Understanding and Applying ACT as a Behavior Analyst
Online Asynchronous | On-Demand
14 BACB CEUs upon completion of all course requirements
12 Learning CEUs | 1 Ethics CEU | 1 Supervision CEU
This self-paced course provides behavior analysts with a comprehensive, practical framework for integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into applied behavior analysis. Grounded in contextual behavioral science and Relational Frame Theory (RFT), the course moves beyond theory to help learners develop practical clinical skills that can be applied within behavior-analytic practice.
Across 14 modules, learners will explore the ACT Hexaflex, examine strategies for adapting ACT-informed interventions for diverse populations, write measurable goals, develop meaningful data systems, and consider important ethical, cultural, and supervisory issues. Each module builds upon previous content, progressing toward more advanced case conceptualization and broader implementation of ACT-informed practices.
Through expert-led instruction, applied examples, case-based learning, and module quizzes, participants will develop skills for identifying and targeting psychological flexibility as a meaningful treatment outcome while maintaining a strong behavior-analytic foundation.
This course is designed for BCBAs, BCaBAs, and other professionals with a formal behavior-analytic background who want to expand their use of ACT within behavior-analytic practice and develop practical strategies they can apply in clinical, educational, and supervisory settings.
Course Objectives
Session 1: Philosophical Foundations of ACT in Behavior Analysis
Participants will be able to:
- Describe the core assumptions of functional contextualism
- Differentiate ACT-informed ABA from traditional cognitive approaches using behavior analytic terminology
Session 2: Relational Frame Theory (RFT) as the Behavioral Foundation of ACT
Participants will be able to:
- Describe derived relational responding and transformation of stimulus functions
- Apply RFT concepts to explain rule-governed behavior and psychological inflexibility
Session 3: The Hexaflex as an Integrated Model of Psychological Flexibility
Participants will be able to:
- Identify and describe the six processes of the ACT Hexaflex
- Use the Hexaflex to develop a behavior analytic case conceptualization
Session 4: Adapting ACT for Young Children and Minimally Verbal Learners
Participants will be able to:
- Identify strategies for teaching ACT processes to minimally verbal learners
- Design developmentally appropriate ACT-based interventions
Session 5: Writing ACT Goals and Establishing Medical Necessity
Participants will be able to:
- Write measurable treatment goals targeting psychological flexibility
- Justify ACT-informed interventions using medical necessity language
Session 6: Progress Monitoring and Data Systems for Psychological Flexibility
Participants will be able to:
- Identify methods for measuring ACT-related processes
- Design data systems to monitor psychological flexibility
Session 7: Ethics in ACT-Informed ABA Practice and Staff Support
Participants will be able to:
- Identify ethical considerations when targeting private events
- Apply ACT-informed strategies to support staff well-being and reduce burnout
Session 8: Cultural Adaptiveness and Parent Involvement
Participants will be able to:
- Identify culturally responsive adaptations for ACT-based interventions
- Develop parent training strategies that support psychological flexibility
Session 9: ACT within Community Service Delivery Models
Participants will be able to:
- Describe strategies for implementing ACT across service settings
- Identify methods to promote generalization across environments
Session 10: Emotional Regulation and High-Impact Behavior
Participants will be able to:
- Analyze challenging behavior through an ACT-informed framework
- Implement ACT-based strategies to address emotional regulation and avoidance
Session 11: Supervision and ACT — Developing Flexible Clinicians
Participants will be able to:
- Apply ACT principles to supervision practices
- Develop strategies to promote psychological flexibility in supervisees
Session 12: Advanced Case Conceptualization and Systems Integration
Participants will be able to:
- Develop advanced ACT-informed case conceptualizations
- Integrate ACT processes into comprehensive treatment systems
Session 13: Presenter Panel and Applied Case Discussion
Participants will be able to:
- Analyze complex cases using ACT-informed conceptualization
- Identify barriers to implementation and propose solutions
Session 14: Final Integration and Implementation
Participants will be able to:
- Synthesize ACT-informed ABA concepts across practice areas
- Develop a plan to implement ACT within their professional setting
Curriculum
About Your Presenters
Dr. Ruth Anne Rehfeldt, PhD, BCBA-D, serves as Vice President for Research and Clinical Quality at Emergent Learning and is a scientific leader in contextual behavioral science. Her work focuses on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Relational Frame Theory, and their integration into applied behavior analysis for individuals with developmental disabilities. She has published hundreds of peer-reviewed papers, and provides clinical oversight, research leadership, and training for ACT-informed ABA implementation.
Dr. Mark R. Dixon, PhD, BCBA-D, is the founder of Emergent Learning and a premier researcher in Relational Frame Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and applied behavior analysis. His work emphasizes integrating language and cognition into assessment and treatment models for behavior analytic practice. He has authored hundreds of publications and developed multiple assessment and intervention systems grounded in contextual behavioral science.
Dr. Becky Barron, PhD, BCBA-D, serves as Vice President of Operations at Emergent Learning. She oversees clinical implementation across service locations and supports the integration of ACT-informed ABA within organizational systems. Her work focuses on scalable clinical models, staff development, and psychological flexibility programming.
Jennifer Posey, BCBA, serves as State Director for California at Emergent Learning. Her clinical work focuses on early intervention, programming for minimally verbal learners, and adapting ACT-informed approaches for young children. She provides clinical leadership and program development across California service locations.
Dr. Jessica Hinman, PhD, BCBA-D, is the Center Director for Emergent Learning St. Louis. Her work focuses on ethical clinical practice, staff development, and ACT-informed supervision models. She provides clinical oversight and supports implementation of psychological flexibility programming across teams.
Dr. Sara Sato, PhD, BCBA-D, is a senior scientist and behavior analyst with Emergent Learning specializing in culturally responsive ABA and family-centered intervention. Her work focuses on integrating ACT principles into parent collaboration and treatment planning. She provides consultation across diverse service settings.
Kaitlin Preciado, BCBA, serves as CEO of Emergent Learning Hawaii. Her work focuses on community-based service delivery, interdisciplinary collaboration, and generalization of psychological flexibility across natural environments. She oversees clinical operations and ACT-informed programming across Hawaii locations.
Dr. Angelica Aguirre, PhD, BCBA-D, is a clinical behavior analyst with Emergent Learning specializing in emotional regulation and treatment of high-impact behavior. Her work focuses on integrating ACT-informed strategies into behavior intervention planning. She provides clinical consultation for complex cases.
Dr. Yors Garcia, BCBA-D, is a consulting senior scientist for Emergent Learning and the Editor of The Psychological Record. He is a behavior analyst specializing in contextual behavioral science and clinical training. His work focuses on ACT-informed supervision and the development of flexible clinicians. He provides training and consultation in ACT-informed behavior analytic practice.
Megan Grasley, BCBA, is a behavior analyst with Emergent Learning and a doctoral student at Endicott College. She provides clinical services in the California Emergent Learning location and focuses on measurement and data systems for psychological flexibility. Her work emphasizes practical data collection and progress monitoring for ACT-informed ABA.
Dr. Caleb Stanley, PhD, BCBA-D, is a senior consulting scientist with Emergent Learning specializing in advanced case conceptualization and systems integration. His work focuses on combining ACT, RFT, and ABA into comprehensive treatment frameworks. He provides consultation for complex clinical programming and system-level implementation.
Disclosure
Some instructors featured in this course have professional and/or financial relationships with Emergent Learning and with books, curricula, training programs, or other materials that may be discussed during the course.
Emergent Learning Academy provides training related to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and contextual behavioral science. Affiliated Emergent Learning companies may offer related educational, clinical, or training materials.
If specific products such as AIM, PEAK, WAVE, books, or other Emergent Learning materials are discussed or promoted during the course, those affiliations should be disclosed to participants.
CEU Information
Emergent Learning Academy is a BACB Authorized Continuing Education Provider, OP-22-0358.
This online asynchronous course offers 14 BACB CEUs for eligible BACB certificants:
12 Learning CEUs
1 Ethics CEU
1 Supervision CEU
ACE Coordinator: Dr. Mark R. Dixon, PhD, BCBA-D
To receive CEUs, participants must complete all required course content, knowledge checks, and other required participation activities.
Participants will be provided an opportunity to complete a written course evaluation following completion of the training.
The BACB does not review, approve, or endorse individual continuing education events offered by ACE Providers.
BACB®, BCBA®, and BCaBA® are registered trademarks of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®.