Dropping the Struggle Therapy Course

We are really pleased to announce that PANDAS have worked in collaboration with Kathryn from @KDV.parentmentalhealth to form a new course programme.

What is it?

Navigate the challenges of parenthood with strength and resilience with our specialised therapy course designed to empower both current and expecting parents. Join a supportive community where you can share your experiences and learn together. Our hands-on sessions empower you to seize control of your life, discover greater purpose, and cultivate meaningful connections.

Each session is held via video call and lasts for one hour. The course spans eight weeks, with sessions occurring at the same time each week. We maintain a maximum of four participants per course, with placements assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Next course date

Thursday 3rd October 2024 at 7pm (online, and will be same time each week for 8 session). 

Cost

£250 (Payment required on sign up)

Booking

Head to this link

The course content is as follows:

Week 1: Letting go of the struggle
Make connections and enter a space of acceptance and support. Understand why we react to difficult experiences in the way that we do. Discover an alternative way to respond to your thoughts and feelings.

Week 2: Choosing the direction of your life
Identify what takes us away from the kind of person we want to be and the kind of life we want to have. Explore what really matters to you and develop an understanding of how you might move towards the kind of life you want.

Week 3: Responding to yourself with kindness and compassion
Discover the power of self-talk as a transformative approach to treat yourself kindly and open up to life’s experiences. Develop a deeper and more connected relationship with yourself that will guide you through challenging times.

Week 4: Befriending your mind
Develop an understanding of the purpose of our cognitions and learn how to detach from unhelpful thoughts. Cultivate a more peaceful relationship with your mind that allows you to set your own direction without battling it for control

Week 5: Intentional Living
Understand the impact of living in the present moment. Discover how your attention is your greatest attribute and learn how to direct it towards what matters most to you. Connect with the part of you that is always safe and at peace.

Week 6: Emotions are our allies
Reveal the true purpose of our emotions and discover how they serve to remind us of what is most important to us. Learn how to open up and make space for your feelings whilst remaining in control and focusing on what matters most to you.

Week 7: Doing what matters
Getting practical and integrating all your learning in to goals and actions. Recognising what is important and what changes you want to make utilising the support of the therapist and the group to affirm what you will do and how you will do it.

Week 8: Moving forward with intention
Review all you have discovered during this transformative experience. An opportunity to reflect and deepen your understanding, learn from the experience of others and set an intention to sustain a new approach to life.

About the therapy
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is a CBT approach that emphasises acceptance of thoughts and emotions, and commitment to valued actions. Its efficacy is well-supported by numerous studies, showing effectiveness in treating various mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and stress. Research demonstrates that ACT can lead to significant improvements in psychological flexibility, resilience, and overall well-being, making it a valuable tool for addressing mental health concerns during pregnancy, parenthood and beyond.

About the therapist:

Kathryn Di Virgilio, an experienced mental health therapist and registered health professional, brings a wealth of knowledge to guide you. With a background in both the NHS and private sector in the UK and Australia, Kathryn is dedicated to supporting parents on their mental health journey. Trained extensively in ACT and skilled in group facilitation, she is committed to empowering you to thrive in parenthood.

Kathryn is registered with regulatory body the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT).

What do others say? 

We’ve had some lovely feedback from previous course participants, including comments like this….

“Such an amazing course that has changed the way I cope with both little and big struggles that life throws my way. Would recommend that all parents should do this course!”

“This course has given me a completely different relationship with myself. I felt overwhelmed and didn’t think I couldn’t process anything else going wrong, but now I know that I have space for difficult feelings and can accept them. It has equipped me with the tools I need to work towards enjoying and focusing on the present moment. The 6 weeks has flown by, I have enjoyed every session, thank you so much PANDAS.”

“This course was fantastic! I highly recommend it. Kathryn is a very empathic, skilled Coach- and gently armed us all with brilliant tools, techniques and information to help us navigate our emotional seas. Thanks so much”

“I learnt some really useful, straightforward tools to use ‘in the moment’. It gave me an opportunity and a push to think about my values and the kind of parent I want to be / life I want to live. It felt like a safe, friendly space.”

How much is the course and do participants have to attend every session? 

How much is the course?
The course will be £250 for the programme of 8 sessions (you would need to sign up to the whole programme.)

Proceeds from the running of this course will be fed back into PANDAS to help us deliver our key, free services for parents and carers in the UK

When is it? 

Start date:  The next course will start on Thursday 3rd October 2024 at 7pm, and will run at the same time each week for a total of 8 weeks. The sessions are all online. To book the course please head to this link. 

Places are limited to 4 participants per course and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

For further information please contact Kathryn (Therapy Course facilitator) –  kathryndivirgilio@pandasfoundation.org.uk

If you need urgent help….

Other ways we can support you