Keeping yourself in mind

We are pleased to invite you to our virtual course for people who are at risk of Huntington’s disease, but who have not tested positive or developed symptoms of Huntington’s. The course will be run by Dr Sarah Gunn, a clinical psychologist and researcher at the University of Leicester, and will be based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a therapeutic approach which focuses on learning to manage difficult thoughts and feelings, and to live a life which feels valuable and meaningful despite the struggles we encounter.

This is an opportunity to explore the difficulties that can be associated with being at risk of

Huntington’s disease, to identify the values that matter most to you, and for you to think about how to move towards a more rich and valued life than you may have now.

This is an eight-week course running from Wednesday 21 st January to Wednesday 11 th March 2026.

The sessions will be on a Wednesday 6.30-8pm. Although we know things can come up, we would ask that you can commit to at least seven of these sessions as we know that people benefit most when they are able to attend regularly.

There will be the opportunity to join a follow up support group of others at risk, once the course has finished.

Here is a very brief session outline:

Week 1: Introductions: To ACT, to the programme, and to each other

Week 2: Impacts of being at risk of Huntington’s

Week 3: Psychological wellbeing when living at risk of Huntington’s

Week 4: Coping and adjustment: Living with, not battling against

Week 5: What matters to you: Finding your values

Week 6: Moving forward: Taking steps to align with your values

Week 7: Living a valued life alongside being at risk: Plans and coping strategies

Week 8: Reflections and ending: What’s next?

Please note that this course is also forming part of a wider research study into the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and there will be questionnaires sent to complete at various points during the course as part of this. One of our advisers will be in touch prior to start of the course to discuss this further, and will be able to answer any questions you might have.

Please consider supporting the work of Huntington's Disease Association by adding a donation to your ticket. Contributions of all sizes can make a difference to people in our community.

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