Clinical Psychology: Acceptance and Dialectical Interventions

This set of flashcards covers key concepts, terms, and principles related to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as discussed in clinical psychology.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

A psychological intervention developed by Steven Hayes aimed at helping clients live fulfilling lives based on personal values rather than reducing symptoms.

Relational Frame Theory

A theoretical basis for ACT that emphasizes the ability to form relationships between concepts, focusing on developing new relational frames.

Experiential Avoidance

The tendency to escape or avoid unpleasant thoughts and experiences, which can lead to distress and interference with functioning.

Psychological Flexibility

The ability to adapt one's behavior in the presence of unpleasant thoughts and feelings, opposing experiential avoidance.

Core Principle: Acceptance

Making room for unpleasant private experiences and allowing them to come and go without struggling with them.

Core Principle: Cognitive Defusion

Learning to view private experiences as transient thoughts, rather than absolute truths.

Core Principle: Contact with the Present Moment

Bringing full awareness to the current experience and engaging fully in the present.

Core Principle: The Observing Self

Understanding that thoughts and feelings are not the essence of who we are but rather changing aspects of our being.

Core Principle: Values

Clarifying what is meaningful and important in life to guide client choices.

Core Principle: Committed Action

Engaging in actions guided by values to achieve goals despite unwanted thoughts and feelings.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

A modified form of CBT developed by Marsha Linehan, particularly for clients with emotion regulation issues, focusing on living in the moment and improving interpersonal relationships.

Module 1: Mindfulness

The initial skill taught in DBT that focuses on present moment awareness and nonjudgmental observation of thoughts.

Module 2: Distress Tolerance

Skills designed to help clients cope with emotional pain and manage crisis situations.

Module 3: Emotion Regulation

Skills that help clients understand emotions and modify their behavioral responses to them.

Module 4: Interpersonal Effectiveness

Focus on skills for conflict resolution, assertiveness, and maintaining healthy relationships.

Self-soothing

A technique students learn in DBT to use sensory materials to ground themselves during a crisis.

T.I.P.P. skills

Coping strategies in DBT using Temperature, Intense exercise, Paced breathing, and Progressive muscle relaxation.

G.I.V.E. skills

Interpersonal effectiveness skills that include Gentle, Interest, Validate, and Easy strategies.

DEAR MAN

A DBT strategy for assertive communication that involves describing a situation, expressing feelings, asserting a request, reinforcing, being mindful, appearing confident, and negotiating.

Criticisms of ACT and DBT

Concerns about the abstract nature of ACT concepts, the ambiguous differences from traditional CBT, and the demanding structure of DBT on both clients and therapists.