Wollongong hosts international psychological conference
7 Aug 2007 | Bernie Goldie
Leading trainers from around the world in the psychological intervention program known as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are in Wollongong this week for an international conference.
Trainers help people learn how to make healthy contact with thoughts, feelings, memories and physical sensations that have been feared and avoided. People under an ACT program gain the skills to recontextualise and accept these private events, develop greater clarity about personal values and commit to needed behaviour change.
Conference organiser Dr Joseph Ciarrochi from UOW’s School of Psychology said the ACT program was making a special contribution to the field of psychotherapy assisting people with a diverse range of clinical conditions.
ACT has shown to be effective for clinical conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, chronic pain, substance use problems and workplace stress. People presenting with problems learn to reduce the impact and influence of unwanted thoughts and feelings through the effective use of mindfulness.
The basic goal of ACT is for clients who have a clinical problem/s to create a meaningful life while accepting the pain that inevitably goes with it.
Created in 1986, ACT currently has a large body of empirical data to support its effectiveness, Dr Ciarrochi said.
The conference will begin tomorrow (Wednesday 8 August) with a Plenary session by Dr Ciarrochi and Dr John Blackledge from UOW’s School of Psychology on the topic, “Building a Value-Based Community in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania”.
MEDIA PLEASE NOTE
Conference dates: 8-10 August 2007.
Photo/filming opportunity: 11.15am to 11.30am during the morning tea break tomorrow (August 8).
Venue: UniCentre Function Centre rooms (2nd floor, Bldg 11), University of Wollongong.
Further information: For more information contact Dr Joseph Ciarrochi on (02) 4221 4488 or Ms Marie Johnson on (02) 4221 4207.
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