The “Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Behavior Analysis” course provides a foundational understanding of ACT principles and how they integrate with behavior analysis. This course explores the six core processes of ACT, including cognitive defusion, acceptance, and committed action, and their application in therapeutic settings. Participants will gain practical skills to enhance their behavioral interventions through experiential exercises and case studies. Designed for behavior analysts, this course aims to enrich professional practice by fostering psychological flexibility in clients.
This course extends beyond the scope of the current BCBA and BCaBA Task Lists by introducing the six core processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy—such as cognitive defusion, acceptance, committed action, and self-as-context—and demonstrating how to integrate these within behavior-analytic interventions, an area not specifically addressed in existing Task List content. It remains fundamentally behavior-analytic in nature by anchoring ACT principles within functional contextualism, emphasizing measurable behavior change across experiential exercises, case studies, and application of evidence-based strategies. The course is tailored for certified and aspiring behavior analysts, equipping them with foundational theoretical understanding and practical skills to ethically and effectively incorporate ACT methods into their ABA practice.
Publication Date: August 2024
This Learning course provides 5 CEU credits for BACB, QABA, and IBAO.
Speaker/Author
Katherine Saint, PhD, LPC, BCBA-D, Katherine has her doctorate in Behavior Analysis and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Katherine presents locally and internationally on topics related to autism, mental health and behavior analysis. Katherine has a private practice focusing on mental health counseling and is the Director of Training at Fox Valley Autism Treatment Program in Appleton, WI. Katherine has designed college courses as well as published books and articles related to mental health. Katherine also teaches master level behavior analytic courses at Pepperdine University.
Instructor Qualifications
Dr. Saint’s CV
| Requirement Category |
Meets Requirement (✔) |
Evidence / Description |
| Published Peer-Reviewed Research or Books on the Subject |
☑ Yes |
Author of published books and scholarly works addressing ACT-informed practice, mental health, autism, depression, anxiety, and behavior-analytic applications. Published work demonstrates subject-matter expertise in ACT processes such as acceptance, cognitive defusion, values, and committed action, and their integration with behavior analysis to support meaningful behavior change. |
| ≥ 5 Years of Practical Experience(e.g., direct service delivery, applied practice, professional engagement) |
☑ Yes |
Over 15 years of applied professional experience as a BCBA-D and Licensed Professional Counselor implementing ACT-informed interventions across clinical and behavioral contexts. Extensive experience applying ACT principles to enhance behavioral interventions, support psychological flexibility, and integrate experiential and values-based strategies within ABA practice. |
| ≥ 3 Years Teaching / Training / Mentoring Experience |
☑ Yes |
Extensive experience teaching, training, and supervising behavior analysts, counselors, and therapists across clinical and educational settings. Has developed and delivered graduate-level instruction, professional trainings, and continuing education courses focused on ACT fundamentals, experiential exercises, and case-based application for behavior analysts. |
Course Objectives
1. Identify and describe the six core processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
2. Demonstrate the application of ACT principles within the context of behavior analysis.
3. Develop and implement ACT-based interventions to enhance client outcomes in various settings.
Evaluate the effectiveness of ACT techniques in promoting psychological flexibility and behavior change.
