Activity 3.3 Review of ACT Training Activities

Objectives:

• To support participants in making clear connections of all the ACT activities to the ACT model
• To enhance an increased understanding of the ACT processes and how they can be applied after the training

Participation Format:

• Participants sit in a horseshoe initially; facilitators stand at the open end of the horseshoe circle; participants will then gather together in small groups around tables to do a card sort.

Number of Facilitators:

• 2

Time Required:

• 20 mins

Materials Required:

• Prepared flip chart page with list of ACT activities that have been carried out (see Activity 3.3. Review of ACT Training Activities)
• Prepared flip chart with the ACT process hexaflex (see Appendix 1.3.1 – Hexaflex ACT Model)
• Water-based colour markers, flip chart papers, and masking tape
• Sets of spare ACT Cards

Activities & Instructions

Setup

• Arrange all the chairs in a horseshoe shape
• Co-facilitators stand at the open end of the horseshoe

Instructions for participants

• Facilitator #1 will review the 6 core processes of the ACT model, and distribute the corresponding cards. (see Hexaflex: The ACT model of psychological flexibility on page 12 for brief descriptions of the core processes.)
• Together the facilitators will demonstrate and explain the hand gestures in the following sequence (see cards), asking participants to follow along:
  • Defusion – Separating the hands – creating a distance between us and our thoughts
  • Acceptance – Turning palm upwards – being open and accepting to our thoughts, feelings, and inner experiences
  • Present Moment – Centering the edge of one hand on the palm of the other – being in the present moment
  • Self-As-Context – Cupping the bottom palm to cradle the upper hand which curls into a fist – being the flexible holding self rather than fusing with its contents
  • Values – Cupping with both hands – being in touch with what we value
  • Committed Action – Hooking pinkies together – committing to act in the service of our values
• Facilitator #2 puts people together into 3 groups based on proximity and convenience, and asks each group to work together over 3 to 5 minutes to sort a set of ACT activities cards under the 6 core process cards; if none of the participants in a group has brought back their ACT cards, lend them a set for temporary use; ask them to gather around a table to do this; the 6 core process cards should be laid out on the table with the image-side face up in a horizontal row, and ACT activities cards are to be sorted beneath them with the word-side facing up; the colour of the ACT exercise cards is a potential clue, and it is fine if participants figure this out; the two ACT exercises that are to be covered later in this session will not be included in this exercise
• Facilitator #1 will begin the debriefing by posting up a list of ACT exercises on a flip-chart with the most associated ACT process beside it; discuss any differences between the groups’ answer with the facilitators’ list; in most cases, the answers are not wrong as most ACT exercises can illustrate more than one ACT core process; if there is a misunderstanding, clarify as needed

References & Sources

• Hexaflex (Hayes et al., 2013, p. 184)

Appendix 3.3 – ACT Activities Covered in Training Session 1 & 2 Summary