Peter Gasper & Associates
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    • What should I expect from therapy?
    • What is a Clinical Psychologist?
    • Is a Clinical Psychologist different to a Psychiatrist?
    • What sorts of problems do people go to therapy for?
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  • PRACTITIONERS
    • Peter Gasper
    • Laura Smith
    • Cathryn Prendergast
  • THERAPY APPROACHES
    • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
    • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
    • Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
    • Metacognitive Therapy
    • Schema Therapy
    • Interpersonal Therapy
    • Family Therapy
    • Couples' Therapy
  • THERAPY WORKSHEETS
    • Identiying problems & setting goals
    • Dealing with negative thoughts
    • Worry management
    • Stress management
    • Core beliefs & schemas
    • Changing unhelpful behaviour
    • Procrastination
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Acceptance & commitment therapy

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy or ACT is based on the key principles of accepting what is out of your control & committing to action that leads to the experience of a rich & fulfilling life.  ACT aims to teach you ways of dealing with painful thoughts & feelings so they don't have as great an impact of you.  This refers to the use of mindfulness which is a mental state of awareness, focus & openness & is encompassed by the acquisition of three main skills:
        
  • Defusion from painful thoughts & feelings i.e. not getting fused with or entangled in negative thoughts & finding ways of distancing yourself from them
  • Acceptance of painful thoughts, feelings & physical sensations & hence allowing them to come & go without struggling to "get rid of them"
  • Connection with the present moment so as to become more in touch with the outside world & what is going on around you

ACT also aims to help you identify what matters most to you i.e. your values & in doing so seeks to help you to act in accordance with these values, thereby helping to create a meaningful & enriching life.


Further information on ACT
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