Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Online Learning Programme
This workshop explores the six core processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Participants will develop flexible, creative, and compassionate approaches to supporting meaningful behavioural change. The workshop also introduces ‘the ACT Matrix’ as a tool for ongoing assessment and contextual targeting of ACT processes.
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Programme Type: CPD workshop (certificate of attendance)
CPD: 6 hours
Next Intake(s): 14th November 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’ process based therapy. ACT brings a pragmatic contextual behavioural perspective to the clients emotional challenges. Flexibly and contextually cultivating the skill of values guided living, while taking a mindful willing stance to challenging thoughts, feelings and emotions is central to the ACT approach. ACT is increasingly demonstrating its effectiveness to help clients across a range of psychological issues.
Who Should Apply
This workshop is perfect for mental health professionals looking to deepen and enhance their therapeutic impact.
Learning Outcomes
This Workshop will cover how to effectively, creatively, compassionately, and flexibly practice the key processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Real plays and role plays will be used throughout the day to demonstrate and practice ways to support you and your clients create more meaningful behavioural change.
We will practice using the 6 core processes of ACT:
- Contact with the present moment
- Acceptance
- Defusion
- Self-as-context
- Value
- Committed Action
We will also use ‘the ACT Matrix’, as a tool for ongoing assessment, and contextual targeting of ACT processes, as well as to explore the workability of client behaviours.
Date
14th November 2026 09:30-16:30
Cost
€95.00. (15% discount for IICP College students/alumni and VCS counsellors)
Venue
This workshop will take place online.
Programme Lecturer
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).
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.
