A virtual therapy course for people who are gene positive but do not show symptoms for Huntington's disease

We are pleased to invite you to our virtual course for people who have tested positive for Huntington’s disease, but who do not have symptoms of Huntington’s. The course will be run by Sarah Gunn, a clinical psychologist and researcher at the University of Leicester, and will be based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

What is 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 gene positive for 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.

Course outline

This is an eight-week course running from Thursday 09 October to Thursday 27 November 2025. The sessions will be on a Thursday 6.30pm - 8pm. Please note one date will run on Wednesday evening instead (Thursday 06 November session will be moved to Wednesday 05 November, 6.30pm - 8pm).

Although things can come up, we would ask that you can commit to at least seven of these sessions.

There will be the opportunity to join a follow up support group.

Here is a brief session outline:

  • Week 1: Introductions: To ACT, to the programme, and to each other
  • Week 2: Impacts of Huntington’s
  • Week 3: Psychological wellbeing and 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 Huntington’s: Plans and coping strategies
  • Week 8: Reflection and ending: What’s next?

Book your place

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.