WORKSHOP FULL: ACT with Youth and Parents - Amy Murrell & Rikard Wicksell
ACT with Youth and Parents Workshop Leader:
Amy Murrell, Ph.D., University of North Texas, USA, & Rikard Wicksell, Ph.D., Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
Dates & Location:
June 29 & 30, 2009, 9:00am - 5:00/5:30pm at the University of Twente (Enschede, The Netherlands).
Workshop Description:
Emphasis on acceptance and mindfulness in treatment has grown dramatically in recent years. Along with empirical investigation of these and related processes, corresponding clinical knowledge has been increasingly disseminated. Research on and clinical utility of ACT exemplifies this growing interest. ACT supervision is becoming more and more available; and, presentations, workshops and other trainings are frequently conducted - in multiple settings, in a number of countries. The proportion of such trainings that address child, adolescent or parenting issues, however, is quite small. While some work on the use of ACT with youth and parents has been conducted, the fraction of existing work and training is miniscule compared to the likely need. Foremost, many people consider the time span of childhood and adolescence to define a culture which is entirely separate and different from that of adulthood. Therefore, cultural sensitivity and relevant adaptations cannot be ignored. Additionally, there is evidence that many of the problems experienced by youth and their parents are resistant to change (especially long-term) via traditional cognitive-behavioral treatment approaches. There is some literature that suggests this could be related to cognitive fusion and/or experiential avoidance, and that ACT might address these problems in a novel way. Thus, this workshop will explore the ways that ACT can be used to address problems of youth and parenting. Functional and other assessment, case conceptualization and treatment planning from an ACT perspective will be reviewed. More specifically, the presenters will discuss how treatment goals and the six core components of ACT work can be tailored to youth and parents. Clinical examples will be used to illustrate therapeutic techniques. The workshop will be a mix of didactics and experiential work. Participants will be encouraged to discuss cases as well as treatment ideas, role-play, and participate in a number of exercises.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn how to address each of the six core components in work with youth populations.
2. Learn how parents, from an ACT perspective, are relevant to treatment of youth.
3. Learn about the current assessment of ACT relevant processes in youth.
Target Audience: Beginner through Advanced.
