ACT as a Brief Intervention
Learn how to do ACT effectively in short sessions using FACT: Focused Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, in this online course with support from Dr. Russ Harris in a dedicated forum.
About the course
Start date
Starts 18 August 2026Length
6 weeks | 8 hrs total (12 months access)Who this course is for
For Mental Health & Health Professionals, CoachesOrganization Enquiries
Find out moreAre you facing the ever-growing challenge of how to optimize client outcomes with as few treatment sessions as possible? Around the globe, the demand for brief therapy is rapidly growing, but fortunately, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) is well suited to a brief intervention format.
In this 6-week online course, you’ll learn how to do ACT effectively in anything from 1 to 6 sessions of 20 to 30 minutes each, using an approach better known as FACT: Focused Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. FACT is a brief but powerful behavioural intervention approach, pioneered by Kirk Strosahl and Patricia Robinson, and widely used in the USA and Europe.
Effectively Optimize Client Outcomes
You’ll learn how to use FACT as brief intervention for depression, anxiety disorders, addictions, stress, medical problems and a wide range of other common clinical issues.
Learn how to do an effective ACT intervention in as little as 5 to 10 minutes
Learn how to do rapid case formulation and treatment targeting
Discover exciting new research about the surprisingly high effectiveness of brief therapy interventions, and learn how to apply this approach with your clients and patient
Learn the art of focused interviewing skills
Observe demonstrations of the specific clinical techniques that make up the FACT approach
The FACT model is ideal for anyone who wants to do ACT more efficiently, especially for practitioners in time-limited settings, including primary care, short in-patient stays, school or university counselling, prisons, EAPs, and crisis intervention services.
$450
Starts 18 August
ACT as a Brief InterventionEnroll now
$450
Late enrollments
Course Trainer
Unique and Engaging Learning Experience
FACT is a radically different approach to therapy, which will give you a wealth of new ideas and effective strategies.
In this 6-week online course you will:
Discover exciting new research about the surprisingly high effectiveness of brief therapy interventions, and learn how to apply this approach with your clients and patients
Observe demonstrations of the specific clinical techniques that make up the FACT approach
Learn the art of focused interviewing skills
Learn how to do rapid case formulation and treatment targeting
Learn how to do an effective ACT intervention in as little as 5 to 10 minutes
Each week, Dr. Russ Harris will take you step-by-step through the core principles of FACT, supported by instructional videos, engaging animations, videos of therapy sessions, written materials, audio recordings, client handouts and worksheets, and interactive quizzes to test your learnings as you go.
To complete your interactive experience, the course also includes a fully supported forum where you can ask questions week by week and share your experiences with Russ and your peers from around the world.
Who This Course is For
ACT for Brief Interventions is open to any professional who works with physical or psychological health. This includes therapists, coaches, counselors, physicians, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, physios, dietitians, occupational therapists, youth workers, BCBAs, speech therapists, and any other type of health professional - as well as students and researchers in these fields.
However, we recommend you have a solid beginners level understanding of ACT. This can include:
Attend an introductory level 2-day ACT workshop (with any trainer).
Complete our online ACT for Beginners course.
Work through a beginners-level ACT textbook, such as ACT Made Simple or Learning ACT.
Enrollments
We're happy to help if you can't attend the current intake. Once your purchase is complete, contact our customer service team and we can enrol you in a future intake.
If you need an invoice, please fill out the form here.
Course Overview
Course Modules
Week 1: Setting the stage
Module one
We begin by introducing the course and different ways of approaching your learning.
Module two
We introduce FACT in this module, tackling both what it is and isn't.
Module three
This module focuses on building rapport and establishing a contract with your clients.
Module four
A practical module that delves into work, love, health and play in your clients' lives and how to approach in session.
Module five
This module looks at the main problem and 'The three Ts.'
Module six
We delve into focusing questions and how to use in brief sessions.
Module seven
This bonus module is packed with extra therapy demonstrations and research.
Module eight
Quiz questions
Week 2: Lights, camera, action
Module one
We begin week two by exploring a new direction for therapy sessions.
Module two
This module focuses on reframing, giving practical examples and analogies to explain the concept.
Module three
We look at the choice point in this module, with demonstrations and examples.
Module four
This module focuses on active intervention, giving practical tips and tricks to help your clients.
Module five
We delve into the nuts and bolts of brief interventions - how to set up a session.
Module six
This bonus module is packed with extra resources for further enrichment.
Module seven
Quiz questions
Week 3: Getting it done
Module one
We tackle homework in this first module of week three, and how to handle in brief sessions.
Module two
This module investigates the power of rating the helpfulness of a session, with practical demonstrations to illustrate.
Module three
We look at assessment tools, records and handouts you can use in session to help your clients.
Module four
We tackle how to work with difficult behavior in session, with practical demonstrations to illustrate.
Module five
We continue and explore what to do when a client can't decide which problem to focus on.
Module six
This optional content focuses on adaptions for Doctors.
Module seven
A highly practical module with demonstrates brief interventions for anxiety.
Module eight
This bonus module is packed full of additional resources and research.
Module nine
Quiz questions
Week 4: Blocks, barriers and the ongoing journey
Module one
We begin by reflecting on our own barriers to FACT as clinicians.
Module two
A highly demonstrative module which illustrates brief defusion.
Module three
We focus on brief acceptance, with demonstrations and examples to guide the learning experience.
Module four
We look at building on foundations you've laid in previous client sessions, and learn what to focus on in subsequent sessions.
Module five
This bonus module is packed with extra research.
Module six
Quiz questions
Week 5: Challenging sessions and homework horrors
Module one
We tackle homework horrors in this first module of the week.
Module two
Effective strategies to use in challenging sessions are demonstrated in this module.
Module three
We continue focusing on challenging sessions, looking at values and committed action.
Module four
We explore acceptance and urge-surfing in the context of challenging sessions.
Module five
A bonus module packed with further research and teaching.
Module six
Quiz questions
Week 6: Being flexible
Module one
We look at how to be flexible in a session, learning that you don't have to stick to the script.
Module two
This module contains further demonstrations and examples to enrich your learning and aid flexibility in session.
Module three
This bonus module is packed with extra resources to enrich your learning experience.
Module four
Quiz questions and conclusion
Course Excerpts
What People Say About This Course
Julia TwynholmPsychologist - UKLots of case examples and chances to observe skills being used and practical tools to use. I like watching FACT in action and tools to apply it.
Rodrigo JarpaPsychologist - ChileThis is one of the highest quality online courses I have taken (I have taken a lot...). The lectures were clear, well paced and very engaging.
Nevena LovrincevicPsychologist - Belgrade, SerbiaIt's been very useful. I feel I have been given useful tools for my practice because I have learned really a lot and Russ is great at being informative, engaging, interesting. I really loved the course!
Aida SuhaimiPsychologist - Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaI love the videos, at last I understand how to put the metaphors and strategies of ACT in place. I also love the videos and the clear explanation Russ provides.
Samantha FreemanPsychologist - Camden NSW, AustraliaIt's really practical and helpful with lots of resources. It's like I get to experience my own 'therapy' whilst I do the course and then understand more what it is to be the 'client'.
Jeremy BarhamPsychologist - Calgary, Alberta, CanadaAs a way of literally focusing my previous learnings in ACT, this course does a great job. Russ is a great model for how to use the skills. Watching Russ Harris demonstrate the skills and the humour he injects is fun too.
Continuing Education & Professional Development (CE/CME/CPD)
ACT as a Brief Intervention is designed for mental health professionals, health professionals and coaches worldwide. On completion you'll receive an official certificate of completion, which can be submitted to registration bodies for CPD.
This course is accredited for 8 CE/CME credit hours for US licensed professionals:
Psychologists - 8 CE hours, APA - co-sponsored with Amedco, an APA-approved sponsor
Social workers - 8 general CE credits, ASWB ACE
Physicians - 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, ACCME
Nurses - 8 contact hours, ANCC
Counselors, MFTs & addiction professionals - 8 hours, accepted by most US state boards via APA and ASWB ACE credit — see the state-by-state list
Approved CE activity with the New York State boards for Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, and Marriage & Family Therapy.
View the full learner notification for this course (PDF) - includes complete accreditation statements, state board acceptance lists, learning objectives and faculty disclosures.
