How can we improve psychological flexibility for children, parents, and schools? (with Dr Duncan Gillard)

Dr Duncan Gillard joins our two old psychologists to map how acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and contextual behavioural science (CBS) translate into work with children, adolescents, parents and schools. They unpack developmental adaptations to ACT's psychological flexibility model, why the some of the most effective interventions often happen through parents, and how flexibility skills can become teachable behaviours. Duncan outlines practical school-based approaches, notably the Connect curriculum, and how mundane conversations can target psychological flexibility in the moment. The episode balances big-picture educational policy with concrete classroom and parenting guidance for building resilience and wellbeing.

Duncan's article in The Psychologist on creating psychologically flexible school communities is here, while the evidence-based, and completely free Connect curriculum can be found here.

The are many more resources on using ACT with children and young people available at DNA-V International.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com