Treating acute psychotic symptoms in an inpatient service using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

INTERVENTION: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) incorporates acceptance, mindfulness, values clarification and committing to behavioural oriented goals. ACT is based on the view that many maladaptive behaviors are produced by unhealthy attempts to avoid or suppress thoughts, feelings, or bodily sensations (Hayes, Luoma, Bond, Masuda, & Lillis, 2006; Hayes, Wilson, Gifford, Follette & Strosahl, 1996). The brief (4 session) form of ACT intervention used in this study (Guadiano & Herbert, 2006) will follow the following specifications: a) the duration of therapy sessions; one hour; b) the frequency of therapy sessions: 2‐ 3 per week; c) the mode of administration: one‐on‐one therapy sessions with a psychologist; d) total duration of the therapy program: 4 sessions. CONDITION: Acute psychotic symptoms PRIMARY OUTCOME: Increase in score on the Voices Actions and Acceptance Scale, which measures the participants attitudes to their voices. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Decrease of score on Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) scale, which measures the severity (on a 5 point likerd scale) of the 12 types of problem commonly presented by patients/clients in mental health care settings, including behavioural problems, impairment, symptomatic problems, and social problems Decrease of score on the Sheehan Disability Scale , which measures the self‐reported level of impairment caused by psychiatric symptoms in work/school, social and family life, using a 10 point visual analog scale. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Adult, aged 18‐65; meeting criteria for a Psychotic Diosorder; case managed/will be case managed by by St Vincent's Mental Health Service; fluent in English