Table 1 Summary of the content of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) component of the combined intervention
Session | Content |
|---|---|
1 | Introductions and basic foundations of treatment, present the goal of ACT – shifting focus from pursuit of symptom reduction to improving function |
2 | Review of previous treatment history – creative hopelessness exercise including primary and secondary suffering Introduce openness as a skill area – acceptance as an alternative to avoidance |
3 | Recap of acceptance and continued focus on enhancing openness. Introduce process of defusion. Passenger on the bus experiential exercise |
4 | Focus on engagement: values awareness and assessment Experiential values exercise |
5 | Further values clarification work Committing to action that improves and enriches one’s life |
6 | Focus on awareness – contact with the present moment, perspective taking and self-awareness as distinct from fusion with thought content and perception of self |
7 | Treatment review Walking mindfulness exercise |
8 | Wrap up and conclusions Relapses and set-backs: preparation not prevention |