2026/27 iACT Wellbeing Practitioner Training Programme
Are you passionate about mental health and eager to directly support people experiencing mental health problems in the community? Mind HK’s 2026/27 Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) Wellbeing Practitioner Training Programme is starting in June 2026!
This training programme is for people who wish to learn how to deliver early mental health interventions and contribute to improving access to mental health treatments for those in need.
The iACT 2026/27 Practitioner Training Programme is a fee-based programme and structured into three distinct tiers, designed to broaden access and cater to different learning needs. To ensure a high standard of practice, all trainees will start from Tier 1. Progression to subsequent tiers is subject to an assessment to determine eligibility for the next level.
Sign up by 31 May 2026 to enjoy your early bird discount!
Curriculum:
Tier 1 (E-Learning):
Tier 1 training welcomes everyone who is interested in mental health, and also professionals such as social workers, teachers, and counsellors who would like to learn more about ACT.
- Total Training Hours: 37.5 hours
- Date: 29 May 2026 – 20 June 2026
- Capacity: Open to all registered participants*
- Fee: HK$ 2,800 (Register by 31 May 2026 to enjoy the early bird discount: HK$ 2,520)
*Due to limited spots in the programme, applicants who registered their interest in completing Tier 1-3 will be given priority.
Highlight:
- Low Barrier to Entry: A flexible 37.5-hour blended learning journey featuring e-learning and concise Zoom or in-person sessions.
- Professional Integration: Gain essential psychological support skills that can be applied immediately to your current professional role.
- Foundation for Growth: Master the core ACT concepts and principles required to progress toward becoming a recognised Wellbeing Practitioner.
- Trainees are required to take the written exam on Sunday, 28 June, 2026 (10 am) to obtain a “Completion Certificate.”
- Please note: There is no assessment retake for the Tier 1. Trainees who pass the written exam will be issued a “Completion Certificate.”
- *Enrollment completed on or before 31 May will be eligible for an exclusive early bird discount.
Progression to Tier 2:
Trainees who wish to be promoted are required to attend an interview. The interview date will be arranged and communicated separately. Based on performance, 40 trainees will be shortlisted.
Tier 2 (Skill Lab):
Tier 2 is designed for trainees seeking a professional career path or recognised qualifications in the mental health field. This includes psychology graduates and students seeking practical, evidence-based skills, as well as dedicated career changers looking to enter the mental health field. It is the essential next step for trainees who require a structured pathway toward supervised clinical placements.
- Total Training Hours: 78 hours, including 26 hours self learning
- Date: 4 July 2026 – 22 August 2026
- Capacity: 40 Trainees
- Fee: HK$ 4,500
Highlight:
- Hands-on Competency: Move beyond theory with 31 hours of in-person training focused on advanced practice skills and structured role-play.
- Standardised Practise: Learn to deliver evidence-based mental health workshops that align with international standards.
- Trainees are required to complete the Tier 2 roleplay assessment to obtain the “Completion Certificate.”
- Please note: Those who do not pass the Tier 2 roleplay assessment will be scheduled for one retake in early September. There will be no further retakes thereafter.
Progression to Tier 3:
Trainees who wish to be promoted are required to pass the Tier 2 roleplay assessment and an additional interview in late August. The interview date will be arranged and communicated separately. Based on performance, 20 trainees will be shortlisted.
*Tier 2 retake assessment will be conducted in early September for trainees who failed their assessment.
Tier 3 (Clinical Placement):
Tier 3 is designed for trainees seeking a professional career path or recognised qualifications in mental health. It is the final stage for trainees ready to complete their 120-hour supervised clinical placement and transition into practice. Trainees who completed Tier 3 of the programme will be recognised as Wellbeing Practitioners.
- Total Training Hours: 22 training hours and 120 clinical placement Hours
- Date: Mid September 2026 – June 2027
- Capacity: 20 Trainees
- Fee: Fully Covered by Mind HK
Highlight:
- Clinical Readiness: Complete 120 hours of supervised clinical placement to ensure you are fully prepared for high-quality psychological support.
- Professional Recognition: Successful graduates are listed as recognised practitioners, boosting professional visibility and growth.
- Sustainable Career Path: Gain access to a robust alumni network, free clinical supervision, and potential paid Wellbeing Practitioner roles or pro-bono opportunities.
*The trainee selected for the Tier 3 placement will be required to arrange and pay for the Professional Indemnity Insurance on their own.
Placement details:
Type: Unpaid placement
- Commitment: Must complete 120 hours of supervised direct clinical hours within the placement period (tentative: September 2026 – June 2027).
Placement guide:
- 0-3 months: 40 clinical hours AND 7-10 clients
- 3-6 months: 40 clinical hours AND 7-10 clients
- 6-9 months: 40 clinical hours AND 7-10 clients
Placement passing requirements:
- Provide service for 25 clients AND complete a minimum of 120 supervised direct clinical hours between September 2026 – June 2027
Requirements:
Ability to Work in Hong Kong
A Hong Kong resident or a valid working visa for the duration of the programme
Education
Undergraduate degree, or equivalent, in any subject, with a 2nd class honours or above. Mental health or health-related study (e.g., psychology, social work, education, public health, etc.) is preferred but not a must.
Language ability
Bilingual, fluent in Cantonese AND English or Mandarin AND English
(Training will be delivered in English, but eligible trainees must be bilingual for service delivery in Tier 3.)
Values and attitudes
Caring, compassionate, person-centred, reflective, willingness to take in feedback and learn from experiences, responsible, non judgemental.
Sexual Conviction Record Check (Tier 2 & 3)
Must pass a Sexual Conviction Record Check prior to starting placement
Commitment
Tier 1 – 2:
- Complete all e-learning content. Must attend at least 100% of in-person lectures (Personal leaves will be allowed upon discussion and approval from Mind HK)
Tier 3:
- Must complete 120 hours of supervised direct clinical hours within the placement period September 2026 – June 2026).
General Skills
Skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work with and show empathy towards people from diverse backgrounds and across different life stages
- Willingness to engage people experiencing mental health conditions with a non-stigmatising attitude
- Ability to build professional therapeutic relationships and adhere to codes of ethics
- Awareness of common mental health problems (e.g. depression, anxiety) and willingness to adopt an evidence-based manualised intervention protocol
- Strong community awareness and wish to challenge stigma around mental health
- Clear understanding of important clinical ethics such as confidentiality and boundaries
- Basic IT skills: using Google Workspace, Zoom, etc.
Upon completion of Tier 3, graduates will become Wellbeing Practitioners and will be able to:
- Lead workshop/engagement activities to increase the visibility of the intervention
- Conduct one-on-one sessions using a manualised intervention with adults aged 18-65
- Ability to apply training to practise with flexibility and integrity in clinical settings
- Ability to work independently, while also working closely with a clinical supervisor
- Commitment to thorough documentation in a timely and professional manner
- Commitment to adhere to professional clinical governance procedures, including regular database management and clinical supervision
- Understand the importance of research to promote evidence-based practices
Key Information :
Application deadline: 12 June 2026 (Friday)
Apply by 31 May 2026 to enjoy the early bird discount!
Applicants who pass the screening will receive a confirmation email after their enrollment forms have been processed.
Tuition fees:
For the 2026/2027 cohort, the programme follows a tiered fee structure:
- Tier 1: HK$ 2,800
- Tier 2: HK$ 4,500
- Tier 3: Fully covered by Mind HK
Training platforms/venues:
Self-study content: be released to successful candidates from March 2025
In-person training: be released in late April 2025
Live online lectures: Zoom
Placement details (for Tier 3 only):
Type: Unpaid placement
Commitment: Must complete 120 hours of supervised direct clinical hours within the placement period (tentative: September 2026 – June 2027).
Placement guide:
0-3 months: 40 clinical hours AND 7-10 clients
3-6 months: 40 clinical hours AND 7-10 clients
6-9 months: 40 clinical hours AND 7-10 clients
Placement passing requirements:
Provide service for 25 clients AND complete a minimum of 120 supervised direct clinical hours between September 2026 – June 2027
Contact information:
Should you have any questions, please email hello@iact.hk .
Terms and Conditions
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: iACT 2026/27 WELLBEING PRACTITIONER TRAINING PROGRAMME
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW & ELIGIBILITY
Tiered Structure: The iACT Wellbeing Practitioner Training Programme is a fee-based training structured into three distinct tiers. All trainees must commence at Tier 1 to ensure standardised practice.
Educational Requirements: Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree (or equivalent degree) with 2nd class honours or above. Preference is given to those with mental health or health-related backgrounds.
Language Proficiency: Participants must be bilingual and fluent in either Cantonese and English or Mandarin and English.
Progression: Advancement to subsequent tiers is not guaranteed and is subject to passing specific assessments and competency checks.
REFUND POLICY
Non-Refundable Policy: All payment of fees for the programme are non-refundable, subject to exceptional circumstances.
Exceptional Circumstances: If a trainee is experiencing exceptional circumstances, Mind HK may consider a full or partial refund on a case-by-case basis at its sole and absolute discretion. Examples of exceptional circumstances are set out below. Such examples are illustrative only and do not limit Mind HK’s ability to consider other exceptional circumstances.
Tier Progression: Payment of fees for a specific tier does not guarantee progression to any subsequent tier. Progression is subject to a trainee successfully satisfying the applicable assessment and attendance requirements. If a trainee does not satisfy the assessment and attendance requirements for any tier, fees previously paid are non-refundable.
All fees are used towards supporting the delivery of the programme (including administrative costs) and funding Mind HK’s diverse mental health initiatives and are non-refundable, subject to exceptional circumstances. Requests for refunds due to ‘exceptional circumstances’ (e.g., medical & health-related emergencies) must be submitted in writing with supporting documentation. Mind HK reserves the right of final decision on all refund applications.
PERSONAL DATA
We will process personal data that is provided to us in compliance with applicable laws and regulations relating to data protection and privacy. Further information about how we handle personal data can be found in our data privacy policy available at: https://www.mind.org.hk/privacypolicy/.
GOVERNING LAW
By enrolling in the programme, you agree to these terms and conditions which are governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong courts have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with these terms.
Mind HK reserves the right to amend these terms and retains the sole right of final interpretation and decision. By participating in this training course, you agree to be bound by this statement.
Remarks
All fees are used to support administrative procedures and charity work and are non-refundable. Requests for refunds under ‘special circumstances’ (e.g., major medical emergency) must be submitted in writing with supporting documentation. Mind HK reserves the right to the final decision on all refund applications.
FAQs
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychological therapy derived from the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness. It focuses on promoting the acceptance of painful thoughts and feelings in service of living a meaningful life, through working on important goals and activities in their lives. Also, there is now increasing evidence for the effectiveness of ACT in managing a wide range of psychological difficulties.
What is manualised intervention?
Manualised interventions clearly list out steps in the intervention, allowing practitioners to easily follow them to provide therapy. Standardised interventions are particularly important for providing effective, low intensity interventions.
Practitioners work through a standardised, step-by-step treatment procedure with each client, and depending on the clients needs, they will guide them through different concepts and exercises in the modules.
Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.
Will trainees from NGO/clinics/university counselling centre backgrounds be able to conduct the placement at their existing organisation?
Yes. Trainees will be able to conduct their placements at their employment organisations providing their organisations are participating in the programme and are supportive of this initiative. Please discuss this with team members from Mind HK to confirm this arrangement. Independent trainees without association to any organisations will be assigned to host organisations by Mind HK.initiative. Please discuss this with team members from Mind HK to confirm this arrangement. Independent trainees without association to any organisations will be assigned to host organisations by Mind HK.
Do I need a counselling or mental health degree to apply for this course?
You are not required to have a counselling or related background to apply for the programme. It would be desirable for you to have basic knowledge on mental health, and for you to share this in your application.
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