Working with Session Stoppers

Free clinical resource from Dr Russ Harris’s Trauma-Focused ACT

Learn how to handle difficult in-session behaviours that stall therapy progress. This resource from Trauma-Focused ACT offers practical strategies for addressing “session stoppers,” including venting, avoidance, and problem-hopping, while maintaining empathy, presence, and teamwork. Dr Russ Harris shows how to use Press Pause, validation, and workability to keep sessions on track.

Use this free guide to:

  • Manage unhelpful in-session behaviours effectively

  • Apply ACT skills such as defusion, acceptance, and values

  • Strengthen therapeutic teamwork and collaboration

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Clinical tool

Working with Session Stoppers

How to address problematic client behaviour that stalls the session - Extract from Trauma-Focused ACT.