Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Group in the Aris Clinic Intensive Outpatient Program

This daily therapeutic group is designed to target the six core evidence-based change processes through the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Aris Clinic mental health professionals utilize a range of educational and experiential strategies to engage IOP patients participating in ACT Psychotherapy Group.  Throughout the treatment week, group leaders will move through each of the core processes, allowing members to reliably engage all six processes.

ACT is a psychotherapeutic approach that focuses on promoting psychological flexibility and enhancing well-being by targeting six core evidence-based change processes. These processes aim to help individuals develop a more adaptive relationship with their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, leading to greater life satisfaction and meaningful action. Here’s an overview of how the daily therapeutic group at Aris Clinic utilizes ACT to address these processes:

• Present Moment: Group sessions encourage participants to cultivate mindfulness and awareness of the present moment. This involves learning to be fully engaged in what is happening right now, rather than getting caught up in ruminations about the past or worries about the future.
• Acceptance/Willngness: Patients are guided to develop a willingness to accept and experience discomfort, such as challenging emotions and bodily sensations, without trying to avoid or suppress them. This process fosters a non-judgmental and open stance toward inner experiences.
• Cognitive Diffusion: Individuals learn to observe their thoughts without automatically buying into them. This process helps participants recognize that thoughts are mental events that don’t necessarily reflect objective reality. By distancing themselves from their thoughts, individuals can choose how to respond rather than react impulsively.
• Self As Context: Group members explore different perspectives of themselves and their identities. This process encourages a more flexible and comprehensive understanding of one’s self-concept, which can lead to greater self-awareness and empathy.
• Values: Participants identify and clarify their core values—what truly matters to them in life. These values serve as a compass for making meaningful decisions and taking purposeful actions aligned with their deeply held beliefs.
• Committed Action: The group guides individuals to translate their identified values into action. This involves setting goals and engaging in behaviors that are in line with their values, even in the presence of discomfort or obstacles.