Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
What you'll learn
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- ACT is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy that uses mindfulness
- How to deliver ACT step-by-step
- Use ACT to improve people's mental health
Requirements
- There are no perquisites as all ACT concepts will be explained from their foundations
- Some knowledge of person-centred and CBT will aid understanding
- ACT can be more technical than other psychotherapies, so students are encouraged to make notes and participate in exercises
Description
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a contemporary and evidence-based form of cognitive behavioural therapy that offers a unique approach to enhancing psychological wellbeing. In this introductory course, you will learn about the core concepts, theories and skills used in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
At its core, ACT harnesses the power of mindfulness-based techniques to help individuals build essential skills in psychological flexibility. Unlike traditional therapies that primarily focus on symptom reduction, ACT places a profound emphasis on empowering individuals to make meaningful life changes and live in accordance with their values and aspirations.
This therapeutic model is founded on the idea that, by accepting their thoughts and emotions without judgment, individuals can cultivate the capacity to respond to life's challenges in more adaptive and constructive ways. ACT provides a practical framework for individuals to build resilience, identify their values, and commit to actions that lead to a more purposeful and fulfilling life.
ACT is a transdiagnostic approach that has gained recognition and recommendation from respected global health and psychological organisations including the World Health Organisation, NHS and American Psychological Association.
This course is an invaluable gateway to comprehending the core principles of ACT and its practical application. It is a foundational resource for psychotherapists and mental health professionals interested in exploring ACT, as well as individuals aspiring to apply ACT principles to enhance their own wellbeing.
Throughout the course, you will delve into the theoretical foundations, practical techniques, and the underlying principles of ACT, which include:
A comprehensive understanding of what ACT is and the theoretical framework it is built upon.
An exploration of the limitations of traditional therapeutic methods, including traditional CBT, and why ACT offers an alternative path.
A detailed examination of the six processes of psychological flexibility, the cornerstone of ACT.
A step-by-step guide to the delivery of ACT, providing you with practical insights into its application.
Insights into building a robust therapeutic alliance, a pivotal component of ACT's success.
The course includes video lectures, downloads, quizzes, practical exercises and a comprehensive course handbook. You will gain hands-on experience trying ACT techniques and finish the course with a variety of skills for building psychological flexibility. On competition of the course, you will earn a certificate accredited by the International Association of Therapists.
No prior knowledge of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is required for this course. You do not need a background in cognitive behavioural therapy or mindfulness, although having one may aid understanding. All concepts will be explained from the ground up.
Who this course is for:
- Psychotherapists and mental health professionals looking to introduce ACT
- Individuals looking to improve their own mental health
- Psychology students who want to learn about the acceptance and commitment model
Instructors
Chris Worfolk is a psychologist and software consultant. He is the author of nine books and has taught over 50,000 students on Udemy. He specialises in software, career coaching, mental health and resilience.
Chris is the founder of the mental health charity Anxiety Leeds and co-founder of the Leeds Anxiety Clinic. He is the author of Do More, Worry Less: Small Steps To Reduce Your Anxiety. He has a degree in psychology from Leeds Beckett University.
Previously, he has spent over ten years working in the IT industry helping companies including Sky, Asda, Capita and the NHS improve the digital products. He is the author of numerous books including How to Exit VIM and the IT Contracting Master Class. He has a degree in computing from the University of Leeds.
In his spare time, he is an ironman triathlete, ultramarathon runner, competitive public speaker. He lives in Leeds with his wife and daughter.
Holbeck College provides training in psychology and mental health. Our mission is to make psychology education more accessible to a wider audience to raise the standard of mental health knowledge in society.
We teach evidence-based approaches using a variety of learning styles including videos lessons, reading, exercises and quizzes so whatever your learning style, there will be something in the course for you.
Our best-selling courses include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Couples Counselling, Mindfulness Teacher Training and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).