Online Group Psychotherapy |
Using principles of ACT and Positive Psychology 2.0 to introduce mindfulness, value-based living and acceptance. Encourages acceptance of negative emotions and promotion of positive emotion. Exploring values to find meaning. |
Mind-body connection using mindfulness techniques and deep breathing to activate parasympathetic response. |
Promoting social capital (i.e., coping resources), cohesion (peer support, interaction) and identity (‘shared experience’). |
N/A |
Facilitated self-regulation e.g., noticing own thoughts and having ability/skill to self-manage emotions at home. |
Online Group Psycho-education and peer support |
Staff and participants shared popular emotional strategies that they have found successful in their experience, e.g., positive psychology technique ‘3 good things exercise’ |
Participants taught how to successfully manage fatigue e.g., self-regulating energy levels, sleep routine and hygiene. |
Promoting social capital (i.e., mentors shared useful coping resources, psychoeducation, peer support based on own lived experience), cohesion (Interaction) and identity (shared experience). |
N/A |
Group involved goal setting. Participants wrote actions plans for the upcoming months based on what they had learned in the group and what aspect of their recovery they would like to work on. They discussed possible barriers and how to overcome. |
Online ‘Fun’ Social Support Group |
Opportunity to cultivate positive emotion through fun games and quizzes, e.g., have a joke and laugh with each other. |
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Promoting social cohesion (peer support, interaction) and identity (shared experience). |
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Participants exposed to same group of people every week for them to meet new people and increase the chances of them forming long term social bonds. |
Surf-Ability |
Opportunities for positive emotion through socialisation, achievement and exercise. Opportunity to find meaning through engaging with a new hobby – promote adaption to new identity. Clinicians present in the group encourage participants to be mindful whilst in the water. Clinicians also help reduce participants anxiety at the start of the group by talking through concerns/thoughts. |
Introduces participants to a new outdoor exercise. Experience benefits of surfing. Opportunity for weekly exercise. |
Promoting social capital (i.e., sharing psychoeducation, based on own lived experience, sharing surfing tips), cohesion (participants and their families meet other individuals with ABI, Watch and encourage each other.) and identity (shared experience). participants also have opportunity to have a coffee together following the group – chance to form bonds. |
Takes place on a beach in the Gower Peninsula (area of outstanding natural beauty). Participants spend time significant amount of time in the ocean and feel the benefits of blue spaces. Many Participants report not having been in the sea since childhood. |
Participants are taught basic surfing skills so they could continue hobby beyond the group. Are given professional advice regarding wetsuits, buying surfboards etc. Also offered opportunity to continue using the project in future independently or sometimes as a volunteer (depending on their ability). |
Bike-Ability |
Opportunity for positive emotion via socialisation, achievement and exercise. Opportunity to find meaning through engaging with a new hobby – promote adaption to new identity. Clinicians help reduce participants anxiety at the start of the group by talking through concerns/thoughts. |
Opportunity for participants to experience the benefits of exercise. Promotes cycling as a hobby and a cognitive remediation strategy. |
Opportunity to meet staff and volunteers within the community project. Promoting social capital (i.e., participants and their families meet and can share coping techniques and also share tips for cycling), cohesion, connection (participants stop for a coffee together and a chat half way through the cycle – chance to form bonds) and identity (shared experience). |
Takes participants outdoors. Cycle down a cycle path through woodland. Feel benefits of green spaces. |
Build psychological resources (confidence, competence) to continue cycling beyond group setting. participants have option to continue using the project independently in future. |