A mixed-methods pilot investigation of ACT workshops in integrated primary care

Authors

• Katherine Buckheit, VA Center for Integrated HealthcareFollow
• Kyle Possemato, VA Center for Integrated HealthcareFollow
• Mara Sindoni, VA Center for Integrated Healthcare; East Tennessee State University, Department of PsychologyFollow
• Luke Mitzel, VA Center for Integrated HealthcareFollow
• Niranjala Yogaratnam, VA Center for Integrated HealthcareFollow
• Allyson Smith, VA Center for Integrated HealthcareFollow
• Lilian Dindo, Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Michael Debakey Veterans Administration Health Services Research and Development Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and SafetyFollow

Abstract

Mental health symptoms are prevalent and associated with considerable disease burden. However, most individuals who would benefit from mental health treatment do not receive appropriate care. Barriers such as logistical challenges and stigma often prevent access to traditional services. Alternative delivery modalities and settings may reduce these barriers. This pilot study evaluated the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of single day Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) workshops delivered in a non-traditional setting, integrated primary care. Acceptability was operationalized as  treatment engagement and treatment satisfaction. Preliminary effectiveness was operationalized as within-condition change in mental health symptoms. Participants were 32 Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care patients experiencing clinically significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress disorder. They were assigned to either attend a 5-6 hour ACT workshop or receive integrated primary care treatment as usual (TAU). ACT workshops provided psychoeducation and coping skills from an ACT framework. Participants completed baseline and follow-up assessments of mental health symptoms and completed qualitative interviews to assess treatment satisfaction. Hours of mental health treatment were measured through electronic medical record review. Participants in the ACT condition received significantly more hours of mental health care than TAU. Only the ACT group exhibited statistically significant decreases in mental health symptoms from baseline to follow-up. Treatment satisfaction was high across both conditions, but ACT workshop participants provided more detail about skills learned in treatment. These preliminary findings support the feasibility and potential effectiveness of single day ACT workshops in integrated primary care settings to increase treatment engagement and reduce mental health symptoms. As this was a pilot study with limited sample size, we were unable to directly compare conditions. Future research is warranted to confirm these results in larger samples.

Recommended Citation

Buckheit, Katherine; Possemato, Kyle; Sindoni, Mara; Mitzel, Luke; Yogaratnam, Niranjala; Smith, Allyson; and Dindo, Lilian (2026) "A mixed-methods pilot investigation of ACT workshops in integrated primary care," The Journal of Integrated Primary Care: Vol. 3: Iss. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/jipc/vol3/iss1/2