Chilled Mind Programme
An eight-week psychological wellbeing programme in the heart of Snowdonia for people wanting to learn about ways to handle life stress, low mood and/or anxiety, facilitated by Clinical Psychologists Dr Mary-Anne Pasteur and Dr Elizabeth Burnside.
By combining the health benefits of cold-water immersion with expert guidance in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) this group programme will give you the tools to approach life with an enhanced sense of wellbeing, clarity and purpose. ACT is a scientifically researched therapy similar to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which aims to help people manage difficult thoughts and emotions more effectively and find more meaning and fulfilment in everyday life.
Mind and Mountain Psychology combines Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with nature-based activities to improve people’s wellbeing and sense of purpose.
Getting into cold-water can be an intense physical experience that allows us to observe how our minds work in stressful situations. By using therapy skills to meet this challenge, we learn how to face barriers that prevent us from living well.
Over eight weeks, you will develop the confidence to add ACT skills and cold-water immersion to your long-term wellbeing toolkit.
The aim of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is to help people to find
more meaning and fulfilment in everyday life, whilst managing inner experiences such as difficult thoughts and emotions more effectively. Spending time in nature and particularly cold water swimming has been shown to support psychological health. By combining these two different approaches we hope to offer a powerful experience that will improve your wellbeing and sense of purpose. ACT is an evidence-based psychological therapy, which shares many of the principles of mindfulness, but approached in a different way.
As a group of up to ten participants, you will be guided through some experiential ACT exercises to learn directly how these can be useful to you. Group discussion will be encouraged and facilitated, and you will be invited and encouraged to share your own experience of the principles of ACT and how they apply to your life. However you will never be expected or pressured to share anything that you do not wish to, and you can participate as much or as little as you choose.
You will also be taught how to enter cold water safely, learn about benefits and risks, practice breathing exercises before being guided into the water as a group.
Each week you will take to the chilly waters of Llyn Padarn together and experience immersing yourself in the awe-inspiring mountainous surroundings.
Location
Becws Melyn, 41B High Street Llanberis
The group sessions will take place in a private area upstairs in Becws Melyn Cafe, Llanberis, next to Llyn Padarn in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia) . Cold water dips will take place in the lake itself, ten minutes walk from the cafe.
Will I be able to take part?
The sessions will be suitable for people who have no experience of cold-water swimming, but for your safety, we ask that you are able to swim a minimum of 25 metres (one length of a standard swimming pool). There are certain conditions that would mean that you are not able to swim in cold water safely (e.g. pregnancy, some heart conditions and recent surgery).
Please be aware that during any psychological therapy or intervention it is possible to feel worse at times, if any difficult feelings or thoughts are encountered, and this can be a normal part of the process. We will gently support you through the programme and help you to navigate any challenges that arise.
The programme may also be unsuitable for anyone who has experienced a very recent loss or trauma, or is experiencing acute mental health issues. Please contact us if you wish to discuss any physical or mental health issues that you feel may affect your ability to take part in the weekend before booking. Any information shared will be completely confidential.