ACT for PTSD: Session Structure, Exercises, and Psychoeducation

Sonja-Batten

Booz Allen
Department of Veterans Affairs
Yale University
University of Nevada, Reno

Key Points

  1. The session structure within ACT for this client included a brief mindfulness exercise, setting the agenda collaboratively, a homework review, the core work for the current session, and further setting of homework.
  2. The point of the mindfulness exercise was to help the client focus, not get distracted or move into dissociation.
  3. The therapist provided psychoeducation on sleep hygiene and suggested setting bedtime habits and routines to improve sleep.
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Session Structure

A structure within ACT might often begin with a brief mindfulness exercise, to get both therapist and client present in the moment. Then they may work collaboratively to set the agenda for the session, the client identifying anything specific they want to bring up, and the therapist suggesting what might be worked on from their perspective. Then there can be a brief review of homework from the previous session, before starting the work for the current session.

The initial steps should take 5-10 minutes, with most of the remaining time spent doing current session work. There should be a moment at the end to set whatever the homework will be between then and the next session.

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