A Telecommunication Model to Teach Facilitators to Deliver Acceptance and Commitment Training

Providing mediator training using a telecommunication format increases access to training by reducing geographical and financial barriers, while maintaining or increasing efficiency. Limited research has implemented this format to train facilitators in acceptance and commitment training (ACT), an empirically supported intervention. The aim of this research was to examine the efficacy of behavioural skills training via telecommunication for training novice facilitators to provide ACT to caregivers of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. This two-part study involved concurrent multiple-baseline designs, each across 4 participants. Quantitative data on fidelity and confidence were collected at baseline, post-training, and at 1-month follow-up. The results from this study provide preliminary support for the use of behavioural skills training via telecommunication to train ACT facilitators. Increasing the number of competently trained facilitators will help build capacity to increase access to ACT across geographical regions.