Michael C. May – 2-Day Advanced Acceptance & Commitment Therapy: Your Essential Guide to Clinical Application & Integration of ACT Across Diagnoses

Outline

THE ACT MODEL: A BRIEF REVIEW

• Functional Contextualism
• Hexaflex & Inflexahex
• Relational Frame Theory (RFT)
• Empirical support for ACT
• Limitations of the research & potential risks

FAQ 1: “How would I use ACT for…?”

• Convert the DSM® into psychological inflexibility
• Differentiate topography & function of behavior
• Attend to the ABCs of behavior
• Spot the toxic twins: Fusion & avoidance
• Which ACT process are you targeting in session?
• Exercises & Demonstrations
  • Exercise: Functional analysis as mindfulness
  • Video demo: PTSD
  • Skills Training: Spot experiential avoidance

FAQ 2: “Does ACT have any metaphors or exercises for…?”

• How metaphor functions in ACT
• Experiential learning vs. psychoeducation
• Key components of ACT metaphors
• Create your own metaphors
• Exercises & Demonstrations
  • Exercise: Confront the control agenda
  • Exercise: Use of embodied metaphors
  • Exercise: Flexible perspective-taking
  • Video Demonstration: MDD
  • Skills Training: Create an ACT Tool-Box

FAQ 3: “Can I use ACT with CBT?”

• Cognitive restructuring vs. defusion
• How to bring restructuring & defusion together
• Create experiential learning for your client
• Recognize rule-governed behavior
• Foster behaviors that are in line with values
• Pick go-to defusion exercises & metaphors
• Exercises & Demonstrations
  • Exercise: What your words evoke for clients
  • Exercise: Having vs. wrestling with thoughts
  • Video Demonstration: OCD
  • Skills Training: Spotting cognitive fusion

FAQ 4: “Can I integrate ACT with other modalities?”

• Exposure Therapy
  • Should you use the SUDs scale?
  • Alternatives to SUDS scale
  • Integrate ACT & exposure for trauma
  • Merge distress tolerance with exposure
• Behavioral Activation
  • Make behavioral activation experiential
  • Utilize values to inform activity scheduling
  • Use defusion to undermine motivation issues
  • Apply acceptance to erode emotional reasoning
• Other Approaches
  • Skills training for social anxiety
  • Habit reversal training for compulsive behaviors
  • Contingency management for substance abuse
• Exercises & Demonstrations
  • Video Demonstration: Panic Disorder
  • Skills Training: Integrate ACT into your practice

FAQ 5: “The client’s progress has stopped. What should I do?”

• Spot avoidance in your own responses
• Undermine the “only one right way” agenda
• Address the clinical “crisis of the week”
• Exercises
  • Exercise: Spot aversive control in your behavior
  • Exercise: “Nothing is working”

FAQ 6: “How can ACT increase client engagement & reduce resistance?”

• Model ACT processes for the client
• Utilize ACT to boost engagement
• Acceptance of the client’s truth as it is
• Create a relationship that is non-hierarchical
• Acceptance & defusion to address resistance
• When you shouldn’t try to persuade your client