On-Demand: Treating Perfectionism Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - 3 CEUs

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• CE Hours Included: 3 Core (please see below for details)
  
• Format: On-Demand Webinar (“Asynchronous”) ~ At your leisure to be viewed at your own pace. You may pause, rewind, and fast forward at any point during the videos. You are in complete control of how you view this workshop. It also comes with a PowerPoint and references. There is a quiz at the end to ensure viewing and required by all CE approval organizations.
• Investment: $87 (provides lifetime access!)
  • To pay with PayPal, ACH transfer, or CashApp, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 404-913-2005. Otherwise, click below on "Enroll Now!"
• Presented by: Melissa Stringer, LPC & Diana Garcia, LMHC (see bios below)
• Instruction Level: Intermediate
• Target Audience: Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, Psychotherapists, Other Mental Health Professionals

Educational Objectives:

In this workshop, you will learn how to:

• Describe the two primary types of perfectionism.
• Utilize the ACT framework to conceptualize perfectionism through this unique perspective.
• Identify factors that maintain maladaptive perfectionism.
• Describe treatment interventions that increase psychological flexibility and self-compassion.
• Explain two experiential exercises tailored to individuals struggling with unworkable perfectionism.

Workshop Description:

Many clients seeking treatment for anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, and eating disorders are plagued by perfectionism. Even when symptoms do not neatly fall into DSM criteria and are described more generally as “burn out” or “self-esteem” issues, perfectionistic tendencies are often present. Behaviors that are driven by the relentless nature of perfectionism often leaves our clients feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and paralyzed. Futile and life draining attempts are repeatedly made to meet strict rules, standards, and avoid experiencing failure. Failing to place an emphasis on disrupting cognitions and behaviors typical in perfectionism, we undermine our efforts as clinicians to provide effective treatment. Join us for a workshop as we explore how to treat perfectionism using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

You may be wondering, “why use ACT to treat perfectionism”? Fair question. In a nutshell, the main aim of ACT therapy is to decrease experiential avoidance and increase psychological flexibility. Helping clients learn how to stop avoiding fears of failure, and increasing their ability to tolerate uncertainty is the “perfect” antidote. Using a blend of mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies, grounded in contextual behavioral science, provides a solid foundation for releasing the firm grip of perfectionism.

During the workshop, participants will learn about the two types of perfectionism, how to conceptualize from an ACT lens, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the contextual factors that maintain perfectionism, despite negative consequences. Through a combination of theoretical exploration and experiential exercises, we will delve into the six core principles of ACT and how they can be applied effectively to address perfectionism. By the end of the workshop, clinicians will be equipped to implement interventions that foster psychological flexibility, self-compassion, and help their clients develop a healthier relationship with perfectionism.

Presented by: Melissa Stringer, LPC

Melissa Stringer is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Telemental Health Provider based out of Dallas, Texas. She founded Connect & Reboot to provide effective, virtual therapy grounded in contextual behavioral science. Although she enjoys the challenge of working with a wide array of mental health challenges, she specializes in treating individuals suffering from anxiety and trauma related disorders.

Melissa’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Counseling Psychology from Louisiana Tech University. She has been working in the mental health field since 2009 across various settings and roles. She has experience working in long-term care facilities, community mental health centers, substance abuse treatment, and internationally recognized virtual therapy platforms. Additionally, Melissa has extensive experience working with diverse populations and cultures as the spouse of a former active-duty military member.

Melissa’s passion for this line of work is reflected in her efforts to continuously grow as a professional. She has written several mental health related articles featured in GoodTherapy.org, Healthline.com, and Pollen Magazine. She is a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. Most recently, she has collaborated with her colleague to form Two ACT Fan Girls, a hub for training other professionals in the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approach. She is currently working towards becoming a Peer-Reviewed ACT Trainer.

Diana Garcia, LMHC

Diana M. Garcia, MS, LMHC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor based in Florida. She founded Nurturing Minds Counseling, where she specializes in helping overwhelmed millennials regain their confidence and live boldly.

Diana's qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Psychology from Florida International University, and she has been working in the mental health field since 2013. With extensive experience as a Primary Therapist and Director of Counseling Services at a local university, Diana has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to offer her clients. Diana's areas of focus include helping individuals manage anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and low self-esteem. She also works with couples struggling to communicate and reignite their connection. Diana is fluent in Spanish and is passionate about working with first-generation individuals.

Dedicated to her professional development, Diana is certified as a Daring Way Facilitator, guiding individuals through Dr. Brené Brown's transformative teachings. She is also a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, staying at the forefront of innovative therapeutic approaches. In her upcoming book, "Negative Thoughts Happen: How to Find Your Inner Ally When Your Inner Critic Shows Up," Diana offers practical tools and insights to cultivate self-compassion and resilience. Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles, her book is a powerful resource for those seeking to make peace with their inner critic.

What people are saying about this workshop:

• "FABULOUS! Really great. Personable, engaging, professional, clearly experts in the topic." - RAES, PhD
• "Such an interesting and relevant topic! The presenters were very knowledgeable and had great experiential exercises and case examples that were very engaging and informative." - JB, Psychologist
• "Great presentation. The information was digestible and actionable. The presenters really know their material, I only wish it could have been longer as I loved learning with them!" - AT, LPC
• "They were very knowledgeable and clearly worked hard to create an engaging and informative presentation, thank you!" - IBE, Psychologist
• "Both presenters were so knowledgeable and relatable. They were passionate and enthusiastic about the subject matter." - SA
• "I'm an ACT therapist and I really appreciated how this enhanced my ability to use ACT specifically for the struggle of perfectionism." - AS, LPC
• "Really liked the experiental exercises. Great examples of how to incorporate the tools in practice!" - SLR, LPC
• "Excellent presentation. Liked the team approach to presenting the material. Sure appreciate the professionalism and quality of the workshops at The Knowledge Tree." - VS, LPC
• "The presenters were fabulous. They were engaging, the experiential exercises were relevant and helpful." - PB, MFT
• "Excellent presentation. Thanks for putting on a program with great content!" - DH, Psychologist
• "Very useful information! I really appreciated the use of metaphors!" - SH, LPC

3 Core "Asynchronous" CE Clock Hours Included - Details by License Type Below:

• PSYCHOLOGISTS: The Knowledge Tree (TKT) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. TKT maintains responsibility for this program and its content. For more detailed information on the current CE ruling in Georgia, or if you are licensed in another state or country, please click here.
• COUNSELORS: The Knowledge Tree has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP), ACEP No. 7153. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Knowledge Tree is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Please click here for more detailed information.
  • Counselors Licensed in Canada: This workshop is approved for 3 credit hours through the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), event code: 64966985.

• SOCIAL WORKERS: This workshop is approved for 3 core CE hours through the Georgia Society for Clinical Social Work (GSCSW), approval #010924. If you are licensed in another state or country, please click here for more detailed information.
• MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPISTS: This workshop is approved for 3 core CE hours through the Georgia Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (GAMFT), approval #005-2024. If you are licensed in another state or country, please click here for more detailed information.

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