PK303: ACT – Behaviour therapy

Learn about the powerful third wave behavioural therapy - ACT
  • Learn about behaviour therapy for mental health
  • Understand the theory of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Gain the practical know-how to help your clients using ACT techniques
  • Learn how to develop psychological flexibility

Approx. 15 hours of training,
with 12 months to complete

5 modules for just

NZD$579.00

Gain an in-depth understanding of the latest behavioural therapy for mental health and help affect positive outcomes for your patients or clients with mild to moderate mental health challenges.

In this online mental health course, you will learn about the ‘Third Wave’ behavioural therapy known as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The core aim for coaches using ACT tools is to help patients or clients develop psychological flexibility whilst changing the relationship they have with strong, painful thoughts and emotions in order to live a rich fulfilling life.

“In ACT we don’t describe thoughts and feelings to be positive or negative. It’s either helpful or unhelpful, workable or unworkable. The idea that suffering being inherent in the human experience certainly isn’t new and ACT really just normalises that as a part of being human.” – Sophia Dawson, PREKURE Resident Psychologist

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Explained:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, is a third-wave behavioural therapy rooted in the notion that accepting, rather than reframing, fighting, or trying to ignore our thoughts, emotions and internal experiences is the true path to a life well lived. Russ Harris popularised this approach to mental wellbeing with his book The Happiness Trap. 

The four basic premises of ACT are:

 

  • Humans are hardwired to experience negative thoughts and feelings, even in the face of a small threat. Our caveman brain predisposes us to something called negativity bias. This means we are always looking for what might go wrong in any given situation. This survival technique has kept us (as a species) alive for millennia.
  • It is human nature that people tend to avoid negative inner experiences. We don’t like feeling sad, or angry, or ashamed and as a result we try to avoid these feelings thinking they might magically go away.
  • Clarity of personal values and commitment are keys to sustained behaviour change. You have probably heard some version of this before, but connecting to your ‘why’ is a powerful tool for taking action. Your ‘why’ becomes your compass, a guiding tool to take you towards the person you want to be.
  • Rather than fighting the feeling attached to a behaviour, a person can observe having the feeling but still act in a way not directly influenced by the feeling. This is all about the power of meditation which, despite what many people think, is not about quieting the mind but rather ‘dropping’ the metaphorical struggle with all our thoughts and feelings.

Study online, at home, any time.

All our courses are accessed from the convenience of your computer, smartphone or tablet, all from the comfort of your own home.

Be free to learn on your own time, at your own pace, and in your own space.

Meet Your Instructor

 

Sophia Dawson

Sophia Dawson

Registered Psychologist

Sophia has a passion for holistic wellbeing and is highly skilled in the use of ACT with her patients.

Hear what our students are saying

Why are PREKURE the leaders in preventative lifestyle medicine and mental health science?

 

  • PREKURE courses are taught by recognised world experts and academics.
  • PREKURE courses contain the latest evidence-informed knowledge and tools in lifestyle medicine.
  • PREKURE is endorsed by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and are approved for CME credits and CPD.

100% MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE

What if I don’t like what I buy?

You’re protected by PREKURE’s unconditional, 30-day, 100% money-back guarantee. We want you to have peace of mind when you buy any of our programs, so we give you up to 30 risk-free days from the date you purchase to decide if it’s for you.

If you’re not happy with your results, simply contact us, and we will give you an instant refund. It’s that simple.

Course Content

Invisible Accordion
Module 1: What is ACT?

In this module, you will learn about ACT and form an understanding of what it is and the evidence that underpins it.

Join registered psychologist Sophia Dawson as she explains what ACT is, how it differs from traditional models of behavioural therapy, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and explores the core processes related to ACT. Sophia will give you an overview of the evidence base behind ACT to help you build an understanding of how and why this form of behavioural therapy is effective.

Module 2: The Assessment And Beyond

In this module, you will learn to identify the core pathological processes as they may show up in your work with a client. Join registered psychologist Sophia Dawson and explore ‘the agenda of control’. She explains how you can support clients to recognise the futility of control and ‘drop the struggle’. Explore the concept of willingness and its importance when engaging with acceptance and commitment therapy tools.

Module 3: The Art Of Being Present And Doing What Matters

In this module, you will learn about the concept of mindfulness as it relates to ACT, and you’ll be introduced to mindfulness exercises. Join PREKURE’s resident psychologist, Sophia Dawson, as she explores values, goals, committed action and workability. Form an understanding of tools that you can incorporate to support clients to identify values-based goals.

Module 4: What's Getting In The Way?

In this module, you will learn about letting go of the struggle that clients have with what’s inside their heads, and understand the skills that can be useful to help clients recognise that they can allow what is inside them to just be there. Join PREKURE’s resident psychologist, Sophia Dawson, as she explores concepts like ‘dropping the anchor’, acceptance, self-compassion and unhooking.

Module 5: ACT Skills In Working With Anxiety And Depression

In this module, you will learn about anxiety and depression and how these presentations may show up in our work with clients. Join PREKURE’s resident psychologist, Sophia Dawson, as she explores the DSM-5 criteria, the ACT framework and referring clients. 

Approx. 15 hours of training,
with 12 months to complete

5 modules for just

NZD$579.00

Frequently Asked Questions

Invisible Accordion
When does the course start and finish?

This course is available for you to start immediately as soon as you enrol with online, 24/7 access. You then have 12 months to complete your short course.

Can I go at my own pace?

Yes. You can do this course in your own time and at your own pace, with online 24/7 access. The course can easily be completed within four weeks by committing to approximately five hours of work per week. You do however have up to 12 months to complete your course.

Do I receive any certification for completing the course?

You will receive a PREKURE Certificate of Completion for this course.

What happens after I finish the course?

If you would like to continue learning, choose another Short Course or cross-credit into one of our Certificates.

Do I need any background or previous learning in the health field?

No. This course is perfect if you want to upskill for your own benefit. You will learn many tips and tricks that will help you and your loved ones. To date, we have had GPs, nurses, full-time mums, gardeners, IT specialists, and more enrolling on this course.

I am a nurse, physio or pharmacist. Does this course counts towards my CPD credits?

Yes, it counts as 20 hours.

How do I know this course is credible and contains correct information?

The course is scientifically-based and evidence-informed with full academic references provided for all materials. It is taught by our highly qualified, world-class teaching Faculty with extensive real-world experience. One of our past students says, “By aligning with a professional group like PREKURE, I can reassure my clients that I am using the latest, evidence-based tools and techniques to support them.”

Is this a CME endorsed course by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGPs)?

Our courses have been endorsed by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) and have been approved for CME credits for the General Practice Educational Programme (GPEP) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) purposes.

What if I am unhappy with the course?

If you are dissatisfied for any reason with your purchase, contact us within 30 days and we will give you a full refund, no questions asked.

Do I get lifetime access to this course?

No. All PREKURE course content is available for 12 months from the date you enrol. Each module does however come with notes that you can download.

If you’re completing this Short Course as part of a Certificate you can retain access to your course content by joining the PREKURE Postgrad Network, an exclusive membership offering postgraduate professional support to PREKURE Certificate graduates. This includes access to updated content, resources and references as we continue to develop and re-release courses.

Join the course
and upskill in the latest science

PREKURE provides training in the theory and practice of lifestyle medicine for mild to medium mental health challenges. We cannot provide personalised medical advice. If you or your loved ones require personal medical advice, or suffer from moderate to severe mental ill-health, then we recommend you consult a registered health practitioner (GP, Registered Psychologist).

Need help now?

  • In New Zealand: If life is in danger, call 111 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor or access other Helplines and Support here
  • In Australia: If life is in danger, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. Or call 13 11 14 (Lifeline), 1300 22 4636 (Beyond Blue), or call 1300 659 467 (Suicide Call Back Service).