Enhancing Behavioral Parent Training with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Evelyn Gould, MSc, BCBA, explores parent involvement in ABA programs for children with autism, emphasizing that active participation is crucial for skill generalization and long-term success. However, common barriers—such as stress, burnout, and internalized beliefs (private events)—often impact both parents’ and clinicians’ ability to fully engage in training. To address these challenges, Gould introduces Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a framework to enhance parent training effectiveness. ACT helps parents and clinicians identify their values, manage distressing thoughts, and stay committed to meaningful actions despite emotional discomfort. By integrating ACT principles into ABA, practitioners can foster psychological flexibility, reducing resistance to training and improving overall program outcomes. The presentation highlights how ACT-based strategies—such as defusion (detaching from unhelpful thoughts), mindfulness, and committed action—can help parents overcome challenges, engage more effectively in training, and support their child’s development.