The BPS Approved Certificate in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) with SDS Accreditation (Four Levels of Professional Development) provides structured training in the theory and practice of this evidence-based model. ACT integrates acceptance, mindfulness, commitment, and behaviour-change strategies to enhance psychological flexibility — helping clients manage difficult thoughts and emotions while building a values-driven life. Widely used in pain management, trauma, and depression, ACT offers a flexible therapeutic framework. The Certificate combines core teaching with experiential learning through the 3-Day ACT Practitioner’s Toolkit, alongside optional specialist masterclasses.
Min 43 CPD Hrs, max 58 CPD Hrs
The BPS Approved Certificate in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) with SDS Accreditation in ACT (Four Levels of Professional Development) provides structured professional training across four levels of development, equipping practitioners with both the theoretical foundations and practical skills of this evidence-based model.
Rooted in the work of Professor Steve Hayes, ACT integrates acceptance and mindfulness strategies with commitment and behaviour-change techniques to enhance psychological flexibility — helping clients face difficult thoughts and emotions without avoidance, while building a more values-driven life. Widely applied in areas such as pain management, trauma, and depression, ACT offers a flexible and powerful therapeutic framework.
This Certificate delivers in-depth training in the core elements of the model, combining taught content with experiential practice through the 3-Day ACT Practitioner’s Toolkit, including case discussions and masterclasses tailored to participants’ areas of interest.
Learning outcomes and objectives:
- Delegates will learn the ACT basics including the ACT model of human suffering and its model of growth
- Delegates will learn how to construct a basic and an advanced ACT formulation
- Delegates will learn the philosophical and scientific underpinnings of ACT
- Delegates will learn how to engage clients with a new approach – Creative Hopelessness
- Delegates will learn how to “walk the hexaflex”
- Delegates will learn the key roles of Values, Cognitive Defusion, Observer self, Present Moment Awareness and Committed Action
- Delegates will learn how to adapt the delivery of ACT in different modalities
- Delegates will learn how to make a Functional Analysis of their own practice
- Delegates will learn a Process-based approach for structuring their Interventions
- Delegates will identify their own barriers as a therapist and how to address them
- Delegates will learn Relational Frame Theory (RFT) and how to use it in practice
- Delegates will learn how to create and use metaphors in therapy
- Delegates will learn how to use the Three Opportunities model with clients
Who is the target audience?
Psychologists, Therapists, Counsellors, OTs, Nurses, Doctors, Arts Therapists, Social Workers, Probation Officers and other Mental Health Practitioners.
The Certificate in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) consists of the following modules:
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy | ACT Introductory Course | 14 CPD Hrs | Instant Access Recording
- Three-Day ACT Practitioner’s Toolkit and How to Use It | 21 CPD Hrs | Live on Zoom | Attendance Required | 19–21 May 2026
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Online Test | 2 CPD Hrs
You can book these two levels of SDS Accreditation together and benefit from a considerable saving.
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Minimum of six hours of ACT masterclasses of your choice | Live or Recorded
Masterclasses currently available:
- Masterclass: ACT and Chronic Illness: Beyond Symptom Management | 6 CPD Hours | Live on Zoom 9 & 16 October 2026 or as a recording after the date
- Masterclass: ACT for Managing Chronic Pain | 3 CPD Hrs | Instant Access Recording
- Masterclass: Using ACT with Children and Adolescents - New Developments | 3 CPD Hrs | Instant Access Recording
- Masterclass: Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) | 3 CPD Hrs | Instant Access Recording
- Masterclass: ACT for Working with Eating Disorders and Obesity | 6 CPD Hrs | Instant Access Recording
Successful completion of Levels 1 and 2, together with at least 6 hours of ACT Masterclasses, grants SDS Accreditation in ACT Level 3 (Advanced ACT Practitioner).
Total: min 43 CPD Hrs, max 58 CPD Hrs
To progress to Level 4 SDS Accreditation in ACT, you will need to provide evidence of ongoing ACT supervision.
BPS Approved Certificate in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Module 1 ACT Introductory Course | New, Updated | 14 CPD Hours | Instant Access Recording
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Module 2 ACT Practitioner’s Toolkit and How to Use It | 3 days, 21 CPD hours | Live on Zoom Check Dates | Small Group | Experiential
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Online Test | 80% pass mark
Book the Level 2 BPS Approved Certificate in ACT and save
To progress to Level 3 of this Certificate and SDS Accreditation in ACT - continue your training by attending SDS ACT Masterclasses.
Masterclasses currently available:
- Masterclass: ACT and Chronic Illness: Beyond Symptom Management
- Masterclass: ACT for Managing Chronic Pain
- Masterclass: Using ACT with Children and Adolescents - New Developments
- Masterclass: Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
- Masterclass: ACT for Working with Eating Disorders and Obesity
SDS Accreditation in ACT, Level 1 (Foundation) is awarded upon completion of the SDS ACT Introductory Course (2 days).
This level of accreditation gives you a Certificate of Attendance and enables you to state on your CV that you hold SDS Accreditation in ACT, Level 1 (Foundation).
Your accreditation is valid for three years, after which you may no longer make the above statement. This level of accreditation can be renewed by completing a refresher course.
SDS Accreditation in ACT, Level 2 (Advanced Assessed Academic Competence) is awarded upon completion of the Level 1 requirements, full live attendance at the three-day ACT Toolkit course comprising Module 2 of the ACT Certificate, and successful completion of the associated online exam.
This level of accreditation gives you a BPS Approved Certificate of Completion with Advanced Assessed Academic Competence. It also enables you to state on your CV that you hold SDS Accreditation in ACT, Level 2 (Advanced Assessed Academic Competence), and to use the ACTAccred Level 2 designation after your name.
Your accreditation is valid for five years, after which you may no longer make the above statements. This level of accreditation can be renewed by completing a refresher course.
SDS Accreditation in ACT, Level 3 (Advanced ACT Practitioner) has the same requirements as Level 2, with the additional requirement of completing SDS ACT Masterclasses.
Masterclasses currently available:
- Masterclass: ACT and Chronic Illness: Beyond Symptom Management
- Masterclass: ACT for Managing Chronic Pain
- Masterclass: Using ACT with Children and Adolescents – New Developments
- Masterclass: Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
- Masterclass: ACT for Working with Eating Disorders and Obesity
Your accreditation is valid for five years, after which you may no longer make the above statements. This level of accreditation can be renewed by completing a refresher course.
SDS Accreditation in ACT, Level 4 (ACT Master Practitioner, Proficiency) has the same requirements as Level 3, with the additional requirement of regular ACT supervision from a qualified ACT Supervisor. The supervision must take place at least four times per year and must have been maintained for a minimum of one year.
To arrange clinical supervision with Professor Nuno Ferreira, please contact the office at info@sds-seminars.com. Please note that all fee arrangements are made directly with Professor Ferreira.