Workshop Overview
Acceptance and mindfulness-based practices are rapidly making their way into mental health care, medicine, and society – both to alleviate human suffering and nurture psychological health and wellness. This body of work offers a fresh perspective on psychological suffering, and powerful clinical strategies that support meaningful life changes. In this workshop, we will learn about one unique approach and set of intervention strategies based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (or ACT, said as one word).
ACT balances mindfulness and acceptance processes with commitment and behavior change in the service of living a more vital life. It is both a form of therapy and an approach to living well, with evidence showing that it is useful for many forms of psychological and emotional suffering. ACT offers a fresh perspective on psychological suffering and a set of powerful clinical strategies that support meaningful life changes. In short, ACT teaches clients how to change their relationship with painful aspects of their experience and do what works – to live well, richly, and meaningfully, without first having to overcome sources of emotional and psychological pain.
This work can be challenging for both therapists and clients alike, for much of ACT work involves contacting difficult and painful psychological content without defense and for a purpose other than psychological relief. Thus, understanding the application and integration of the ACT model of psychological health and suffering is essential for effective ACT work.
This 1-day workshop will introduce ACT, both as a model and intervention technology, and illustrate its use across a broad set of problem areas that are commonly seen in mental health settings (e.g., anxiety, depression, anger). Our time together will be a mix of instruction, demonstrations, and hands on practical experiential exercises that will be done individually, in dyads, and small groups. The exercises will highlight the integration of mindfulness and acceptance strategies to disarm forms of human suffering and also to promote greater clarity of values and action in the service of living well. Worksheets and other practical tools will be provided.
We hope that you will join us for this 1-day workshop where you will learn powerful strategies to help your clients:
ACT balances mindfulness and acceptance processes with commitment and behavior change in the service of living a more vital life. It is both a form of therapy and an approach to living well, with evidence showing that it is useful for many forms of psychological and emotional suffering. ACT offers a fresh perspective on psychological suffering and a set of powerful clinical strategies that support meaningful life changes. In short, ACT teaches clients how to change their relationship with painful aspects of their experience and do what works – to live well, richly, and meaningfully, without first having to overcome sources of emotional and psychological pain.
This work can be challenging for both therapists and clients alike, for much of ACT work involves contacting difficult and painful psychological content without defense and for a purpose other than psychological relief. Thus, understanding the application and integration of the ACT model of psychological health and suffering is essential for effective ACT work.
This 1-day workshop will introduce ACT, both as a model and intervention technology, and illustrate its use across a broad set of problem areas that are commonly seen in mental health settings (e.g., anxiety, depression, anger). Our time together will be a mix of instruction, demonstrations, and hands on practical experiential exercises that will be done individually, in dyads, and small groups. The exercises will highlight the integration of mindfulness and acceptance strategies to disarm forms of human suffering and also to promote greater clarity of values and action in the service of living well. Worksheets and other practical tools will be provided.
We hope that you will join us for this 1-day workshop where you will learn powerful strategies to help your clients:
- Gain freedom from fear & suffering
- Let go of unhelpful struggles
- Cultivate peace of mind & self-compassion
- Show up to life as it is
- Get unstuck and moving
- Live a rich & meaningful life
Learning Objectives
Participants in this workshop will learn to:
- Define the three pillars of ACT as a process oriented intervention approach;
- Identify the core processes within the ACT model of human suffering and link each process with ACT intervention targets to support psychological health
- Explain an ACT approach to case conceptualization / formulation;
- Describe mental health concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression, problem anger) within an ACT framework;
- Define and identify “fusion” and “experiential avoidance” and their role in various forms of human suffering;
- Explain the purpose and function of creative hopelessness work within ACT;
- Identify exemplars of excessive struggle and avoidance and describe mindful and compassionate alternative behaviors;
- Deliver values clarification exercises in dyads and small groups;
- Rehearse essential ACT intervention skills to cultivate psychological flexibility;
- Discriminate ACT consistent and inconsistent strategies in mental health practice; and
- Describe strategies to foster the ongoing development of ACT competencies.
Who Should Attend
Social workers, licensed mental health counselors, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists, life-coaches, and other mental health professionals, including graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Some general familiarity with ACT will be helpful, but is not required.
Registration
Space will be limited, so if you plan to attend, please do register soon by selecting the appropriate link below.
All registrations are processed online via PayPal (credit card and debit cards accepted). For questions about workshop or registration, please contact Dr. Forsyth at [email protected]
If you cancel your registration:
If you don’t cancel before the event begins, we can’t refund your fees.
If we cancel the event for any reason, we’ll refund all of your registration fees.
All registrations are processed online via PayPal (credit card and debit cards accepted). For questions about workshop or registration, please contact Dr. Forsyth at [email protected]
If you cancel your registration:
- 21 or more days before the date of the event, we’ll refund all of your registration fee;
- 20 to 7 days before the event, we’ll refund 75% of your fee;
- Fewer than 7 days before an event, we’ll refund 50% of your fee.
If you don’t cancel before the event begins, we can’t refund your fees.
If we cancel the event for any reason, we’ll refund all of your registration fees.
- Registration Fees (inclusive of CEUs/CEs)
- Your email registration confirmation will include a link to two pdf files: (1) ACT Workshop Registration Confirmation and (2) Your Guest Parking Pass
- Be sure to print both and bring them with you to the workshop
Student Rate (graduate level)
- Student rate is 70% off regular registration rate
- Student spaces are limited; please register early
- Student ID showing current term, current class schedule, or current term tuition receipt is required to pick up your badge
- Your email registration confirmation will include a link to two pdf files: (1) ACT Workshop Registration Confirmation and (2) Your Guest Parking Pass
- Be sure to print both and bring them with you to the workshop
Continuing Education Credits
6.5 CE/CEU Credits are available for social workers licensed in New York State and for mental health counselors licensed in New York State. See below for more information about CEs/CEUs.
Social Work Continuing Education hours are available through a partnership with University at Albany School of Social Welfare. University at Albany, School of Social Welfare is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0011.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Continuing Education hours are available through a partnership with UAlbany School of Social Welfare and School of Education. University at Albany, School of Social Welfare & School of Education, Continuing Education Program is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0039.
CE credits for psychologists are not available. However, all psychologists who attended the full training will receive a certificate of completion, including the total hours of the workshop.
In order to issue you CE credit, we’ll need to know your professional license type and number. Participants MUST complete a CE evaluation form in order to received credit (in addition to signing in and out).
We cannot issue partial CE credit for any workshop session. Your attendance, verified by a sign-in and sign-out, is required for all sessions of the workshop.
Social Work Continuing Education hours are available through a partnership with University at Albany School of Social Welfare. University at Albany, School of Social Welfare is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0011.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Continuing Education hours are available through a partnership with UAlbany School of Social Welfare and School of Education. University at Albany, School of Social Welfare & School of Education, Continuing Education Program is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0039.
CE credits for psychologists are not available. However, all psychologists who attended the full training will receive a certificate of completion, including the total hours of the workshop.
In order to issue you CE credit, we’ll need to know your professional license type and number. Participants MUST complete a CE evaluation form in order to received credit (in addition to signing in and out).
We cannot issue partial CE credit for any workshop session. Your attendance, verified by a sign-in and sign-out, is required for all sessions of the workshop.
Workshop Schedule
(6.5 Hours for CEU/CE Credits for NYS Licensed Social Workers & Mental Health Counselors)
8:30 – 9:00 am Registration / Check in
9:00 – 12:00 pm
ACT Model and Case Conceptualization
12-1:15pm Lunch – On Your Own
1:15 – 3pm
Creating Space For Something New
Doing Effective Values Work in ACT
3 – 3:15 pm Break
3:15 – 5:00 pm
Cultivating Mindfulness, the Observer Self, & Defusion
Nurturing Self-Compassion, Acceptance, Willingness, & Value-Guided action
9:00 – 12:00 pm
ACT Model and Case Conceptualization
- Why It’s Hard Being Human
- Pervasiveness of Human Suffering
- ACT Case Conceptualization
- ACT Model of Human Suffering & Psychological Health
- Pulling it Together
12-1:15pm Lunch – On Your Own
1:15 – 3pm
Creating Space For Something New
- Why Creative Hopeless in ACT?
- Exploring Workability
- Letting Go of Unhelpful Struggle and Control
- Establishing Creative Hopelessness
Doing Effective Values Work in ACT
- The Nature of Values in ACT
- Distinguishing Values From Goals
- Connecting with Values
- Values Clarification and Assessment
- Barriers to Valued Action
3 – 3:15 pm Break
3:15 – 5:00 pm
Cultivating Mindfulness, the Observer Self, & Defusion
- Learning to be Present, Here Now
- Self as Context vs. the Conceptualized Self
- Defusion From Unhelpful Thoughts: Overview and Purpose
Nurturing Self-Compassion, Acceptance, Willingness, & Value-Guided action
- Self-Compassion and Kindness – Powerful Antidotes to Suffering
- Cultivating Acceptance to Open Up
- The Nature of Willingness
- Building Patterns of Committed ACTion
- Setting SMART Value Guided Goals
- Wrap up & the Journey Ahead
Location, Directions, Parking, & Hotel/Accommodations
Workshop Location: 106A Husted Hall Amphitheater, University at Albany, SUNY Downtown Campus, 135 Western Ave., Albany NY
Directions: Directions to the UAlbany downtown campus (including Public Transportation) can be found at the following web page http://www.albany.edu/ssw/directions-and-parking-ceu.php
Parking Permit: Upon registration, you will receive a link to a pdf file containing your confirmation and a link to a pdf file with your parking permit. Please print the confirmation and parking permit and leave it clearly visible on the front dashboard of your car. Please park only in the designated lots.
Lodging and Accommodations: For those of you coming from out of town, Albany NY has several reasonable hotels from which to choose. Given the proximity to the workshop venue, we would recommend the following hotel options:
The Hilton Garden Inn - 1389 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12206 (a short drive from there to the workshop venue)
The Renaissance Albany Hotel - 144 State Street, Albany, NY 12207 (a short drive from there to the workshop venue)
The Hampton Inn -- 1442 Western Avenue, Albany, NY, 12203 12203 (a short drive from there to the workshop venue)
Directions: Directions to the UAlbany downtown campus (including Public Transportation) can be found at the following web page http://www.albany.edu/ssw/directions-and-parking-ceu.php
Parking Permit: Upon registration, you will receive a link to a pdf file containing your confirmation and a link to a pdf file with your parking permit. Please print the confirmation and parking permit and leave it clearly visible on the front dashboard of your car. Please park only in the designated lots.
Lodging and Accommodations: For those of you coming from out of town, Albany NY has several reasonable hotels from which to choose. Given the proximity to the workshop venue, we would recommend the following hotel options:
The Hilton Garden Inn - 1389 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12206 (a short drive from there to the workshop venue)
The Renaissance Albany Hotel - 144 State Street, Albany, NY 12207 (a short drive from there to the workshop venue)
The Hampton Inn -- 1442 Western Avenue, Albany, NY, 12203 12203 (a short drive from there to the workshop venue)
About the Presenters ~ John & Jamie Forsyth
We are a husband and wife team. We love teaching, sharing, and training the public and professionals. We've seen how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (or ACT, said as one word) has benefited us in our marriage, our professional work, and in our personal lives. Together, we are on a similar path and that path, and the wisdom it contains, has taught us a great deal about human suffering and how to promote psychological health and wellness.
We maintain a regular meditation practice, including yoga, and both of us serve as members of the teaching faculty at The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinbeck, NY, The Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA, and 1440 Multiversity, Scotts Valley, CA. We specialize in single and multi-day teachings and trainings, and particularly week long Retreat Style ACT workshops for the public and mental health professionals. In 2017, we have several multi-day and Retreat Style Workshops planned and many more in the works.
To arrange a workshop or training with us, please send us an email at [email protected].
We maintain a regular meditation practice, including yoga, and both of us serve as members of the teaching faculty at The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinbeck, NY, The Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA, and 1440 Multiversity, Scotts Valley, CA. We specialize in single and multi-day teachings and trainings, and particularly week long Retreat Style ACT workshops for the public and mental health professionals. In 2017, we have several multi-day and Retreat Style Workshops planned and many more in the works.
To arrange a workshop or training with us, please send us an email at [email protected].
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John P. Forsyth, Ph.D. is an internationally recognized author, speaker, and trainer in the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and practices that cultivate mindfulness, loving kindness (Metta), and compassion. For over 20 years, his work has focused on developing ACT and mindfulness practices to alleviate human suffering, awaken the human spirit, and to nurture psychological health and vitality. His personal journey and experience, balanced with practical insights grounded in scientific evidence, offers hope to those wishing to find a path out of suffering and into wholeness.
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Jamie R. Forsyth, Ph.D. is an active and gifted clinician and clinical supervisor, with extensive expertise in the use and application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with severe forms of mental illness (e.g., psychosis and personality disorders) and forms of psychological and emotional suffering in inpatient, outpatient, and college mental health settings. Beyond ACT, Jamie is a skillful integrationist and researcher, with specialized knowledge in relational and process-oriented therapeutic work, addictions, motivational interviewing, including mindfulness and self-compassion.
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