In this session, Dr John Boorman investigates the scientific and clinical importance of process. Where we are at in terms of understanding the human condition and why specific processes work is a problem for everyone connected with helping alleviate human suffering. Whilst there are many empirically supported psychological models aimed to relieve human suffering, including...

In this session, Dr John Boorman investigates the problem with control. Control is often an attractive and desired solution for many people. However, when examined more carefully, particularly if we draw on our own experiences or that of others, how feasible is the control agenda really? Have we been sold an illusion? Dr Boorman illustrates...

In this session, Dr John Boorman investigates flexibility. Flexibility is at the heart of all ACT work. It sits in the centre of the ACT treatment model and has been the subject of multiple studies into its effectiveness as an intervention. Dr John Boorman provides an overview of why experiential avoidance (aka inflexibility) is related...

In this session, Dr John Boorman discusses how ACT sits within a wider organisational structure termed Contextual Behavioural Science (CBS). The importance of understanding context is not new in behavioural sciences. Behaviour is not dependent on anything else, it can only be influenced by the contexts with which it operates, whether these are biological, environmental,...

In this session, Dr John Boorman investigates how complex presentations can be viewed through the lens of the narratives that clients have constructed, and how these make sense to who they are. This is a continuation of the theme presented in the previous session, ‘The Problem with Control’. Dr Boorman provides practical clinical examples on...

In this session, Dr John Boorman investigates the Role of Meaning. Clients often present in therapy with questions such as ‘who am, I and what do I stand for?’ Developing a sense of purpose and meaning can be central to therapy. Dr Boorman draws upon concepts presented in earlier sessions to illustrate how difficult it...

In this session, Dr John Boorman explains how understanding how humans behave and act in different circumstances is a core part in psychological therapy. ACT takes the approach that helping others with this process, whether they are clients, colleagues, friends etc. helps empower them to make significant changes in their lives.

In this session, Dr John Boorman investigates Creative Hopelessness. There are times when we continue to act in a certain way even when the outcome may not be helping us move forward. Creative hopelessness is an ACT process which seeks to explore with the client what they are looking to achieve; what strategies have been...

In this session, Dr John Boorman investigates acceptance and contacting the present. Acceptance and contacting the present moment can both be difficult concepts to illustrate to others. The former is often associated with resignation, surrender or giving up. The latter, in other modalities known as mindfulness, involves staying in the here and now. This can...

In this session, Dr John Boorman explores how understanding how humans behave and act in different circumstances can be complex and confusing, both for the client and clinician. Dr Boorman demonstrates the importance of understanding the clients’ language, and how this is used to help therapist and clients begin to understand their behaviour. He provides...

In this session, Dr John Boorman investigates defusion. Dr Boorman explains how the problems of the mind are examined in almost every psychological therapy. Humans become entangled with what their mind is telling them as opposed to noticing the process of thinking. Understanding how this process works and learning how thoughts can influence behaviour is...

In this session, Dr John Boorman investigates values. Helping clients engage in change strategies requires different type of motivational approaches. Values work is one of the key components of the ACT model. It has been used in other types of therapy, however it could be argued that values has always been a front and centre...

In this session, Dr John Boorman explores how language is at the heart of everything thing we do and has a central role in how we operate in the world. We experience the world directly (as it is) and indirectly (relationally). Dr Boorman explains how human language and thinking has evolved over time and can...

In this session, Dr John Boorman investigates understanding the self. The self could be considered as the holy grail of psychology, and many psychological models have sought to explore this central concept. Dr Boorman discusses the self from an ACT and Relational Frame Theory (RFT) perceptive. We discover how we organise our life experiences through...

In this session, Dr John Boorman investigates behaviour change. Effective behaviour change is often one of the most challenging tasks in therapy. We humans are adept at sticking to what we know. Deviating or becoming more flexible with how we respond is often a common dilemma in therapy. Helping people to engage with patterns of...