Robyn Walser, a licensed clinical psychologist and expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, shares heartfelt insights about her new book, The Heart of ACT. She discusses the importance of prioritizing the therapeutic relationship over rigid techniques. Robyn emphasizes authenticity, self-disclosure, and humor in therapy to foster genuine connections. She also explores the impact of modern challenges on mental health, particularly in tech-driven environments, and the necessity of balancing process and technique while navigating the therapist-client dynamic.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Prioritize Process Over Technique
When learning ACT, focus on processes rather than memorizing techniques or metaphors.
Ask why you would use a tool and how it furthers the client's larger values-based change.
insights INSIGHT
Therapist Growth Is Continuous
Mastery is ongoing; call it 'mastery-ing' to emphasize continuous growth.
Attend trainings and apply ACT to your own life to deepen clinical competence.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Bring Your Full Humanity To The Room
Show up in session as a whole human being who models openness, acceptance, and values-based behavior.
Use appropriate self-disclosure and presence to make therapy an interpersonal exchange, not a sterile intervention.
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Dr. Robyn Walser is back on the podcast for an intimate and heartfelt conversation with Debbie about her new book The Heart of ACT: Developing a Flexible, Process-Based, and Client-Centered Practice Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. As a master therapist and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (or ACT) trainer, Robyn reflects on how the interpersonal relationship unfolding in the therapy room all too often takes a backseat to applying techniques or interventions when learning a new therapy like ACT. Give this interview a listen for some wise words on how to deepen your clinical practice by showing up more fully and engaging your clients from a process-oriented place.
Listen and Learn:
How to sit in the therapist seat wholeheartedly
Tips on balancing process and technique when doing ACT
When to break the therapy “rules”
What role does existentialism play in ACT?
About Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D.
Dr. Walser is staff at the National Center for PTSD, co-director of the Bay Area Trauma Recovery Center and is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, Berkeley. As a licensed clinical psychologist, she maintains an international training, consulting and therapy practice. Dr. Walser is an expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and has co-authored 5 books on ACT including Learning ACT, 2nd Edition, The Mindful Couple, ACT for Clergy and Pastoral Counselors: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Bridge Psychological and Spiritual Care, and The Heart of ACT: Developing a Flexible, Process-Based, and Client-Centered Practice Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She has expertise in traumatic stress and has authored a number of articles, chapters and books on this topic. Dr. Walser has presented her research findings and papers at international and national conferences, universities and hospital settings; and she has been invited to international conferences to speak about ACT and mindfulness. She is invested in developing innovative ways to translate science-into-practice and continues to do research and education on the dissemination of ACT and other therapies. She has had a number of leadership roles in international and national organizations and she served as Member At Large and President for the Association for Contextual and Behavioral Science.
New York Times article on making therapy apps: Silicon Valley Goes to Therapy
hearts Image by conger design from Pixabay
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