Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy that uses mindfulness-based techniques to help people change their lives.

Where other psychotherapies focus on reducing symptoms, ACT focuses on helping individuals make changes and live with purpose. ACT helps people build psychological flexibility so that they can respond to their difficult experiences in new ways.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has a strong evidence base and is recommended by the World Health Organisation, NHS and American Psychological Association.

This course will teach you the fundamentals of what ACT is and how to use it. It is suitable for psychotherapists and mental health professionals, as well as individuals looking to apply ACT to their own wellbeing. We’ll cover the theory, practice and techniques of ACT including:

• What ACT is and the underlying theoretical model

• Why existing interventions such as traditional CBT often fail

• The six processes of psychological flexibility

• Delivering ACT step-by-step

• Building a strong therapeutic relationship

The course includes video lectures, downloads, quizzes, practical exercises and a comprehensive course handbook. You will gain hands-on experience trying ACT techniques and finish the course with a variety of skills for building psychological flexibility.

No prior knowledge of acceptance and commitment therapy is required to enrol on this course. You do not need a background in cognitive behavioural therapy or mindfulness, although having one may aid understanding. All concepts will be explained from the ground up.