Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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This Special Interest Branch of the BABCP focuses on promoting the practice of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the United Kingdom, as well as supporting research and training in contextual behavioural science. Aims
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT, said as one word rather than A-C-T) is contextual cognitive behavioural therapy that uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies, together with commitment and behaviour change strategies, to increase psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility means contacting the present moment fully as a conscious human being, and based on what the situation affords, changing or persisting in behaviour in the service of chosen values. ACT has a developing evidence base, with over 20 randomised controlled trials across a variety of disorders and problems, mediational analyses supportive of the processes of change in psychological flexibility, and links with basic science about language, with over 80 published experiments on Relational Frame Theory. Establishment of the ACT Special Interest Branch and the Committee In March 2006 the original proposal for the SIB was put to the BABCP Board by Mark Webster. This was agreed in May 2006 and a consultation meeting for BABCP members was held at the Warwick BABCP conference (that was also attended by Steve Hayes). Another meeting was held at the WorldCon2 in London to gather support for the establishment of the SIB. This lead to a first General Meeting in October 2006 at which officers were elected and where it was agreed to develop training and research interests during the 2006 – 2007 period. Subsequently the full executive committee was developed in line with the Articles of BABCP (with contact emails): Mark Webster (Chair) Paul Flaxman (Treasurer) Eric Morris (Secretary) Joe Curran (Northern Area) Frank Bond (Research) Joe Oliver Janet Wingrove How to join the ACT Special Interest Branch:
Training Events - Summer 2008 ACT Student event (discounted rate)- 3rd July - Held in the institute of Education, London by Mark Webster. Introduction to ACT - 8th and 9th July - held in London School of Economics (LSE), London by Mark Webster Three day advanced workshop in ACT - 10th 11th 12th July - held in the School of Oriental Studies by Sonja Batten There are 24 places available for this course. Two day intermediate workshop in ACT - 14th 15th July - held in Sheffield by Sonja Batten . There are 48 places available on thsi course. If you want further information on the advanced workshop please email Mark Webster actsig@babcp.com For all other events please email Jo Lloyd at j.lloyd@gold.ac.uk BABCP National Conference 2008, Edinburgh Teaching Resources
BABCP Accreditation Details Our guidance from the BABCP is that ACT can be recognised in the same way as any other form of CBT for accreditation purposes. Further dialogue is ongoing.
ACT Research in the United Kingdom The development of ACT in the UK is going to involve supporting research activity about contextual, third-wave approaches to CBT. The Committee thinks that the ACT SIB should be about providing a forum for researchers to meet, share ideas and collaborate on projects relevant to this aim. If you are researching ACT then please get in touch with the Committee as we want to organise events and meetings that will support this research. Some useful links for UK ACT Therapists and Researchers ACT/RFT Podcast: Check out "Functionally Speaking - A Third Wave Behavior Therapy Podcast" by DJ Moran at http://djmoran.podbean.com/ . The first installment has interviews with Kevin Polk and Steve Hayes. Join the UKACT listserv – – http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/UKACT/ This is an electronic forum to discuss ACT issues in the UK context, make links with other therapists and researchers, and a way we can develop the UK ACT community. www.contextualpsychology.org - The Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), the premier source of information about ACT, RFT and contextual behavioural science
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