In this 90-minute workshop, participants will learn about acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for chronic pain, including the most recent research outcomes, underlying mechanisms, and important systemic influences. Participants will gain an experiential understanding of the processes that influence psychological inflexibility and specific clinical interventions to increase flexibility, health, and well-being. The session will include an introduction to ACT-based case conceptualization and treatment planning for chronic pain. The speaker will also provide a brief overview of the philosophical underpinnings of this third-wave behavioral approach, including functional contextualism and relational frame theory.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain how individuals use avoidance and fusion in the context of their pain.
- Use at least two ACT interventions for clients with chronic pain.
- Evaluate how self-compassion work is relevant in chronic pain.