Guest blog by Dr Ray Owen Many people would – truthfully – say “I value my health”. For those of us applying CBS / ACT approaches, there can be something of a trap here, because we use the word Value in a slightly different way to common speech (that’s why I often capitalise it, to […]
A guest blog by Sally Gardner Ward Before I was diagnosed with stage four cancer, I could easily get on board with acceptance and commitment therapy’s stance of acceptance. A bit of anxiety or sadness shows up from time to time? Bring it on. However, once my lifespan had been severely shortened, time became a […]
Guest blog from Ditte Hoffmann Frydendal One of the defining features of health anxiety is not that people feel more sensations than everyone else, it is that they interpret ordinary bodily sensations as signs of serious illness. A skipped heartbeat becomes evidence of heart disease. A headache signals a brain tumour. Forgetting a name must […]
You’re sat with a client. They’re telling you about scan results, or a medication change, or the latest thing physio said, and then, almost as an aside, they say it: “I’m just not the person I used to be”. It slips out quietly, but it’s doing a lot of work. If your instinct is to offer reassurance, you’re about to miss the deepest part of the session. That sentence […]
What are physical health problems? When we discuss physical health problems we generally refer to chronic health conditions, long-term illnesses, or health issues that significantly impact one’s lifestyle. While these may be categorised as physical health, the overlap with mental health is well-documented. For an individual who has been used to leading an active and […]
You’re sitting with a client who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s six weeks ago and you introduce the word acceptance. Watch what happens. The shoulders drop a little. Sometimes you’ll hear it said back to you almost word for word: “So you want me to just give up?” It’s not a difficult client, and it’s not […]
Finding an approach to therapy that suits both therapists and clients can be a daunting task. When using acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) this can present its own set of challenges as the intricate concepts and relatively unstructured nature means applying ACT principles in real-time situations can prove to be demanding. The reality of being […]
Menopause is not simply a collection of symptoms. It is a biopsychosocial transition involving fluctuating hormones, disrupted sleep, shifts in cognition, changing identity, and powerful cultural narratives about ageing and worth. For many, this period interacts with longstanding patterns of self-criticism, anxiety, or striving. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) does not aim to eliminate menopausal […]
In the world of sports, anxiety is a familiar companion. Whether you’re an athlete facing the pressure of competition or someone navigating challenges in leadership, managing discomfort is crucial. Alison Maitland, a sports psychologist who hosted a ‘Thriving in Sport’ training session alongside Jenna Ashford, joined us to share a metaphor that she loves to […]
Living with a chronic health condition involves more than managing physical symptoms; it often requires a deep, ongoing process of psychological and identity adjustment. For many clients, this includes confronting uncertainty, navigating role loss, renegotiating identity, as well as living with their symptoms. This article looks at how acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can offer […]
Living with a physical health condition comes with a unique set of challenges – not just the symptoms themselves, but also the unhelpful beliefs and myths surrounding what it means to live well with a health condition. These myths can keep people stuck, disconnected, or disheartened, making it harder for them to move forward in […]
Living with long-term physical health conditions can be challenging, often leading to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and self-criticism. For individuals with long term health conditions, we often find the presenting concern (e.g. chronic pain) and then the secondary consequences of this. These can be far reaching, e.g. avoidance, frustration / irritation, impact on relationships, and […]
Towards the end of last year, we reached out to our social media followers with an important question in the realm of mental health: “When working with clinical procrastination, what would you say most commonly underlies this, in your experience?” The responses were interesting and provided valuable insights that we can explore through the lens […]
Navigating difficult conversations is a reality we all face, whether in personal relationships, professional settings, or therapeutic environments. Having the right approach can make all the difference in how these conversations unfold. In this short video taken from our expert tips for ACT series, Dr Ray Owen shares a technique that he uses, particularly during […]
Psychological flexibility is a vital skill that allows our clients to adapt to changing circumstances and respond effectively to their internal experiences, thoughts and emotions. It is akin to being both strong and mentally supple; essential for navigating the complexities of modern life. Whether you’re looking to improve your own mental health, enhance your performance, […]
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