ACT for GI Issues
Why should I do therapy for gut symptoms?
We know from decades of research that your GI system operates as a function of your mental state and vice-versa. Numerous studies have shown improvements in GI symptoms, fear, anxiety, and quality of life when patients participate in focused psychological treatment that addresses the gut-brain relationship.
What to Expect
Gold Standard Treatment
Did you know that evidence-based treatment is considered a "Gold Standard" intervention for IBS? Our ACT for GI group uses the methods that make therapy an effective treatment for gut issues, and expands its breadth to apply to all GI symptoms.
8 Weekly Meetings
With only 8 weekly meetings, ACT for GI offers a brief and effective way to teach you the skills you need to change your gut-brain patterns. Each week focuses on a different topic that will help you develop knowledge and tools to improve your gut-brain connection.
Suitable for all GI Issues
All GI symptoms, regardless of diagnosis, are responsive to the inputs they get from your nervous system. The skills that ACT for GI offers are useful for addressing any and ALL GI issues, because they focus on shifting nervous system patterns that impact your gut.
Virtual Sessions
Life is busy, and we want to make it as easy as possible to get the treatment you need. That's why our ACT for GI group meets virtually every week; you can join from anywhere that you have a device and an internet connection. (Even on your lunch break!)
Cost Effective
Medical bills, especially for chronic issues, tend to stack up. That's why we are offering gut-brain treatment in a group format, which will save you around $1,200 when compared to individual therapy. ACT for GI is an $800 investment for 8 sessions.
No Referral Needed
Enough said. You don't have to jump through any hoops with insurance or doctor appointments in order to join our group. If you have GI symptoms that get in the way of life, you can benefit from ACT for GI. Use the form below to reach out and sign up.
The Details
Spots are now filling up for our next series:
(See Group Therapy FAQs for additional info)
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WHEN: Fridays from 12 - 1:30pm
Inquire for dates
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WHERE: virtual sessions, from wherever you are
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INVESTMENT: $800 for the full 8-week program
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HOW: sign up using the form below!
What is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is psychotherapy that is typically focused on a specific topic or shared interest. Like individual therapy, group therapy establishes treatment goals, facilitates growth, and helps participants make personal shifts that support a more fulfilling life. However, group therapy is different from individual therapy because it typically includes 5-15 participants who are working toward their therapy goals all together in shared meetings.
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ACT for GI is a group that was created specifically for folks who are struggling with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms--especially those who haven't had much success finding relief with conventional medical treatment. ACT stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which is a model of treatment that has been proven to work for both mental AND physical health symptoms, even in as little as one treatment. ACT works by helping you shift many of the mental and physical patterns that keep you "stuck" in the symptoms that upend your life.
Few people are aware of how closely tied mental and physical health are, but science shows us that they are the SAME THING. Our ACT for GI group leverages this knowledge to help people change their physical symptoms because when you change the way you respond to your own internal thoughts and sensations, you change the information your nervous system is sending to your body...especially your gut.
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You can read more about group therapy in this brief article from the American Psychological Association.
GI Conditions
that may benefit from ACT for GI
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Constipation
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Diarrhea
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IBS & IBD
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Gastritis
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Crohn's disease
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Ulcerative colitis
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Gastroparesis
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SIBO
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GERD
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Food sensitivities
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Nausea & vomiting
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Functional GI disorders
Life's too short. Let us help you live it well.
Fill out the form below to sign up or ask a question. We will guide you through the process!
SIGNING UP & PAYMENT
How do I sign up for the ACT for GI group?
Simply use the contact form above to reach out and say you want to join!
We will send you a brief questionnaire that will help us make sure you can benefit from the ACT for GI group. Once we receive your questionnaire and payment, your spot is secure!
How do I pay for the ACT for GI group?
All payments are be made by credit card online. All you have to do is provide your credit card number as part of the brief intake process and we will process the payment to secure your spot.
What if I can’t afford the ACT for GI group?
We know that out-of-pocket health expenses can stack up, which is why we are offering this special group at a rate that is much more affordable than what you would pay for most individual therapy sessions. Typical sessions with a private pay licensed psychologist will run between $200-300 per session, while our group costs only $100 per session. That allows you to get the education, skills, and treatment you need while saving around $1,200.
Here are some other thoughts to consider in deciding whether you can afford ACT for GI:
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Many credit card companies allow you to split up payments on large purchases you’ve made to your card. For example, if you used your credit card to buy plane tickets to Bali, you can go to your account and opt to split that large purchase across billing statements after you charge it to your card. Check out your credit card benefits for options that might be available to you. We are not endorsing major credit card debt, but we believe in ACT for GI so much that we think this option is worth considering if you really need the treatment.
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ACT for GI comes out to $400 per month for two months. Many people find that with a little bit of re-prioritizing, they can choose to put their health first instead of other optional expenses like shopping or eating out.
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ACT for GI is definitely an investment…in you. We encourage you to consider it that way too, because unlike many other things that cost us money and other resources, ACT for GI is something that can actually move you toward health instead of just keeping you stuck on the hamster wheel of reacting to your illness.
If none of these considerations seem applicable to you, please let us know and we will do our best to see if we can work with your financial situation.
Do I need a referral from my doctor to join the group?
Nope! You can take your health into your own hands. A referral or recommendation from your doctor is unnecessary—all we need is you and your presence. That said, we highly encourage you to let your doctor know that you are joining a research-based therapy group to treat the gut-brain component of your GI symptoms. We’re pretty sure they will be super proud of you. (If not, please let us know and we will happily teach them the compelling science behind ACT for GI!)
Will my insurance cover the ACT for GI group?
Possibly! You will be provided with a superbill (summary of charges) that you can submit to your insurance company showing that you spent money out of your own pocket. Depending on your plan and benefits, they may reimburse you for a portion of your expenses. If you want to find out your eligibility to receive reimbursement, you should call your insurance company and ask what your benefits are for out-of-network outpatient group therapy.
GROUP CONTENT
What is the group format? What will happen during group meetings?
Some therapy groups operate as “process groups,” where the focus is on sharing personal experiences, discussing viewpoints, and the learning that unfolds as a result. Other groups are referred to as “skills groups,” where the focus is on teaching and cultivating new skills that group members apply to their own lives.
The format of our group is mixed. Here’s what that means: Each week, ACT for GI teaches structured content that focuses on the science, tools, and skills that are critical for shifting patterns of gut-brain functioning. At the same time, the curriculum also facilitates personalized learning experiences by offering frequent opportunities for participants to share their own personal thoughts, ideas, or struggles as related to the weekly topic. The result is a group that creates a dynamic mixture of structure and flexibility, with a focus on science and an end goal of optimal improvement.
What will I be learning?
Where to begin?! In short, we will start by learning about the automated choices and patterns that are keeping you stuck in the struggle of GI symptoms. Then, we will focus on shifting those patterns so you can feel better.
More specifically, we will be teaching you that:
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research proves there are endless ways the brain and nervous system (i.e., the way you feel and behave) influence the way your gut feels and behaves
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specific lifestyle factors play a major role in gut health and how the wrong ones might be prolonging your suffering
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there are 6 core processes that show up and get in the way of psychological (and physical) health, and how changing them changes the way your mind and body feel
We will be focusing on the gut-brain connection followed by lifestyle factors, then targeting each of the aforementioned core processes one week at a time. Each week, you will be learning how to apply the information to your own mind and life, adjusting the way your nervous system communicates with your gut and dysregulates its functioning.
How could therapy possibly help with my GI symptoms?
If you believe that your brain and gut are connected via your nervous system, there is your answer! Joking aside, it may feel hard to believe that after ALL of the suffering you’ve endured because of your GI symptoms, change could be possible with something like talking. And yet, take it from us: we’ve seen it many, many times. That’s because we’re not just “talking” in ACT for GI—what we are actually doing is teaching you ways you can adjust the patterns of your nervous system. Given that all motility issues, pain, and overall gut functioning are directly reliant on what state your nervous system is in, what more direct way can you imagine changing the way your gut behaves?
What if my doctor told me there’s nothing I can do to get better?
Unfortunately, there are many doctors out there who will tell their patients that healing is not possible, even though it’s not true. Based on our experiences with patients and knowledge of the gut-brain science, we are happy to share good news: healing is absolutely possible with the right inputs. We believe that most doctors try their very best to help their patients, but just like the rest of us, they are limited by the tools they have. We think that what doctors probably should be saying is something more like “I can’t help you get better with the tools I have.” As integrative psychologists, we have a whole different toolbox—one that turns out to be pretty great at treating GI issues. We hope that you will give it a chance.
How is this different from normal therapy?
While “normal” therapy with a gut-literate therapist would include much of what we will be focusing on, ACT for GI is generally different due to its structure and purpose. We will be offering a mixture of teaching, interactive discussion, worksheets, and (simple!) homework that will all be focused specifically on your gut-brain connection and how to improve it so you can feel better. For example, we won’t be focusing on things like personal trauma or other psychological diagnoses or symptoms you may experience. That said, if they are relevant to your GI functioning, we absolutely encourage you to engage in the group armed with that valuable information.
ATTENDING SESSIONS
How do I join ACT for GI sessions?
Simple! All you need is a private place and a device (phone, tablet, laptop) that is connected to the internet. For phones and tablets, you will need to download the Simple Practice Telehealth app, which will allow you to connect to our confidential sessions.
What if the group time doesn’t work for my schedule?
We know life is chaotic sometimes and we are committed to making ACT for GI available to as many people as possible. That’s why we host sessions at lunchtime—most of us hopefully pause (at least briefly) around that time of day, right? Even folks with traditional jobs have been able to get approval from their supervisors to take a long lunch once a week. Plus, the virtual format allows our ACT for GI group to be accessible just about anywhere—we’ve had people join from their car, office, or even a private room in the library. Talk about commitment!
If you’re a parent, we see you. This group is for you too. It will benefit you and your kids when you put your needs first. If you are ready for change, we encourage you to notice that you have to protect time for healing, or else (as you know) it won’t happen. Hire a babysitter once a week or have a family member or friend take your child(ren) so you can join. Is it extra work? Yes. But you have to take care of yourself in order to be the best parent you can be. Plus, the skills you will learn in the group are also applicable to parenting, believe it or not. Safe to say, we are pretty sure you won’t regret it.
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If you have a major conflict, let us know you would like to join but aren’t able to commit to the upcoming series. We will add you to our waiting list with your time preference and do our best to offer you support in other ways. We love to get feedback on what days and times work best for people and if we get enough interest we will schedule an ACT for GI series to fit the scheduling needs of the group!
What happens if I need to miss a week?
We completely understand that life is hectic and unpredictable. While you’ll get the most out of ACT for GI if you attend every session, missing one week won’t affect your ability to benefit from every other session or the group overall. Each week’s content is more or less “freestanding” so that missing a week due to illness or a trip, etc. won’t get in the way of what the other weeks have to offer you. You will have access to all of the content, worksheets, homework, etc. so you can review them on your own time and ask us any questions you have either privately or at the next group session.
Unfortunately, we don’t offer a discount or reimbursement for any missed sessions.
REFUND POLICY
What is your refund policy?
Payment in full is required up front in order to secure your spot in the group. If you need to cancel more than 30 days in advance of the group’s start date, we will provide you with a full refund. If you cancel between 15 and 30 days before the start of the group, we will provide you with a 50% refund and the option to either forfeit your remaining deposit or roll it over to the next group series. If you cancel less than 15 days prior to the start of the group, we cannot offer any refunds but will gladly roll over your deposit to the next group series. Please note that any funds or deposits rolled over to future series are not eligible for a refund in the future.
We are big on respecting your time and boundaries and we kindly request that you respect ours.