ACT as a Psychotherapy for Complex Trauma

Move beyond technique. Work holistically with your clients.

Presented by Dr. Robyn D. Walser & Dr. Louise Hayes
Join two of the world’s leading ACT experts, one specializing in developmental processes, the other in trauma, for a powerful training series that will transform your work with complex trauma.

 

ACT isn’t just a toolkit of techniques. It’s a flexible, powerful framework capable of holding the full depth of human experience.

 

In this series, you’ll learn how to apply ACT as a process-based, whole-person approach to trauma, grounded in developmental science and guided by compassion, presence, and purpose.

Two Workshops - Attend One or Bundle Both

Workshop 1:

Complex Trauma in the Lifespan

A whole-person approach to understanding the past and creating a future 


🗓️ February 11, 2026 (AUS) | February 10, 2026 (US)
đź•“ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (AEDT) | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (PST) - 2 hours
$160 USD

Learn how to conceptualise complex trauma across the lifespan and shift away from pathology into an adaptive, strength-based lens.

You’ll gain:
âś” A developmental perspective on trauma and learning
âś” Ways to integrate ACT, EMDR, Written Exposure Therapy, and parts work
âś” Tools for working across the three stages of trauma recovery: safety, processing, and reclaiming life
âś” Strategies to help client's re-author their self-story with flexibility and compassion

2 CE Credits - Pending Approval

 Click here to view a date & time converter

Register Now

Workshop One - Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

 

✓ Describe how early attachment and childhood learning patterns shape adult trauma responses through a developmental lens.
✓ Explain the reciprocal processes between environment, behaviour, cognition, and self-concept in the context of complex trauma.
✓ Analyse trauma-related adaptations as evolutionary responses and distinguish these from psychopathology.
✓ Discuss how ACT can be applied as a psychotherapy model to address trauma over the lifespan.
✓ Identify key therapeutic processes that support clients in reinterpreting past experiences and building toward future growth.
✓ Apply ACT principles across the three stages of trauma recovery: establishing safety, processing pain, and reclaiming life.
✓ Demonstrate ways to integrate other evidence-based trauma protocols (e.g., EMDR, WET, parts work) within an ACT-based whole-person framework.
✓ Evaluate how relational and contextual processes can reduce shame, increase flexibility, and promote vitality in trauma recovery.
Sign Up Now
Add CE Credit for Workshop 1

Workshop Two:

Through Process and Presence

Deepening ACT work for treating trauma


🗓️ February 24, 2026 (AUS) | February 25, 2026 (US)
đź•“ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (AEDT) | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (PST) - 2 hours
$160 USD
Shift from applying techniques to being in process. This workshop focuses on therapeutic presence, relational depth, and working moment-to-moment with psychological flexibility.

You’ll gain:
âś” A clear framework for applying ACT as a psychotherapy, not a toolkit
✔ Ways to use the therapeutic relationship as a healing process
✔ Integration of trauma modalities (EMDR, parts work) with ACT’s theoretical foundation
âś” Techniques for helping clients move from survival mode to thriving through values-based action

 

2 CE Credits - Pending Approval

 Click here to view a date & time converter

Register Now

Workshop Two - Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

 

âś“ Differentiate between ACT as a set of techniques and ACT as a psychotherapy based in process and presence.
✓ Assess how the therapist’s stance and presence influence trauma treatment outcomes in ACT.
âś“ Utilise process-based observation skills to recognize patterns of self and relational behaviour in session.
âś“ Critique traditional technique-based trauma treatment approaches and identify opportunities for process-oriented alternatives.
✓ Apply contextual and developmental understanding to tailor ACT interventions to individual trauma histories.
âś“ Demonstrate how to integrate EMDR, parts work, and other modalities into ACT while maintaining theoretical coherence.
âś“ Explain how to use the therapeutic relationship as a live process to foster psychological flexibility and promote change.
âś“ Design interventions that guide clients in moving from survival-based responses to growth-oriented action based on values.
Sign Up Now
Add CE Credit for Workshop 2

Or bundle both workshops and save 20%!

Bundle: ACT as a Psychotherapy for Complex Trauma

A two-part training series with Dr. Robyn Walser & Dr. Louise Hayes

$256 USD
This two-part workshop series invites you to move beyond technique and into the heart of process-based, whole-person psychotherapy. Join internationally recognised experts to deepen your work with complex trauma using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a flexible, developmental, and relational approach.

4 CE Credits - Pending Approval

Register Now
Add CE Credit for the bundle

 What You’ll Walk Away With:

âś“A more confident, ethical, and effective approach to complex trauma
âś“ A process-based, developmentally informed ACT framework
✓ Tools to support your clients’ growth beyond trauma
âś“ Deeper professional insight and connection to your therapeutic work

 Who This Is For:

This training is designed for:
  • Psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers, counsellors, and mental health professionals
  • ACT-trained therapists seeking to deepen their trauma work
  • EMDR or trauma-focused clinicians looking to integrate ACT
  • Clinicians ready to move beyond surface-level symptom management into holistic transformation

Pricing & Access:

 

$160 USD per workshop
 $256 USD for the bundle (save 20%)
CEUs available for $35 USD per event
Includes recording and 6 months access

For participants from lower income countries, or participants requiring payment by invoice please email: [email protected] 

Your Instructors

Dr. Robyn D. Walser, PhD

Clinical Psychologist | Author | Trauma Specialist

Dr. Robyn Walser is a world-renowned ACT expert and leading voice in trauma treatment. She is Trauma and Life Consultation and Psychology Services, Assistant Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and Director of Research at Bay Area Trauma Recovery Clinical Services.

Robyn has more than 20 years of experience treating complex trauma, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. She is the author of "ACT for PTSD", "The Heart of ACT", "You Are Not Your Trauma" and has developed ACT-based protocols for trauma populations. Her approach integrates ACT with other evidence-based trauma interventions like EMDR and exposure therapies.

Robyn is widely regarded for her presence, precision, and ability to model process-based, relational ACT in the therapy room.

Visit Robyn's Website
Dr. Louise Hayes, PhD

Clinical Psychologist | Author | Fellow and Past President of ACBS

Dr. Louise Hayes is an internationally recognised expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and developmental psychology. She is a past President of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS), and a Clinical Psychologist.

With over 20 years of experience as a clinician, researcher, and ACT trainer, Louise brings a deep understanding of how psychological flexibility can be applied across the lifespan, especially in working with trauma. She is a master ACT trainer, clinical supervisor, and co-author of "The Thriving Adolescent,"  "Your Life Your Way" and 'What Makes You Stronger.'

Louise is known for her compassionate teaching style and her ability to help professionals integrate developmental and contextual approaches into real-world clinical work.

Visit Louise's Website

Continuing Education (CE) Information

  • 2 CE hours per workshop (PENDING APPROVAL)

  • Provider: Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)

  • CEs awarded contingent on:

    • Full attendance of live event

    • Timely post-event paperwork by event organizers

  • Disclosure: No commercial support or conflicts of interest exist for either instructor

  • Attendance required: No partial credit granted

  • CE Fee (Optional) $35 USD per workshop

Add CE Credit for Workshop 1
Add CE Credit for Workshop 2
Add CE Credit for Workshop 1 & 2

Secure Your Spot Today

Register for Workshop 1
Register for Workshop 2
Bundle Both Workshops & Save
Space is limited.
Don’t miss this opportunity to evolve your trauma practice and deepen your clinical work with two of the best in the field.

Cancellation Policy

  • Full refund (minus $25 processing fee): 30+ days before the event

  • 50% refund: 15–29 days before the event

  • 25% refund: 7–14 days before the event

  • No refund: Less than 7 days or no-shows

  • You may transfer your ticket to a colleague up to 24 hours before the event

Contact Us

For questions or support, email: [email protected]

Stay Connected with Louise

Sign up for monthly insights on psychological flexibility, mindfulness practices, and practical ACT strategies delivered straight to your inbox. Join our community of practitioners, parents, and individuals committed to living with purpose and presence.