Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an innovative approach to managing chronic pain that focuses on well-being and life satisfaction rather than reducing pain. Derived from cognitive behavioral therapy, ACT emphasizes acceptance, mindfulness, and committed action to help people lead fulfilling lives despite chronic pain. The therapeutic approach uses metaphor and experiential practices to foster new ways of thinking about coping with chronic pain. While not a support group, there are opportunities for small and large group discussions each week. ACT encourages individuals to engage in meaningful activities aligned with their values, reducing avoidance of experiences and disrupting the cycle of suffering associated with chronic pain. This approach supports a shift in focus to a fuller life experience rather than constant pain management. As a result, many find themselves participating more in personally rewarding activities and experiencing a reduction in pain-related impairment.
Key Features
- Emphasis on Quality of Life: This group helps you build a meaningful life based on your personal values.
- Six Core Processes: You will learn six core strategies to change your relationship with difficult thoughts and physical sensations.
- Collaborative Format: The program includes group discussions to facilitate learning and peer support.
- Individualized Orientation: Every participant has a group orientation and a brief one-on-one meeting to ensure the group aligns with their specific goals.
- Virtual Telehealth Format: Meetings are held online, allowing you to participate from a comfortable environment where you can use physically supportive positions.
Experiential Learning
- Group Discussions: Collaborative conversations centered on therapeutic concepts and shared experiences.
- Small Breakout Groups: Focused discussions with a few participants regarding specific topics or practices.
- Guided Exercises: Experiential practices designed to emphasize and reinforce the core concepts of the group.
- Guided Imagery: Visualization practices used to deepen the understanding of therapeutic metaphors and concepts.
| Type | Group Therapy |
| Format | Telehealth |
| Duration | 8 weeks (2 hours) group sessions, preceded by orientation & individual session |
| Facilitated by | Health Psychologist |
| Home practice (time spent outside of group) | Recommend spending about 15 to 30 minutes weekly, between sessions, on reflective exercises to support integration and prepare for our group discussions. |
| Insurance Based? | Yes |
| Referral | Osher Provider - as part of integrative health plan |
FAQ
-
ACT for Chronic Pain works by changing your focus from trying to stop the pain to valued actions by building a more flexible mindset. Many treatments try to fix or reduce physical symptoms, but this approach uses experiential practices and self-reflection to help you disrupt the cycle of chronic pain. By practicing mindfulness and acceptance, you can learn how to live a rewarding life even when you have persistent pain. Instead of spending all your energy on pain management, you shift your attention toward the activities and experiences that make your life feel full and meaningful.
The group uses a tool called the "Hexaflex" framework, which involves six main strategies to help you stay mentally strong and resilient. These strategies help you accept difficult physical feelings, change how you view negative thoughts, and stay grounded in the present moment. You also spend time figuring out what you truly value and taking real steps toward these personal values, regardless of your physical condition. By using these six concepts together, you learn to change your relationship with difficult internal experiences instead of trying to make them disappear completely.
-
This group may be right for you if you have been managing chronic pain for a while and are looking for new ways to move forward. By participating, you can develop greater mental flexibility and gain the confidence to face the unpredictable nature of your condition with more ease. This approach helps you make daily choices based on your personal values rather than just focusing on pain, allowing you to return to activities you find rewarding and improving your overall wellbeing. Since this program includes a group orientation and a brief one-on-one meeting with a facilitator, you will have multiple opportunities to decide if this group is the right fit for you at this time.
-
This group may be beneficial for anyone living with a chronic pain condition, especially if you are already familiar with your diagnosis. It is a great fit for people who have already had some education on pain psychology and/or psychological approaches such as CBT, but feel "stuck" in their current coping patterns. If you are ready to try a new approach focused on acceptance, this group can help you move forward. While any experience level is welcome, it helps to have a basic understanding of how your thoughts and moods affect your behavior.
Since the group meets online, it is best for those who can easily participate in a virtual setting. It may not be the right choice for people with unmanaged severe mental health conditions, such as unmanaged PTSD, or those who have significant trouble with hearing or understanding group talk. This program works well with your other medical treatments to help you build a more rewarding life while managing persistent symptoms.
-
While any level of experience is welcome, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of psychological concepts like thoughts, mood states, and behaviors. Previous experience with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also support your understanding of the topics discussed.
This group is specifically designed for people who are already familiar with their chronic pain diagnosis and have had some prior pain education.
-
To get the most out of this group, we recommend spending about 15 to 30 minutes between weekly sessions on reflective exercises. These activities include journaling and worksheets to help you notice how concepts discussed in ACT show up in your daily life. While this at-home reflection is optional, it is the best way to integrate these practical exercises into your routine and prepare for our group discussions.
-
This group is designed to work alongside your current medical treatments, such as physical therapy or medication. Learning these new skills can help you get more out of your other therapies by giving you better tools to handle the mental and emotional side of physical recovery.
We encourage you to continue individual mental health counseling or therapy to provide a private space for personal goals while you learn these specific pain-management strategies in the group.
-
Patients, to learn more about Hypnosis for Chronic Pain, speak with your Osher medical provider.