John P. Forsyth, Jamie R. Forsyth – Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Experiential Intensive ACT Training

Outline

ACT Model and Case Conceptualization

• Centering Exercise
• Why It’s Hard Being Human
• Pervasiveness of Human Suffering
• The Light and Dark Side of Language & Cognition
• ACT Case Conceptualization
• ACT Model of Human Suffering
• ACT Model of Psychological Health
• Self-Assessment Exercise: Eyes On
• ACT in a Nutshell Role Play Demonstration

Use Creative Hopelessness to Weaken the Control Agenda

• Why Creative Hopeless in ACT?
• Exploring Workability
• Establishing Creative Hopelessness
• Exercise and Role Play: Tug of War with Anxiety Monster
• Exercise: Metaphors to Weaken Illusion of Control
• Exercise and Role Play: Chinese Finger Trap
• Exercise: Quick Sand and Swamp Metaphors
• Dyad Practice of Creative Hopelessness Exercises

Do Effective Values Work in ACT

• The Nature of Values in ACT
• Distinguishing Values from Goals
• Connecting with Values
• Exercises: Funeral Meditation & Tombstone Exercise
• Values Clarification and Assessment
• The Values Directions & Life Compass Worksheets
• Life Compass Cards
• Barriers to Valued Action
• Exercise: Barriers Clarification Using Barriers Worksheet in Dyads
• Values in ACTion

Cultivate Mindful Acceptance & Defusion

• Opening Up: The Nature of Mindful Acceptance in ACT
• Exercise: Getting in Contact with the Present
• Exercise: Take Your Mind for a Walk
• Exercise: Acceptance of Thoughts & Feelings
• Self as Context vs. the Conceptualized Self
• Defusion: Overview and Purpose
• Mindful Defusion Exercise: Wise Mind
• Mindful Defusion Exercise: Chess Board
• Thoughts on Cards: Demonstration and Role Plays

Nurture Self-Compassion, Willingness, and Value-Guided action

• Self-Compassion and Kindness – Powerful Antidotes to Suffering
• Exercise: Loving Kindness Walking Meditation
• Exercise to Nurture Self-Compassion: Tonglen Practice
• The Nature of Willingness
• Exercise: Trying vs. Doing
• Compassionate Exposure in a Value-Guided Context
• Exercise and Demonstration of Exposure in ACT
• Building Patterns of Committed ACTion
• The Role of Behavioral Activation in ACT
• Distinguishing Good from Poorly Stated Goals
• Setting SMART Value Guided Goals
• What to do When Clients Feel Stuck