NEUROACT® International
Professional Training Online
December 4th to 6th, 2024
Time Zones: USA, Canada, South America
NEUROACT® International
Professional Training Online
February 13th to 14th, 2025
Time Zones: Europe and Africa
NEUROACT® International
Professional Training Online
February 19th to 21st, 2025
Time Zones: Australia, New Zeeland, and Asia
NEUROACT® – stress management for flexibility & health is a 12-part manual-based program for stress management to help reduce stress and increase quality of life in autistic and other neurodivergent individuals. The program has been developed to meet challenges with stressful situations, such as sensory overload (e.g., sounds, smell, and tactile experiences), emotional and bodily unawareness and dysregulation, unfamiliar occasions and changes in the environment, and events that exceed the individual’s social capacity.
Figure 1. NEUROACT® aims and treatment content.
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NEUROACT® has been shown to be scientifically feasible and effective for adolescents and adults with an autism diagnosis and co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, high stress levels, and mental health problems (see below for scientific articles). The method is based on (1) contextual behavioral science, specifically acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), a form of cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT), and (2) neuroscience, particularly neuropsychology and knowledge about executive function. The program aims at enhancing stress management skills to reduce avoidance and making it possible to do meaningful behaviors and activities, in such a way increasing quality of life. It includes (1) motivation techniques, such as finding out what’s really important to oneself (not what parents, peers, or society say is important) and creating clear behavior goals, (2) adversity skills, such perspective-taking on thoughts and acceptance of emotions and bodily reactions, and (3) psychoeducation on typical neurodivergent challenges, such as stress, emotions, sensory impressions, and body signals.
The overall goal is to teach skills that increase the participants’ psychological flexibility, which is the ability to deal with thoughts, emotions, and body sensations, reduce behavioral avoidance, and fulfill personally chosen goals, commonly leading to a sense of purposefulness improving mental health and well-being.
Below are two examples of how NEUROACT® techniques can help reduce obstacles and reach long-term goals.
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Figure 2. Example of NEUROACT® for autistic adults (Man on the bus).
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Figure 3. Example of NEUROACT® for autistic adolescents (Girl avoiding school).
The NEUROACT® material is adapted into different levels and target groups depending on the participants’ executive and cognitive levels of functioning, and age. Level 1 corresponds to normal (IQ=>70) or above cognitive ability and relatively high adaptive functioning. Level 2 corresponds to normal cognitive ability (IQ=>70) but more severe executive and adaptive challenges. Level 3 corresponds to cognitive ability below normal (IQ=<70) and significant executive and adaptive challenges.
The NEUROACT® material has a pedagogical approach and is adapted to suit the learning processes common in neurodivergent individuals. For example, using image support, simple and straightforward writing exercises, and short mindfulness and acceptance audio exercises with an explanatory rationale before each exercise. The method primarily consists of practical exercises of stress management skills during and between group sessions, to enable experiential learning.
The NEUROACT® program can be used as a whole package or by separating modules, for example, assisting psychotherapy or motivating students in school. The sessions are grouped into six modules, each containing specific treatment targets. To use NEUROACT® in a group or individually, you must complete the NEUROACT® professional training (NEUROACT® International, see below). The training is provided to ensure the quality of the method so that it is used in the manner intended and researched.
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The program has been developed into different versions to meet specific challenges and settings. The available versions are presented below.
NEUROACT® SCHOOL
NEUROACT® SCHOOL is designed for easy integration into the classroom setting. Through engaging with the material, students will develop improved skills in recognizing and managing stressful situations, including emotions, and gain a clearer perspective on their goals. Additionally, educators will gain enhanced tools to boost student motivation, facilitate discussions about stress management, and effectively tailor the classroom environment to accommodate neurodivergent students.
NEUROACT® ADOLESCENTS
NEUROACT® ADOLESCENTS is tailored to assist adolescents from the age of 13 in managing everyday stressors. By engaging with the material, they will develop improved abilities to identify and navigate stressful situations, encompassing emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations, while also gaining clarity regarding their objectives. NEUROACT® Providers will be equipped with an effective resource to enhance motivation and impart efficient stress management techniques to children and adolescents.
NEUROACT® ADULTS
NEUROACT® ADULTS is customized to aid adults in navigating daily stressors. Through active engagement with the content, individuals will cultivate enhanced skills to recognize and address stress-inducing situations, encompassing emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations, thereby gaining clarity regarding their goals. NEUROACT® Providers will be furnished with a valuable tool to bolster motivation and deliver effective stress management strategies tailored to adults.
NEUROACT® ID
NEUROACT® ID is designed to support individuals with intellectual challenges in coping with daily stressors. Through interaction with the concret and adapted material, they will enhance their skills in recognizing and navigating stressful situations, including understanding emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations, while also gaining clarity about what they want. NEUROACT® Providers will have access to a valuable resource to boost motivation and teach effective stress management techniques tailored to individuals with intellectual challenges.
NEUROACT® has been validated together with Jill Faulkner and colleagues at Learn by Spektra. Jill herself has an autism diagnosis.
Summary of the validation:
”NeuroACT is a program aimed at empowering autistic individuals by promoting greater self-awareness and enhancing their ability to participate in various contexts based on their own preferences. This is achieved through a twelve-part course that deepens the user’s knowledge about themselves, strategies, and stress.
Over the past six months, I have worked intensively to evaluate, improve, and autismproof the material. Throughout this time, I have been consistently impressed by how well-thought-out, clear, and insightful NeuroACT is. The course serves as an inspiring and supportive resource, placing empowerment at the center of development and progress. It consistently emphasizes strengthening individuals’ unique abilities, preferences, and interests while creating a secure environment to explore learned, no longer helpful strategies.
Research and practical application have clearly demonstrated that this therapeutic approach has the potential to transform the lives of autistic individuals by promoting self-esteem, independence, and enhanced confidence. By encouraging active participation in life decisions, the therapy provides the tools to flourish and become strong advocates for one’s own needs. In summary,
NeuroACT is a program designed to improve the lives of autistics and give them more influence in their daily lives. This is done respectfully and with an understanding of individuals’ diverse ways of relating to the world.” Read the full validation here
NEUROACT® has been evaluated at Karolinska Institute in three studies.
NEUROACT® International is given in English and consists of three half-days of theoretical and practical training using the NEUROACT® material. The course content includes:
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Professionals attending the training are, for example, psychologists, psychotherapists, behavior specialists, behavior analysts, special education consultants, teachers, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, physiotherapists, social workers, family therapists, counselors, nurses, physicians, or other mental health professionals.
The training is aimed at professionals who want to become a NEUROACT® provider or deepening their knowledge of how ACT can be adapted to autism and other NDDs, such as ADHD or intellectual disability, where executive and adaptive function is a concern. It will also suit mental health professionals who need to provide stress management for autistic individuals or individuals with other NDDs and complex conditions.
Dr. Johan Pahnke has a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in medicine from Karolinska Institutet and is an experienced clinical neuropsychologist. Johan has evaluated NEUROACT® as part of his doctoral thesis Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evaluation of feasibility, effectiveness, and validity of a novel contextual behavioral treatment. In addition, Johan provides education in ACT, CBT, neuropsychology, and stress management. He has worked as a psychologist in primary care and outpatient psychiatric care and has previously worked as a teacher in special education. Johan has supervised professionals since 2003 and is a trained clinical supervisor. Questions can be sent to info@brainproof.se.
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Yes, the NEUROACT® training can also be provided as tailor-made professional training for staff at your clinic, company, school, or similar. If this is an option that suits you better, please use the contact form below. Also, if you have any questions, please send an email to info@brainproof.se.
– Incredibly useful method! Fun to network with other course participants, in addition to the training itself. Really good with all discussions about clinical cases.
– Such a good course and solid in every way! Glad to have participated !!
– We were a little surprised that it worked so well to lead the groups using a digital link!
– That it was experience-based and the lecturer consequently asked the participants to relate to their own experiences and do exercises. Incredibly good!
– All exercises, how they were placed in relation to the theoretical part. Good educational structure!
– That it addressed many areas that none of our current interventions address, and which I feel people in the target group have a great need for, and that it was interesting to meet others who worked with similar patient groups and had great interest. Also, the use of ACT in this group was unexpected but still, when you think about it, obvious and appealing.
– It is rewarding to have a different way of thinking about this patient group and how you can sometimes reach a patient with quite small means, as long as you express yourself in a certain way.
– The set-up was good with lectures, concrete exercises, and good and pedagogical course leaders.
– I’m more outgoing and can do activities based on my own decisions.
– Good to discover that I can be in a group setting, a huge process.
– Something has happened, I don’t worry. People claim that I’m calmer.
– I find it easier not to let my thoughts rule, I’m not as stressed.
– I’ve dropped demands on myself and act more rationally.
– I’m less stressed and think more positively.
– I can now think that thoughts, feelings, and body sensations are harmless.
…What? NEUROACT® Professional Training
When? 4th to 6th of December 2024
Where? Online using Zoom
What time?
The course schedule is optimized for the time zones of USA, Canada, and South America:
Course manager? 
Johan Pahnke is doctor in medicine (Ph.D.) at Karolinska Institutet and an experienced clinical neuropsychologist. Johan has many years of experience working with adults, children, and adolescents with diagnoses such as autism or ADHD. In addition, he has worked in special schools and psychiatric outpatient and inpatient care. Today, Johan works primarily as a NEUROACT® trainer along with education, supervising, and research in neurodevelopmental conditions, ACT, CBT, and stress.
The course content and structure? The training is in English and includes 3 days (4 hours per day) of lectures and practical exercises using written material and worksheets. We will review the NEUROACT® – stress management for flexibility & health manual. The manual provides clear and detailed guidance on the method. The method includes adapted written work material (info sheets, worksheets, and homework sheets), short and straightforward audio-delivered mindfulness and acceptance exercises with an explanatory rationale before each exercise, videos that clarify essential ACT techniques, images illustrating metaphors, PowerPoint presentations as guidance during the sessions, and a digital platform for participants’ and professionals’ easy access to the material. In addition, the digital platform includes interview templates for the inclusion of participants, psychological rating instruments for evaluation, and scientific articles and presentations of the method. Read NEUROACT®’s terms of use here.
Audience? Intermediate – professional. Professionals who wish to become a NEUROACT® or deepen their knowledge of how ACT best can be adapted and delivered to individuals on the autism spectrum, ADHD, and complex mental health problems where executive function is a concern. Professionals commonly attending the training include psychologists, psychotherapists, medical doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, special educators, teachers, counselors, occupational therapists, and other mental health professionals.
Course fee? The course fee is USD 790.
Course registration? Make your course registration using the form below. You will, within a few days, get a course confirmation. Course registration is binding. However, you can transfer your course place if you are prevented. The sign * in the form means that it is mandatory to fill in. If you have any questions, please send an email to info@brainproof.se.
How do I pay? When registering you will be asked to pay by credit card or invoice. You choose the payment method that you prefer. Once you have completed payment, your registration is finally approved.
Make your course registration using the form below!
…What? NEUROACT® Professional Training
When? February 13th to 14th, 2025
Where? Online using Zoom
What time?
The course schedule is optimized for the time zones of Europe and Africa:
Course manager? Johan Pahnke is doctor in medicine (Ph.D.) at Karolinska Institutet and an experienced clinical neuropsychologist. Johan has many years of experience working with adults, children, and adolescents with diagnoses such as autism or ADHD. In addition, he has worked in special schools and psychiatric outpatient and inpatient care. Today, Johan works primarily as a NEUROACT® trainer along with education, supervising, and research in neurodevelopmental conditions, ACT, CBT, and stress.
The course content and structure? The training is in English and includes 3 days (4 hours per day) of lectures and practical exercises using written material and worksheets. We will review the NEUROACT® – stress management for flexibility & health manual. The manual provides clear and detailed guidance on the method. The method includes adapted written work material (info sheets, worksheets, and homework sheets), short and straightforward audio-delivered mindfulness and acceptance exercises with an explanatory rationale before each exercise, videos that clarify essential ACT techniques, images illustrating metaphors, PowerPoint presentations as guidance during the sessions, and a digital platform for participants’ and professionals’ easy access to the material. In addition, the digital platform includes interview templates for the inclusion of participants, psychological rating instruments for evaluation, and scientific articles and presentations of the method. Read NEUROACT®’s terms of use here.
Audience? Intermediate – professional. Professionals who wish to become a NEUROACT® or deepen their knowledge of how ACT best can be adapted and delivered to individuals on the autism spectrum, ADHD, and complex mental health problems where executive function is a concern. Professionals commonly attending the training include psychologists, psychotherapists, medical doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, special educators, teachers, counselors, occupational therapists, and other mental health professionals.
Course fee? The course fee is 790 euro.
Course registration? Make your course registration using the form below. You will, within a few days, get a course confirmation. Course registration is binding. However, you can transfer your course place if you are prevented. The sign * in the form means that it is mandatory to fill in. If you have any questions, please send an email to info@brainproof.se.
How do I pay? When registering you will be asked to pay by credit card or invoice. You choose the payment method that you prefer. Once you have completed payment, your registration is finally approved.
Make your course registration using the form below!
…What? NEUROACT® Professional Training
When? February 19th to 21st, 2025
Where? Online using Zoom
What time?
The course schedule is optimized for the time zones of Australia, New Zealand, and Asia:
Course manager? Johan Pahnke is doctor in medicine (Ph.D.) at Karolinska Institutet and an experienced clinical neuropsychologist. Johan has many years of experience working with adults, children, and adolescents with diagnoses such as autism or ADHD. In addition, he has worked in special schools and psychiatric outpatient and inpatient care. Today, Johan works primarily as a NEUROACT® trainer along with education, supervising, and research in neurodevelopmental conditions, ACT, CBT, and stress.
The course content and structure? The training is in English and includes 3 days (4 hours per day) of lectures and practical exercises using written material and worksheets. We will review the NEUROACT® – stress management for flexibility & health manual. The manual provides clear and detailed guidance on the method. The method includes adapted written work material (info sheets, worksheets, and homework sheets), short and straightforward audio-delivered mindfulness and acceptance exercises with an explanatory rationale before each exercise, videos that clarify essential ACT techniques, images illustrating metaphors, PowerPoint presentations as guidance during the sessions, and a digital platform for participants’ and professionals’ easy access to the material. In addition, the digital platform includes interview templates for the inclusion of participants, psychological rating instruments for evaluation, and scientific articles and presentations of the method. Read NEUROACT®’s terms of use here.
Audience? Intermediate – professional. Professionals who wish to become a NEUROACT® or deepen their knowledge of how ACT best can be adapted and delivered to individuals on the autism spectrum, ADHD, and complex mental health problems where executive function is a concern. Professionals commonly attending the training include psychologists, psychotherapists, medical doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, special educators, teachers, counselors, occupational therapists, and other mental health professionals.
Course fee? The course fee is 790 euro.
Course registration? Make your course registration using the form below. You will, within a few days, get a course confirmation. Course registration is binding. However, you can transfer your course place if you are prevented. The sign * in the form means that it is mandatory to fill in. If you have any questions, please send an email to info@brainproof.se.
How do I pay? When registering you will be asked to pay by credit card or invoice. You choose the payment method that you prefer. Once you have completed payment, your registration is finally approved.
Make your course registration using the form below!
Don’t worry! You can make a non-binding interest registration using the form below, and you will be placed on the list for future course opportunities. You will be noticed in good time before the next training opportunity.
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