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Beyond Symptom Reduction: Theory, Evidence, and Application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Miryam Yusufov, PhD
, + 1 additional date

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Date & Time

Description

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based behavioral intervention that helps individuals develop greater psychological flexibility to respond more effectively to life's challenges. This two-part training series will introduce participants to the theoretical foundations, underpinnings, and empirical support for ACT, with an emphasis on understanding its six core processes and transdiagnostic applications. The second session will focus on translating theory into practice through case conceptualization, experiential exercises, and practical intervention strategies that can be integrated into an oncology setting. Participants will leave with a foundational understanding of ACT and increased confidence in applying its principles to support meaningful, values-based behavior change with patients with cancer.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe two theoretical foundations, including the six core processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

  • Summarize the empirical evidence supporting ACT as a transdiagnostic, evidence-based intervention across a range of clinical presentations.

  • Explain the concept of psychological inflexibility and its role in the development, maintenance, and treatment of psychological distress.

  • Demonstrate the use of core ACT interventions, including acceptance, cognitive defusion, present-moment awareness, values clarification, and committed action, through clinical examples and experiential exercises.

  • Identify 3 opportunities to integrate ACT principles and interventions into the treatment of patients with a range of mental health concerns in oncology settings.

  • Apply ACT principles and interventions to case conceptualization and treatment planning in order to promote psychological flexibility and values-based behavior change across diverse clinical presentations.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is to provide participants with a foundational understanding of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), including its theoretical model, evidence base, and core clinical processes, while building confidence in applying ACT principles and interventions to support psychological flexibility and values-based behavior change in clinical practice.

Presenters

Miryam Yusufov, PhD
Dr. Miryam Yusufov, PhD is a clinical psychologist and faculty at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. She completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Rhode Island. Following her pre-doctoral internship training in Clinical Psychology at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, she completed a post-doctoral research fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School. She is currently a co-investigator on multiple research grants at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, focused on applications of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to fear of cancer recurrence in lymphoma survivors as well as resiliency training for researchers with National Cancer Institute funding. She is the recipient of a K08 Career Development Award from the National Cancer Institute, focused on developing and testing an ACT-based intervention for patients with cancer at risk for opioid use disorder. Dr. Yusufov serves on the Editorial Board for the journal Psycho-Oncology. She has published 48 peer-reviewed journal articles, 5 book chapters, and has presented her research at over 45 regional, national, or international conferences.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - Division of Social Work