is a way for clinicians to incorporate research strategies into their existing practice, thereby improving therapy outcomes for their clients and contributing to the scientific literature. Single-case designs do not require large samples of participants or statistical expertise, but allow clinicians to analyze a client’s behavior and the context in which it occurs through repeated measurement over time. These designs can be used to conduct functional analyses of behavioral targets, facilitate case formulation and treatment planning, and improve therapy efficiency and effectiveness. This workshop will introduce clinicians to the logic of single-case designs, demonstrate the application of these methods through case presentations, and help clinicians develop a strategy for incorporating these methods into their existing practices. We will walk through the steps of designing, implementing, analyzing, and publishing/presenting single case designs. Clinicians will also learn to use single case design elements to facilitate case formulation, treatment planning, and progress monitoring. No prior research experience is necessary.

Educational Objectives:

• Understand the logic and methodology of single-case, or time-series, research.
• Learn how to use single-case designs to facilitate case formulation, treatment planning, and progress monitoring.
• Develop a strategy for designing, implementing, and analyzing single case research within private practice settings.

 

98. Cognitive Rigidity: Conceptualizations, Mechanisms, Measurement, and Intervention Symposium (1:15-2:45pm): Other, ACT - Other, ACT - Clinical/ Cognitive flexibility, physiology, ACT Processes, Measurement, Cognitive Defusion

Room: Vrijhof – Vergaderzaal 5

Chair: DAVID GILLANDERS, University of Edinburgh, U.K.

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

 

• Developing a Measure of Cognitive Fusion

DAVID GILLANDERS, University of Edinburgh, U.K.

HELEN BOLDERSTON, Private Practice

Maria Dempster, NHS Grampian, U.K.

Frank Bond, Goldsmiths University of London

 

• The study of Defusion in clinical setting: a replication of word-repetition studies with an inpatient sample

GIOVANNI ZUCCHI, PSY.D., Villa Maria Luigia Hospital, Parma

Akihiko Masuda, Ph.D., Georgia State University

Giovanni Miselli, Psy.D., IULM University Milan

Giovambattista Presti, M.D., IULM University Milan

Paolo Moderato, Ph.D., IULM University

Cognitive defusion is one of the core processes in ACT and its relation to well-being has been the subject of numerous investigations. However, there are still gaps in our knowledge of this core process. This symposium will attempt to fill some of those gaps by discussing issues surrounding cognitive fusion and defusion. Paper 1 describes the development of a self-report measure of cognitive fusion, while Paper 2 presents the preliminary results of an investigation into the relevance of cognitive defusion with a clinical population, instead of with non-clinical samples as has typically been done in prior studies. 

 

Friday Afternoon 3:00pm

 

99. “What Just Happened?” What We are Training and How Symposium (3:00-4:00pm): ACT - Skills/ Training, ACT Training

Room: Hogekamp – HO 1216

Chair: M. C. LUCIANO, University of Almería

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

• Evaluating introductory ACT workshops: Changes in knowledge and responses to experiential exercises

ERIC MORRIS, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK

 

• How to measure what really works in ACT training

M. C. LUCIANO, University of Almería

MARISA PÁEZ, ACT Institute, Spain

The first paper discusses how workshop participants evaluate introductory ACT workshops on various measures. Pre-, post-, and follow-up ratings on ACT knowledge, comparisons of ACT with mainstream CBT, interest in further ACT training, and rating about the experiential exercises from over 50 workshop attendees will be presented. The second paper highlights the fact that we do not know much about the key components involved in learning ACT. While several methods seem to be useful (e.g., learning the conceptual background, reviewing video or audio recordings, role playing, using experiential work in supervision groups, etc.), no instruments are available for measuring the progress that therapists achieve after different kinds of learning sessions. Ideas about the structures of learning sessions and instruments to measure the impact of work done as well as results from therapist training over the last two years in ACT Institute will be presented. 

 

Friday Plenary 4:30-5:30pm

 

100. Enhancing everyday life using ACT and RFT/ Closing Plenary (4:30-5:30pm): ACT/RFT - Everyday Life/

Room: Vrijhof – Agora

FRANK BOND, PH.D., Goldsmiths, University of London, U.K.

ERNST BOHLMEIJER, PH.D., Twente University

PATRICIA BACH, PH.D., Illinois Institute of Technology

Target Audience: All

One of the most useful features of ACT and RFT is that they provide a comprehensive analysis of verbal behaviour, which, thus, creates guidance for not only reducing mental ill-health but for promoting vital and effective living in all areas of people’s lives. The aim of this plenary is to discuss research that has explored how the application of contextual behavioural science is producing a greater understanding of how to help people thrive in their daily life—to more effectively move through the everyday psychological barriers that get in our way and more successfully create contexts (e.g., at work) that encourage ourselves and others to maximise our potential.

Educational Objectives:

• Understand the qualities of ACT and RFT that make it applicable to everyday life.
• Learn how ACT and behaviour analysis can enhance leadership and group performance.
• Learn how ACT, RFT and mindfulness can facilitate health promotion, as well as reduce stigma and re-offending.

 

 

• "ACT-ifing" Religious Traditions־־־Hank Robb, Ph.D.

• A Perfect Match: Meditation and ACT־־־Lindsay Fletcher, M.A.

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Finding Life Beyond Trauma for the Survivor and the Therapist־־־Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D., Jacqueline Pistorello, Ph.D., Victoria M. Follette

• The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP): Where From, How To, and Where To --- NIGEL VAHEY, IAN STEWART, LOUISE MCHUGH, LIV KOSNES, Dermot Barnes-Holmes

• ACT as a Brief Intervention: Theory and Application־־־Kirk Strosahl

• ACT as public mental health־־־Ernst Bohlmeijer, PhD, Ando Rokx, MSc

• ACT Early: acceptance, mindfulness and values in early intervention for psychosis־־־Eric Morris, Joe Oliver, Sally Bloy

• ACT for Disordered Eating: Conceptualization, Assessment and Intervention ־־־Emily K. Sandoz, Lindsay M. Martin

• ACT for preventing mental health problems־־־Jason Lillis, Ph.D., Jennifer L. Boulanger, M.A.
• ACT for weight related issues ־־־Jason Lillis, Ph.D., Lindsay B. Fletcher, M.A.

• ACT for young adults (16-28 year olds) - ACT used in group format as prevention or an early intervention aimed towards psychological ill-health and stress.* ־־־Fredrik Livheim

• ACT in Practice: Case conceptualization in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy־־־Patricia Bach, Ph.D., Daniel J. Moran, Ph.D., BCBA

• ACT of Love: Sex and Intimacy־־־Ando Rokx, Aad van Leeuwen, Monique Barnouw

• ACT Through CBT and CBT Through ACT - Are they so different?־־־Kenneth Fung, MD FRCPC MSc, Mateusz Zurowski, MD FRCPC MSc

• ACT Treatment of Stuttering־־־José Antonio García Higuera

• ACT With Love ־־־Russ Harris, MD

• ACT-Based Contextual Behavioral Supervision־־־Sonja V. Batten, Ph.D., Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D.

• An Introduction to Behaviorism & Relational Frame Theory for Beginners־־־John T. Blackledge, Joanne Steinwachs, Niklas Torneke

• Applying ACT to Cases of Complex Depression: New Clinical and Research Perspectives־־־Brandon A. Gaudiano, Ph.D., Kristy L. Dalrymple, Ph.D.

• Contextual Behavioral Science and ACT/RFT: Discussing scientific strategy and future directions in research־־־Michael Levin, Roger Vilardaga, Jennifer Boulanger

• Creative Confusion: An idiot's guide to ACT in groups־־־Kevin Polk, Mark Webster, Benjamin Schoendorff, Jerold Hambright

• Demystifying Relational Frame Theory־־־Daniel J. Moran, Ph.D., BCBA, Patty Bach, Ph.D.

• Getting Started with ACT Experiential Supervision Skills ־־־Mary Sawyer

• Introduction to ACT in Dutch־־־Jacqueline A-Tjak, Ingrid Postma

• Issues of Values and Committed Action in the Context of End of Life־־־Martin Brock, Sonja V. Batten

• Know Thyself, Choose Thyself: Exploring Flexibility with Self and Valued Living־־־Emily K. Sandoz, Roger Vilardaga, Steve Hayes, Stephanie Nassar

• Learning Hexaflex Processes Using Mindfulness for Two Videos־־־Kelly G. Wilson, Ph.D., Emily K. Sandoz

• Living a Vital Life with Obsessions: Treating OCD with ACT־־־Jennifer Plumb, MA, Benjamin Schoendorff, MSc

• Mindfulness and Acceptance in the Treatment of Depression ־־־Kirk Strosahl, PhD, Patricia Robinson

• A Practitioner’s Field Guide to Developing Effective Language Training Programs Using Relational Frame Theory (RFT) --- NICHOLAS M. BERENS, TIMOTHY WEIL, CARMEN LUCIANO & FRANCISCO JOSÉ RUIZ-JIMÉNEZ, MARTHA PALAEZ

• OCD and Case Formulation In ACT־־־Martin Brock

• Overcoming Resistance - Made Simple־־־Russ Harris, MD

• Practical mindfulness for meditation hating clients: The appliance of heartrate coherence training־־־Marco Kleen

• Relational Frame Theory - Basic concepts and clinical implications־־־Niklas Torneke, Jason Luoma, PhD

• Self-as-context Made Simple ־־־Russ Harris, MD

• Sticky Thoughts & Other Unwanted Experiences־־־Robyn Walser, Martin Brock

• Teaching ACT More Directly & Making Room for "Second Wave" Moves־־־Hank Robb, Ph.D.

• The Art and Science of valuing in psychotherapy־־־Joanne Dahl, PhD, Jennifer Plumb, MA, Ian Stewart, Tobias Lundgren

• The Primary Care Behavioral Health Model: A Platform for ACT in Health Care־־־Patricia Robinson, PhD

• Turning your life toward maturity: ACT with older adults ־־־Erwin Lutzke

• Using ACT to empower the unconscious ־־־Jacqueline A-Tjak

• Using ACT to Improve Management of Chronic Pain in Primary Care־־־Patricia Robinson, PhD

• Relational Frame Theory (RFT) for Dutch-speaking participants: The theory, its rootings and implications Relational Frame Theory (RFT): De theorie, haar oorsprong en implicaties (in Dutch) --- Hubert De Mey

• Towards a functional contextualist neuroscience־־־BENJAMIN SCHOENDORFF, STEVEN C. HAYES, KELLY G. WILSON

• Don't you mind speaking of mind? Reflecting on mirror neurons and other homunculi on the Neuroscience scene־־־PAOLO MODERATO An exploration of acceptance related processes in presurgically implanted epileptic patients by means of real-time frequency-band analysis system־־־BENJAMIN SCHOENDORFF ‘Behavior is what the organism is doing’ – limbs, neurones, biochemistry, thoughts, and feelings. Within a context. Reaching out to the neurosciences, starting from where they are.־־־ROB PURSSEY

• ACT and Living Successfully with Psychotic Experience־־־DAVID GILLANDERS

Acceptance and Present-Moment Processes with People who Hear Distressing Voices־־־ERIC MORRIS, Philippa Garrety, Emmanuelle Peters Psychotic Symptoms and Illness Beliefs do not Predict Successful Valued Living With Psychosis, But Psychological Flexibility Does־־־LAURA WEINBERG, DAVID GILLANDERS The Relationship between Self-Schemas, Illness Beliefs, Psychological Flexibility and Distress in people with Psychosis־־־REBECCA LOWER, DAVID GILLANDERS The Impact of Psychological Flexibility and Negative Schemas on Changes in Delusional Ideation Over Time ־־־JOE OLIVER, KENNEDY MCLACHLAN Developing a trans-diagnostic ACT group in an acute psychiatric inpatient ward. ־־־GORDON MITCHELL, AMY MCARTHUR, LAURA WEINBERG, Lucy Clark, Marie Mirfield

• ACT in the Workplace ־־־FRANK BOND

The Impact of ACT training on Leadership־־־FRANK BOND The Impact of ACT and CBT on Stress at Work־־־Paul Flaxman, FRANK BOND The Impact of ACT Training on Stress and Burnout in Human Services Workers־־־JO LLOYD, Frank Bond Can ACT reduce staff stigma? Preliminary findings and work in progress־־־Sue Clarke, Georgina Taylor, Kelly Wilson, Bob Remington

• ACT and Chronic Illness־־־DAVID GILLANDERS

Beliefs, Acceptance, Knowledge, Emotional Distress and Self Care in Older People with Type 2 Diabetes.־־־DAVID GILLANDERS, Vicky Thurlby ACT based Treatment of Chronic Pain - Outcome data to three years־־־KEVIN VOWLES, PH.D., Lance McCracken, Jeremy Gauntlett-Gilbert Flexing the gut - Quality of Life in Irritable Bowel Syndrome־־־NUNO FERREIRA, David Gillanders The Evolution of General Psychological Flexibility and Pain Specific Acceptance across time in people with Chronic Pain־־־ALEXANDRA DIMA, David Gillanders

• Assessment, Treatment, and Process in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Illness־־־KEVIN E. VOWLES, PH.D. (Chair)

Measuring acceptance and fusion in individuals seeking treatment for chronic fatigue ־־־KEVIN VOWLES, PH.D., Nikie Catchpool, Anne Johnson, Kathryn Bristow, Katherine Hadlandsmyth The function of acceptance and values in pediatric Sickle Cell Disease־־־Lindsey L. Cohen, Ph.D., Aki Masuda, Kevin E. Vowles, Josie Welkom, Crystal Lim, Amanda Feinstein ACT in the treatment of epilepsy: Where are we now and where are wegoing?־־־TOBIAS LUNDGREN, JoAnne Dahl, Lennart Melin, Nandan Yardi, Bryan Kies Development and Evaluation of a Self-help based ACT treatment for persons with long-standing chronic pain־־־JoAnne Dahl, Ph.D., Tobias Lundgren

• Short mindfulness interventions with the old, the young and the fearful־־־LOUISE McHUGH

Short web-based manipulation of self-focused attention: a comparison of Attention Training and mindfulness ־־־JEAN-LOUIS MONESTÈS, Matthieu Villatte, G. Loas Can changing perspective on one’s own experience increase awareness of negative psychological events in others?־־־MATTHIEU VILLATTE, PH.D., Louise McHugh, Jean-Louis Monestès The Behavioural Approach Test (BAT); Thought Suppression Vs Mindfulness־־־NIC HOOPER, Laura Davies, Louise McHugh Stimulus over-selectivity as a model of cognitive functioning in older adults: Mindfulness as a potential intervention־־־LOUISE McHUGH, Anna Simpson, Phil Reed

• RFT Methods Applied to Clinical & Health Psychological Issues־־־LOUISE McHUGH

Thought Suppression and the Transfer on Stimulus Functions־־־NIC HOOPER, Louise McHugh, Jo Saunders Transformation of Health Risk Functions of Pseudo-Food Names־־־EMILY K. SANDOZ, Chad E. Drake, Kelly Wilson Comparing IRAP, IAT and Facial Electromyography (EMG) as measures of implicit attitudes towards the overweight־־־Sarah Roddy, Ian Stewart Implicit future expectations and autobiographical memory in depression־־־LIV KOSNES , Louise McHugh , Jo Saunders, Robert Whelan

• Recent Investigations Using The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure --- NIGEL VAHEY

Resistance to Anti-smoking Information As a Function of Implicit Expectancies Toward Smoking and Smoking-cessation --- NIGEL VAHEY An implicit measure of emotional avoidance --- NIC HOOPER Will the Real Nazi Please Stand-Up; Attitude Formation and the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) --- SEAN HUGHES Testing an adaptation of the IRAP to increase sensitivity to detect implicit relations at the individual level --- MIKE LEVIN

• Applications of deictic relational framing־־־LOUISE McHUGH

The Effects Of Teaching Situation-Based Emotions On Perspective Taking־־־LOUISE McHUGH, Alina Bobarnac, Phil Reed Deictic Relational Framing and Connectedness among College Students: A Small Analog Study־־־ROGER VILARDAGA, Thomas Waltz, Michael Levin, Steven C. Hayes, Colin Stromberg, Kimberly Amador Deictic framing protocols to increase discrimination of own behavior and reduce impulsive behavior־־־CARMEN LUCIANO, V. Sánchez, Francisco Ruíz, Marisa Páez, R. Vizcaino, O. Gutiérrez Deictic relational responding in beliefs attribution: People with high social anhedonia are impaired in reversing the frame of I-YOU ־־־MATTHIEU VILLATTE, PH.D. , Jean-Louis Monestès, Louise McHugh, Ph.D., Esteve Freixa iBaqué, Ph.D., Gwenolé Loas

• Framing different behavioral strategies in a coherent picture: Where ACT takes place־־־GIOVANBATTISTA PRESTI, MD, PhD (chair), BENJAMIN SCHOENDORFF (discussant)

ACT and 'Impulsive' behavior: A case study of pathological gambling־־־SARA BORELLI, Psy. D. Case report: compulsory, school and social problem behaviors in an 18 yrs old student־־־Greta Carlotti, Psy. D., Giovambattista Presti, MD, PhD, Paolo Moderato, PhD Case report: dysfunctional behavioral repertoire in a pre-adolescent girl with congenital dwarfism־־־Ramona Carlotti, Psy D., Giovambattista Presti, MD, PhD, Paolo Moderato, PhD Case report: dysfunctional behavioral repertoire in a young woman with mild mental retardation and bipolar disorder־־־FRANCESCA SCAGLIA, Psy. D. Case report: Applying ACT in a case of prolonged avoidance of school by an adolescent boy with performance anxiety ־־־MASSIMO RONCHEI, Psy. D. ACT approach in Chronic Insomnia: A case study־־־KATIA COVATI

• Welcome to the functional Babel: Talking ACT in non English-speaking countries־־־GIOVANBATTISTA PRESTI, MD, PhD (chair), GIOVANNI MISELLI, Psy. D. (discussant)

Babel's AAQ-II: do different languages result in different outcomes in Europe?־־־JEAN-LOUIS MONESTÈS, NELE JACOBS, Marco Kleen, Francis De Groot, Jacqueline A-Tjak, Maria Karekla, Frank Bond, Giovanni Miselli, Psy. D., Matthieu Villatte, Ph.D. Building towers in Babel: spreading and sharing knowledge, translating manuals and self-help books־־־MATTHIEU VILLATTE, PH.D. , Jean-Louis Monestès,Giovambattista Presti

• ACT and Mindfulness with chronic pain־־־ERNST BOHLMEIJER, Ph.D, Martine Veehof, Ph.D., Karlein Schreurs, Ph.D., Peter Heuts

Results of a meta-analysis־־־Martine Veehof, Ernst Bohlmeijer, Ph.D. A multidisciplinary approach in a rehabilitation centre־־־KARLEIN SCHREURS, PH.D. ACT in Teams־־־PETER HEUTS

• Tinnitus and acceptance - "Is it the sound or your relationship to it?"־־־Gerhard Andersson, Vendela Westin, Hugo Hesser, Caroline Croft

Randomized Controlled Trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Tinnitus Distress־־־VENDELA WESTIN Clients' in-session acceptance and cognitive defusion behaviors in ACT treatment of tinnitus distress־־־HUGO HESSER, M.SC., Vendela Westin, M.Sc., Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., Gerhard Andersson, Ph.D.

• New Research on Measuring Stigma and its Relationship to ACT Processes־־־MICHAEL LEVIN

Measuring weight stigma־־־JASON LILLIS, PH.D., Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., Michael Levin Development and Psychometrics of a New Measure of Self-Stigma in Addiction־־־JASON LUOMA, PH.D., Alyssa Rye, Kara Bunting, Chad Drake, Barbara Kohlenberg, Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D. Generalized Prejudice: Testing a Relational Frame Theory Account of Prejudice and Stigma־־־MICHAEL LEVIN, Roger Vilardaga, M.A., Jason Lillis, Ph.D., Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., Jacqueline Pistorello, Ph.D., Jason Luoma, Ph.D., Barbara Kohlenberg Predictors of stigma among addictions counselors־־־ROGER VILARDAGA, M.A., Jason Luoma, Ph.D., Michael Levin, Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., Jacqueline Pistorello, Ph.D., Mikaela Hildebrandt, Barbara Kohlenberg, Nancy Roget

• Using ACT with Non-Clinical Populations: Findings from Recent and Ongoing Outcome Studies־־־MICHAEL LEVIN

ACT for Stigma and Burnout with Substance Abuse Counselors־־־Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., Jacqueline Pistorello, Jason Luoma, Ph.D., Barbara Kohlenberg, Ph.D., Roger Vilardaga, M.A., Michael Levin, Jason Lillis, Ph.D., Mikaela Hildebrandt Using ACT to prevent mental health problems among college freshman ־־־JACQUELINE PISTORELLO, PH.D., Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., Jason Lillis, Ph.D., Chelsea MacLane, Ph.D., Michael Levin, Jennifer Boulanger, Anthony Biglan, Ph.D., John Seeley, Ph.D.

• Experimental analysis of complex human behavior: disambiguation of relational networks and transformations of functions through hierarchical and analogical relations. ־־־FRANCISCO RUIZ

Relational coherence in ambiguous and unambiguous relational networks־־־Jennifer L. Quiñones, STEVEN C. HAYES, Ph.D. Transformation of functions through hierarchical frames.־־־ENRIQUE GIL, Carmen Luciano, Ph.D., Francisco Ruiz, Vanessa Sánchez Transformation of functions through analogical relations: An experimental analysis of metaphors as clinical method. ־־־FRANCISCO RUIZ, Carmen Luciano Modelling Hierarchical Relational Responding־־־IAN STEWART

• Applications of ACT to children, adolescents and their parents: Case studies־־־FRANCISCO RUIZ

Application of ACT on a persistent oscurity phobia in a 11 years old boy. ־־־Francisco Ruiz, Vanessa Sánchez, Carmen Luciano, Ph.D., Rosa M. Vizcaíno Applicationof ACT on a case of bullying in a 9 year old boy־־־Francisco Ruiz, ROSA M. VIZCAÍNO , Carmen Luciano Application of ACT to improve the performance of a 12 year old chess-player, to treat familiar problems and self-injury behaviors.־־־FRANCISCO RUIZ, Carmen Luciano ACT in family: a case on eating disorders־־־MARISA PÁEZ, PH.D.

• Young clinical ACT researchers from Uppsala University־־־JOANNE DAHL

A short term self help based manual treatment for patients with severe chronic pain־־־JENNY THORSELLl, REBECCA TINGVALL, ANNA FINNAS, MARIA GYBRANT, Emma Jokimaki , Moa Brathen, Elin Waxin, Karin Andersson, Sofia Fredriksson, Johanna Aronsson Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Increase of Social Support in Families of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth: A pilot study with multiple baselines־־־Malin Dahlstrom, Emma Wallin Acceptance and Commitment therapy for bariatric surgery patients־־־JoAnne Dahl, Sandra Weineland ACT in the treatment of epilepsy: Where are we now and where are we going־־־Tobias Lundgren, MS,JoAnne Dahl, Lennart Melin, Nandan Yardi, Bryan Kies

• Time-Series Designs in Clinical Practice־־־JENNIFER L. BOULANGER, Jason Luoma, Ph.D., Merry Sylvester, M. A., James Yadavaia

A multiple-baseline study of ACT for self-stigma around sexual orientation: Issues in the measurement of less overt behaviors־־־JAMES YADAVAIA Exploring feasibility through single case design: A single case of ACT with a woman with traumatic brain injury־־־MERRY SYLVESTER, M.A. Time-Series Designs in Clinical Practice and an Example Using the Training of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy through Videoconferencing־־־JASON LUOMA, PH.D., Rikard Calmbro Using Time-Series Designs to Aid in Case Conceptualization, Treatment Targeting, and Progress Monitoring: A case of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the long-term treatment of a severe, multi-problem client־־־JENNIFER L. BOULANGER

• Values in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Conceptualization, Clinical Exercises and Assessment־־־REGAN M. SLATER

What are Values? Unpacking Values as Conceptualized in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy־־־REGAN M. SLATER, Stephanie L. Nassar, Maureen K. Flynn, Kate K. Kellum, Kelly G. Wilson, Ph.D. An Improved Measure of Valued Living: The Valued Living Questionnaire-II (VLQ-2)־־־STEPHANIE L. NASSAR, Maureen K. Flynn, Regan M. Slater, Kate K. Kellum, Kelly G. Wilson, Ph.D. Values-Centered Exercises: Impact of Values Work on Psychological Well-Being־־־MAUREEN K. FLYNN, Regan M. Slater, Stephanie L. Nassar, Kate K. Kellum, Kelly G. Wilson, Ph.D.

• Investigations into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Real Life־־־Nadia Lucas, Regan Slater, Lindsay Martin, Jennifer C. Plumb, M.A.

The Effect of Commitment and Behavior Change Processes in ACT on Public Speaking Anxiety־־־NADIA LUCAS, Regan Slater, Kelly G. Wilson, Kate K. Kellum Mindfulness at the Front of the Room: An Evaluation of ACT for Public Speaking Anxiety־־־REGAN M. SLATER, Nadia Lucas, Kelly G. Wilson, Kate K. Kellum The Effects of ACT for Body Image Disturbance on Eating Behavior and Valued Living־־־Emily K. Sandoz, K. K. Kellum, Kelly G. Wilson, LINDSAY MARTIN (presenter) Examining the Effects of a Values Intervention to Enhance Motivation and Commitment to Engage in Studying Behavior־־־JENNIFER C. PLUMB, Michael Levin, Steven C. Hayes, Kate L. Morrison

• Explorations into ACT and Literature ־־־MAUREEN K. FLYNN, M.A., KELLY WILSON, Ph.D., TROY DUFRENE

Crying Out in the Dark: A Look into ACT and Literature־־־MAUREEN K. FLYNN, Kelly Wilson, Ph.D. My Deep and Abiding Interest in Transitions־־־KELLY WILSON, Ph.D. Once, Twice, Three Times a Loser: Cognitive Fusion and the Antihero in Mid-Twentieth Century American Short Fiction־־־TROY DUFRENE

• A behaviour-analytic perspective on the diagnosis of executive dysfunctions־־־GWENNY JANSSEN, DRS, Jos Egger, Ph.D., Hubert De Mey, Ph.D

• RFT and evolution: Are memetics the missing link?־־־MARCO KLEEN

• Schizophrenia, language and cognition: Suggestions for RFT research־־־MARTIN CERNVALL, M.SC., Ian Stewart, Ph.D., Ata Ghaderi, Ph.D.

• Novel Implicit Attitudes: What Do We Know about Them and What Do We Have to Learn? ־־־SEAN HUGHES, B.A.

• A Demonstration of an Easy Token Economy in an Applied Setting ־־־ALYSSA WILSON, Jonathan H Weinstein, Kelly G. Wilson, Karen Kate Kellum

• Acquisition and fluency of the arbitrarily applicable derived relational responding in accordance with opposition and comparison contexts־־־Rosa M. Vizcaíno, Carmen Luciano, Ph.D., Vanessa Sanchez, Francisco Ruiz

• Increasing the Rate of Derived Relational Responding: An Applied Investigation־־־NICHOLAS M. BERENS, Steven C. Hayes, Ph. D., Kimberly N. Berens, Ph. D.

• Integrating cognitive and autonomic flexibility: Preliminary support for a neurobiological mechanism־־־PAUL W. GOETZ, William H. O'Brien, Ph.D., Carmen K. Oemig, M.A., Erin Bannon

• Application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the Treatment of Psychological Problems Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus־־־TOMÁS QUIROSA-MORENO, Carmen Luciano, Ph.D., N. Navarrete-Navarrete, Olga Gutiérrez Martínez, Ph.D.

• Web Based Interventions for Relapse Prevention after Pain Management Program ־־־NINA BENDELIN, M.SC., Gerhard Andersson, Ph.D., Björn Gerdle, Ph.D.

• ACT for parent of childern diagnosed with autism: Developing and evaluating group intervention for supporting parents in Italy־־־GIOVANNI MISELLI, PSY.D., Giovambattista Presti, MD, Paolo Moderato, Ph.D.

• Psychooncology and ACT: State of research and new challenges ־־־FRANCISCO MONTESINOS, PH.D. , Marisa Páez, Ph.D.

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for adolescents: Study 1 - individual treatment delivered in mental health services, and Study 2 - a group program delivered in schools ־־־LOUISE HAYES, Ph.D.

• Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Group Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: Preliminary Results ־־־NANCY KOCOVSKI, PH.D., Jan Fleming, M.D., Martin Antony, Ph.D.

• Preliminary data of a Random Clinical trial of ACT and TU (cognitive-behavioural) with substance abuse disorder־־־MARISA PÁEZ, M. López, M. C. Luciano

• Psychological Flexibility as a Mediator of Treatment Outcome in Exposure-driven CBT NOT based on ACT: Intermediate Results from a Randomized Treatment Study of Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia־־־ANDREW T. GLOSTER, Michael Höfler, Jens Klotsche , Franziska Einsle, Hans-Ulrich Wittchen

• Elearning and behavior modification: Measuring the differences of ACT based and CBT based Podcast on the academic behavior of students of an Italian University־־־GIOVANNI MISELLI, PSY.D., Julian McNally, M.Psych, Francesco Pozzi, M.S., Elisa Rabitti, M.A., Giovambattista Presti, MD, Giovanni Zucchi, Psy.D., Paolo Moderato, Ph.D.

• Preliminary support for a spiritually integrated approach to valued living in the face of spiritual struggles־־־CARMEN K. OEMIG, M.A., Kenneth I. Pargament, Ph.D., Meryl Gibbel, M.A., Maria Gear, M.A., Elizabeth Krumrei, M.A., Carol Ann Faigin, M.A., Shauna McCarthy, Ph.D., Kavita Desai, M.A.

• "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) To prevent stress and promote health Psychological Treatment of Youth under Stressful Conditions - A Pilot Evaluation of the Impact of ACT in an Adolescent Group" ־־־FREDRIK LIVHEIM, Emma Stavenow

• Measuring processes of behavioral modification during a Diabetes Management Summer Camp: Acceptance in Diabetic Children־־־Giovanni Zucchi, Psy.D., Giovanni Miselli, Psy.D., Giovambattista Presti, MD, Paolo Moderato, Ph.D., Paola Accorsi, M.A., Valerio Miselli, MD

• The Effectiveness of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Work Stress on Innovation, Cognitive Interference, and General Health Symptoms־־־ERIN BANNON

• The Meta-Valuing Measure: Measuring Valuing Behavior and the Whole Life Concept ־־־AMANDA C. ADCOCK, M.S., Cicely LaBorde, M.S., AMY MURRELL, PH.D.

• Developing a Measure of Cognitive Fusion־־־DAVID GILLANDERS, HELEN BOLDERSTON, Maria Dempster, Frank Bond

• Core ACT values are "Prediction and influence with precision scope and depth": A guide־־־JOE CURRAN

• Evaluating introductory ACT workshops: Changes in knowledge and responses to experiential exercises־־־ERIC MORRIS

• How to measure what really works in ACT training־־־M. C. LUCIANO, MARISA PÁEZ

• The study of Defusion in clinical setting: a replication of word-repetition studies with an inpatient sample ־־־Giovanni Zucchi, Psy.D., Akihiko Masuda, Ph.D., Giovanni Miselli, Psy.D., Giovambattista Presti, MD, Paolo Moderato, Ph.D.

• Acceptance, Values and Motivation to Change in Alcohol Addicted Patients־־־Giovanni Zucchi, Psy.D., Giovanni Miselli, Psy.D., Giovambattista Presti, MD, Paolo Moderato, Ph.D.

• Psychological Flexibility and Anxiety: Preliminary Data from an Epidemiological Study in Cyprus־־־MARIA KAREKLA, Ph.D., Margarita Kapsou, M.A., Georgia Panayiotou, Ph.D.

• Experiential Avoidance and Eating Pathology in a Sample of College Students in Cyprus־־־MARIA KAREKLA, PH.D.

• The ABC Course: a pilot ACT course for learning mindfulness־־־CHRIS TREPKA

• On being present and feeling good: The link between present-moment awareness and emotional well-being amongst adolescence־־־JOSEPH CIARROCHI, Patrick Heaven

• The ImPActS model of principled living: Measuring the extent that people principles to be Important, Pressured by others, Activated, and Successfully engaged־־־JOSEPH CIARROCHI

• Coping Strategies and the Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance־־־TIZIANA PENNATO, Olivia Bernini, Fiammetta Cosci, Carmen Berrocal

• Evaluation of relaxation response and mindfulness strategies in overweight women: A two year randomized trial־־־CAROLINE HORWATH,PH.D., Greer Hawley MSc, Andrew Gray B Com (Hons), Alison Bradshaw MSc, Lisa Katzer MSc, Janine Joyce M Health Sci, Sue O'Brien BHSc

• Can a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention Change Personality?־־־IVAN NYKLICEK, PH.D.

• Anorexia nervosa and implicit attitudes: An IRAP-study־־־THOMAS PARLING, M.SC., Martin Cernvall, M.Sc., Ata Ghaderi, Ph.D.

• From Verbal Content to Experiential Process with the iView--- Kevin Polk, Ph.D.

• Training Nurses in ACT Skills for Medical Treatment Planning--- Kevin Polk, Ph.D., Fanny Robichaud, RN

• A Group ACTivation Program for Us Old Folks--- Sven Rydberg, Ph.D.

• Theoretical Frameworks and Therapeutic Possibilities--- Michael McEachrane

• Reinventing Empirical Clinical Psychology in the Electronic Age: An Invitation to Participate in the First Fully Distributed Research Network Ever Created--- Kelly Wilson, Ph.D.

• Experiential Avoidance and Self-Compassion in Chronic Pain: Relations with Depression, Anxiety and Stress-- Joana Costa, José Pinto Gouveia, PhD

• Acceptance and commitment therapy with religiously committed clients: Using the crucible of faith to foster more authentic meaningful living-- Christopher Larsen

• ACT for Stress Management Amongst Staff in Challenging Behaviour Services-- Dr Nick Gore

• Assessing psychological flexibility: Preliminary psychometric properties of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire - II in clinical and healthy German samples-- Katrin Hummel, Jens Klotsche, Samia Chaker, Jürgen Hoyer

• An in-progress program of validation of ACT oriented clinical tools in Italy-- Elisa Rabitti, Psy. D., Giovanni Miselli, Psy. D., Rossana Somalvico, Psy. D., Giovambattista Presti

• Correlates of acceptance in patients with and without substance abuse-- Marco Kleen, Nele Jacobs, Francis de Groot, Jacqueline A-Tjak

• The Influence of Values Induction on Cold Pressor Pain Tolerance: A Pilot Study Brooke M. Berry, Jennifer L. Boulanger, Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D.

• Descriptions of short natural instructions sequences within education and psychotherapy in terms of relational frames-- Stefan Billinger Ms

• Using the IRAP to investigate emotional reactions to challenging behaviour-- Dr Nick Gore

• ACT for Health Anxiety - a randomized controlled trial-- Trine Eilenberg, Msc. Lisbeth Frostholm, Ph.D., Emma Rehfeld, MD, Per Fink, MD. Ph.D.

• ACT for Bodily Distress Disorder - a Randomized Controlled Trial-- Lisbeth Frostholm, Ph.D., Emma Rehfeld, MD, Per Fink, Dr. Med. Sc., Ph.D.

• An ACT-based Treatment to Improve Methadone Detoxification Success Rates-- Angela L. Stotts, Ph.D. , William D. Norwood, Ph.D., Charles Green, Akihiko Masuda, Ph.D.

• Spanish adaptation of Acceptance and Action Questionnaire - II: Factor structure and psychometric properties-- Álvaro I. Langer, Francisco J. Ruiz, Adolfo J. Cangas, Carmen Luciano

• Radical Behaviour View Of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-- Michaele Terena Saban

• Exposure and Acceptance in Chronic Debilitating Pain – an Evaluation of a Residential Treatment Model-- Mike Kemani, Rikard Wicksell, Camilla Wiwe, Gunnar Olsson

• ACT Physiotherapy treatment protocol for clients with long-lasting pain. Preliminary results of a pilot study at a multidsciplinary pain clinic in Sweden-- Graciela Rovner

• Patient selection criteria to enter ACT-based pain rehabilitation programs. Is our clinical reasoning (case conceptualization) and decision making supported by the self-report questionnaires?-- Graciela Rovner

• The effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Mindfulness-- Philipp Breil

• The differential effect of suppression, reappraisal and defusion strategies to coping with aversive private events-- Carmen Luciano, Francisco J. Ruiz, Enrique Gil-González, Juan C. López

• An analog study comparing mindfulness- and values-based strategies for coping with food cravings-- Priscilla V. Almada, B.A., Agnes Matter-Dang, Kemisha James, Jennifer A. Gregg, Ph.D.

• An experimental comparison of Acceptance and Congitive Restructuring-- Lydie Cornu, Benjamin Putois, MA, Benjamin Schoendorff