Program Overview

Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

The course plan for the Basic training in Acceptance and commitment therapy program is outlined below.

Base data

• Course code: 9K8122
• Name of the course: Basic training in Acceptance and commitment therapy
• Higher education credits: 7.5
• Form of education: Assignment education (university credits)
• Main field: Psychotherapy
• Level: G2 - Basic level 2
• Grade scale: Fail (U) or pass (G)
• Department responsible for the course: Department of Clinical Neuroscience
• Decision-making body: The Education Board CNS
• Date of determination:
• Revised by: Education board CNS
• The course plan is valid from: Spring semester 2023

Special authorization

• Basic psychotherapy training.

Goal

The purpose of the course is to teach basic theoretical knowledge and practical skills in ACT. After completing the course, participants should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe the theoretical basis of ACT and its foundation in learning theory
• describe the ACT model's different processes and central interventions

Skill and ability

• establish a case formulation including a treatment plan according to the ACT model
• apply basic ACT interventions
• apply principles for evaluating client work based on ACT

Values and attitudes

• approach clients based on basic ACT principles
• reflect on when ACT is applicable and not in clinical work

Contents

The course covers the underlying theory and concepts for problem analysis and treatment with ACT. The teaching includes practical exercises in performing ACT interventions and how ACT principles are applied in relation to the client. An introduction is given to how measurement can be designed to systematically evaluate the therapeutic effort. The teaching also deals with the research situation for the therapy method.

The course takes place over a term with ongoing course meetings that include both theoretical and practical elements. Between course meetings, course participants read course literature, complete web-based knowledge tests, and self-applied ACT exercises. Knowledge tests and self-applied ACT exercises will be available digitally via the course's web platform.

The course also includes course participants recording a role-play together with another course participant. Course participants will then receive feedback from teachers and the role-play will be discussed in smaller groups.

During the course, the course participant works on establishing an ACT conceptualization and treatment plan based on a case vignette. The assignment is submitted at the end of the course and serves as the basis for examination.

Forms of work

• Course meetings
• Self-study with course literature and self-applied ACT exercises
• Role playing

Examination

The course is examined in the form of a written assignment, participation in course meetings, and submission of a video-recorded role-play. Attendance at course meetings is mandatory. Assessment of the course participants' skills in applying ACT takes place through recorded role-plays and participation in a reflection seminar. For the exam parts to be relevant for assessment, they must have been submitted before the deadline, which is specified in the schedule in connection with the course start. Written work is checked in an anti-plagiarism system before grading begins.

Transitional provisions

Examination will be provided according to a separate agreement.

Other regulations

Course evaluation will be conducted according to the guidelines established for education at Karolinska Institutet.

Bibliography and other teaching aids

Compulsory literature

• Luoma, Jason B.; Hayes, Steven C.; Walser, Robyn D., Learning ACT :an acceptance and commitment therapy skills training manual for therapists , Second edition. : Oakland, CA : New Harbinger Publications, Inc., [2017] - 452 pages ISBN: 978--2, LIBRIS-ID: , *

Recommended reading

• Törneke, Niklas, Relationship framing theory - RFT :theory and clinical application , 2., rev. ed. : Lund : Studentlitteratur, 2014 - 298 pp. ISBN: , LIBRIS-ID: ,