DescriptionThe purpose of this dissertation is to develop a clinician manual and patient workbook that will be effective in treating Crohn’s disease and comorbid mental illness(s). The model for this treatment program is an existing treatment program that used Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with diabetes patients, producing symptom reduction and better use of coping skills (Gregg et al., 2007). Irritable Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome are defined, and a distinction is made to provide a rationale for the impetus to use acceptance-based strategies. Patients will receive treatment in both group and individual session modalities. Due to the amount of stigma surrounding the disease, an individual psychotherapy component is included to provide a space for more comfortable disclosure as patients begin to develop trust in the group. Patients suffering with Crohn’s disease experience depression and anxiety quite often. For this reason, an argument is made that in addition to medical management of the disease, a psychological component is necessary to provide an optimal contextual treatment. The treatment protocol will include regular monitoring of patient physical and mental symptoms as well as step-by-step session modules for group and individual sessions. Strengths and limitations of the manual, in addition to suggestions for future directions of research are discussed.