ACT in a Day

Credit

Program Information

All members of the PESI, Inc. planning committee have provided disclosures of financial relationships with ineligible organizations and any relevant non-financial relationships prior to planning content for this activity. None of the committee members had relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies or other potentially biasing relationships to disclose to learners.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.

Speaker

Melissa Stringer, LPC Related seminars and products

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Melissa Stringer, LPC, is the founder of Connect & Reboot, offering therapy grounded in contextual behavioral science. She specializes in treating anxiety and trauma related disorders and has extensive experience across community mental health, substance abuse treatment, and long-term care facilities.

Melissa regularly conducts ACT training workshops for clinicians at various skill levels and leads ACT consultation groups. She’s written several mental health articles featured in GoodTherapy.org, Healthline.com, and Pollen magazine. She is a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science and is dedicated to expanding psychological flexibility in both clients and clinicians, clearing the way for authentic, valuesdriven action.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Melissa Stringer maintains a private practice and has an employment relationship with ACT Consultation Group. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Melissa Stringer has no relevant non-financial relationships.

 

Additional Info

Program Information

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Objectives

1. Determine the role of the six core processes of ACT in psychological flexibility.
2. Utilize research-based cognitive defusion techniques to manage painful thoughts.
3. Integrate mindfulness and acceptance exercises to manage client distress.
4. Choose values clarification tools to foster client motivation and meaningful behavioral change.
5. Formulate actionable and values-based treatment plans consistent with ACT principles.
6. Choose techniques that enhance self as context to promote adaptive coping strategies.

Outline

ACT Foundations and Core Concepts

Build a rock-solid understanding of ACT so you can use it with confidence

• The science behind ACT and how it compares to other models
• Why psychological flexibility is the single most powerful predictor of change
• The Hexaflex model, key benefits and clinical applications
• Limitations, contraindications, and empirical support

Cognitive Defusion: Help Clients Unhook from Difficult Thoughts

Master tools that help clients stop overidentifying with painful thoughts

• Defusion vs. Cognitive restructuring
• Use powerful metaphors like Passengers on the Bus and Pushing Away Paper
• Practice quick defusion techniques you can use in 5 minutes or less
• Research finding of diffusion efficacy

Mindfulness & Acceptance Strategies for Real-World Distress

Help clients face discomfort with openness instead of avoidance

• Learn brief ACT-based mindfulness practices (no long meditations!)
• Use acceptance techniques to reduce experiential avoidance
• Apply ACT strategies to anxiety, trauma, and emotional pain – without overwhelming clients
• The evidence

Values Clarification: Reignite Motivation and Meaning

Help client discover what truly maters – and use it as fuel for change

• Distinguish between goals and values (and why that distinction matters)
• Use values-based exercises to uncover purpose and direction
• Tie values into session goals to boost client buy-in and motivation
• Move past avoidance by focusing on what’s most important

Committed Action: Turn Insight into Real-Life Change

Guide clients to take bold, meaningful steps aligned with their values

• Link actions directly to personal values for deep- lasting motivation
• Create clear, achievable action plans with built-in accountability
• Navigate obstacles like fear, shame, or stuckness without losing momentum
• Track progress through values-consistent behavior

Self as Context & Flexible Perspective-Taking

Teach clients how to observe their inner experience without being ruled by it

• Metaphors (like The Fruit Bowl and Sky & Weather) to build insight and emotional resilience
• Detach clients from limiting self-narratives
• Increase flexibility in how clients relate to thoughts, feelings, and identity
• The proof is in the research

Target Audience

• Counselors
• Social Workers
• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Psychotherapists
• Addiction Counselors
• Marriage & Family Therapists
• Case Managers
• Other Mental Health Professionals
• Nurses