ACT with NMOSD
Mental health treatment and resources for people living with NMOSD
A Mental Health Treatment Designed Specifically for NMOSD
ACT with NMOSD is a mental health treatment designed specifically to help people cope and live their best lives with NMOSD. This 6-week, telehealth program reduced depression and anxiety, and improved flexible thinking, value-based living, and sleep in adults with NMOSD. Even 3 months after completing the 6-week program, participants were still experiencing these benefits.
ACT with NMOSD is a fun and engaging program. It usually involves meeting with a licensed mental health professional for 1 hour per week for 6 weeks, using telehealth. Researchers created this program based on intensive research into the psychological burden of NMOSD, including interviews and focus groups.
Want a deeper dive into the research?
- Read the ACT with NMOSD study, conducted by our colleagues at Thomas Jefferson University.
- Explore the research on the psychological burden of NMOSD that informed the program.
SMART NMO Assessment Tool
Our colleagues at Thomas Jefferson University created and tested a self-report measure of the specific psychological burden of NMOSD. The SMART NMO (Systematic Mental health Assessment & Response Tool for NMOSD) has two versions — one for patients, and one for caregivers and loved ones to fill out.
This assessment can help you decide if you or your loved one with NMOSD might benefit from a mental health program like ACT with NMOSD.
Patient Version
For adults living with NMOSD to assess their own mental and emotional well-being.
Caregiver / Loved One Version
For the caregiver or loved one of an adult living with NMOSD.
Understanding Your Score
Patient version, score of 10 or higher: you might benefit from a referral to a mental health treatment to help you cope with NMOSD.
Patient version, score of 18 or higher: you are likely to benefit from a referral to a mental health treatment to help you cope with NMOSD.
Caregiver version, score of 5 or higher: your loved one will likely benefit from a referral to a mental health treatment to help them cope with NMOSD.
Find a Certified ACT with NMOSD Clinician
Given how helpful ACT with NMOSD proved to be, our colleagues at Thomas Jefferson University trained 13 mental health providers across the United States in this protocol. Training was intensive: each provider completed several days of live and recorded lessons, followed by a written exam and adherence coding of all 6 ACT with NMOSD sessions. The 13 providers meet monthly for consultation with the treatment developer, Dr. V. O’Hayer. This project is supported by a training grant from Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease.
Below is a directory of clinicians certified in ACT with NMOSD. Check which providers are licensed to treat people in your state.
Who Is Eligible?
All are welcome, as long as they have a diagnosis of NMOSD and are 18 years of age or older.
| Name | PSYPACT licensed?* | Home State | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Lisa Fitzgibbons | DrFitz@Fitzpsych.com | Yes! | AR |
| 2. Joey Cheung | jcycheung.phd@gmail.com | No | IL & CA |
| 3. Chris Drescher | CDRESCHER@augusta.edu | Yes! | GA |
| 4. Matthew Kridel | mkridel@augusta.edu | Yes! | GA |
| 5. Jordyn Anderson, PsyD | jordyn.anderson@mssm.edu | No but applying for | NY & NJ |
| 6.Katherine Chapman | Katherine.Treadaway@UTSouthwestern.edu | No | TX |
| 7. Jenn Palau | counseling@jenniferpalau.com | No | WA & CA |
| 8. Heather Bruschwein | HAB9Z@uvahealth.org | No | VA |
| 9. Krista Ingle | krista.konrad@duke.edu | Yes! | NC |
| 10. Joanna Chen | contact@drjoannachen.com | No | CA |
| 11. Patrick Smith | patrick_smith@med.unc.edu | No | NC |
| 12. Ann Lantagne | Ann.Lantagne@childrenscolorado.org | yes! | CO |
| 13. Max Genecov | Max.Genecov@jefferson.edu | No | PA |
Can’t find someone licensed in your state? Please reach out to Virginia.OHayer@Jefferson.edu to see if you or your loved one with NMOSD might want to join our ongoing ACT with NMOSD clinical trial.
C. Virginia O’Hayer, Ph.D.,
Principal Investigator for the ACT with NMOSD clinical trial
C. Virginia O’Hayer, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist with expertise in Behavioral Medicine. She is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
She is extensively trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
Dr. O’Hayer served as the Principal Investigator for the Psychological Burden of NMOSD study, and the ACT with NMOSD clinical trial – both of which were supported by grants from Alexion Astra Zeneca Rare Disease. Along with her business partner, Darcy Esiason, Dr. O’Hayer and her team co-created the SMART NMO Tool. Most recently, thanks to an education grant from Alexion Astra Zeneca Rare Disease, Dr. O’Hayer and her team have trained and Certified 13 mental health providers across the country in the ACT with NMOSD protocol.
She also serves as the Director of Jefferson’s Center City Clinic for Behavioral Medicine, where she trains and supervises 5 Master’s-level graduate students each year.
The ACT with NMOSD study and the Psychological Burden of NMOSD study were both sponsored by grants from Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease. The clinician training program is supported by a training grant from Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease.