Close relationships are often a source of deep joy and fulfilment. Unfortunately, even the best of relationships will sooner or later involve conflict, tension, and disconnection.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a powerful model for building, repairing and enhancing important close relationships. By integrating mindfulness, acceptance, compassion, and values-based action, ACT provides practical strategies to resolve conflicts, , deepen connection, and build satisfying relationships. This includes the flexible use of communication, negotiation and assertiveness skills to constructively influence others.
ACT is equally useful for clients who choose to stay and work on the relationship, those who choose to end it, and those who can’t decide either way. So if you’re interested in how to build rich, intimate and fulfilling relationships with the principles and practices of of ACT, this experiential workshop is for you.
About this workshop
This practical, experiential workshop with Russ Harris will teach you how to apply ACT effectively with common relationship problems, including: attachment issues, lack of intimacy, tension and conflict, infidelity and betrayal, hostility and aggression, withdrawal and avoidance, passivity and defensiveness, resentment, blame, , and a whole lot more!
Russ often says, “The best person to practice ACT on … is yourself.” So the experiential exercises will mostly involve working on your own relationship(s). And while the focus is on couples, the principles, exercises and strategies you’ll learn can easily be applied to any important close relationship. (The workshop will loosely follow the structure of the 2nd edition of Russ’s self-help book, ACT with love. You can read the first chapter here.
In this experiential workshop you will learn:
- The five core psychological processes involved in common relationship issues, and how to effectively target them with ACT
- Simple ways to cultivate acceptance of others
- How to integrate attachment theory with ACT
- How to handle painful, complex situations with no easy answers
- How to use mindfulness and compassion for increased intimacy and openness
- How to negotiate, communicate, and effectively handle the ‘give and take’, ‘push and pull’ of relationships
- How to manage anger, fight fairly, and resolve conflicts constructively
- How to practice forgiveness and build (or rebuild) trust
- How to help clients choose whether to stay or leave a relationship
- And a whole lot more!
Please note: The 3 hours duration is a conservative estimate. Russ’s workshops often overrun by 15 to 20 mins, so please allow for extra time, if it’s needed.
Who will benefit from this workshop
Meant for practitioners who have already had basic introductory training in ACT, we recommend this workshop for all mental health professionals including psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners, coaches, BCBAs, therapists, and counsellors.
Positive feedback from Russ’ previous workshops
“I could listen to Russ all day, an awesome presenter with superb ACT knowledge”
“Another great experience with the wonderful Russ Harris. Super sessions that the world should know more about!”
“Superb CPD, Russ Harris is an ACT guru who makes learning the theory and strategies fun, like all learning should be”
“It was interesting, enriching and educational.”
“Very satisfied and will be returning for more. Thank you!”
“I loved the videos and the experiential exercises”
Group booking discounts
Contextual Consulting offer discounts for groups of people from the same organisation e.g. an NHS Trust that does not have a contract arrangement with us.
Please email us here to arrange a group discount or find out more about our CPD contracts here.