ACT

Page 1: Introduction to ACT

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Course Code: PY 250

Page 2: Today's Agenda

  • Guest Lecturer Recap: Sharing impressions of the guest speaker.

  • Summing Up Learnings: Review of key concepts learned so far.

  • General FAQs: Addressing common questions from students.

  • Video Presentation: Viewing a video of Steven Hayes, the co-founder of ACT.

  • ACT Breakdown: In-depth analysis of ACT principles and practices.

  • Mid-Semester Evaluations: Feedback collection on the course.

Page 3: Integration of Helpful Skills

  • Key Models:

    • Helping Skills: Fundamental techniques used in therapy.

    • Three Stage Model: Framework for understanding therapy progression.

    • Person Centered: Focus on client-centered therapy.

    • Psychoanalytic: Exploration of unconscious processes.

    • Multicultural: Consideration of cultural factors in therapy.

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Traditional dynamic of addressing thoughts and behaviors.

    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Specialized CBT for emotional regulation.

Page 4: Background of ACT

  • Development: ACT was developed in the 1980s by Steven Hayes.

  • Framework: Part of the larger framework known as Relational Frame Theory (RFT).

  • Philosophy: Challenges CBT by emphasizing acceptance over mere symptom reduction, which can be seen as passive.

Page 5: Six Core Processes of ACT

  1. Cognitive Defusion: Not becoming entangled in thoughts.

  2. Acceptance: Allowing experiences to occur instead of resisting them.

  3. Present Moment Awareness: Practicing mindfulness and being present.

  4. Self-as-Context: Observing oneself rather than identifying too closely with thoughts.

  5. Values: Determining what is truly important to you.

  6. Committed Action: Taking actionable steps that align with personal values.

Page 6: Key Characteristics of ACT

  • Core Approach: ACT encourages acceptance over control of thoughts.

  • Psychological Flexibility: Central to well-being, adapting to changing situations while staying present.

  • Values-driven Actions: Small actions based on values lead to meaningful changes.

Page 7: Efficacy of ACT

  • Research Findings:

    • Moderate-to-large effect size in reducing anxiety and depression.

    • Long-term effectiveness surpasses several traditional therapies.

    • References:

      • Swain, J., Hancock, K., Hainsworth, C., & Bowman, J. (2013).

      • A meta-analysis showing ACT is as effective as CBT.

Page 8: Cognitive Defusion Techniques

  • Examples of Defusion:

    • Pragmatism: Assessing the cost of buying into thoughts.

    • Meditative Techniques: Visualizing thoughts as clouds.

    • Metaphors: Comparing the mind to a 'don't get killed' machine.

  • Workability: Evaluating thoughts based on their effectiveness in achieving desired life goals.

Page 9: More on Cognitive Defusion

  • Thought Techniques:

    • Recognizing and reframing thoughts (e.g., "bullying reframe").

    • Visualizing thoughts on a computer screen.

  • Self-Reflection: Analyze how buying into thoughts alters behavior.

  • Naming the Story: Identifying recurring thoughts as narratives.

Page 10: Mindfulness

  • Practice: Developing awareness and presence through mindfulness techniques.

Page 11: Values

  • Importance: Understanding where it hurts illuminates personal values.

  • Connection: Pain often highlights what matters and why it is significant.

Page 12: Committed Action

  • Definition: Taking steps consistent with identified values, promoting action-based commitment.