3.5 clinical CEs
$99.00
Register NowCourse Overview
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy that has been found to be effective for a wide range of clinical presentations, including anxiety, depression, substance use, pain, and transdiagnostic difficulties (Gloster et al., 2020). Since ACT was first studied in 1986, there have been over 1,039 randomized controlled trials examining ACT (Hayes, 2019). ACT has been studied in its application to trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and studies have found that clients who receive ACT for PTSD experience reduction in PTSD symptoms and co-occurring symptoms, as well as improvement in quality of life (Meyer et al., 2018; Wharton et al., 2019). Rather than viewing PTSD as a deficit or dysfunction, ACT uses a functional contextual approach to place the problem in the way one engages in experiential avoidance in the face of trauma and how one becomes rigid in one’s behavioral responses in their contexts. ACT uses six core processes of change to reduce suffering and improve quality of life (Hayes et al., 2012). Each of the core processes of ACT are used to shift from trauma-based behaviors to connecting with one’s values in the face of trauma (Orsillo & Batten, 2005; Walser & Westrup, 2007).
This workshop builds on the efficacy of ACT for PTSD to provide attendees with a hands-on, interactive experience of the ACT core processes at work when ACT is integrated into PTSD treatment (Scott, 2022; Thompson et al., 2013). Participants will gain a foundational understanding of ACT and its theoretical basis in the application of PTSD. Experiential exercises and live role-play therapy demonstrations will be used to help participants see firsthand how ACT can be combined with exposure-based approaches for enhanced treatment of PTSD. Participants will leave with a strong understanding of how to engage clients in ACT for effective treatment of PTSD, that not only reduces trauma symptoms, but leads to a more values-aligned life.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will describe the core tenets, principles, and underlying theory of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy applied to PTSD.
- Participants will explain each of the six core processes of ACT and their application to PTSD.
- Participants will illustrate how ACT interventions can help individuals with PTSD build psychological flexibility.
- Participants will identify how to move fluidly through core processes in moment-to-moment experiences in session.
Course Outline
| Module | Topic |
|---|---|
| Lecture 1 | Lecture: The Theoretical Basis for ACT for PTSD and Trauma
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| Lecture 2 | Lecture and Clinical Case Study: Values and Committed Action for Trauma
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| Lecture 4 | Lecture and Experiential Exercises: Mindfulness and Defusion for Trauma
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| Lecture 5 | Lecture and Experiential Exercises: Willingness and Self-As-Context for Trauma
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| Lecture 6 | Live Therapy Demonstration (with Participant Volunteer: Dancing with Trauma around the Hexaflex
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| Lecture 7 | Final Review and Questions |
Instructor Bio
Dr. Emily Wharton is a Clinical Psychologist providing psychotherapy to individuals and couples in her private practice, and a Clinical Instructor at the Cognitive Behavior Institute, where she teaches courses in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Dr. Wharton has also served in roles of Clinical Assistant Professor (Affiliated) of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, and licensed clinical psychologist in the Palo Alto VA. She has provided supervision and training for VA and Stanford psychiatry residents, medical students, and psychology trainees in ACT, DBT, and MI. Dr. Wharton trained at the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium, San Francisco VA, UCSF, and Palo Alto VA. Dr. Wharton has also served as the Member-At-Large Director for the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Wharton has given lectures and trainings for the Palo Alto VA, Stanford University, and the Association for Contextual and Behavioral Science. Dr. Wharton has published papers and book chapters on ACT for PTSD, ACT for moral injury, mindfulness practices for anxiety disorders, and group trauma-focused CBT for parents of preterm infants.
Course Bibliography
Aikins, D. E., Johnson, D. C., Borelli, J. L., Klemanski, D. H., Morrissey, P. M., Benham, T. L., Southwick, S. M., & Tolin, D. F. (2009). Thought suppression failures in combat PTSD: A cognitive load hypothesis. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 47(9), 744–751.
Bardeen, J., & Fergus, T. (2016). The interactive effect of cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance on anxiety, depression, stress and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 5.
Bryant-Davis, T. (2019). The cultural context of trauma recovery: Considering the posttraumatic stress disorder practice guideline and intersectionality. Psychotherapy, 56(3), 400–408.
Davies, R. L., Prince, M. A., Bravo, A. J., Kelley, M. L., & Crain, T. L. (2019). Moral Injury, Substance Use, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Military Personnel: An Examination of Trait Mindfulness as a Moderator. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 0(0).
Follette, V. M., & Ruzek, J. I. (Eds.). (2006). Cognitive-behavioral therapies for trauma (2nd ed). Guilford Press.
Follette, V., & Pistorello, J. (2007). Finding Life Beyond Trauma: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Heal from Post-Traumatic Stress and Trauma-Related Problems. New Harbinger Publications.
Galpin, J. (2013). Posttraumatic stress and growth symptoms in parents of premature infants: The role of rumination type and social support.
Hayes, S. C., & Hofmann, S. G. (2017). Process Based CBT: The Science and Core Clinical Competencies of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Context Press.
Hembree, E. A., Foa, E. B., Dorfan, N. M., Street, G. P., Kowalski, J., & Tu, X. (2003). Do patients drop out prematurely from exposure therapy for PTSD? Journal of Traumatic Stress, 16(6), 555–562.
Kelly, A., & Garland, E. L. (2016). Trauma-Informed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Female Survivors of Interpersonal Violence: Results From a Stage I RCT. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 72(4), 311–328.
Lang, A. J., Schnurr, P. P., Jain, S., He, F., Walser, R. D., Bolton, E., Benedek, D. M., Norman, S. B., Sylvers, P., Flashman, L., Strauss, J., Raman, R., & Chard, K. M. (2017). Randomized controlled trial of acceptance and commitment therapy for distress and impairment in OEF/OIF/OND veterans. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy, 9(Suppl 1), 74–84.
Luoma, J. B., Kohlenberg, B. S., Hayes, S. C., & Fletcher, L. (2012). Slow and steady wins the race: A randomized clinical trial of acceptance and commitment therapy targeting shame in substance use disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80(1), 43–53.
Maguen, S., Lucenko, B. A., Reger, M. A., Gahm, G. A., Litz, B. T., Seal, K. H., Knight, S. J., & Marmar, C. R. (2010). The impact of reported direct and indirect killing on mental health symptoms in Iraq war veterans. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 23(1), 86–90.
McLean, C., & Follette, V. M. (2016). Acceptance and commitment therapy as a nonpathologizing intervention approach for survivors of trauma. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 17(2), 138–150.
Meyer, E. C., Walser, R., Hermann, B., La Bash, H., DeBeer, B. B., Morissette, S. B., Kimbrel, N. A., Kwok, O.-M., Batten, S. V., & Schnurr, P. P. (2018). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Co-Occurring Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorders in Veterans: Pilot Treatment Outcomes. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 31(5), 781–789.
Meyer, E. C., Walser, R., Hermann, B., La Bash, H., DeBeer, B. B., Morissette, S. B., Kimbrel, Orsillo, S. M., & Batten, S. V. (2005a). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Behavior Modification, 29(1), 95–129.
Polusny, M. A., Erbes, C. R., Thuras, P., Moran, A., Lamberty, G. J., Collins, R. C., Rodman, J. L., & Lim, K. O. (2015). Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Veterans: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 314(5), 456–465.
Powers, M. B., Vörding, M. B. Z. V. S., & Emmelkamp, P. M. G. (2009). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Meta-Analytic Review. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 78(2), 73–
Price, M., Lancaster, C. L., Gros, D. F., Legrand, A. C., van Stolk-Cooke, K., & Acierno, R. (2018). An Examination of Social Support and PTSD Treatment Response during Prolonged Exposure. Psychiatry, 81(3), 258–270.
Ramirez, M. W., Woodworth, C. A., Evans, W. R., Grace, G. A., Schobitz, R. P., Villarreal, S. A., Howells, C. J., Gissendanner, R. D., Katko, N. J., Jones, K. N., McCabe, A. E., & Terrell, D. J. (2021). A trauma-focused intensive outpatient program integrating elements of exposure therapy with acceptance and commitment therapy: Program development and initial outcomes. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 21, 66–72.
Rosen, C. S., Matthieu, M. M., Wiltsey Stirman, S., Cook, J. M., Landes, S., Bernardy, N. C., Chard, K. M., Crowley, J., Eftekhari, A., Finley, E. P., Hamblen, J. L., Harik, J. M., Kehle-Forbes, S. M., Meis, L. A., Osei-Bonsu, P. E., Rodriguez, A. L., Ruggiero, K. J., Ruzek, J. I., Smith, B. N., … Watts, B. V. (2016). A Review of Studies on the System-Wide Implementation of Evidence-Based Psychotherapies for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the Veterans Health Administration. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 43(6), 957–977.
Rutt, B. T., Oehlert, M. E., Krieshok, T. S., & Lichtenberg, J. W. (2018). Effectiveness of Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Psychological Reports, 121(2), 282–302.
Scott, B. (2022). Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Written Exposure: Creation of NACT for PTSD.
Shiner, B., D’Avolio, L. W., Nguyen, T. M., Zayed, M. H., Young-Xu, Y., Desai, R. A., Schnurr, P. P., Fiore, L. D., & Watts, B. V. (2013). Measuring use of evidence based psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 40(4), 311–318.
Simon, S., Moreyra, A., Wharton, E., Dowtin, L. L., Borkovi, T. C., Armer, E., & Shaw, R. J. (2021). Prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder in mothers of preterm infants using trauma-focused group therapy: Manual development and evaluation. Early Human Development, 154, 105282.
Smith, B. P., Coe, E., & Meyer, E. C. (2021). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Delivered via Telehealth for the Treatment of Co-Occurring Depression, PTSD, and Nicotine Use in a Male Veteran. Clinical Case Studies, 20(1), 75–91.
Thompson, B. L., Luoma, J. B., & LeJeune, J. T. (2013). Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Guide Exposure-Based Interventions for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 43(3), 133–140.
Twohig, M. P. (2009). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Study. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 16(3), 243–252.
Walser, R. D., & Westrup, D. (2007). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Trauma-Related Problems: A Practitioner’s Guide to Using Mindfulness and Acceptance Strategies. New Harbinger Publications.
Walser, R. D., & Wharton, E. (2021). Acceptance and commitment therapy: Using mindfulness and values in the treatment of moral injury. In Addressing moral injury in clinical practice (pp. 163–181). American Psychological Association.
Watts, B. V., Shiner, B., Zubkoff, L., Carpenter-Song, E., Ronconi, J. M., & Coldwell, C. M. (2014). Implementation of evidence-based psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder in VA specialty clinics. Psychiatric Services (Washington, D.C.), 65(5), 648–653.
Wegner, D. M., & Zanakos, S. (1994). Chronic Thought Suppression. Journal of Personality, 62(4), 615–640.
Wharton, E., Edwards, K. S., Juhasz, K., & Walser, R. D. (2019). Acceptance-based interventions in the treatment of PTSD: Group and individual pilot data using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 14, 55–64.
Woidneck, M. R., Morrison, K. L., & Twohig, M. P. (2014). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Among Adolescents. Behavior Modification, 38(4), 451–476.
Approvals
Cognitive Behavior Institute, #1771, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 06/30/2022-06/30/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 3.5 clinical continuing education credits.
Cognitive Behavior Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0098 and the State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0646 and the State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0216.
Cognitive Behavior Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7117. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cognitive Behavior Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Cognitive Behavior Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cognitive Behavior Institute maintains responsibility for content of this program.
Social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors in Pennsylvania can receive continuing education from providers approved by the American Psychological Association. Since CBI is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education, licensed social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed professional counselors in Pennsylvania will be able to fulfill their continuing education requirements by attending CBI continuing education programs. For professionals outside the state of Pennsylvania, you must confirm with your specific State Board that APA approved CE's are accepted towards your licensure requirements. The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) has a process for approving individual programs or providers for continuing education through their Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. ACE approved providers and individual courses approved by ASWB are not accepted by every state and regulatory board for continuing education credits for social workers. Every US state other than New York accepts ACE approval for social workers in some capacity: New Jersey only accepts individually approved courses for social workers, rather than courses from approved providers. The West Virginia board requires board approval for live courses, but accepts ASWB ACE approval for other courses for social workers. For more information, please see https://www.aswb.org/ace/ace-jurisdiction-map/. Whether or not boards accept ASWB ACE approved continuing education for other professionals such as licensed professional counselors or licensed marriage and family therapists varies by jurisdiction. To determine if a course can be accepted by your licensing board, please review your board’s regulations or contact them. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.