WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES | THE PRESENTERS | LOCATION & SCHEDULE

This professional workshop is an introduction to acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), both theory and technique. ACT is a powerful treatment approach using mindfulness and acceptance to overcome emotional disorders. Extensive empirical research has shown ACT to be effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety (including PTSD), chronic anger, chronic pain, eating disorders, and other problems.

The workshop will cover case conceptualization from an ACT perspective, treatment order and planning, and how to use all six ACT treatment processes: acceptance, mindfulness, defusion, self-as-context, values, clarification, and commitment).

The focus will be conceptual, experiential, and practical. We'll start with how ACT understands human suffering, move on to directly experience many ACT techniques and processes, and finally develop a clear grasp of how to implement ACT interventions in the course of treatment. Experiential exercises will be conducted individually, in dyads, and small groups. The exercises will help integrate mindfulness and acceptance strategies that change our client's relationship to pain and move them toward values-based action.

Learning Objectives

Participants will learn how to:

1. Conceptualize anxiety, depression, and anger in an ACT framework.
2. Help clients change old patterns of experiential avoidance (the root cause of emotional disorders) while developing a mindful awareness of the present moment.
3. Learn to use the six core processes in the ACT hexaflex: mindfulness, acceptance, defusion, self-as-context, values and clarification, and committed action.
4. Learn key techniques and interventions that each of the six ACT processes via didactic training and direct experience.
5. Learn techniques that support client willingness to face pain in the service of valued living.
6. Learn how to develop an order of treatment based on the client's level of avoidance.
7. Develop ways to combine ACT processes for maximum outcomes.

 

Co-Presenters
Matthew McKay, Ph.D., is a professor at the Wright Institute in Berkeley. For twenty-five years he was the clinical director of the Haight Ashbury Psychological Services, and he currently serves as the clinical director of the Berkeley Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Clinic and the Wright Institute's Behavioral Medicine Training Program. He is coauthor of more than thirty self-help and professional books, including ACT on Life, Not on Anger, and the forthcoming Your Life on Purpose, an ACT-based book on values and willingness.

Patricia Zurita Ona, Psy.D., is a clinical supervisor at the Berkeley Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Clinic and the Wright Institute's Behavioral Medicine Training Program. There, she provides training for graduate-level therapists who are learning evidence-based interventions for emotional disorders. In private practice, Dr. Zurita Ona provides empirically-supported treatments for older adolescents and adults with mood and anxiety disorders. In addition, she provides specialized services for individuals with complex emotional problems including self-harm behaviors and emotional dysregulation problems. Her treatment approaches include CBT, DBT, and ACT. At the Wright Institute, Dr. Zurita Ona teaches a course on behavioral medicine, in addition to courses on CBT and evidence-based therapies at Argosy University.

 

Workshop Fees:
Professionals — $225.00 (Only $195.00 if you register before April 1st)
Graduate Students — $125.00 (Only $100.00 if you register before April 1st)
Wright Students — $100.00

***If you require CEU credit, please add $10 to your registration payment.

Please make checks payable to:

Matthew McKay
5674 Shattuck Ave
Oakland, CA 94609

***Please name your discipline (Ph.D., LCSW, MFT, etc.) if you require CEU credits.

You will receive an email confirmation of your registration.

 

Your Workshop Fees Include:

• Handouts and assessments
• Tea & coffee and lunch on Saturday and Sunday
• 30% discount on any books published by New Harbinger Publications purchased at the workshop venue.

Workshop Location:
The workshop will be held in a comfortable new conference room at New Harbinger Publications, 5720 Shattuck Ave., Oakland, CA 94694.

Workshop Schedule:

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010
• 9:00am-12:15pm
• 1:45pm-5:00pm

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010
• 9:00am-12:15pm
• 1:45pm-5:00pm

 

Lodging Info:
The following hotels have been suggested as the two closest business-grade accommodations. We have no connection with these hotels and cannot guarantee the quality.

• Woodfin Suites Hotel http://www.woodfinhotelemeryville.com/
  5800 Shellmound Street, Emeryville, CA ph: (510) 601-5880
• Courtyard by Marriott http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/oakmv-courtyard-oakland-emeryville/
  5555 Shellmound Street, Emeryville, CA ph: (800) 321-2211

Books by Matthew McKay, Ph.D.