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What's Here?
My goal as a counselling psychologist is to assist you in reducing your suffering, but more importantly, to support you in attaining a life that you love to live. To find out more about my approach to counselling, click here.
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Learning ACT Training Program - Cancelled for March-May 2008
I've cancelled the program I had planned to run between March 13 and May 15.
Feedback wanted
I may run this program later in the year. If you thought about enrolling in this program and didn't, I'd like to know how I can make it more attractive or feasible for you to attend. Was the location too far for you? Was 10 weeks too long to set aside? Was it because you don't know or don't trust my credentials (tell the truth - I can handle it)? Or was it that you feel you're interested in ACT training, but are not yet committed enough to the approach to devote that amount of time and money? Send your comments to me at feedback@julianmc.mymacmail.com. And let me know if you're interested in doing the program at another time.
With the release of the book "Learning ACT" by Jason Luoma, Steve Hayes and Robyn Walser, I have decided to run an ACT skills-training program based on the book. Many Melbourne-based practitioners have benefitted from the introductory and advanced ACT workshops run by Russ Harris and others. Good as these workshops are in introducing people to the ACT approach, many 'graduates' of these workshops feel the need for further development of ACT-specific assessment, case formulation and intervention skills. This is the need that the "Learning ACT" book and training program aim to address.
The book includes a DVD in which Robyn, Steve and Jason demonstrate the use of core ACT skills in 'mock' counselling sessions with actors. One could certainly develop a respectable degree of skill with these competencies through self-study with the book and the DVD, the benefits of practising these skills in a guided classroom context with other practitioners are likely to be deeper and more memorable.
To find out more about this program, follow this link.
ACT exercises to download
I've uploaded a couple of versions of an Acceptance & Commitment Therapy exercise I call Thoughts On The Highway. You can download the audio files and find out more under Psychological Services.
Dr Russ Harris has published 'The Happiness Trap', a self-help book based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. If you are already a client of mine, or if you are thinking of coming to see me, I recommend you read it and practise the exercises. If you're in Melbourne you can get it at most popular bookshops or at specialist personal growth bookshops like Open Leaves, TS Bookshop and The Human Condition Bookstore.
Medicare Rebates for Psychological Services
From November 1st 2006, you will be able to claim a rebate through Medicare for services from a registered psychologist. You do need to have a referral from your GP, and only certain mental health conditions and specified treatments are eligible for the rebates. I recommend you read the fact sheet from the Australian Psychological Society first. If you are making an appointment with me and wish to claim the rebate, please bring your GP referral with you. Practitioners! The Melbourne Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Interest Group has become the ACT Supervision Group, a peer supervision group for counsellors and therapists interested in this groundbreaking approach to emotional wellbeing. To find out more click on 'ACT Supervision Group' above or email me at act@julianmcnally.com.
There's also usually some new and useful information on my blog - feel free to comment on the postings in there.
What's Free?
Try the mindfulness exercises I developed in my old job at RMIT University. Mindfulness exercises such as these are an essential component of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, so if you're interested in this approach, consider these a 'taster'. Make sure you read the disclaimer though.
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