Training
TrainingVisit the Training section for additional resources.
See the webpage Resources for Learning More About ACT for a comprehensive list of resources.
Peer Consultation
Peer ConsultationAnother great way to create resources and support is to form a Peer Consultation Group.
They are not hard to form. Just click here for advice on how to do so and for a list of peer consultation groups.
Several ACBS Chapters and Affiliates have peer consultation groups.
Read the Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science article Creating a peer-led acceptance and commitment therapy consultation group: The Portland model (JCBS, Volume 4, Issue 3, July 2015)
Training DVDs
Training DVDs-
Introduction to ACT, Steven C. Hayes: Psychotherapy Networker Audio Home Study Course A318
This is a six hour, clinician-friendly audio course on ACT. You can get it as a CD. Good introduction to the model. A bit pricey and the audio is not always great during questions, but you get CEUs.
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Hayes, S. C. (Ed.). (2007). ACT in Action DVD series. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.
A set of six DVDs on the following topics: Facing the struggle; Control and acceptance; Cognitive defusion; Mindfulness, self, and contact with the present moment; Values and action; and Psychological flexibility. The tapes include several ACT therapists from around the world in addition to Steve, including Ann Bailey-Ciarrochi, JoAnne Dahl, Rainer Sonntag, Kirk Strosahl, Robyn Walser, Rikard Wicksell, and Kelly Wilson. As the marketing folks say: you've read the books, now see the movies.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Steven C. Hayes. Part of the Systems of Psychotherapy APA Psychotherapy Video Series.
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A 100 minute video published by the APA of Steven Hayes conducting ACT with an actual client. Shows several aspects of the model in a single session, including some that are characteristic and distinct from other approaches. Good for training.
- A 90 minute ACT tape from the 2000 World Congress of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy is available from ABCT. It shows Steve Hayes working with a client (role-played by a graduate student—Steve did not, however, meet the “client” or know their “problem” before the role playing started so it appears relatively realistic). Some sound problems but good for training.
- ABCT has a taped interview with Steve Hayes about the development of ACT and RFT as part of their “Archives” series. Steve thinks this means he is old.
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Eifert, G. (2004). Tutorial: Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy for Anxiety Disorders (DVD).
The Association for Behavior Analysis has a one hour DVD of a short talk by Georg Eifert on ACT for Anxiety Disorders. It doesn’t really show you at all how to do ACT, but does give a nice introduction to how ACT can be used for Anxiety.
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Barnes-Holmes, D. (2006). Tutorial: Relational Frame Theory (DVD).
This is a DVD of a tutorial given by Dermot Barnes-Holmes at the Association for Behavior Analysis conference. The presentation focuses on the main concepts of RFT and how they are currently being used to develop conceptual and empirical analyses of areas such as symbolic meaning, analogical reasoning, rule-governance, and implicit attitudes.
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Roche, B. (2006). Tutorial: Making the World A Better Place...Context by Context and Frame by Frame (DVD).
This is a DVD of a tutorial given by Bryan Roche at the Association for Behavior Analysis conference. The tutorial includes an outline of RFT and functional contextualism as well as a discussion of the application of RFT to a range of social issues.
Materials for Presenting ACT and Teaching Resources
Materials for Presenting ACT and Teaching Resources CommunityMaterials for Presenting ACT
Materials for Presenting ACTThis is the old parent page (<2011) for presentations (e.g., Powerpoint Slides), individual slides or figures, handouts, or related materials for sharing ACT with others.
ACT 2-day Training
ACT 2-day TrainingPresented by Steve Hayes in Boston.
ACT Colloquium
ACT ColloquiumColloquium presented by Steve Hayes in 2005. Includes Ann Branstetter's data on psychological adjustment among cancer patients.
ACT Gone Wild
ACT Gone WildThe Togus, VA Intensive Outpatient Program's approach to ACT in groups is presented. It reviews a bit of the old four-week ACT program and then presents the new one-week program. Values work runs throughout the program. Diffusion from struggling with suffering moves across four themes. It also includes some short videos of Dr. Polk's colleagues, Dr.s Agee and Hambright, presenting a bit of the program. Presented by Kevin Polk, Ph.D. at SI-3; Houston, TX, USA; July 2007
ACT Oceania II - The History of ACT and RFT
ACT Oceania II - The History of ACT and RFTACT Oceania II--ACT with Depression
ACT Oceania II--ACT with DepressionACT State of the Evidence (2008)
ACT State of the Evidence (2008)Originally presented by Steve Hayes at ACT SI 2; Philadelphia, PA, USA 2005. Updated July 2008.
ACT for Anxiety - Gary Powell
ACT for Anxiety - Gary PowellPresented by Gary Powell, Trinity School Staff Twilight Talks Session, 6 February 2006
ACT for Anxiety- Kenneth Cole
ACT for Anxiety- Kenneth ColePresented by Kenneth Cole, PhD, of the VA Long Beach Health Care System in April 2007
ACT for Chronic Pain
ACT for Chronic PainACT for Male Sexual Problems
ACT for Male Sexual ProblemsACT for PTSD
ACT for PTSDACT materials - Dr Kingsley Mudd
ACT materials - Dr Kingsley MuddSome useful client education tools and handouts from my ACT presentations.
Cheers
Dr Kingsley Mudd MBBS BMedSci FRACGP
Townsville, Qld, Australia
Email - kjkmudd@bigpond.net.au
ACT with Couples
ACT with CouplesThis is a presentation called:
The Application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Couples in Distress
Presented by Casey Capps and Ragnar Storaasli
May 30th, 2006
ABA Atlanta
Powerpoint presentation attached below.
ACT with Depression
ACT with DepressionACT with Parents and Families
ACT with Parents and FamiliesACT:Model and Application
ACT:Model and ApplicationAnxiety and Forgiveness
Anxiety and ForgivenessThe two attachments below are to introductory ACT-based presentations on Forgiveness and Anxiety that I gave to staff and students at the UK school where I work.
Please feel free to use/amend/distribute them for non-commercial purposes. Thanks to the ACT artists and conceptualisers of the illustrations used therein.
Downloadable files below.
Gary
ContextaFlex: Connecting FC, RFT and the Hexaflex
ContextaFlex: Connecting FC, RFT and the HexaflexA PowerPoint presentation to show beginners the importance of the underlying philosophy (functional contextualism) and theory (RFT) behind the practice of ACT.
Presented by: Jerold Hambright, Ph.D., Kevin Polk, Ph.D., John Agee, Ph.D. Veterans Affairs Hospital, Togus, Maine, USA
Drugs and Alcohol Action Teams ACT 2 day training course
Drugs and Alcohol Action Teams ACT 2 day training coursePowerpoint from 2 day training courses I have run for Drugs and Alcohol Action Teams (DAATS). The course is usually run after a two day CBT training.
AIMS OF INTRODUCTION TO ACT TWO DAY WORKSHOP
In this workshop, you will learn:
The position of ACT in relation to other cognitive behavioural therapies
The six core principles of ACT, and how to adapt them to different clinical populations
Become aware of tools to develop and strengthen psychological acceptance
Become aware of ways to rapidly reduce the believability of negative thoughts (without challenging them)
Develop an understanding of mindfulness, and how to use ACT therapeutically
How to innovate your own mindfulness techniques
How to utilise ACT in a variety of clinical problems
How to use interventions based on metaphor, paradox and experiential exercises
How to apply ACT in your own life, to create a sense of vitality, meaning and fulfilment
How to use ACT to help you cope with the stresses of difficult clients
How to access and experience a transcendent sense of self
How to fundamentally change your relationship with unwanted thoughts and feelings
How to help clients connect with their core values, and take committed action
Teaching methods will be a mixture of didactic and experiential learning. Handouts for future use will be provided.
COURSE TUTOR
Nadim I. Siddiqui
Associate Fellow British Psychological Society, BA (Hons) Psychology, MSc (Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy), Cert. REBT, Cert. Stress Man., Dip. Couns., EMDR level 2. Psychologist, Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, EMDR Practitioner
From Mechanism to Functionalism - or: What is Avoided in Emotional Avoidance?
From Mechanism to Functionalism - or: What is Avoided in Emotional Avoidance?Handouts from Introductory and Advanced ACT Workshops by Russ Harris
Handouts from Introductory and Advanced ACT Workshops by Russ HarrisRuss Harris (from Australia) responded to a query about handouts that could be shared with the ACT community by volunteering a couple handouts that he uses in his workshops (see below). After looking at them, I find them to be a very valuable and practical aid for ACT therapists. If you want to talk to him about them, his contact info is described in the handouts.
Update by Russ Harris on April 22, 2008:
Thanks for posting my worksheets up, Jason. I regularly update them, and I'll send some them to you as I do so. Just a note: the extracts from 'The Happiness Trap' in these handouts are from the Australian version. It has been significantly rewritten for the USA version. If you don't already know about it, 'The Happiness Trap' is unique amongst ACT books in that it is the only one that has been written for EVERYONE - therapists, coaches, housewives and astronauts, regardless of whether or not they have ‘mental health issues’ - which also explains ACT in a simple, easy-to-understand manner, without any technical language, or a battery of worksheets and inventories. You can find out more at http://www.thehappinesstrap.com. It is increasingly used as a resource by both therapists and coaches - not only to use with their clients, but also as a way of learning the theory and techniques of ACT in a simple, clear and entertaining manner. (And its ultra-low cost also helps: only $10.50 via www.amazon.com)
Intro to ACT by Guarna and Kubik, Portland, ME June 5, 2009
Intro to ACT by Guarna and Kubik, Portland, ME June 5, 2009Powerpoint from full-day workshop in Portland, Maine, 6/5/09.
Intro to ACT, 2/04/11, Maine Medical Center, Portland -- by Joel Guarna
Intro to ACT, 2/04/11, Maine Medical Center, Portland -- by Joel GuarnaMy powerpoint presentation for this workshop can be found in my blog at this page. You will need to be logged-in to see and download the attachments. If you need it sent to you directly, please email me at joel@whitepinepsych.com
Intro to ACT_Portland, Maine_Guarna_&_Kubik
Intro to ACT_Portland, Maine_Guarna_&_KubikIntroduction to ACT by Joel Guarna, Dover, NH: 3/21/09
Introduction to ACT by Joel Guarna, Dover, NH: 3/21/09Powerpoint attached (must be member & logged-in).
Introduction to ACT- Charles Morse
Introduction to ACT- Charles MorseIntroduction to ACT-Julian McNally
Introduction to ACT-Julian McNallyIntroduction to ACT_Boston Consortium_ 2005_Joel Guarna
Introduction to ACT_Boston Consortium_ 2005_Joel GuarnaIntroduction to the Hexaflex
Introduction to the HexaflexTrans-Diagnostic Approach to Problems in Living
Trans-Diagnostic Approach to Problems in LivingWhat is This Thing Called ACT
What is This Thing Called ACTA Presentation at the University of Maryland (College Park) Counseling Center
10/26/2011
Ron Kimball, PhD, CGP, FACFE
What is this Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?
What is this Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?Tips on how to add content to this section
Tips on how to add content to this sectionTeaching Resources
Teaching ResourcesPlease feel free to post any materials (powerpoints, handouts, reading lists, etc) you use to teach your courses including (and beyond) material relevant to:
- ACT
- RFT
- Behaviorism
- Behavior analysis
- Functional contextualism
- History of psychology/clinical psychology, etc
- Philosophy of science
- Third wave
- CBT
- Mindfulness
- Anything else of interest that has shaped you and you share with your students
Abnormal Psychology Text Recommendation
Abnormal Psychology Text RecommendationRonald Comer's Abnormal book has a nice section on ACT.
David Gillanders: Intros to both ACT and RFT
David Gillanders: Intros to both ACT and RFTThis page includes two powerpoints: An introduction to ACT and and introduction to RFT.
Joel Guarna's Introductory materials
Joel Guarna's Introductory materials- Most recent 3-hour workshop at Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine (2011) posted in my blog.
- Full-day workshops in Portland, Maine and Dover, NH (both 2009).
- Half-day workshop at the Boston Consortium in Clinical Psychology (2005).
- Miscellaneous other ACT presentations (various presenters).
John Forsyth: ACT class Syllabus
John Forsyth: ACT class SyllabusThe Spring 2011 syllabus is below.
Miscellaneous Presentations
Miscellaneous Presentations Joel GuarnaWhat is the Cost of Training in ACT?
What is the Cost of Training in ACT?Because my name is associated with ACT as its instigator and co-developer I often get emails containing questions like this:
My answer usually looks something like this:
If you were diligent you could become competent in ACT in most of the existing ways it is specifically applied just by joining ACBS (contextualscience.org) and systematically availing yourself of the resources there -- hundreds of protocols, tapes, videos, tools etc arraying in a vast "Wiki-stype" site ... especially if you then reached out to local ACBS members and plugging into local meetings and peer supervision groups
The cost to join ACBS is low. We have "values-based dues" meaning we ask people to pay what they think it is worth, based on their ability to pay. There is a $15 minimum (as of 2023) -- and a chunk of that goes to Elsevier for the association journal -- but that minimum itself can be waived if you are too poor to pay it.
Conversely if you want to access paid workshops (etc) they are plentiful and range in price in the usual way. Our annual conventions almost have myriad workshops for free after the initial convention registration, and the price is what is typical for conferences that also include a free lunch.
Bottom line: we live a bit outside of the box your question envisions for us.
There is instead a scientific and professional community focused on a knowledge development and dissemination strategy called "contextual behavioral science." You can learning it all for free if you work hard at it ... and hopefully you can then also contribute your own voice to that development strategy.
- S
Steven C. Hayes