Transforming Interrupted Lives: ACT as an Approach for Treating Trauma

Course Description:

Change is an inherent part of the human experience, and many individuals seek therapeutic support when faced with challenges that impede their personal growth and well-being. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has emerged as a powerful and flexible therapeutic approach with multiple levels of process that can be tailored to meet individual client needs and support those recovering from the fallout of trauma. Trauma can profoundly impact individuals' lives, functioning as a barrier to health. It has the power to leave lasting emotional scars that disrupt a sense of well-being. This presentation will focus on using ACT to support trauma survivors in recovery, empowering them to regain meaning in life.

Course Objectives:

1. Attendees will be able to explain the six core processes of ACT: cognitive defusion, acceptance, contact with the present moment, self-as-context, values, and committed action, and learn how these processes specifically apply to trauma treatment, helping clients develop psychological flexibility and resilience.

2. Attendees will be able to describe several practical ACT techniques to help clients manage trauma-related symptoms.

3. Attendees will be able to describe how values-based work in therapy can be useful in guiding clients to well-being.

About Your Instructor:

Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D. is Director of TL Consultation Services and and works at the National Center for PTSD. She is the Co-Director of Bay Area Trauma Recovery Clinical Services and Assistant Professor at the University of California, Berkeley. As a licensed psychologist, she maintains an international training, consulting, and therapy practice. Dr. Walser is an expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and has co-authored seven books on ACT, including a book on learning ACT. She recently wrote the book The Heart of ACT- Developing a Flexible, Process-based, and Client-centered Practice Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Dr. Walser has expertise in traumatic stress, depression, moral injury, and suicide; and has authored a number of articles, chapters, and books on these topics. She has been doing ACT workshops since 1997; training in multiple formats and for multiple client problems. Dr. Walser's workshops feature a combination of didactic and experiential exercises designed to provide a unique learning opportunity in this state-of-the-art intervention.

Date: Monday, August 5th, 2024

Time: 12:00PM-1:00PM EST

CEs: 1 Continuing Education Credit for New York State Licensed Social Workers and Psychologists

Location: Zoom

Cost: $25