Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT therapy) Flashcards
What is the primary focus of ACT?
To promote psychological flexibility – the ability to be open, adaptable, and effective in the presence of difficult emotions or thoughts.
What is the Hexaflex model in ACT?
It consists of six core processes: Cognitive Defusion, Acceptance, Present Moment Awareness, Self-as-Context, Values Clarification, and Committed Action.
Explain Cognitive Defusion with an example.
It involves learning techniques to “de-fuse” from your thoughts, reducing their impact. Example: Recognizing “I’m a failure” as just a thought, “I’m having the thought that I’m a failure.”
What is meant by “Acceptance” in ACT?
It refers to embracing feelings and sensations instead of avoiding or denying them. For instance, feeling anxiety but allowing it to be present without judgment.
How does ACT define “Self-as-Context”?
Recognizing that you are not defined by your thoughts, emotions, or memories. For example, realizing that you are not your depression but a conscious being experiencing it.
What is the purpose of Values Clarification in ACT?
It involves identifying and clarifying what truly matters to an individual, like the importance of family, career, health, or personal growth.
What does “Committed Action” entail?
Setting goals based on your values and committing to actions that help achieve them, even in the face of challenges. For instance, committing to regular therapy despite initial discomfort.
Mention some techniques and interventions used in ACT.
Mindfulness, metaphors, experiential exercises, and values-guided behavioral interventions.
Provide an example of a metaphor used in ACT.
“Passengers on the Bus” metaphor where negative thoughts and emotions are like noisy passengers. You can acknowledge them but still drive the bus in the direction you choose.
For which disorders has ACT been successfully applied?
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and more.
What are the key benefits of ACT?
Enhanced psychological flexibility, reduction in avoidance strategies, and an improved ability to adapt to challenging situations in alignment with one’s values.
Provide greater detail regarding the 6 core processed of the Hexaflex Model:
a. Cognitive Defusion: Learning techniques to “de-fuse” from your thoughts, reducing their impact and influence.
Example: Instead of being caught up in the thought “I’m a failure,” recognizing it as just a thought, “I’m having the thought that I’m a failure.”
b. Acceptance: Embracing your feelings and sensations instead of avoiding or denying them.
Example: Feeling anxiety but allowing it to be present without judgement.
c. Present Moment Awareness: Being fully present and engaged in your current activity without being overly entangled with past regrets or future anxieties.
Example: Mindfully enjoying a meal, noticing the taste, texture, and aroma.
d. Self-as-Context: Recognizing that you are not defined by your thoughts, emotions, or memories.
Example: Realizing that you are not your depression or anxiety, but a conscious being experiencing these emotions.
e. Values Clarification: Identifying and clarifying what truly matters to you in life.
Example: Recognizing the importance of family, career, health, or personal growth.
f. Committed Action: Setting goals based on your values and committing to actions that help you achieve them, even in the face of challenges.
Example: Committing to attending therapy regularly despite initial discomfort or fear.
