Introduction
Date Course Created: June 2026
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a powerful, evidence-based approach shown to be effective in treating substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and other transdiagnostic conditions. Rather than fighting urges or labeling substance use as moral failure, ACT helps clients shift their relationship with difficult thoughts, emotions, and memories: reducing experiential avoidance and promoting meaningful change.
This engaging, hands-on workshop introduces clinicians to the core principles and processes of ACT through the lens of substance use treatment. Grounded in over 1,000 randomized controlled trials, ACT empowers clients to build psychological flexibility and take values-based action, even in the face of internal distress.
Participants will learn how to:
- Disrupt rigid, compulsive behavioral patterns
- Support willingness and mindful awareness in the moment
- Apply the six ACT processes to reduce harm and foster recovery
- Use experiential exercises and metaphors to deepen client insight
With recorded demos, clinical exercises, and practical strategies, this training will equip you to integrate ACT effectively into your work with clients navigating substance use challenges, helping them move from avoidance to intention, and from suffering to purpose!
This is a 5.75-CE noninteractive, self-paced online video course delivered in home study format via an industry-standard online learning platform.
Agenda
00:00 – 01:00 → Introduction, The Brain’s Role in Addiction, Conceptualizing Substance Use Disorder, Addictive Personalities
01:00 – 02:00 → Brain Mapping and Addiction, Mindfulness, Supportive Communities, Psychological Flexibility / Inflexibility
02:00 – 03:00 → Distraction in Avoidance, Shifting from Control to Acceptance, Deepening Acceptance in ACT
03:00 – 04:00 → Emotional Literacy and Naming Feelings, Values in ACT, Goals vs. Values in Treatment
04:00 – 05:00 → Role of Language in ACT, Committed Action, Personal Narrative, Dynamic Character in Personal Stories
05:00 – 05:45 → Urge Surfing, Honesty in Recovery, Five Steps for Addiction Recovery, Final Takeaways
Objectives
This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:
After completing this training, participants will be able to describe the core tenets, principles, and underlying theory of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as applied to substance use disorders.- After completing this training, participants will be able to list and define each of the six core processes of psychological flexibility in ACT.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to illustrate how ACT interventions support individuals with substance use disorders in reducing experiential avoidance and engaging in values-based behavior.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to identify how to move fluidly between ACT core processes during clinical interactions.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to explain how each ACT core process addresses common mechanisms underlying substance use and relapse.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to describe how to incorporate experiential exercises into treatment for substance use to increase willingness, reduce reactivity, and support sustained recovery.
Target Audience:
Mental Health Clinicians & Therapists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Marriage & Family Therapists, Counselors, School Personnel, and Healthcare Workers.
Instructional Level: Intermediate
Instructor(s): Corey Petersen, PhD, LCMFT
Material Author(s): Corey Petersen, PhD, LCMFT
For additional information about this course, the instructors, or the material authors, please contact Content Assistance at content@onlinececredits.com.
Course Materials & Delivery Method:
- Course Materials – The course is composed of a recorded presentation and written materials (e.g. a slide deck and/or other worksheets, manuals, or handouts as provided by the instructor). The slide deck and any additional worksheets or handouts (as provided by the instructor) are made available inside the Lesson module after a course is purchased.
- Delivery Method – This course is a recorded asynchronous, self-paced webinar training, and there is no access time limit or due date to complete it once enrolled. The enrolled learner will stream the recorded presentation and view the materials from their internet connected device via an industry-standard online learning platform.
CE Approvals:
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Online CE Credits has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6795. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Online CE Credits is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Mind Works Professional Education, Inc. DBA Online CE Credits, #1974, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: July 23, 2025 – July 23, 2028. Social workers completing this course receive 5.75 clinical continuing education credits.
Other Helpful Information:
Refund & Cancellation Policy – You may review this policy at any time by clicking here.- Accessibility Accommodations – If you require a reasonable accommodation for any reason, please email your request to cc@onlinececredits.com.
- Course Completion Requirements – 1.) View the entire Lesson module (accessible from the main course page), to include the embedded and/or linked presentation video(s), slide deck, additional materials, and/or links to any shared video clip(s) that may have been edited from the presentation video(s) to comply with copyright laws. 2.) Click into the Quiz module accessible from either the main course page or the Lesson page and complete the Quiz with an 80% or better pass rate. 3.) Complete the Course Evaluation – you’ll be sent to the Evaluation automatically once you successfully pass the Quiz.
- Posttest Requirements – You must answer 80% or more of the Quiz questions correctly to pass. If you fail to pass the first time, you may attempt the quiz again until you are able to pass with a score of 80% or better. Quizzes are graded instantly and automatically by the learning management system once your attempt is submitted.
- Certificate of Completion – Certificates of Completion are automatically generated – downloadable from your Dashboard and emailed to you – once you view the Lesson Materials and complete the Quiz and the Course Evaluation.
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