Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in the Treatment of Individuals with Eating Disorders
by Michelle Macera, PhD 4 CE Credits
Description:
Among psychiatric illnesses, eating disorders are associated with the highest rates of premature death and the highest rates of short- and long-term physiological complications. Given these statistics, a new empirically-based therapeutic approach, namely Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), may represent an important tool for clinicians. Rather than focus on reducing unwanted thoughts and feelings, ACT targets experiential avoidance, helping clients to mindfully observe and accept all thoughts and feelings, while maintaining commitment to core values. This course will review the theoretical and empirical underpinnings of ACT and present ACT-relevant assessment and treatment techniques for use with eating disordered clients, such as mindfulness activities, exposure-based exercises, and commitment to core values.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, health professionals will be able to:
- Identify the diagnostic symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, and eating disorder not otherwise specified, and the empirical evidence regarding how experiential avoidance contributes to its onset and maintenance.
- Describe and discuss Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) from a theory- and evidence-based perspective.
- Strategically apply and facilitate the implementation of therapeutic techniques from the six ACT treatment components.
- Specify ACT-relevant assessment tools and guidelines for use in treatment planning, measurement of behavioral change, and selection of treatment setting.
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