This conversation explores Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for people with brain injuries. The discussion covers the philosophical and theoretical grounding of ACT, its six core therapeutic processes, examples of cognitive defusion, metaphors to use with patients, cultural considerations, the transdiagnostic nature of ACT, how to use ACT with patients and their families, and much more.
If you’d like to receive CE credit for listening to this episode, click here.
Guest disclosures: Drs. Methley and Curvis recieve royalties from Routledge for their book Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Brain Injury.
About Abi
Dr. Abigail Methley is a UK-based Clinical Psychologist in independent practice, specializing in neuropsychology, trauma, and adult mental health. She completed an NIHR-funded PhD at the University of Manchester (2015) on improving access to mental health care for people with multiple sclerosis, and qualified in clinical psychology there in 2017. She later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Glasgow (2024).
Her clinical work spans the neuropsychological care pathway, including stroke and neurorehabilitation, and she provides therapy (schema, EMDR), as well as autism and ADHD assessments. Her focus is the intersection of neurological conditions, trauma, and mental health, including tailored interventions for individuals with cognitive needs.
She is involved in the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, with interests in using technology to improve care access and quality. She also supervises trainees and teaches at several UK universities.
Her research centers on access to care, quality of life, and adapting psychological therapies for neurological populations. She is co-editor of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Brain Injury (Routledge), has co-authored Cochrane reviews and over 30 academic publications, and is a co-investigator on an NIHR-funded study developing interventions for people with brain tumors and social cognition difficulties.
About Will
Dr. Will Curvis is a Clinical Neuropsychologist from the North West of England, UK. He has worked in a range of acute inpatient physical health and neuropsychology services with people with complex long-term physical health problems or neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury. He also works as a Clinical Tutor for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme at Lancaster University.
Resources
ACT books specific to neurological conditions:
General ACT books (by Russ Harris):
Assessment tools:
Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire–Accessible (PFQ-Ax)
Acceptance and Action Questionnaire – Acquired Brain Injury (AAQ-ABI)
Other:
Contextual consulting – training (e.g., ACT for neurological conditions)
YouTube video on relational frame theory by ACT Auntie
References
Kangas, M., & McDonald, S. (2011). Is it time to act? The potential of acceptance and commitment therapy for psychological problems following acquired brain injury. Neuropsychological rehabilitation, 21(2), 250-276.
Poole, N., Cope, S., Vanzan, S., Duffus, A., Mantovani, N., Smith, J., … & Howard, R. (2023). Feasibility randomised controlled trial of online group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Functional Cognitive Disorder (ACT4FCD). BMJ open, 13(5), e072366.
Rauwenhoff, J. C., Bol, Y., van Heugten, C. M., Batink, T., Geusgens, C. A., van den Hout, A. J., … & Peeters, F. (2023). Acceptance and commitment therapy for people with acquired brain injury: Rationale and description of the BrainACT treatment. Clinical rehabilitation, 37(8), 1011-1025.
Sander, A. M., Clark, A. N., Arciniegas, D. B., Tran, K., Leon-Novelo, L., Ngan, E., … & Walser, R. (2021). A randomized controlled trial of acceptance and commitment therapy for psychological distress among persons with traumatic brain injury. Neuropsychological rehabilitation, 31(7), 1105-1129.
Soo, C., Tate, R. L., & Lane-Brown, A. (2011). A systematic review of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for managing anxiety: Applicability for people with acquired brain injury?. Brain impairment, 12(1), 54-70.
Whiting, D., Deane, F., McLeod, H., Ciarrochi, J., & Simpson, G. (2020). Can acceptance and commitment therapy facilitate psychological adjustment after a severe traumatic brain injury? A pilot randomized controlled trial. Neuropsychological rehabilitation.
