Deep Diving the Matrix (and setting things up so that peoplel can Soar). A training with Dr. Kevin Polk in Hallowell, Maine.

This isn't just a training. You will be joining in on the ongong development and evolution of The ACT Matrix diagram in the place it was created.

You will be Deep Diving the Matrix, learning the science 'behind the scenes' that lets the matrix work for deep meaning and behavior change.

Then you will learn how to use the Matrix to deal with anyone, including very difficult (and even angry) people using a process that has been named Verbal Aikido. 

Overall you will learn how to set things up so that people can soar in almost any context.

This is unlike a typical Matrix or ACT training. You get lots of hands on how to experience in how to start using The ACT Matrix right away. You will practice using it during the training.

We will be working the matrix on its original whiteboard and in the room where many of the YouTube videos were recorded.

Hallowell and the Togus VA are the two labs where The ACT Matrix was created and developed. You will be joining Dr. Polk in the same kinds of discussions that almost always lead to new frontiers for using the matrix diagram. 

Day 1: Morning: The Contextual Behavioral Point of View 

You will learn the the Point of View: Contextual Behavioral Science (aka, Functional Contextualism) behind the matrix. By the end of the morning you will be able to demonstrate using contextual-behavioral language to conceptualized clients AND how to use it with clients to help them start getting less stuck.

Morning Session 1: 
a. Introduction to the Matrix
b. Context

Morning Session 2:  The Function of Behaviors
a. Toward
b. Away

Day 1: Afternoon: The Power of Language and Cognition

You will learn how to turn a little bit of knowledge about RFT (Relational Frame Theory) into powerful interventions using the matrix diagram. You will learn how RFT emerges from the Contextual Behavioral point of view and how to combine the two in everything that you do as a clinician and a human.

Afternoon Session 1: Sensations into Words
a. A little thing call entailment.
b. Priming 

Afternoon Session 2: Putting Things Together
a. Complexity
b. Creativity (Derived Relational Responding)

Day 2: Morning: Matrixing Your Way to Flexibility

You will learn how to use the matrix and your words as powerful tools to prime people for change toward who and what's important to them. In Day 1 you learned a bit about the science behind priming and how people are primed to be stuck. Now you learn how you can show people how to prime and language themselves toward flexibility.

Session 1: 
a. Review the Matrix
b. The Nature of Priming and Sorting

Session 2:
a. Practicing Priming for Flexibility

Day 2: Afternoon "Verbal Aikido"

Session 1: Inviting People to Sort (do perspective taking)

We will spend this session practicing inviting each other to sort words, phrases and stories into the Matrix. You will learn how to gauge the energy of words coming at you and adjust the sorting.

Session 2: Dealing with Difficult (and Angry) people using "Yes....And..."

a. During this session we will practice saying mean, difficult and generally really stuck words to one another and then respond with verbal aikido "yes, and moves." 

b. Taking Verbal Aikido "to the streets." We will finish up with a discussion about how to get people, and yourself, noticing hooks and responding to them with cognitions and words that lead to flexibility and creativity. 

At this point we can talk about applying the matrix point of view to most any situation you want to talk about. At this point you will probably be creating your own implementations in settings that you know and care about.

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