This is an in-person workshop, taking place in central London
Every day, around the globe, depression and anxiety shatter the lives of millions
But you have the power to make a difference …
Do you want to help your clients find rapid relief from suffering? And go on to build richer, fuller lives?
If so, this 2-day advanced level workshop is for you. You’ll go deeper into the ACT model, take your skills to the next level, and learn specific methods for depression and anxiety disorders.
You’ll learn about common stumbling blocks and sticking points, and how to quickly get around them.
And you’ll discover a wealth of practical tools and strategies to effectively target depression (major depressive disorder and dysthymia) and the full range of anxiety disorders (from OCD & phobias to social anxiety & panic disorder). The workshop will include live demonstrations, videos of therapy sessions, and a wide range of experiential exercises.
Please note: this is an intermediate level workshop and we assume registrants have attended some form of introductory level training or are familiar with the ACT model by doing some background reading. We have a free on-demand introduction to ACT workshop available to help you prepare
Please contact us if you are unsure.
What you will learn
Day 1 ACT for depression
Section 1
- Common practitioner problems
- The ACT conceptualisation of depression & anxiety disorders
- The vicious cycle beneath the most sever presentations
- ACT’s non-pathologising diagnostic system
- ACT case formulation
- Problems with establishing therapy goals
Section 2
- Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) – ruminating, worrying, obsessing
- Brief interventions for RNT
- Overcoming helplessness about RNT: “I can’t help it!”
- Overcoming ambivalence about RNT: “But it helps me!”
- Dealing with dilemmas & indecisiveness
- Scaffolding new skills
- The “7 Rs” – for overcoming procrastination/inertia, and maintaining new behaviour
Section 3
- Motivation issues => getting to values early, and defusing from hopelessness
- Undermining experiential avoidance
- 50 shades of acceptance
- Emotion regulation in ACT
- Being creative: Inventing your own ‘non-traditional’ mindfulness exercises
Day 2 ACT for anxiety disorders
Section 1
- Anatomy of a panic attack
- Using ACT to overcome panic attacks
- The ACT model of exposure (and how it differs from CBT)
- Values-guided exposure: step by step
- Creating an exposure hierarchy
- “Physicalising” emotions
- Self-compassion
- How to stop “problem-hopping”
- Responding effectively when clients repeatedly answer, “I don’t know”
Section 2
- What to do when getting to values is hard
- Overcoming task inertia & procrastination
- Working with fatigue: pacing and resting
Other strategies for motivation - Working with intrusive thoughts
- Values-based problem-solving
- Values-based contingency-planning
Section 3
- Defusion from rigid rules
- Overcoming resistance
- Working with mandated/coerced clients
- What to do when “life is meaninglessness”
- Working with suicidality
- Safety plans & relapse prevention
Who would 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, psychiatrists, social workers, nurse practitioners, coaches, therapists, counsellors, GPs, youth workers, and OTs.
Feedback from previous workshops is always very positive:
“Very well organised, enjoyable, well thought about with a good mixture of theory, slides and practical demonstrations and videos. Russ is a fantastic speaker, and it was a privilege to join this workshop and hear/learn from the “master” himself. Thank you!”
“So well put together. Russ is just a fantastic facilitator for ACT processes. Instils confidence in clinical approach and self-compassion as a therapist, and a human being!”
“Love Russ’s energy and enthusiasm.”
Catering
Light refreshments will be provided for morning and afternoon tea. Lunch is not included in the registration fee but you will have the option to purchase lunch at one of the many catering outlets outside of the venue.