Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Focused ACT)
Focused ACT is a specific methodology for applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a brief intervention.
It is a powerful, flexible, and clear approach that can be applied step by step.
The goal is to help our client achieve radical behavior change in a short period of time.
It is a powerful, flexible, and clear approach that can be applied step by step.
The goal is to help our client achieve radical behavior change in a short period of time.
The challenge: ACT as a brief intervention
Some mental health only have 25 minutes per session.
Before you know it, you might be applying metaphors and exercises superficially, without truly connecting to the client’s underlying concerns.
This leaves both you as a practitioner and your client without the results you are striving for.
- How to promote powerful ACT interventions within a narrow time frame?
- How do you quickly develop a case conceptualization to guide the selection of appropriate interventions?
- How do you combine this with addressing the client’s specific needs?
Before you know it, you might be applying metaphors and exercises superficially, without truly connecting to the client’s underlying concerns.
This leaves both you as a practitioner and your client without the results you are striving for.
Focused Acceptance and commitment therapy (Focused ACT)
Focused ACT is a specific methodology for working with ACT when time is limited.
It was originally developed by Kirk Strosahl (one of the founders of ACT) and Patti Robinson, both of whom work in primary care within the U.S. healthcare system.
Thomas Gustavsson, a Swedish clinical psychologist worked for more than 2 decades with Kirk and Patti helping develop Focused ACT to the next level. Jan Steunenberg translated Focused ACT to Dutch and is providing Focused ACT Training since 2019 for Dutch mental health professionals.
Since every minute counts, the approach to conversation has been carefully designed. Focused ACT can also be effectively combined with profession-specific guidelines and measurement tools.
Focused ACT as a methodology provides structure and practical tools. It is applicable to any type of issue and flexible enough to be used with complex clients or in unexpected situations.
It was originally developed by Kirk Strosahl (one of the founders of ACT) and Patti Robinson, both of whom work in primary care within the U.S. healthcare system.
Thomas Gustavsson, a Swedish clinical psychologist worked for more than 2 decades with Kirk and Patti helping develop Focused ACT to the next level. Jan Steunenberg translated Focused ACT to Dutch and is providing Focused ACT Training since 2019 for Dutch mental health professionals.
- With Focused ACT, you quickly gather and filter the right information from the client.
- Using specific tools, you translate this into a solid case conceptualization.
- You implement brief ACT interventions to achieve meaningful behavioral change.
- You optimize the likelihood that the client will follow through with their intentions.
- You build on the results achieved in follow-up sessions.
Since every minute counts, the approach to conversation has been carefully designed. Focused ACT can also be effectively combined with profession-specific guidelines and measurement tools.
Focused ACT as a methodology provides structure and practical tools. It is applicable to any type of issue and flexible enough to be used with complex clients or in unexpected situations.
Focused ACT with Thomas Gustavsson
Are you ready to transform how you approach ACT?!
Join Thomas Gustavsson & Jan Steunenberg, for an immersive live three-day Focused ACT Training May 7 - 9 2025 in Utrecht, The Netherlands!
This is your chance to deepen your skills, connect with passionate professionals and learn how to deliver ACT as a brief intervention.
Join Thomas Gustavsson & Jan Steunenberg, for an immersive live three-day Focused ACT Training May 7 - 9 2025 in Utrecht, The Netherlands!
This is your chance to deepen your skills, connect with passionate professionals and learn how to deliver ACT as a brief intervention.
Workshops you can attend
You can choose to join us for only one workshop, combine two workshops or boost your knowledge and skillset by attending all three of the workshops below!
Focused ACT Basics
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 | 10:00 – 17:00
Target Audience: Basic ACT knowledge required
Focused ACT Skills Building
Date & Time: Thursday, May 8, 2025 | 10:00 – 17:00
Target Audience: Basic Focused ACT knowledge required
Focused ACT with Traumatized and Complex Clients
Date & Time: Friday, May 9, 2025 | 10:00 – 17:00
Target Audience: Basic Focused ACT knowledge required
Location: De Stadstuin (Room: Het Plein), Bernadottelaan 13, 3527 GA Utrecht.
Each workshop day includes:
✅ Coffee, tea, soft drinks, cookies, and fruit.
✅ A delicious lunch buffet with sandwiches, salad, and a juice.
✅ Handouts.
Group size: This training is limited to a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 40 participants.
Accreditation* will be requested from: LV POH-GGZ / Registerplein / VGCT / NIP / V&VN.
*Please note: Accreditation is exclusively available for participants who attend the full 3-day program. This ensures you receive the most comprehensive and cohesive training experience.
When attending all three workshops, you will gain access to Online Focused ACT Inspiration Sessions, held four times a year, where you can practice Focused ACT with other professionals.
Focused ACT Basics
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 | 10:00 – 17:00
Target Audience: Basic ACT knowledge required
Focused ACT Skills Building
Date & Time: Thursday, May 8, 2025 | 10:00 – 17:00
Target Audience: Basic Focused ACT knowledge required
Focused ACT with Traumatized and Complex Clients
Date & Time: Friday, May 9, 2025 | 10:00 – 17:00
Target Audience: Basic Focused ACT knowledge required
Location: De Stadstuin (Room: Het Plein), Bernadottelaan 13, 3527 GA Utrecht.
Each workshop day includes:
✅ Coffee, tea, soft drinks, cookies, and fruit.
✅ A delicious lunch buffet with sandwiches, salad, and a juice.
✅ Handouts.
Group size: This training is limited to a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 40 participants.
Accreditation* will be requested from: LV POH-GGZ / Registerplein / VGCT / NIP / V&VN.
*Please note: Accreditation is exclusively available for participants who attend the full 3-day program. This ensures you receive the most comprehensive and cohesive training experience.
When attending all three workshops, you will gain access to Online Focused ACT Inspiration Sessions, held four times a year, where you can practice Focused ACT with other professionals.
Registration & Pricing
You can choose to enjoy only one workshop, combine two workshops or boost your knowledge and skillset by attending all three of the workshops.
If you choose to register for a 'Single Day Ticket' or 'Two-Day Package', you can choose which day(s) you want to attend in the registration form.
Early Birds get receive a special discount price when they register before februari 1, 2025.
Secure your spot early to benefit from discounted rates!
If you choose to register for a 'Single Day Ticket' or 'Two-Day Package', you can choose which day(s) you want to attend in the registration form.
Early Birds get receive a special discount price when they register before februari 1, 2025.
Secure your spot early to benefit from discounted rates!
Prices include VAT (prijzen zijn inclusief btw).
Don’t Wait – Space is Limited!
Register today to secure your spot and take advantage of Early Bird savings.
If you choose to register for a 'Single Day Ticket' or 'Two-Day Package', you can choose which day(s) you want to attend in the registration form.
If you choose to register for a 'Single Day Ticket' or 'Two-Day Package', you can choose which day(s) you want to attend in the registration form.
About the Workshops: learning objectives & program
Target Audience
The Focused ACT Workshops are designed for professionals in the broad field of healthcare. To participate in the workshops, you must have completed at least an ACT Introduction course or basic training.
Focused ACT is suitable for mental health professionals in a broad sense, especially for POH-GGZ, Huisartsen, Psychologen, Verpleegkundig Specialisten, Sociaal Psychiatrisch Verpleegkundigen, Maatschappelijk Werkers, GGZ-Agogen, Sociaal-Agogen, Sociaal Werkers en Coaches.
For practitioners in both Basis en Specialistische GGZ, Focused ACT has also proven to be a valuable addition. It is particularly effective in revitalizing long-term treatments that have stalled.
Do you have any questions? Send your question via email to [email protected] or call +31 30 369 0471.
Focused ACT is suitable for mental health professionals in a broad sense, especially for POH-GGZ, Huisartsen, Psychologen, Verpleegkundig Specialisten, Sociaal Psychiatrisch Verpleegkundigen, Maatschappelijk Werkers, GGZ-Agogen, Sociaal-Agogen, Sociaal Werkers en Coaches.
For practitioners in both Basis en Specialistische GGZ, Focused ACT has also proven to be a valuable addition. It is particularly effective in revitalizing long-term treatments that have stalled.
Do you have any questions? Send your question via email to [email protected] or call +31 30 369 0471.
About the Trainers
Registration & Pricing
You can choose to enjoy only one workshop, combine two workshops or boost your knowledge and skillset by attending all three of the workshops.
If you choose to register for a 'Single Day Ticket' or 'Two-Day Package', you can choose which day(s) you want to attend in the registration form.
Early Birds get receive a special discount price when they register before februari 1, 2025.
Secure your spot early to benefit from discounted rates!
If you choose to register for a 'Single Day Ticket' or 'Two-Day Package', you can choose which day(s) you want to attend in the registration form.
Early Birds get receive a special discount price when they register before februari 1, 2025.
Secure your spot early to benefit from discounted rates!
Prices include VAT (prijzen zijn inclusief btw).
Don’t Wait – Space is Limited!
Register today to secure your spot and take advantage of Early Bird savings.
If you choose to register for a 'Single Day Ticket' or 'Two-Day Package', you can choose which day(s) you want to attend in the registration form.
If you choose to register for a 'Single Day Ticket' or 'Two-Day Package', you can choose which day(s) you want to attend in the registration form.
