Transforming Interrupted Lives: Using ACT as A Client-Centered Process-Based Approach for Treating Trauma
Facilitated by: Robyn Walser
Date: October 3 & 4, 2025
Time: 11:00am – 2:30pm (ET)
Location: Online via Zoom
About the Workshop
Change is a natural part of life, but trauma can disrupt a person’s ability to adapt and grow. Many people seek therapy when overwhelming experiences leave them feeling stuck, disconnected, or unable to pursue meaningful living. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) offers a flexible, evidence-based approach to support trauma recovery. Rooted in behavioral science, ACT emphasizes psychological flexibility—the capacity to stay open to painful thoughts and emotions while engaging in values-based action.
This workshop will explore how ACT helps trauma survivors reduce avoidance, foster self-compassion, and reconnect with purpose. Rather than eliminating painful memories or symptoms, ACT supports clients in building a new relationship with their inner experiences—one that makes space for pain without letting it dominate behavior.
Participants will learn how ACT processes—including mindfulness, defusion, acceptance, and values clarification—can be integrated into trauma-informed care. Emphasis will be placed on creating a therapeutic environment grounded in authenticity, compassion, and safety. ACT will be presented as a guide for helping clients reclaim their lives—not by erasing pain, but by carrying it with dignity while taking steps toward what matters most.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the core processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and their relevance in supporting trauma recovery.
- Explain the concept of psychological flexibility and how it functions as a resilience-promoting factor in individuals with a history of trauma.
- Describe the application of ACT principles—including mindfulness, acceptance, defusion, and values clarification—in the context of trauma-informed care.
- Identify strategies to foster a compassionate, collaborative therapeutic relationship that supports trauma survivors in pursuing meaningful life directions.
- Apply experiential and values-based exercises to help clients reduce avoidance and more effectively engage with difficult internal experiences.
- Utilize ACT techniques to enhance clinical skills in guiding trauma-affected clients toward purposeful and values-driven action.
Presenter
Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized clinical psychologist, educator, and author. She is the Director of Trauma and Life Consultation and Psychology Services, Assistant Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and Director of Research at Bay Area Trauma Recovery Clinical Services. Dr. Walser has contributed significantly to the dissemination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and holds a pivotal role in implementing ACT in one of the US’s largest national healthcare system. She also works at the National Center for PTSD, where her work focus is on trauma recovery, depression, and moral injury. A writer and scholar, Dr. Walser has co-authored nine influential books on ACT, including The Heart of ACT: Developing a Flexible, Process-Based, and Client-Centered Practice Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Her research and clinical expertise have made her a sought-after voice in advancing the application of ACT to address various complex psychological challenges. Since 1997, Dr. Walser has led ACT workshops worldwide, bringing her deep understanding and passion for process-based, experiential learning to therapists and clinicians. Known for her client-centered approach, Dr. Walser’s teaching emphasizes the integration of evidence-based practices with human connection and flexibility. To learn more about her work and join her newsletter list, visit robynwalser.com.
Target Audience
This workshop is intended for all health care professionals seeking to develop skills and offer interventions in a safe, effective way for their clients dealing with trauma and other mental health challenges.
Webinar Recording
This webinar will be recorded and shared with all registrants within 5-7 of the webinar taking place. The recording will be available for 60 days once released.
Course Fees
Regular: $255 CAD + HST = $288.15
Early Bird Regular: $225 CAD + HST = $254.25
Student*: $205 CAD + HST = $231.65
Early Bird Student*: $175 CAD + HST = $197.75
EARLY-BIRD DEADLINE: September 19, 2025
* Students must email a copy/scan of their valid student ID or confirmation of enrolment upon purchasing their ticket to: cmbhworkshops@gmail.com
** A 5% discount is available for groups of 5+ registering at the same time. Please email our Education Team for more details: cmbhworkshops@gmail.com
Registration Confirmation: Please allow 1-2 business days for our workshop staff to confirm your registration. We will email you an official receipt upon confirmation, including further details on workshop format and preparation materials.
Cancellation and Refund Policy: An administrative fee of $75 will be charged for cancellations. For a refund, written notification must be received by September 19, 2025. Written notice of cancellation should be emailed to cmbhworkshops@gmail.com. Refunds will not be issued after September 19, 2025. CMBH reserves the right to cancel workshops due to unforeseen circumstances.
Continuing Education (CE) Credits
OPA: Pending approval for 7.5 CE credits for Psychological Practitioners.
MDPAC: Pending approval for 7 hours of MDPAC Group CE credits and 1 hour of MDPAC CCI credits (automatically calculated when MDPAC member submits Group CE hours).
OAMHP: Pending approval for 7.5 hours (CECs).
Participants must attend the entirety of the webinar in real-time to receive a certificate of completion detailing CE credits. Attendance will be noted manually by our workshop staff. Participants who are unable to attend the webinar in real-time may view the recordings once they are released and can be provided a questionnaire upon request to receive full CE credits.
