Nebraska Psychological Association
2026 Spring Conference
“3rd Wave Behavioral Health Interventions”
Friday, May 1, 2026
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Central
Hybrid event – Scott Conference Center (Omaha)
and via Zoom
Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
Available HERE
Workshop Description
This dynamic conference will focus on integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles in complex or trauma-related clinical presentations, using experiential and values-based interventions, and employing strategies to enhance therapist flexibility and client engagement.
The presentation will balance conceptual grounding with interactive, practice-oriented content that attendees can readily apply in their daily work with applications across age groups. Dr. Walser will discuss the role of experiential avoidance in maintaining trauma-related distress and how ACT fosters psychological flexibility to counteract it. She will examine ACT’s key processes, the role of self-compassion in ACT-based trauma recovery, and strategies to incorporate ACT principles into diverse therapeutic settings.
Clinicians will leave this intermediate-level conference with concrete tools to tailor ACT-informed interventions for individuals with trauma histories and to apply these strategies confidently in their own practice.
Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
Available HERE
Presenter: RobynWalser, PhD
Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D. is Director of TL Consultation Services, Assistant Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and works at the National Center for PTSD. As a licensed psychologist, she maintains an international training, consulting and therapy practice. Dr. Walser is an expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and has co-authored 7 books on ACT including a book on learning ACT. She has most recently written a book entitled: The Heart of ACT- Developing a flexible, process- based, and client-centered practice using acceptance and commitment therapy.
Dr. Walser has expertise in traumatic stress, depression and substance abuse and has authored a number of articles, chapters and books on these topics. She has been doing ACT workshops since 1997; training in multiple formats and for multiple client problems. Dr. Walser has been described as a “passionate, creative, and bold ACT trainer and therapist” and she is best known for her dynamic, warm and challenging ACT trainings. She is often referred to as a clinician’s clinician. Her workshops feature a combination of lecture and experiential exercises designed to provide a unique learning opportunity in this state-of-the-art intervention.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the core principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and its application to trauma treatment.
2. Explain how ACT differs from traditional trauma treatments by emphasizing mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based action.
3. Participants will discuss strategies for overcoming challenges in implementing ACT processes across various client presentations and contexts.
4. Discuss the role of experiential avoidance in maintaining trauma-related distress and how ACT fosters psychological flexibility to counteract it.
5. Examine how ACT’s key processes—defusion, acceptance, and present-moment awareness—help clients reduce rigid control over trauma-related thoughts and emotions.
6. Demonstrate how values clarification and committed action support trauma survivors in building a meaningful life beyond their traumatic experiences.
7. Describe the integration of exposure-based interventions within ACT and how they facilitate emotional processing and long-term recovery.
8. Describe the role of self-compassion in ACT-based trauma recovery and how it supports emotional healing.
9. Describe ACT’s approach to the therapeutic relationship.
10. Develop strategies to incorporate ACT principles into diverse therapeutic settings, tailoring interventions for individuals with trauma histories.
Conference Schedule:
8:00 –8:30 Student Poster Session
In-person/On-site Conference Registration
8:30 – 11:30 Morning Session
Includes 15 Minute Break
11:30 – 1:00 Lunch / Awards
1:00 – 4:30 Afternoon Session
Includes 15 Minute Break
Registration
In-Person
NPA Member – $175
General (Nonmember) – $220
Student/Intern – $30
Virtual Via Zoom
NPA Member – $185
General (Nonmember) – $230
Student/Intern – $30
Continuing Education
The Nebraska Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Nebraska Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. Participants attending this conference can receive 6 CEs for psychologists. Full attendance at the workshop is required to receive CE credit for psychologists. No partial credit is awarded; late arrival or early departure will preclude awarding of CE credits for psychologists. Those arriving more than 15 minutes after the scheduled start time or leaving before the workshop is completed will not receive CE credits and will not be eligible for the 15% premium discount described below. This program meets the criteria of an approved continuing education program for mental health practice.
Cancellation Policy: Written notification of cancellation is required on or before April 27, 2026, for complete refund of registration fee. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations after the event. All questions, comments and complaints should be directed to the NPA Central Office at npa@nebpsych.org, 402-475-0709 or 877-355-7934.
Please Thank our Conference Sponsor!
NPA Endorses The Trust and its insurance programs. The Trust is a leading provider of professional liability malpractice, financial security, and innovative risk management programs — meeting the insurance needs of psychologists and related individuals nationwide for more than 55 years.
