Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Day Program
About Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Day Program
The ACT Day program is a 6-week group program. The program covers education and formulation of presenting problems from the ACT framework, with educational and practical skills from each of the six core ACT strategies. The program serves to improve psychological flexibility and meaningful values-based living, with a highly experiential approach utilising in session activities and exercises.
This program may be suitable for you if:
- You struggle with your thoughts and/or emotions by either getting caught up in them or trying to avoid and supress them.
- You would like to learn how to spend less time worrying about the future or ruminating on the past.
- You spend so much time trying to get rid of unwanted thoughts and feelings that you stop doing the things you really want / love
- You are not sure what your values are or what a meaningful life would look like. Or you are struggling with a significant life transition.
- Your painful thoughts and feelings are controlling your actions and decisions, and leading you towards life-draining behaviours.
Program content
- Introduction to ACT
- The Six Signs of Struggle
- The ACT Hexaflex and Six Processes
- Identifying the struggle and Dissecting the problem
- Understanding Fusion and Defusion
- Practicing Defusion
- Understanding Experiential Avoidance and Acceptance
- Practicing acceptance
- The Control Agenda
- Practicing Self-Compassion
- Understanding Present Moment Awareness and Mindfulness
- Practicing Mindfulness
- Building a flexible sense of self
- Understanding Values
- Identifying Values
- Using Values to guide goals and Committed Action plans
What you will experience
In this program you will participate in group sessions which typically have between 8-12 participants. The group will be facilitated by 1 or 2 allied health professionals who will support participants through learning the ACT concepts, sharing lived experiences, and practicing practical and evidence-based strategies for managing psychological distress and increasing valued behaviours. Each session has a primary topic and between session goals.
Treatment objectives
Objective 1
Change your relationship with thoughts and feelings to regain control of your life - Learn how to handle painful thoughts and feelings in a way that has less impact and influence on your actions.
Objective 2
Understand psychological flexibility vs psychological inflexibility - recognise the ineffective processes we engage in that keep us stuck in a struggle, and build tools to unhook from this struggle
Objective 3
Reduce the power of your thoughts - recognise how you are fusing with thinking and the control it has over your actions, and learn how to use defusion skills to take back that control.
Objective 4
Change the way you relate to your emotions - Understand the impacts of experiential avoidance, the approach of acceptance and self compassion, and learn ways to apply these skills
Objective 5
Be more present - Understand the concept and benefits of present moment awareness and develop strategies to increase this in your daily life, to reduce preoccupation with the past and the future
Objective 6
Clarify your values - identify what is truly important and meaningful to you and use this to guide and motivate goals, decisions and actions.
What's included
Education
To develop or refine new skills and strategies
Workbooks
To guide you though education, reflection and exercises designed to tackle your symptoms
Action Plans
Step-by-step activities to help you put new skills into practice
Progress Tracking
Questionnaires to help you monitor your symptoms and/or progress
Extra Resources
Tools to help you overcome common challenges,
Check-ins
Support between treatments to help keep things on track.
Check-ins are conducted in the first session of each day, and individual check-in support is available in break times.
How to get started
For your access to this program, you will require a valid referral from a psychiatrist with admission rights to Belmont Private Hospital. Referrals can be sent through to belmonttherapyprograms@aurorahealth.com.au. General enquiries about this program can be made by calling 07 3398 0270
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will find this program helpful?
People who are experiencing anxiety disorders, mood disorders or having difficulty with significant transitions - as well as a wide range of other presentations and struggles.
How much does it cost?
Participants are admitted as a day patient and as such, can claim their attendance via their health fund. Privately paying is also an option. We ask that patients confirm any applicable out-of-pocket excess or gap costs directly with Belmont Private Hospital by contacting the Belmont Therapy Programs Department or Belmont Private Hospital Front Office
When does this treatment start, and how long does it take?
This intervention program is for outpatients and is conducted over 6-weeks. Participants attend sessions every Friday from 9:15am to 3:00pm. Morning tea and lunch is provided. This is a closed group, which means that participants must begin in week 1. A new group commences every 6 weeks.
