ACT Session Checklist

 What is it?

The attached Word files are intended for ACT Clinicians to monitor their fidelity to the treatment principles of ACT. This is done by rating the therapist's practice immediately after each session.

Essentially the "ACT Core Competency Session Rating Form" is a less wordy form of the Core Competencies self rating form. The difference is that this form I've uploaded has very brief, generally three-word, descriptions of the items from the Core Competencies Self Rating Form. If you want to see how each item in the "Session Rating Form" corresponds to the ones in the "Competencies self rating form", read the "ACT Core Therapeutic Session Checklist Cross reference" file below. The Session rating form also has a checkbox for each session so that the sheet can be used for ten sessions with the one client.

How does it work?

You can score it in a number of ways. Here are some examples:

1. Check mark or cross in the box for presence of the dimension/behavior;
2. Check mark or cross for absence of the dimension/behavior;
3. Combination of both of the above - check for presence, cross for absence, dash for neutral or not applicable;
4. Score from say, 0 to 10 for degree/quality/frequency of the dimension/behavior.

Obviously if you're using this for research or for practitioner training, evaluation or supervision, you need a consistent approach across sessions and clients. N.B. US version is for Letter sized paper, UK version for A4.

Why did you do it?

I haven't had the opportunities that many ACT practitioners have had of being immersed in an ACT-focused research program or of attending a Summer Institute or World Conference. Consequently I've been trying to improve my ACT practice without the benefit of observational 'live' supervision. I've used this kind of self-monitoring sheet when learning other therapeutic approaches and found it very helpful. Using this kind of self-monitoring session rating sheet is one way I believe, of achieving expertise through effortful practice.

What's next?

If you download the session rating form and use it, please post your opinions, comments, suggestions for change/revision and findings here. If you have an extended comment or heaven forbid, actually use it in research or formal practitioner training, I'd suggest making a child page here.

As well, I'd ultimately like to see the 60-odd items here reduced to a manageable 12 or less. Workability of the tool will ensure its use. Parsimony, validity and reliability are essential.

The attached spreadsheet gives some idea of the direction in which I think this endeavour could develop. I've proposed six 'global dimensions' of in-session therapist behavior. They are Structure, Flexibility, Workability, Presence, Precision and Compassion.

These dimensions are not the same as the dimensions of the Hexaflex because the Hexaflex describes processes and I am attempting to describe either therapist traits or if you like, 'therapist qualities demonstrated in session'. Clearly though there is some degree of overlap - Being Present with Presence, and Acceptance with Flexibility (but also with Compassion).

I've developed these 'global dimensions' to give the therapist some 'touchstones' or compass points for their own practice. I welcome practitioners', trainers' and researchers' comments on any of these documents.