Contributions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in work with the mothers and fathers of children in mental health services: experiences from group interventions

Abstract

Scientific literature proposes different training programs for parents of children with behavioral problems, predominantly those based on Behavior Therapy. The development of contextual therapies has meant a turning point, changing the treatment goal from symptom reduction/elimination to the achievement of a more meaningful life by means of acceptance strategies. Specifically, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has provided a theory of cognition and language, highlighting their influence on behavioral regulation, integrating values in the treatment, and developing therapeutic strategies to deal differently with those emotions and aversive thoughts that may be acting as barriers to change. The current work describes the proposal for a 10-session ACT-based training program and reports the results obtained when applied to 69 families in a health center between 2012 and 2015.