PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a new model of behavioral treatment that emphasizes acceptance of internal experience while maintaining a focus on positive behavior change related to personal values. This advanced ACT workshop is designed to sharpen ACT skills plus provide additional experiential exercises to further the understanding of the ACT model. Participants will have the opportunity to watch role played demonstrations of ACT and practice ACT components while receiving feedback. Additionally, participants will learn how interpersonal process and compassion fit into the ACT model. The advanced training is highly experiential and interactive and is designed to provide attendees with a personal sense of how ACT is applied in their own and their client’s lives.  This program is aimed at the advanced skill level.

FACULTY: Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D, is a psychologist for the National Center for PTSD at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and she works as a consultant, workshop presenter and therapist in her private business, TL Consultation Services. Dr. Walser has expertise in: traumatic stress, substance abuse, AND Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She has been doing ACT trainings both nationally and internationally since 1998. Her trainings are conducted in multiple formats and for multiple client problems. Dr. Walser is currently developing innovative ways to translate science-into-practice and is responsible for the dissemination of state-of-the-art knowledge and treatment interventions relating to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other disorders, to health care professionals and trainees across varied health care facilities nationally. She continues her research aspirations and is currently involved in several projects investigating use of mindfulness and ACT in PTSD populations. In addition, she has a private practice that includes consultation and workshop services plus psychotherapy.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:  At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

• describe how a basic understanding of ACT skills combined with personal experiences can guide application of the therapy,

• discuss how acceptance and mindfulness can promote positive functioning,

• identify how ACT techniques are broadly useful for intervening with multi-problem patients dealing with issues such as anxiety, substance abuse, depression, and PTSD,

• describe the major steps in ACT,

• describe how experiential avoidance participates in human suffering,

• describe how values homework is used to support behavior change.

INTENDED AUDIENCE:  Psychologists, social workers, mental health therapists, addiction therapists, psychiatric nurses, chaplains, and other mental health professionals.

CE STATEMENTS: The Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc. (SEC) certifies this program for 6 contact hours.  A certificate of attendance will be awarded. 

[ APA ] -- The Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc. (SEC) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. SEC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.  This program provides 6 CE credits.

[ ASWB ] – VA Employee Education System, Provider Number 1040, is approved as a provider for continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards 400 South Ridge Parkway, Suite B, Culpeper, VA 22701. www.aswb.org. ASWB Approval Period: 4/7/2010 - 4/7/2013. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers will receive 6 continuing education clock hours in participating in this course.

[ NBCC ] – The VA Employee Education System is approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) to offer continuing education accreditation for National Certified and Licensed Counselors.  We adhere to NBCC Continuing Education Guidelines.  This program is approved for 6 contact hours.  Provider #5927.

[ CNE ] -- The Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc. (SEC) is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider # CEP 11270.  This program is approved for 6 contact hours.

AGENDA:

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM        Registration, Sign-In, Continental Breakfast, and Introductions

8:30 AM - 10:30 AM      ACT: Mindfulness and Defusion Processes

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM    Morning Break

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM    ACT: Mindfulness and Defusion Processes (continued)  

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM      Lunch (on your own)

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM        ACT: Commitment and Behavior Change Processes

2:30 PM - 2:45 PM        Afternoon Break

2:45 PM - 4:30 PM        ACT: Commitment and Behavior Change Processes (continued)

4:30 PM                          Program Closing and Evaluation

REGISTRATION: The registration fee is $125.00.  Fee for full-time VA employees is $18.00.  Includes continental breakfast, break refreshments, and course material. Credit card registrations may be faxed to (928) 776-6137.  Space is limited.  Registration is not complete until payment received.  Refunds, minus a $15 processing fee, will be made until 3 days prior to the program.  No refunds will be made after this date. There will a $15.00 processing fee for any returned checks.
Confirmation letters will not be sent.