ACT for Counsellors: A Relational Approach to Psychological Flexibility
Across six three-hour sessions, this course is designed for counsellors who have already attended an introductory training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and want to develop their understanding and confidence in bringing ACT into their therapeutic practice. We explore the behavioural and developmental foundations of ACT, including how learning, relationships and language shape our ways of understanding ourselves, responding to emotions and relating to others. Drawing on Relational Frame Theory (RFT), we develop a deeper understanding of psychological flexibility and the processes that can contribute to psychological difficulties, including experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion and rigid patterns of behaviour.
The emphasis throughout is on translating theory into practice. We explore how to recognise and work with the core ACT processes – values, acceptance, defusion, self-as-context, present-moment awareness and committed action – within the unfolding therapeutic relationship. Through experiential exercises, role plays, case discussions and opportunities to reflect on your own therapeutic work, you will develop practical ways of helping clients relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings, reconnect with what matters to them and take meaningful action. We also consider how ACT can be integrated with existing humanistic, person-centred and relational approaches, drawing on ideas from Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP). Throughout the course, particular attention is given to developing your ability to listen for underlying psychological processes and behavioural functions, using these to inform your questions, reflections and collaborative formulation.
