WORKSHOP FULL: ACT with Youth and Parents - Amy Murrell & Rikard Wicksell

ACT with Youth and Parents

Workshop Leader: Amy Murrell, Ph.D., University of North Texas, USA, & Rikard Wicksell, Ph.D., Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden

Dates & Location: June 29 & 30, 2009, 9:00am - 5:00/5:30pm at the University of Twente (Enschede, The Netherlands).

Workshop Description:
Emphasis on acceptance and mindfulness in treatment has grown dramatically in recent years. Along with empirical investigation of these and related processes, corresponding clinical knowledge has been increasingly disseminated. Research on and clinical utility of ACT exemplifies this growing interest. ACT supervision is becoming more and more available; and, presentations, workshops and other trainings are frequently conducted - in multiple settings, in a number of countries. The proportion of such trainings that address child, adolescent or parenting issues, however, is quite small. While some work on the use of ACT with youth and parents has been conducted, the fraction of existing work and training is miniscule compared to the likely need. Foremost, many people consider the time span of childhood and adolescence to define a culture which is entirely separate and different from that of adulthood. Therefore, cultural sensitivity and relevant adaptations cannot be ignored. Additionally, there is evidence that many of the problems experienced by youth and their parents are resistant to change (especially long-term) via traditional cognitive-behavioral treatment approaches. There is some literature that suggests this could be related to cognitive fusion and/or experiential avoidance, and that ACT might address these problems in a novel way.

Thus, this workshop will explore the ways that ACT can be used to address problems of youth and parenting. Functional and other assessment, case conceptualization and treatment planning from an ACT perspective will be reviewed. More specifically, the presenters will discuss how treatment goals and the six core components of ACT work can be tailored to youth and parents. Clinical examples will be used to illustrate therapeutic techniques. The workshop will be a mix of didactics and experiential work. Participants will be encouraged to discuss cases as well as treatment ideas, role-play, and participate in a number of exercises.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how to address each of the six core components in work with youth populations.
2. Learn how parents, from an ACT perspective, are relevant to treatment of youth.
3. Learn about the current assessment of ACT relevant processes in youth.

Target Audience: Beginner through Advanced.

WORKSHOP FULL: Applying ACT to Complex Chronic "Dug in" Problems - JoAnne Dahl

JoAnne DahlApplying ACT to Complex Chronic Dug in Problems emphasizing the use of experiential dramatization of Core Processes

Workshop Leader: JoAnne Dahl, Ph.D., University of Uppsala, Sweden

Dates & Location: June 29 & 30, 2009, 9:00am - 5:00/5:30pm at the University of Twente (Enschede, The Netherlands).

Workshop Description:
In the ACT perspective, it is through experimenting with different behaviors and mindfully experiencing what life serves up that we can free ourselves from ‘dug in’ patterns and move on. Freeing our energy from endless struggles with unsolvable problems, we can channel this same energy towards valued living. The pay off for taking even the tiniest step in valued directions is immediate, meaningful and heartfelt. The aim of this workshop is to let you experience a variety of innovative ways of applying the ACT core processes to help free the ‘dug-in’ client from her struggle and go on to live a valued life. What characterizes this ACT workshop is less talk and more own experiencing of ACT core processes. ACT and RFT conceptualization are done ‘on the floor’ in the form of a ‘Life-line’ which you will get the chance to do. The ‘Life-line’ is a behavioral analysis in a values context done on the floor illustrating functional classes of both experiential avoidance and attachment to content and feelings. The ‘Life-line’ provides a quick perspective taking of one’s learning history in the form of habitual behavior as well as the verbally constructed rules regarding these experiences. This aim of this exercise is to illustrate the discrepancy between the client’s valued direction in life and detours of experiential avoidance. This leads to ‘creative hopelessness’ and instigates motivation for taking steps in one’s valued directions.

Based on the analysis, core processes of ACT: values, defusion, acceptance, mindfulness, self as context and commitment are all ‘ACTED’ out using physical dramatizations developed by the author. Participants will have the opportunity to practice and receive feedback. My hope is that every participant will leave this workshop filled with own experiences of ACT assessment and treatment for ‘dug-in’ problems both own as well as with for client work. Welcome!

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how to make an assessment 'on the floor' using the Life-line for any presenting 'dug-in' problem.
2. Learn how to physicalize, dramatize and experience all ACT core processes applied to 'dug-in' problems
3. Increase your own psychological flexibility as a therapists when you both get 'stuck'.

Target Audience: Intermediate through Advanced.

WORKSHOP FULL: Introductory ACT Workshop (introductory/intermediate)- Steve Hayes

Steve HayesIntroductory ACT Workshop

Workshop Leader: Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., University of Nevada

Dates & Location: June 29 & 30, 2009, 9:00am - 5:00/5:30pm at the University of Twente (Enschede, The Netherlands).

Workshop Description:
Difficult clients tend to be both harder to treat successfully, and to be emotionally difficult for therapists, resulting in higher levels of stress and burn-out. These clients are generally more complex and chronic, and they often been through the therapy mill. Because of the growing popularity of empirically supported methods, difficult clients may have already had courses of more traditional empirical treatments (e.g., various forms of cognitive behavior therapy) and are unlikely to be moved by another attempt within the same model. Something else is needed that is empirically based, that provides relief for clinicians, and that allows for a new, more powerful approach to difficult cases. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is such an approach. The core conception of ACT is that psychological suffering is usually caused by experiential avoidance, cognitive entanglement, and the resulting failure to take needed behavioral steps in accord with core values. According to this view, trying to change difficult thoughts and feelings as a means of coping might can be counter productive, but new, powerful alternatives are available, including acceptance, mindfulness, cognitive defusion, values, and committed action.

ACT teaches clients and therapists alike how to alter the way difficult private experiences function mentally rather than having to eliminate them from occurring at all. This empowering message has been shown empirically to help clients cope with a wide variety of clinical problems, including depression, anxiety, stress, substance abuse, and even psychotic symptoms. Research has shown that these methods are as beneficial for the clinician as they are for clients, quickly alleviating therapist burn-out.

This two-day workshop will discuss and demonstrate ACT techniques, particularly acceptance, cognitive defusion, and behavioral commitment strategies. While the procedures are broadly useful, the workshop will focus in particular on issues of multi-problem patients. Data supportive of this approach will be discussed. The workshop will at times be experiential, not merely didactic. The intention of the workshop is to provide clinicians with a workable set of ACT skills, and with personal experiences that will allow further development of these skills based on their application with difficult clients.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will learn:
1. Why experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion underlie most forms of psychopathology
2. How modern research in human language and cognition is revealing a key source of human suffering
3. How to formulate cases in terms of experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion
4. The major steps in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
5. How to foster psychological acceptance
6. How to quickly reduce the impact of negative thoughts
7. How to mobilize and make use of the spiritual side of clients
8. How to help clients get more into contact with their core values
9. How to build larger patterns of committed action
10. How to apply these same methods to the stressful impact of working with difficult clients

Target Audience: Beginners and above.

WORKSHOP FULL: Personal Willingness and Compassion: Advanced Workshop in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - Robyn Walser

Robyn WalserPersonal Willingness and Compassion: Advanced Workshop in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Workshop Leader: Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D., TL Consultation Services

Dates & Location: June 29 & 30, 2009, 9:00am - 5:00/5:30pm at the University of Twente (Enschede, The Netherlands).

Workshop Description:
This workshop will focus more specifically on improving your personal skills in the delivery of ACT and will be largely experiential in nature. The ACT approach holds that clinicians must be willing to apply ACT in their own lives in order to deliver the therapy effectively – in this workshop we will be exploring barriers to this process while promoting personal acceptance and behavior change as it applies to the therapeutic relationship and personal values. We will focus on a variety of experiential exercises that will address subtle issues of control and will invite openness to experience. Opportunity to role-play difficult clients, address sticking points, and work on personal therapeutic challenges will be provided. Main areas of experiential focus will be on forgiveness, compassion, improving patience, and taking bold, ethical steps in life and the therapeutic relationship. The occasion for personal feedback on your ACT work will be available. In addition, we will engage in a number of mindfulness practices designed to promote personal skill in awareness. And finally, we will have a bit of fun too!

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn the how to apply the core competencies of the ACT therapeutic stance.
2. Learn how to use ACT in working with difficult barriers, challenges and sticking points from both the client and therapist perspective.
3. Develop personal skill in willingness and awareness.

Target Audience: Advanced.

WORKSHOP FULL: Tweedaagse Experientiele Introductie Workshop ACT (In het Nederlands- In Dutch!!!)- Ando Rokx & Lucas Goessens

Tweedaagse Experientiele Introductie Workshop ACT (In het Nederlands - In Dutch)

Workshop Leaders: Ando Rokx, MSc, and Lucas Goessens, MSc, GGNET

Dates & Location: June 29 & 30, 2009, 9:00am - 5:00/5:30pm at the University of Twente (Enschede, The Netherlands).

Workshop Description:
ACT is een relatief nieuwe vorm van psychotherapie, met een radicaal ander perspectief op menselijk lijden en psychopathologie. Het doel van ACT is vergroting van de psychologische flexibiliteit. In de cursus ‘Acceptance en Commitment Therapie’ ervaart u de werking en effecten van deze bijzondere therapievorm.

U kunt ACT toepassen bij de behandeling van angst, depressie, werkgerelateerde problematiek, verslaving en chronische pijn. Met deze therapie stelt u niet iemands symptomen, klachten of cognities centraal, maar zijn eigen beleving, de acceptatie daarvan en commitment aan eigen waarden. ‘Acceptance en Commitment Therapie’ maakt deel uit van de derdegeneratie gedragstherapie. Vanuit een empirisch ondersteunde filosofie en theorie zijn elementen uit onder meer gedragstherapie, gestalt en mindfulness samengevoegd. De traditionele cognitieve gedragstherapie doet volgens ACT overmatige pogingen om invloed uit te oefenen op feitelijk onbeheersbare emotionele en cognitieve processen. De traditionele technieken als gedachten onderdrukken, positief denken, analyseren van gedachten en zoeken naar verklaringen en oorzaken, lijken logische manieren om psychische klachten te bestrijden. Volgens ACT leiden ze er mogelijk juist toe dat klachten allesbepalend worden en gedrag in het teken komt te staan van emotionele vermijding. ACT stelt dat de eigen beleving een reactie is op de werkelijkheid in plaats van een weergave van de werkelijkheid. Met ACT leert u de patiënt dit onderkennen en aanvaarden. Ook leert u hem zijn gedrag te laten leiden door gekoesterde waarden. Ondanks of soms juist dankzij de aversieve reacties en belevingen die daar onvermijdelijk mee gepaard gaan.

Programma

Cursusdag 1
-theoretische en filosofische achtergronden
-verschillende fasen, processen, methoden en toepassingsgebieden
-overeenkomsten en verschillen met bestaande vormen van (gedrags)therapie
-uitleg, illustratie en beleving van de kernprocessen
-experiëntiële vermijding, cognitieve fusie, aanvaarding en mindfulness

Cursusdag 2
-formuleren van waarden
-stimuleren van waardengericht gedrag
-identificeren van emotionele en cognitieve belemmeringen
-de consequenties van ACT voor de therapeutische relatie
-verdieping naar specifieke toepassingsgebieden

Werkwijze
De cursus start met een presentatie van de theorie, filosofie en methodiek van ACT. Vervolgens worden de verschillende fasen en processen van ACT doorlopen, verduidelijkt met ervaringsgerichte oefeningen, en direct toegepast met casus-gerichte oefeningen. De opzet is zodanig dat u na deze workshop direct een begin kunt maken met het toepassen van ACT-interventies bij uw cliënten.

Learning Objectives:

Na afloop van deze cursus:
-kent u de filosofie, theorie en praktische toepassing van Acceptance en Commitment Therapie
-hebt u zelf ervaren wat het effect is van de verschillende processen, oefeningen en interventies
-beschikt u over een nieuw perspectief op emotioneel lijden, psychopathologie en uw rol als hulpverlener
-kent u de interventiemethoden die focussen op acceptatie van de eigen beleving van patiënt en zijn commitment aan eigen waarden
-hebt u voldoende theoretisch inzicht en therapeutische vaardigheden om onderdelen van ACT toe te passen in uw dagelijkse praktijk

Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate.

WORKSHOP FULL: Using the Hexaflex Functional Dimensional Experiential Interview - Kelly Wilson, Emily Sandoz, & Regan Slater

Kelly Wilson
Using the Hexaflex Functional Dimensional Experiential Interview

Workshop Leader: Kelly G. Wilson, Ph.D., University of Mississippi, USA, Emily K. Sandoz, University of Mississippi, USA, & Regan Slater, University of Mississippi, USA (assisted by Nadia Lucas, Maureen Flynn, Stephanie Nassar, and Lindsay Martin)

Dates & Location: June 29 & 30, 2009, 9:00am - 5:00/5:30pm at the University of Twente (Enschede, The Netherlands).

Workshop Description:
In the workshop, we will use the structure of the Hexaflex Functional Dimensional Experiential Interview (HFDEI; from Mindfulness for Two, Wilson & DuFrene, 2009). This interview provides strong linkage between treatment, assessment, and case conceptualization. The HFDEI is an unusual interview. First, it doesn’t bow to syndromal classification. The user of the interview need not discard syndromal classification, since many circumstances require them. Although the diagnoses in the HFDEI are not DSM syndromes, many of the signs and symptoms required for DSM diagnoses will be elicited in the context of this interview. Second, the interview is organized around a dimensional understanding of psychological difficulties. Third, and probably most unusual, the interview contains significant experiential components. The interview for the hexaflex is not a mere series of questions, rather it involves a set of questions embedded in a series of experiential exercises. The exercises and questions will provide you with directly observable samples of client behavior that will allow for rating those behavior samples in terms of the six facets of the hexaflex. The entire interview is embedded in a series of questions about valued domains of living.

ACT is not a treatment aimed at the elimination of symptoms, rather it’s a treatment aimed at the enhancement and development of valued living. Because there’s an intimacy between values and vulnerabilities, an examination of values is a likely entry point to seeing the relationship between difficulties with behavior change processes on the one hand and mindfulness processes on the other. In addition, such an interview helps you and your client remain closely connected to the ACT model. Work with client struggles are always directed and dignified by valued living. Likewise progress in ACT is ultimately to be found in increases in valued living.

The workshop will involve a series of exercises and intensive practice with the HFDEI. Practice with the interview will be interspersed with viewing video segments. Participants will practice looking at each of the six facets of the hexaflex and will practice at case conceptualization. As is usual for me, this workshop will be highly experiential. In the workshop, we will mix the experiential and conceptual. This mixing itself is practice for the mixing of conceptual and experiential in our treatment. The interview can provide a framework for assessment and also for treatment. In a short version, the interview allows for the assessment of all six core ACT processes. The interview, in an extended form can serve as a template for the provision of treatment.

Prior to the workshop I will make workshop preparation materials available to attendees. For additional information, please contact me at kwilson@olemiss.edu.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn to use assessment to directly generate treatment targets.
2. Learn to conceptualize client difficulties in terms of core ACT processes.
3. Learn to devise specific treatment strategies based on this conceptualization.

Target Audience: Intermediate through Advanced.