ACT in Nature Training Retreat - WINTER 2024

At this retreat, we will use nature as a background for training and practice in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness meditation, and ecopsychology. 

This continuing education retreat is intended for practicing therapists, clinicians and interns and is recognized for 14 hours of continuing education credits with the Ordre de Psychologues du Quebec.

Accommodations: The retreat will be held at the stunning Auberge Yoga Salamandre with catering provided by L'Archipel Restaurant.

Transportation: The retreat does not provide transportation. If you do not have a car available, there is a bus line through LimoCar that takes you to Bromont Autoparc 74, which is 15 minutes from the retreat centre. If you plan to take LimoCar to Bromont, please contact us at info@moirestevenson.com and we will help coordinate a ride for you from the bus station in Bromont to the retreat center. 

What to expect

• Beautiful rooms and delicious food
• Connecting with nature and yourself
• Hanging out with other mindful therapists 
• Training on the Core Principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Training on practical applications of ACT across the lifespan 

The Training 

The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Nature training provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of ACT principles and techniques while using the natural world to practice these techniques. Participants will learn how to use ACT to help clients develop psychological flexibility and enhance their well-being. This training will be particularly useful for therapists working with individuals with anxiety and anxiety-related disorders. This training is for psychologists, psychotherapists and trainees who wish to expand their knowledge and clinical skills in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and ecopsychology.

Course Objectives:

● Gain a solid understanding of the core principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

● Learn the key components of psychological flexibility and behavioural activation and how to foster it in clients.

● Practice the implementation of various ACT techniques and interventions, including mindfulness meditation, the ACT Matrix, and the Choice Point into therapeutic work.

● Understand the use of ecopsychology to enhance ACT practices and techniques.

● Explore the use of ACT with specific populations and age groups.

● Develop self-awareness and personal mindfulness practice to enhance therapeutic presence and effectiveness.

● By the end of this training, participants will have a strong foundation in ACT and will be equipped to integrate ACT principles and techniques into their therapeutic work.

Training Outline

The training will be conducted in a workshop-style format, consisting of a combination of didactic presentations, experiential exercises, case studies, and group discussions. The facilitator will provide a supportive learning environment that encourages active participation and the integration of theory and practice. Participants will be able to engage in mindfulness-based activities, various experiential techniques, and role-play.

Content

1) ACT at a glance 

a) The Hexaflex

i. Overview of the model

ii. How it serves as a framework for the therapy

b) Case Formulation

i. Presentation of the concept

ii. Experiential learning through role-play

c) The ACT Matrix 

i. At a glance

ii. How to use the Matrix to encourage client growth

2) Ecopsychology and ACT 

a) What is Ecopsychology?

b) How to use ecopsychology to enhance ACT

3) Core Principles

a) Mindfulness

i. Review of key concepts (e.g., present moment focus)

ii. Breaking the ice - how to practice mindfulness with clients

iii. Experiential learning through guided mindfulness practice

b) Cognitive Flexibility

i. Self-as-Context key concepts

ii. How to build skills from the first session onwards - Experiential learning through role-play

c) Defusion and recurrent thoughts

i. Freeing the client from recurrent and difficult thoughts

ii. Recurrent thoughts in OCD and how to treat them from an ACT perspective

iii. Experiential learning through the use of the Choice-Point tool

d) Values Work

i. Why knowing what matters, matters

e) Willingness

i. Creative hopelessness

f) Committed Actions

i. Key concepts

ii. Return to the ACT Matrix

4) Supporting Client Change

a) DNA-V Model for adolescents

b) Behavioural economics and client change

*For a detailed outline of course content, please email me at info@moirestevenson.com, or message me through Facebook, Instagram or Linkedin.

To learn more about ACT and my approach, check out Mindfulness Outdoors.

Prerequisites

No prior experience in ACT is required to attend this training. However, participants should have a basic understanding of general therapeutic principles, ethics and practices. Participants should have some prior supervised clinical experience (e.g., practicum, internship, and clinical practice).

Presenter Bio

Dr. Moire Stevenson is a clinical psychologist with 15 years of clinical experience in the public and private sectors. She has worked with a variety of age groups and has specific expertise in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders. She also has a background in biology and biochemistry and uses aspects of ecopsychology to enhance the use of ACT and encourage experiential practice. She has been a clinical supervisor for the past 7 years, specializing in supervision in ACT and evidence-based practice for specific disorders (e.g., OCD, social anxiety, selective mutism, etc.). She runs a popular wellness-based outdoors group in Quebec. Dr. Stevenson is also the Lead for Disability Accommodations at Concordia University and the Lead Investigator for the Psychological Assessment of Children with Visual Impairment Study (PACVI) with the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR). For more on Dr. Stevenson, check out her Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin pages.