This is a two-day workshop devoted to helping you encounter depression and anxiety differently and pursue a full and meaningful life. 

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Dates: Saturday November 30th 2019 & Sunday 1st December 2019

Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm

Location: Newport Community Education Centre (43 Mason St Newport)

Investment: $20 administration fee at time of booking. No further cost for sessions if under a current Mental Health Care Plan (Bulk-billed to Medicare). (You are entitled to 10 group sessions in a calendar year in addition to 10 individual sessions). $90 cancellation fee per day if not attended and space cannot be filled by another participant.

 

What is ACT?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a relatively new form of therapy which helps you relate differently to your anxious feelings, depressed moods, worrying mind, self-defeating behaviors, and/or anything else that causes you problems.  The aim of ACT is to limit the ways these run your life.

 

What do you mean by acceptance and commitment?

Acceptance refers to bringing an open and willing attitude toward all internal experiences -- thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and memories -- even those which are uncomfortable.  It does not mean resigning yourself to your circumstances or giving in to where pain usually leads you.  Commitment means actively working on what you truly care about, even when pain is present.

 

Why would I want to accept painful internal experiences?

There is a growing body of research which suggests that attempts to suppress or control internal experiences can make them worse and lead to the kinds of problems people seek therapy for.  When we stop struggling with these experiences, they paradoxically have less power.

 

What can I expect?

• This will be a confidential, interactive workshop comprised of short educational components, group discussions, and lots of experiential exercises.  All of us can conceptualize acceptance, but it's hard to put it into practice.  That's where experiential exercises come into play.

• We will use mindfulness strategies as our primary tool for relating to depression and anxiety.  Mindfulness means "Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally."  It's a bit like meditation.

• Maximum group size is 10 participants

• In order for you to participate fully, children are best to stay at home

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