8-WEEK ONLINE GROUP
TUESDAYS 3:30 TO 5:00PM WITH DR. K. PACIFICO GONZAGA
ACTive Living is an online class that teaches members the fundamentals of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and how to apply these concepts in daily life. ACT is an empirically supported approach to psychotherapy that can be used to address a broad range of challenges and concerns. While applying ACT principles to one’s life can reduce mental health symptoms and increase interpersonal functioning, the focus of ACT is on helping people pursue a life with meaning, vitality and purpose even when difficulty arises.
Who is this group for?: ACTive Living is recommended for individuals who want to pursue a fuller, richer life and feel stuck in a status quo they find unfulfilling. Anxiety, depression, grief, chronic illness, major unexpected changes in life, chronic stressors, and many other challenges can narrow our lives and take us away from what matters most to us. This group is designed for people who want to reconnect with what matters most even if these challenges persist. Individuals interested in reorienting their daily choices and behaviors to their values and not their challenges are encouraged to consider this group. ACTive Living is not recommended for individuals whose primary concern is reducing or eliminating mental health related symptoms, those dealing with serious mental illness better addressed in individual therapy, or those with clear and prominent safety concerns (e.g. active suicidal ideation or on ongoing self-harm).
When: This group will meet Tuesday afternoons from 3:30PM to 5:00PM.
Where: Virtual meetings via our HIPAA compliant Zoom platform.
Fees: $75 per session. Sliding scale fee appointments are available for individuals with a demonstrated need.
Insurance: In-network insurance is accepted for Harvard Pilgrim/P32, United Healthcare, Anthem BC/BS, US Family Healthplans and Maine Health AETNA and Community Health Options. We provide out of network forms for partial reimbursement.
Pre-group meeting: You will attend a 50-minute-long virtual or in-person intake meeting with Dr. K. Pacifico Gonzaga, the group facilitator. Current clients of PSM will only need to meet for a 30-minute-long meeting.
FAQ
Is this a group where I will be able to share extensively about my life, experiences, family dynamics and current symptoms and stressors? Do I need to share details about my personal life to benefit from this group?
ACTive Living is primarily focused on teaching concepts and exploring how to apply them in members’ daily lives. The group is encouraged to share primarily about their experiences related to applying these concepts in their life. Because of this, sharing specific details about one’s life is not necessary to benefiting or participating in this group. While sharing details about one’s life may be part of seeking support in applying ACT concepts, this group is not primarily meant to be a support group or a process group where one shares and processes their past or current challenges at length.
What is the format of the group?
The group meets weekly for 1.5 hours over the course of eight weeks. During each session ACT concepts will be presented with metaphors, psychoeducation, and exercises. Participants will always be given practice homework each week and are expected to complete this homework before the next session. Sessions will typically begin with a mindfulness exercise and a review of how assigned homework went before moving on to explore the next processes of ACT. Repeating this class multiple times is possible and can be discussed with the group facilitator if desired.
Is this all the care I will need? What if I need more? What if I’m currently in individual or group therapy?
This group is fundamentally about learning ACT concepts and applying them in daily life to allow for a more meaningful life. Some individuals may find this group, or multiple completions of it, to be sufficient to allow them to begin moving forward. Some may find this group highlights their need for other individual or group services. Others may find this group to be beneficial in addition to other ongoing treatment with other providers. All of these potential outcomes can be discussed on a case by case basis in collaboration with a client’s other providers and the group facilitator.