An acceptance and commitment therapy intervention for a woman with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and a history of childhood trauma *

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that is rooted in a behaviour analytic conceptualisation of the links between cognition, affect, and behaviour. The potential application of ACT to living with multiple sclerosis (MS) is a logical step and is supported by both cross sectional and longitudinal research. Existing CBT approaches to MS combine reappraisal of the meaning of symptoms and modification of thoughts about MS with other strategies such as acceptance, goal setting, and symptom management. While there has been little research to date on the impact of childhood trauma on well-being in adults with MS, these relationships have been investigated in other medical conditions. As yet there have been no clinical trials of ACT specifically for psychological problems related to traumatic childhood events. To date, the best-evidenced approaches to psychological intervention in MS have been based on CBT.