An Overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Course overview

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a third-wave behavioral treatment with broad, trans-diagnostic applicability. The basic premise of ACT is that it is our responses to the presence of pain, distressing emotions, or unpleasant circumstances that lead to difficulties. Rather than struggling against things like depression or anxiety, ACT encourages curious and open observation of these events, and responses that emphasize workability, acceptance, and flexibility. In this course, you will learn an overview of the ACT model, including its core processes and how these guide case conceptualization and treatment. The goal of this course is to provide addictions, behavioral health counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychology, and social work professionals in health and human services with an introduction to the ACT model.