Join MePA as a full member at the 50% rate of $155.00, and then register for the conference at the $130 Member rate.
Morning Session (3 CEUs):
The ACT Matrix: Psychological Flexibility Training During the Pandemic and Beyond featuring Kevin Polk, PhD
Agenda
8:00am – 8:15am Opening: President Thomas Cooper, PsyD
8:15am – 8:45am Keynote: APA President Sandra Shullman, PhD
9:00am – 12noon The ACT Matrix (3 CEUs)
12noon – 1:00pm Lunch Break
1:00pm -- 4:00pm Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Panel (3 CEUs)
4:00pm – 4:30pm Closing & Awards, President Thomas Cooper, PsyD
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
The ACT Matrix: Psychological Flexibility Training During the Pandemic and Beyond
ACT in itself is a powerful method. However, ACT is not necessarily a tool. Traditionally, the six core ACT processes have been presented as a hexagon known as the hexaflex that offers a good conceptual description of how ACT works. Of course, there’s a big difference between concepts and actions. And when people (clinicians included) are stuck, they rarely need concepts; they need skills.
There is no learning curve with the Matrix Method. There is no extra level of compliance needed to administer it in a session. The reason the Matrix Method works so well is because it is simple and almost defies science. Unlike the ACT Method, or Exposure Therapy, or RFT, or Cognitive Therapy, the Matrix Method can be used with anyone in any setting.
Objectives:
- Participants will learn how to engage people in a values-based workability process.
- Participants will learn how to use perspective-taking to defuse verbal entanglement and increase psychological flexibility.
- Participants will learn simple ways of practicing verbal aikido.
- Participants will explain the basic philosophy and theory at the root of Acceptance and Commitment Training and Therapy.
- Participants will demonstrate how to enhance present-moment awareness using noticing practice.
Bio:
Dr. Kevin Polk was born in Texas and was mostly raised in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He attended high school in Oklahoma City, attended Oklahoma State University for many years, and somehow ended up with a Ph.D. In Clinical Psychology. He worked at the Togus VA in Maine, managing a series of PTSD programs. While dabbling with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a form of in-vivo exposure, in 2009, he stumbled upon the ACT Matrix as a way of quickly engaging people in the ACT psychological flexibility process. In 2011 he stumbled some more and came up with the ProSocial Matrix while working with David Sloan Wilson’s “Neighborhood Project” in Binghamton, NY. (The ProSocial Matrix targets increasing psychological safety in workgroups.)
There have been two “ACT Matrix” books published, with a third to be out soon. Kevin is semiretired and cohosts an online show called “Matrix Talk.” He enjoys spending time with his wonderful wife and hearing about the adventures of his three grown children and two granddaughters. His family includes four dogs, one cat, two goats, and about 500,000 honeybees. Since age five or so, he’s been working at becoming a handyman, with varying degrees of success.
Please click below for full agenda:
MePA Annual Conference Agenda 2020 (1).pdf
Afternoon Session (3 CEUs):
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Panel: Listening Session supporting the Psychological Resilience of Underserved Communities featuring Blanca Santiago, LCSW, Family Resource Specialist Multilingual & Multicultural Center and Norman Maze, Deputy Director and Housing Director at Shalom House, Inc.
To register for panel only, please click here.
Panel Agenda
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Panel: Listening Session supporting the Psychological Resilience of Underserved Communities
4:00pm – 4:30pm
Closing Remarks and Awards, President Thomas Cooper, PsyD
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