ACT for people who stammer

What is the course about?

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a powerful new approach to therapy and has been demonstrated to be effective with a wide-range of difficulties. There are two broad aims to the approach: you’ll learn a range of skills to help you deal with negative thoughts and feelings so that they have far less influence on your life. Also you’ll identify what’s really important to you (your valued directions) and through ACT’s particular style of goal-setting you’ll move towards taking your life in the directions you want to go. ACT encourages action – it’s not just talking about your problems type of therapy, you’ll come away with some very practical skills for taking positive action.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

What acceptance and commitment therapy is
Letting go of the struggle
The impact of avoidance
Defusion – creating a distance between you and your thoughts
Mindfulness skills to help you manage difficult thoughts and feelings
Identifying valued life directions
Goal setting.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Have a greater awareness of your thoughts and feelings
Use skills to deal more effectively with negative thoughts and feelings
Identify what’s important to you in your life (with regard to work, family, friends, leisure interests)
Set goals to start to move your life in the direction you want.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is for people who stammer. No previous knowledge is necessary although it would be helpful for students to have had some previous speech therapy. To access the course you will need to have an adequate level of English to:
- Express your opinions and feelings
- Follow discussions and make relevant contributions
- Make use of handouts with some assistance if necessary
Before joining the class you will need to speak to one of the Speech Therapy team.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will be taught by two experienced specialist stammering therapists who both have personal experience of stammering. This is a highly practical course and there will be exercises to do during the week between sessions. There is a mindfulness component to the course and you will be guided to mindfulness practices which you can download.
This is a highly practical course. Each week you will participate in meditation practices led by the tutors. Home practice is an integral and essential part of the course. You need to set aside 45 minutes per day for this and will need to purchase 3 CDs to guide this home practice (cost included in the course fee.). There will be some tutor input on theory and discussion on the relevance to stammering.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

There are no additional costs and nothing additional you need to bring to the session.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

You may choose to do another theme-based evening course (such as Effective communication in the workplace), or if you are already familiar with the block modification approach used at City Lit, a Stage 2 evening course.