Integrating ACT and Schemas to

Strengthen Relationships

Avigail Lev, PsyD

March 28, 2019    7:00 - 9:00 PM

UCSF Mt Zion

1600 Divisidero St

Room H3805

This workshop will present a model for an innovative approach that integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Schema Therapy to work with clients interpersonally to strengthen relationships. The model will describe an acceptance-based approach to treating schema-driven relationship problems.  

This workshop will focus on a special protocol designed to treat individuals by identifying 10 core interpersonal schemas (primary pain) that trigger key schema avoidance strategies (experiential avoidance) and result in interpersonal dysfunction (secondary pain). Treatment process drawn from the ACT model and adapted for problematic interpersonal behaviors will be covered, including a conceptual framework, role-plays, and experiential exercises. 

You will learn how to work with individuals to identify maladaptive relationship patterns, clarify relationship values, distinguish between schema-avoidance behaviors and values-based actions, and work with the barriers that show up. The model will focus on using defusion techniques and emotion exposure to work with schema-driven thoughts and feelings that act as barriers to values-based actions in relationships. 

Learning Objectives

1. Identify 10 maladaptive interpersonal schemas and key schema coping behaviors that impact relationships
2. Learn how to adapt the six ACT processes to treat schema-driven relationship problems 
3. Clarify client's values in relationships and utilize mindfulness skills to identify moments of choice to engage in values-based actions
4. Identify the schema-driven thoughts and feelings that act as barriers to acting on values
5. Utilize ACT interventions and techniques to work with the barriers that stop clients from taking values-based actions in relationships

Avigail Lev, PsyD, is a psychotherapist, author, and executive coach in the Bay Area. She is the director of the Bay Area CBT Center, a clinic in San Francisco that provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for individuals and couples. She specializes in integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Schema Therapy and has coauthored three books on strengthening relationships including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Interpersonal Problems, The Interpersonal Problems Workbook, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Couples. She has presented her research at national and international conferences and provides consultation, trainings, and workshops on utilizing evidence-based treatments. You can find more information about Avigail Lev at www.BayAreaCBTcenter.com.