In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Robyn Walser for a rich discussion on how clinicians can get better at conceptualizing cases on the fly. We talk about moving from technical to functional, from fidelity to competence, the importance of contextual factors, and most importantly, balancing the need to be present with our clients with our hearts as well as our heads. Come hear Dr. Walser’s actionable intel about improving case conceptualization through understanding the purpose of behavior (the clients and ours), the client’s desired trajectory and the importance of understanding the psychological inflexibility processes that keep clients stuck.

Robyn D. Walser, PhD, is a psychologist and Staff, National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System.

Dr. Walser is currently developing innovative ways to translate science-into-practice and is responsible for the dissemination of state-of-the-art knowledge and treatment interventions in her position at the VA. She is an expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and has been doing ACT trainings both nationally and internationally since 1998. Dr. Walser is also involved in several research projects investigating use of mindfulness and ACT in Veteran populations.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• (33:25) contextualscience.org (ABCS) “case conceptualization” https://contextualscience.org/search/node/case%20conceptualization
• The Heart of Act: https://contextualscience.org/publications/the_heart_of_act_developing_a_flexible_processbased_and_clientcentered_prac

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