ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is a therapeutic approach that stands out among the third wave of cognitive behavioral therapies. The approach focuses on increasing psychological flexibility, that is, developing behaviors that bring a person closer to who and what is important to them, while being willing to accept feelings, emotions, and thoughts as they are in the present moment (Hayes, Strosahl & Wilson, 2011).

The course is intended for professionals in the field of mental health rehabilitation in a variety of services and with a variety of psychiatric disorders.

The ultimate goal of the course is to enable rehabilitation professionals to grow personally and professionally, to become familiar with the flexibility model, and to create an opportunity for a meaningful and value-oriented life in times when reality is changing and complex.

The principles of the ACT approach are consistent with the concept of the recovery approach, in that it places humanity at the center, empowers the person, and thus promotes rehabilitation and recovery. Studies have found that it contributes to increasing functioning and implementing life alongside the illness (Johns et al. 2016). In addition, increasing the psychological flexibility of the professional makes it possible to deal with mental pain and discomfort, while inviting us to act with openness, curiosity, softness, and generosity towards ourselves and towards those who are struggling.

Uniqueness of the course : A combination of learning and experiential practice. The invitation to learn ACT is to experiment with exercises individually, in pairs, and in small groups. The learning will include lectures, demonstrations, videos, and experiential practices.

Course Coordinator : Limor Atar, M.Sc.OT Occupational Therapist, expert in mental health rehabilitation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT), therapist in third wave approaches (ACT, DBT). Professional trainer and lecturer. Owner of a private clinic for treating children, youth and adults. Former leader of the Israeli branch of the ACBS organization, the global umbrella organization of ACT therapists.

Course goals : To enable therapists to grow personally and professionally by understanding the model of psychological flexibility, cultivating an active stance, and developing treatment skills based on the approach.

• Introduction to the philosophical and theoretical basis for ACT therapy - the contextual behavioral concept, applied behavior analysis, introduction to the development of the approach and the latest research.
• Introduction to the approach model, and the six processes for psychological flexibility: acceptance, cognitive dissociation, contact with the present moment, flexible self-perception, identification of values, and committed action.
• Teaching therapeutic skills and tools – matrix, metaphors and indicative exercises.
• Applying the approach in rehabilitation work and connecting it to the recovery approach.

Course structure : 8 sessions of 6 academic hours each.

Participants : Professionals with at least a year and a half of experience in a rehabilitation role in various settings.

Course requirements : Mandatory attendance – 90%

• Active participation in meetings, discussions, and classroom and group practice.
• Preparing assignments during the course.
• Presentation of the final project in class: In-class guidance of one exercise from the bibliographic sources in groups of three students, presentation of the exercise, guidance, connection to theory and application.

Admission conditions

A practicing professional for at least a year and a half in various rehabilitation settings.

The number of participants in the course is limited.

       Johns, LC, Oliver, JE, Khondoker, M., Byrne, M., Jolley, S., Wykes, T., Candice, J., Butler, L., Craig, T. & Morris, EM (2016). The feasibility and acceptability of a brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) group intervention for people with psychosis: the 'ACT for life' study. Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry, 50, 257-263.

     Hayes, SC, Strosahl, KD, & Wilson, KG (2011). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change. Guilford Press.

     Hayes, S. (2019). A Liberated Mind: The essential guide to ACT. Random House

ACT Made Simple