Debbie Sorensen

Ask Steve Hayes: Burning Questions About A Liberated Mind

We were delighted to host special guest Steve Hayes (originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) to discuss and celebrate his new book, A Liberated Mind. Thanks to all who attended the live event and asked great questions!

For those who missed it live, we are offering a video of the discussion. Watch to hear Steve Hayes open up and inspire us with his remarks about Belonging, Transcendence, Pivoting, and Yearnings. He shared ideas for therapists wanting to start practicing ACT, and shared his personal story and values behind the years he spent writing this important book.

This event was part of our FREE monthly online Peer Consultation group. All CBS-oriented therapists, regardless of level of training, are welcome to join us. We meet on the First Tuesday of each month at 8:30 am MST.

Coming Up For Air: A Professional Development Workshop for Women in Mental Health

rainbow-830829.jpg

Date: Saturday March 7th, 2020

Time: 10 am to 4 pm

Location: Boulder, Colorado (Details To Be Announced)

Facilitators: Meg McKelvie, Ph.D. and Debbie Sorensen, Ph.D. co-founders of ImpACT Psychology Colorado

Cost: $175. Cost includes catered lunch. $25 Discount for students and early career professionals within one year post-license.

***WORKSHOP IS FULL**** In order to maintain a supportive and personal environment for the workshop, we have limited the number of attendees, and we are now full. If you would like to be added to a wait list, or would be interested in a similar event in the future, please email Meg@ImpACTPsychColorado.com.

As mental health professionals, we do work that is both meaningful and challenging. As women grappling with busy, complicated personal lives, at times we can get lost in trying to balance it all, focusing our energy outward toward those around us who need our help. Life can feel like an endless to-do list, especially if we are a primary caregiver at home to children or aging relatives in addition to being a professional. Sometimes we need to recenter ourselves in order to revitalize our work and be our best professional selves. In this workshop, we take you deeper, beyond traditional self-care practices, to the ultimate form of self care-- a deep listening to the wise guide inside each of us. 

Something magical can happen when women come together to support each other. Using  ACT/CBS as our framework, we help you drop beneath the doing mode, shoulds, and problem-solving mind and support each other as we release old story lines and clarify what truly matters to you in your life and career. This might mean building stronger personal or professional support, letting go of unhelpful relationships, defining the work you really long to do, stepping into leadership, forming a collaboration, charging what you’re worth, practicing saying no, connecting with the value you bring, or making a change (big or small). We explore and address barriers like our inner critics, systemic pressures, time management, and burnout, in order to move in more meaningful directions. 

Whether you are in training, early in your career, or a seasoned clinician, we welcome you to join us for a day of connection, meaning-making, and revitalization!

“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” Jon Kabat-Zinn

To register, go to: http://www.drdebbiesorensen.com/workshops/professional-development

For more details, or to see if this workshop would be a good fit for you, please email Meg@ImpACTPsychColorado.com

A Certificate of Attendance for 5 hours will be provided after the workshop. CANCELLATIONS RECEIVED TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE WORKSHOP WILL BE FULLY REFUNDED.


Congratulations Brooks Witter: Peer-Reviewed ACT Trainer!

ImpACT Psychology Colorado co-founder Brooks Witter has been designated a peer-reviewed trainer in Acceptane and Commitment Therapy. Congratulations, Brooks! It is a challenging process that requires demonstrating skill in ACT training.

Brooks headshot.jpg

If you’d like to read more about Brooks’s journey through the process, and how you can apply, check our his blog post here: https://impactpsychcolorado.com/blog1/2019/11/27/a-new-peer-reviewed-trainer-in-town

Meditation Class with Dr. Kerry Makin-Byrd

Photo credit Javardh

Photo credit Javardh

Dr. Kerry Makin-Byrd, an ACT-oriented therapist in Denver, is offering a “Meditation for Overactive Minds” 6-week class, starting in January, 2020. The series takes place at Kerry’s office in Stanley Marketplace, Stapleton, Denver.

Kerry is offering free online preview of the class on December 17th. Treat yourself to 30 minutes of free mindfulness, right from your own computer!

Learn more here: https://drkerrymakinbyrd.com/meditationgroup

Recent Training Events with ImpACT Psychology Members

We at ImpACT Psychology Colorado have been busy doing one of our favorite things- leading trainings!

Over the summer, Colleen Ehrnstrom and Debbie Sorensen both went to Dublin, Ireland to present at the Association of Contextual Behavioral Sciences annual World Conference. Colleen presented her Mastering the Metaphor workshop. Debbie presented on using ACT for Suicide, Women’s Leadership, and Marketing and Dissemination of Contextual Behavioral Science. And while they weren’t presenting, they spent time with other Colorado ACBS members, attended a poster session in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, and went on a tour of the Guinness factory!

In October, Debbie Sorensen flew out to Santa Barbara, California to lead a wellness training event with Dr. Diana Hill at Good Land Organics coffee farm. It was a unique opportunity for Debbie to present a workshop on values, learn about coffee, and enjoy a day of self-care with wonderful people!