Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for People Living with Chronic Pain

This group meets every Friday at 11:30am via Zoom.

The next group will start 9 January and will run for 8 weeks. Bookings are essential as space is limited. The cost of is R6480 incl VAT but you can claim from medical aid if you have a PMB diagnosis- contact me for more information

Why Work with Me

As a psychiatrist with 18 years of clinical experience, I’ve walked alongside many people living with chronic pain — each with their own story, challenges, and resilience.

Pain is complex. It’s not just physical; it affects how you think, feel, move, connect, and make sense of yourself. Over the years, I’ve seen how traditional treatments often miss the emotional and psychological weight that chronic pain carries.

My work blends medical knowledge with psychological flexibility — integrating psychiatry, mindfulness, and behavioural science to help you move from struggling with pain to living with it.

This group draws on that experience — combining evidence-based ACT principles with the compassion and understanding that come from years of working with real people in pain.

Why ACT Works So Well in an Online Group

Online ACT groups offer something unique: connection and accessibility without the barriers of travel, physical fatigue, or scheduling stress.

When you live with chronic pain, even small tasks like getting dressed, driving, or sitting for long periods can take a toll. The online format allows you to participate from the comfort of your own home, adjusting your environment to suit your body’s needs — whether that’s lying down, using heat packs, or keeping your camera off when you need a break.

But beyond convenience, online groups create a surprising intimacy. You meet others who get it — who understand the invisible exhaustion and frustration of living with pain. Together, we practice mindfulness, share strategies, and gently build new ways of responding to pain and life’s challenges.

It’s a space that blends professional guidance with human connection — where you can learn, reflect, and grow, at your own pace and within your own capacity.

Why This Group?

Living with chronic pain is more than dealing with physical symptoms. Pain can shape how you feel, how you move, how you connect with others, and how you see yourself. Many people find themselves caught in a cycle of frustration, sadness, and loss — struggling to keep doing what matters most to them.

While medical treatments can help, they often don’t fully restore quality of life. That’s where Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) comes in.

What is ACT?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an evidence-based psychological approach that helps people live fuller, more meaningful lives, even when pain is still present.

Instead of trying to fight or eliminate pain at all costs, ACT teaches skills that build psychological flexibility:

• Acceptance — learning new ways to make space for difficult sensations, thoughts, and emotions.

• Mindfulness — being more present in the moment, rather than consumed by worries or regrets.

• Cognitive defusion — loosening the grip of unhelpful thoughts like “I can’t cope” or “I’ll never get better.”

• Values clarification — identifying what truly matters to you.

• Committed action — taking steps, guided by your values, even when pain is present.

How ACT Helps People with Chronic Pain

Research shows that ACT can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with pain:

• Improves functioning and daily life: ACT consistently helps reduce how much pain interferes with activities and independence.

• Reduces distress and low mood: Studies show ACT decreases depression, anxiety, and emotional suffering in people with chronic pain.

• Enhances quality of life: People often report a greater sense of purpose, connection, and well-being — even if pain itself doesn’t disappear.

• Evidence for groups: ACT has been shown to work well in group settings, making it cost-effective and supportive, with participants benefiting from shared experiences.

In short: ACT doesn’t promise a life without pain — but it does offer a way to stop pain from running your life.

What to Expect in This Group

• A safe, supportive space where you can connect with others who understand what living with pain is like.

• Practical skills and guided exercises to build acceptance, mindfulness, and resilience.

• Tools to help you clarify your values and take steps toward living the life you want.

• Focus on living well with pain — not just surviving it.

Launching 9 January 2026

This will be my first ACT group for people with chronic pain, and I am excited to bring this powerful approach to our community.

More details will be released closer to the launch.

If you’d like to be the first to hear updates — or reserve your place — please sign up for the waiting list.

“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” — Jon Kabat-Zinn