Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Substance Use and Addiction with Daniel P Johnson, PhD
General Information
Title: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Substance Use and Addiction
Presenter: Daniel P Johnson, PhD
Dates: Thursday, December 17, 2026. 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Eastern Time.
Fee: $125. Early-bird $90 until 10/1. Includes 3 CE credits and 2 months access to recordings.
Venue: Live Webinar (Zoom)
CE Credits: 3
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Substance Use and Addiction with Daniel P Johnson, PhD
Description
Most of us do not need to look far to see someone we care about struggling with addiction. This is true for you, the human being, and even more true for you, the provider, that comes into contact with the lives of so many every day. As clinicians, the ubiquity of substance use and addiction is so vast that we must be able to engage
with it effectively, whether we identify as “specialists” in treating substance use or not. All clinicians will benefit from having a foundational understanding of substance use and addictions and a flexible, compassionate, and authentic approach to supporting clients and their loved ones with these struggles.
The “What” of this workshop:
In this course, you will be empowered to use the principles of Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to:
- Understand substance use and addictions through a contextually-sensitive and ACT-consistent lens ● Help your clients, your colleagues and yourself to notice, name and undermine substance use stigma when it is encountered
- Engage with effective techniques to address common clinical presentations in SUDs ● Find common ground between the ACT approach and Mutual Help Groups such as 12 Step, SMART Recovery, and others.
The “How” of this workshop:
The session will include the introduction of new learning material, enlivening small group and breakout discussions, and experiential practices to bring key concepts and interventions to life. Dr. Johnson will support participants in looking inward, to identify areas for growth and sources of strength in the learning process. He will also provide participants with concrete skills to share with clients, including dynamic learning aids.
Instructors
Daniel (Dan) Johnson is a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder, completed his predoctoral internship at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, and completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the VA Boston Healthcare System/Harvard Medical
School. Dan has previously worked as a staff psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital’s outpatient substance use disorders (SUDs) clinic, the Director of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Program at Boston Child Study Center, and as the Education Lead at Tend Health.
He is now in private practice, providing evidence-based therapy to adults and offering training to mental health professionals and organizations. Dan has trained clinicians internationally on evidence-based treatments, with a focus on mindfulness and acceptance-based behavioral therapies (ACT, DBT, CBT) and he has been designated by the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science as a Peer Reviewed ACT Trainer. As a faculty member at William James College, Dan teaches courses to psychology graduate students on ACT and evidence-based treatments for SUDs.
Mindfulness and valued living are essential components of Dan’s life outside of work, including in his roles as a practitioner of Buddhism, a person in long-term recovery, a White-bodied person working toward racial justice for all, and as a loving husband and father.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Substance Use and Addiction with Daniel P Johnson, PhD
Objectives
1. Identify and define the core processes of psychological flexibility in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
2. Define and conceptualize substance use and addictions through the lens of ACT and Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS).
3. Identify and explain ACT-consistent techniques for responding to common clinical dilemmas in SUD treatment, including substance use stigma, shame, triggers and cravings, and effective engagement with mutual help groups.
CE Information
Continuing Education Credits are granted through Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC for the following professions: Psychologists, Social workers, Mental Health Counselors, LMFTs, and LCATs. It is the participant’s responsibility to check with their individual state boards to verify CE requirements for their state.
Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling.
APA
Nachas Consulting is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
ASWB
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC, 2035, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/02/2025 – 08/02/2028 Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.
NBCC
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting PLLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7503. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
New York State Social Workers
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0785.
New York State Mental Health Counselors
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0195
New York State Psychology
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0072.
New York State Marriage Therapy
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0121.
New York State Creative Arts Therapist
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0112.
References
Apolinário-Hagen, J., Drüge, M., & Fritsche, L. (2020). Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and acceptance commitment therapy for anxiety disorders: Integrating traditional with digital treatment approaches. In Y.-K. Kim (Ed.), Anxiety disorders: Rethinking and understanding recent discoveries (pp. 291–329). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9705-0_17
Arch, J. J., Eifert, G. H., Davies, C., Plumb Vilardaga, J. C., Rose, R. D., & Craske, M. G. (2012). Randomized clinical trial of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) versus acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for mixed anxiety disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80(5), 750–765. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0028310
Avdagic, E., Morrissey, S. A., & Boschen, M. J. (2014). A randomised controlled trial of acceptance and commitment therapy and cognitive-behaviour therapy for generalised anxiety disorder. Behaviour Change, 31(2), 110–130. https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2014.5
Bowers, E. M., Egan, S. J., Wade, T. D., Shafran, R., & Rees, C. S. (2025). A randomized controlled trial of self-help acceptance and commitment therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for perfectionism. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 185, 104725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2025.104725
Coto-Lesmes, R., Fernández-Rodríguez, C., & González-Fernández, S. (2020). Acceptance and commitment therapy in group format for anxiety and depression: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 263, 107–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.154
Craske, M. G., Treanor, M., Conway, C., Zbozinek, T., & Vervliet, B. (2014). Maximizing exposure therapy: An inhibitory learning approach. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 58, 10–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2014.04.006
Evey, K. J., & Steinman, S. A. (2023). A systematic review of the use of acceptance and commitment therapy to treat adult obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behavior Therapy, 54(6), 1006–1019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2022.02.009
Friars, D., & Flynn, G. (2025). Generative AI and reassurance-seeking in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 1–3. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2025.10138
Ghasempour, S., Bazghaleh, M., Basirinezhad, M. H., Setousar, M., Sadi, M., Mahmoodi, M., & Abbasi, A. (2025). Effectiveness of group therapy based on acceptance and commitment for nursing students’ procrastination and perfectionism: A parallel randomized controlled trial. Nurse Education in Practice, 84, 104301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2025.104301
Gloster, A. T., Walder, N., Levin, M. E., Twohig, M. P., & Karekla, M. (2020). The empirical status of acceptance and commitment therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 18, 181–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.09.009
Kemp, J. (2021). The ACT workbook for perfectionism: Build your best (imperfect) life using powerful acceptance and commitment therapy and self-compassion skills. New Harbinger Publications.
Nguyen, H., et al. (2024). The role of clinical perfectionism and psychological inflexibility in wellbeing and distress. Australian Journal of Psychology.
Ong, C. W., Barney, J. L., Barrett, T. S., Lee, E. B., Levin, M. E., & Twohig, M. P. (2019). The role of psychological inflexibility and self-compassion in acceptance and commitment therapy for clinical perfectionism. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 13, 7–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2019.06.005
Ong, C. W., Hancock, A. S., Barrett, T. S., Lee, E. B., Wan, N., Gillam, R. B., Levin, M. E., & Twohig, M. P. (2020). A preliminary investigation of the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on neural activation in clinical perfectionism. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 18, 152–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.09.007
Ong, C. W., Lee, E. B., Krafft, J., Terry, C. L., Barrett, T. S., Levin, M. E., & Twohig, M. P. (2019). A randomized controlled trial of acceptance and commitment therapy for clinical perfectionism. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 22, 100444. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2019.100444
Philip, J., & Cherian, V. (2021). Acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 28, 100603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2020.100603
Taghavizade Ardakani, M., Akbari, B., Hossein Khanzade, A. A., & Moshkbide Haghighi, M. (2019). Comparing the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy on the perfectionism of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Internal Medicine Today, 26(1), 24–37. https://doi.org/10.32598/hms.26.1.3093.1
Twohig, M. P., Abramowitz, J. S., Smith, B. M., Fabricant, L. E., Jacoby, R. J., Morrison, K. L., Bluett, E. J., Reuman, L., Blakey, S. M., & Ledermann, T. (2018). Adding acceptance and commitment therapy to exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 108, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2018.06.005
Watson, D. R., Gustafsson, H., & Lundqvist, C. (2023). Working with perfectionistic athletes in sport: An acceptance and commitment therapy perspective. In The psychology of perfectionism in sport, dance, and exercise (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Watson, D. R., Hill, A. P., Madigan, D. J., & Donachie, T. C. (2024). Effectiveness of an online acceptance and commitment therapy programme for perfectionism in soccer players: A randomized control trial. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 13(1), 5–22. https://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000333
Satisfactory Completion:
Participants must have signed in and out, attended the entire workshop to receive a certificate. Failure to sign/log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available electronically after satisfactory course completion. A link will be provided for those who have completed the training.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Substance Use and Addiction with Daniel P Johnson, PhD
Policies
Application Deadline: December 15, 2026 or until all training spaces are filled, whichever comes first.
Notification of Acceptance
Applicants will be notified, via email, of acceptance when registration is complete, and payment is received.
Refund/Cancellation Policy
Tuition/registration payments are refundable until October 17, 2026. Cancellations after this date are non-refundable. In this situation, we will attempt to find someone to take your slot (based on our waiting list).
Accessibility
There will be handicap accessibility.
Course level
Level of clinician
Our Grievance Policy for trainings is available here.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Substance Use and Addiction with Daniel P Johnson, PhD
Schedule
| Thursday, December 17, 2026. 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Eastern Time. | 10:00 AM – 10:55 AM ET 10:55 AM – 11:45 AM ET 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM ET – Break 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET |
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Substance Use and Addiction with Daniel P Johnson, PhD
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