ODL 244: An Overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Action Oriented Clinical Approach

Created on 03/31/2023 Revised on 10/2/2024

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

As a clinician it is important to have knowledge of various therapeutic models and useful interventions to help clients. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, is emerging as a very promising and evidenced-based therapeutic modality to treat a host of mental health conditions. ACT incorporates elements of CBT and DBT into its framework, while also including some unique tenets and approaches. Join this full day workshop to learn about the fundamental philosophies of ACT, including the six core processes. Discover how ACT approaches unhelpful thinking, difficult emotions, and problematic behaviors. ACT is evidenced based for depression, anxiety, suicide, trauma, and many more mental health conditions. Learners will find ACT approaches and interventions relevant to a variety of clients in diverse settings through examining case studies, video clips, and worksheets. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of ACT basic principles and psychological flexibility
• Identify the six core processes of ACT
• Name at least two ACT interventions in clinical practice
• Examine on methods and rationale for incorporating ACT interventions into work with clients
• Discover and utilize ACT methods such as metaphors, cognitive fusion, and self as context with clients

Presenter:

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW,  and owner of Diane Bigler Therapy Services, Inc. 

Diane Bigler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas. She has over 20 years of experience in the social services field. Diane has held positions as a therapist (in-home and outpatient), private practice owner, trainer/facilitator, clinical supervisor, and Professor of Social Work. She also has experience in corporate wellness training and coaching. Diane is most passionate about providing quality educational training to professionals. She enjoys spoiling her four Dachshunds and anything 80’s related.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.