An acceptance and commitment therapy-based group intervention with individuals who have experienced homelessness: a qualitative focus group interview study

Homelessness is a persistent and complicated problem in the United States and worldwide. Despite federal, state, and local efforts the problem persists and results in immense suffering for those who experience homelessness. Within the approximately 582,462 Americans who are currently experiencing homelessness about a quarter experience chronic homelessness. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is one type of program that offers people access to long-term affordable housing combined with social support services like medical and mental health care. There isn’t much existing research to help counselors, psychologists and other providers decide what type of therapy is a good fit when working with clients in a PSH program. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of therapy that has been found to be effective in treating psychological, emotional, and health related difficulties that are commonly experienced by people experiencing homelessness. This study involved the facilitation of a 5-session ACT group with participants in a PSH program; after the group concluded, 4 group members participated in a focus group to discuss their experiences, the ACT group facilitator was also interviewed and discussed her perception of how participants experienced the group. The interviews with the participants and facilitator were analyzed and patterns across the data were developed: participants were looking for therapy group to meet them where they were at, they also had reflections about what specific types of activities and what new skills they learned. The implications for mental health providers and PSH programs are also discussed.