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ACT in the Clinic Course
Learn practical skills to help your chronic pain patients live better lives—even when their pain doesn't go away
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3, 10, 17 & 24 February 2026
What is ACT?
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ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is a practical approach that helps people live better with chronic pain—not by making the pain go away, but by changing their relationship with it.
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Instead of focusing only on reducing pain levels, ACT helps your patients do the things that matter to them, even when pain is present. It teaches them to stop fighting against their pain and start moving toward the life they want.
The key idea:
The struggle to control or avoid pain often creates more suffering than the pain itself. ACT gives people skills to accept discomfort while still taking action toward what's important to them.
Research shows that ACT works just as well as traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic pain, and patients often stick with it better. They report improvements in their ability to work, maintain relationships, and enjoy life—regardless of whether their pain levels change.
Is This Course Right for Me?
This course is for physiotherapists and rehab professionals who recognise these challenges
Your traditional approaches aren't enough
You've tried all your usual ways of supporting your patients to live well with their pain, but your patient is still stuck. They need something more, but you're not sure what to offer.
Patients have pain AND mental health struggles
Your patients often have anxiety or depression alongside their pain. You keep referring them to psychology, but they get stuck waiting and they need support now.
Your patients feel unable to access activities they want to do
Fear and worry keep your patients from doing exercises, going to work, or living their lives. You want tools to help them take action despite their fears.
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What will I learn?
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How to help patients accept pain without giving up
Learn the difference between acceptance and resignation. Teach patients to make room for discomfort while still pursuing what matters to them.
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How to support action despite fear and pain
Guide patients to take meaningful steps toward their goals, even when they're scared or uncomfortable. Learn to work with avoidance patterns.
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How to work with difficult thoughts and emotions
Help patients create distance from unhelpful thoughts like "I'm broken" or "I'll never get better" without trying to change or eliminate these thoughts.
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How to use mindfulness in practical ways
Learn simple present-moment awareness techniques that help patients notice what's happening without getting overwhelmed by it.
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How to identify what really matters to your patients
Learn to help patients clarify their values—what they want their life to be about—and use these as motivation for behavior change.
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How to work with the whole person
Move beyond treating pain as a mechanical problem. Learn to understand pain as part of someone's lived experience in their world.
How Will This Help Me and My Patients?
This course is for physiotherapists and rehab professionals who recognise these challenges
For Your Patients
They'll learn to do more of what matters to them, even when pain is present. Studies show ACT helps people return to work, maintain relationships, and improve quality of life—whether or not their pain levels change.
Patients often feel less stuck and more hopeful. They stop waiting for pain to disappear before living their lives.
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For Your Clinical Practice
You'll stop feeling limited by traditional physical approaches. You'll have tools to address the fear, anxiety, and avoidance that often keep patients from improving.
You'll be able to work with complex patients who have both pain and mental health challenges—without needing to refer them elsewhere for every psychological concern.
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For Your Own Wellbeing
Working with chronic pain patients can be emotionally draining. The same ACT skills you learn for patients also help you manage your own stress and prevent burnout.
You'll learn to set healthy boundaries, manage difficult emotions that come up in sessions, and feel more confident and capable in your work.
Meet Your Instructor:
Laura Rathbone
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Laura is a specialist physiotherapist who has spent years working with people who have complex, persistent pain. She teaches this course because she understands the challenges you face—she's been there.
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Laura's Background
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Trained in ACT at the INPUT Pain Management Center in London, working daily with patients in intensive pain programs
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Master's degree in Advanced Neurmusculosokeletal Physiotherapy from King's College London
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Teaches internationally in the UK, Netherlands, Australia, and USA
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Her courses are attended by doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals
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Former journalist—skilled at making complex ideas clear and practical
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​Laura doesn't just teach ACT theory—she shows you how to actually use it in real clinical situations with real patients. This course is designed specifically for busy NMSK clinicians who need practical skills they can use immediately.
Book Now
Ends December 20th 2025
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€350
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€425
Course Details
Duration: 4 sessions × 4 hours (16 hours)
Dates: 3, 10, 17, 24 February 2026, 10:00 - 14:00 GMT
Format: Live online via Zoom
Language: English​​​
Recording Access: For 6 months
Contact: For questions about this course email: laura@laurarathbone.com ​​​