Presented by Dr. David Smith, Cpsych
Dr. David Smith, CPsych, is a counselling psychologist (McGill University, 1998) and a professor of counselling psychology at the University of Ottawa since 1998. In his 25-year clinical practice, he has worked in post-secondary, medical, and private practice settings. His interest in ACT started with a mindfulness meditation training program he completed some years ago, and which he continues to practice to this day. He has since completed clinical training using ACT with Dr. Steven Hayes (University of Nevada), Dr. Jason Luoma (Portland Psychotherapy Clinic), Dr. Mattheiu Villatte (Bastyr University, Seattle, WA), Dr. Russ Harris (author: The Happiness Trap), all international leaders in ACT development and training.
This one day introductory-level training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) will orient participants to the theoretical bases and clinical methods of this emerging evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach. Participants will learn about the six foundational therapeutic processes of the ACT model (i.e., the Hexaflex), become familiar with Relational Frame Theory that underlies the ACT model, learn therapeutic techniques to cultivate defusion and acceptance skills with clients, and integrate therapist use-of-self in ACT consistent ways. Participants will have an opportunity to develop their skills in this model through practice, roleplay, experiential exercises, discussion and application to clinical cases.