Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Compassion Workshop

Onsite Learning Programme

Explore compassion-focused approaches within Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. 

This workshop introduces practitioners to the integration of compassion-based perspectives within ACT practice. Participants explore how compassion can support emotional regulation, self-awareness, and psychological flexibility. The course encourages practitioners to apply these principles in ways that deepen therapeutic relationships and support client wellbeing. 

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Programme Type: The college will issue a certificate of attendance to those who take this workshop.

CPD: 6 hours
Next Intakes: Sat 16th May 2026

NFQ: N/A
ECTS: N/A

Academic Validation: N/A

Professional Accreditation: N/A

Overview

Introduction

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based ‘third wave’ CBT approach, which also takes useful philosophical stances from Existentialism and Gestalt frameworks to create powerful counselling and therapeutic tools. ACT is increasingly demonstrating its effectiveness to help clients across a range of psychological issues.

Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is a psychological approach that helps individuals cultivate self-compassion and reduce self-criticism, particularly in the contexts of shame, trauma, depression and anxiety.

Who Should Apply

Perfect for mental health professionals looking to deepen and enhance their therapeutic impact.

Why choose this Programme?

This programme offers a practical and integrative approach to combining ACT and Compassion-Focused Therapy, equipping you with tools you can immediately apply in clinical practice. Grounded in evidence-based psychological science, it moves beyond theory through experiential learning, case examples, and skills-based exercises. You will strengthen your confidence in working with shame, self-criticism, and emotional avoidance, while enhancing your ability to help clients develop self-compassion, psychological flexibility, and meaningful, values-driven change.

Course Structure

Overview

This Workshop will cover how to effectively, creatively, compassionately, and flexibly integrate the key skills of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) to help you and your clients create more lasting changes, where you and they can often get stuck!

Practice using the 6 core processes of ACT:

  • Contact with the present moment
  • Acceptance
  • Defusion
  • Self-as-context
  • Values
  • Committed Action

As well as the 3 Circles model of CFT:

  • Threat
  • Ambition
  • Soothing

We will also use ‘the Matrix’, as a tool for ongoing assessment, and contextual targeting of ACT processes. The importance of compassion, validation and client collaboration will be discussed throughout the course of the workshop.

Assessment

N/A

Validation and Accreditation of Award

Certificate of attendance

CPD: 6 hours

Credits

N/A

Start Dates

Sat 16th May 2026

Venue

This workshop will take place onsite IICP College, Killinarden, Dublin 24

Programme Lecturers

Chris McConnell

Course Fees

Cost:

  • €95.00 (15% Discount for IICP Students/ Alumni and VCS Counsellors)

Expert Programme Facilitator

Chris McConnell

Chris is a qualified psychotherapist and holds a MSc in psychotherapy from UCD through St. Vincents University Hospital. Chris also holds a Diploma in CBT from Goldsmiths University in London. He is an Accredited Counsellor with the Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Ireland (APCP), and a Registered Member of the BACP.
Since 2008 Chris has trained extensively in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as well as other mindfulness based therapy approaches, including Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Chris has been teaching the ACT module at IICP since 2021. He practices privately in Dublin and online.

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+353 (0)1 661 0168

[email protected]

IICP College Office

+353 (0)1 4664205

©IICP.ie 2026. IICP Education and Training Unlimited Company trading as IICP College registered in Ireland under number 413668 with its registered office at IICP College, Killinarden Enterprise Park, Tallaght, Dublin D24 TKC7.