Using metaphor in training psychological flexibility

Psychological flexibility is a central concept in ACT and is increasingly used more generally in discussions on psychological health and psychological treatment. Helping people improve their own flexibility is thus a key task both in psychotherapy and in other disciplines which serve human health and achievement. Metaphor is often central to change processes in ACT, DBT and many other therapy models and can thus be used for training psychological flexibility
This workshop will take it’s starting point in recent research targeting both metaphor use and psychological flexibility, focusing on implications of relational frame theory. With grounding in the scientific results this workshop will be highly practical and devoted to training the skills of using metaphor in therapeutic work. Learning activities will include live demonstration and analysis, behavioral rehearsal with feedback, role plays and different exercises aimed at improving clinical skills of the participants.

This training is appropriate for clinicians at all levels of expertise and working with any population in any treatment setting. No prior knowledge of CBS and RFT is required.

About Niklas Törneke, M.D.:

Niklas Törneke is a Swedish psychiatrist and licenced psychotherapist. He works in private practice and shares his time between clinical work and training/supervising other therapists both in Sweden and internationally. He was originally trained a cognitive therapist and has worked mainly with acceptance and commitment therapy since 1998. He is a recognized ACT-trainer. He is the author of three books on modern behavior therapy: ABCs of human behavior. Behavioral principles for the practicing clinician (2008, co-authored); Learning RFT. An introduction to relational frame theory and it’s clinical application (2010) and Metaphor in practice. A professionals guide to using the science of language in psychotherapy (2017). As a trainer Niklas is especially known for his ability to turn complex theoretical issues into hands on clinical work.

About Carmen Luciano, Ph.D.: 

Carmen Luciano, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Functional Analysis Doctoral Program at University of Almeria, Spain. She is also Director of Master in Contextual Psychology in Madrid Institute of Contextual Psychology (MICPSY). She focuses her work in tracking the connection of philosophical, basic and applied dimensions as a contextual integrative tree of knowledge connected to others. She has directed thirty doctoral theses and has published pivotal papers in Behavior Analysis, RFT and ACT. She published the first Spanish ACT book in 2002 with Kelly Wilson and a new book is being on its way. She has a vibrating and creative style both while teaching, doing research and working with clients.

About Kelly Koerner, Ph.D.: 

Kelly Koerner, Ph.D., is CEO and Creative Director of the Evidence-Based Practice Institute, LLC, where she combines technology, design, and social enterprise to help clinicians improve clients' outcomes. She is an expert clinician, clinical supervisor, and trainer in Dialectical Behavior Therapy with specialized training in other evidence-based practices. As a trainer, she is known for her warmth and highly engaging, practical teaching style. She is adjunct clinical faculty at the University of Washington. Her recent book is, Doing Dialectical Behavior Therapy: A Practical Guide.