Summary
Researchers such as Hayes and Strosahl (2005) defines acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as an empirically based intervention technique from the cognitive behavior model of psychotherapy that employs mindfulness and acceptance methods mixed in various ways. Grounded within the practical concept of functional contextualism and based on the comprehensive idea of language and cognition, ACT is different from the normal or traditional cognitive behavioral therapy. The differences are manifested in the paradigm of instead of teaching people to control their emotions, ACT teaches them to acknowledge, accept and embrace the emotions and or feelings (Hayes, Louma, Bond, Masuda, & Lillis, 2006). Primarily, western traditions functions under the assumption of “healthy normality” which believes that humans are naturally psychologically healthy; however ACT contends that the “so-called” normal human mind is volatile and destructive. The nucleus concept of ACT is that psychological based suffering is caused by experimental averting, cognitive mess, and psychological inflexibility that lead to malfunctions in taking necessary behavioral steps in agreement with core values (Hayes et al, 2006).
There are six core values in ACT model and they are used with the overall objective of improving and increasing psychological flexibility which is the ability to contact the here and now completely as an entirely complete person and to adapt and persist in behavior until the targeted outcome is obtained (Hayes, et al, 2006). The first value is acceptance which involves actively and knowingly embracing the personal and or private occurrences in an individuals’ past without trying to alter them. The next value is cognitive defusion is ...
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...herapy, 44, pp. 415-437.
Harris, R. (August 2006). Embracing your demons: an overview of acceptance and commitment therapy. Psychotherapy in Australia, 12 (4), 2-8.
Hayes, S. C. (2005). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Relational Frame Theory, and the third wave of behavior therapy. Behavior Therapy, 35, 639-665.
Hayes, S. C., Luoma, J., Bond, F., Masuda, A., & Lillis, J. (2006). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Model, processes, and outcomes. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44(1), 1-25.
Hayes, S. C. & Strosahl, K. D. (2005) (Eds.), A practical guide to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. New York: Springer-Verlag.
Lappalainen, R., Lehtonen, T., Skarp, E., Taubert, E., Ojanen, M., & Hayes, S. C. (2007). The impact of CBT and ACT models using psychology trainee therapists: A preliminary controlled effectiveness trial. Behavior Modification, 31, pp. 488-511.
My theory will include both directive and non-directive approaches, focusing on building a supportive client-therapist relationship, a full lifestyle assessment and understanding of the client’s belief system, as well as engaging in a strength based, goal-oriented practice which focuses on changing thoughts and choices, through education to the client and building self-regulation within the
As this book points out, and what I found interesting, the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client, can be even more important than how the therapy sessions are conducted. A therapists needs to be congruent. This is important because a client needs a sense of stability. To know what is expected from him or her while being in this transitional period of change. In some cases this congruency may be the only stability in his life, and without it, there is no way of him trusting in his t...
This assignment is an attempt to discuss two different theories of Behavior Theory and Solution-Focused Therapy from the text book “Theories for Direct Social Work Practice” by Joseph Walsh.
When working with diverse populations it is vital as counselors to consider the whole person and be sensitive to cultural norms during the delivery of treatment services (“The role,” n.d.). This process can be confusing to clients and counselors provide structure to the nature and purpose of counseling. During the assessment phase of treatment, counselors distinguish the presenting problem, nature, severity, and duration of the consumer (Gladding and Newsome, 2013). As well as assess the level of readiness and motivation for change and be knowledgeable with tasks and interventions strategies on each level of development with age, gender, cultural background, psychosocial stressors, and level of functioning. For example, resistant consumers who are court ordered to attend treatment can either enhance or detract physically, psychologically, and emotionally by physical settings. Some methods used by counselors can anticipate, accept and strengthen relationship, use persuasion, or confront the situation with resistant clients depending on counselor training (Gladding and Newsome, 2013).
Although we did not have time for the lecture on Chapter 15, I found myself intrigued with the information I read on solution-focused therapies. The term solution-focused therapy kept coming up in my classes, but I really did not have an understanding of exactly what it entailed. In reviewing this chapter, I not only learned a lot, but also found myself in agreement with much of what I read. While there is no such thing as a one size fits all therapy, Solution-focused therapy has a lot to offer clients.
Roth, A., Fonagy, P. (2005). What works for Whom? A Critical Review of Psychotherapy Research. US: Guilford Press.
In it's simplest form, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (or CBT as it will be referred to from here on out), refers to the approach of changing dysfunctional behaviors and thoughts to realistic and healthy ones. CBT encompasses several types of therapy focusing on the impact of an individual's thinking as it relates to expressed behaviors. Such models include rational emotive therapy (RET), rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT), behavior therapy (BT), Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT), Schema Focused Therapy, Cognitive therapy (CT). Most recently a few other variations have been linked to CBT such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) (Harrington and Pickles, 2009). The main aspect that all of these branches of therapy share, is that our thoughts relate to our external behaviors. External events and individuals do not cause the negative thoughts or feelings, but, instead the perception of events and situations is the root cause (National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists, 2010).
Clients learning to contend with domestic violence, chemical dependency, and anger management are just as vulnerable as clients combating depression, grief and loss, and extreme anxiety. All clients are vulnerable regardless of the circumstances that prod them to seek counseling services. For some clients, the very act of seeking counseling is a very exposing and powerless experience. Some clients may become defensive while others may become withdrawn; yet, both are attempts to cover and protect in an unsure situation. Having a working knowledge and understanding of this concept, I will use fidelity in the administration of my interactions with my clients (ACA, 2010). I will cautiously examine all commitments prior to coming into a therapeutic agreement with my clients (ACA, 2010). An example of this would be to thoroughly review, to the client's level of understanding, payment and fee schedules as well as counseling goals and treatment objective...
In consequence, humanists and existentialists argue that people who mostly receive judgment and criticism for their behaviors are more vulnerable to developing a psychological disorder because they fail to recognize their worth (Comer, 2016, pg. 110). Overall, the humanistic-existential treatment model objective is to change clients’ harsh self-standards as they gain self-awareness and self-acceptance by valuing and giving meaning to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (Comer, 2016, pg. 110). The main types of therapy for this model are client-centered therapy, gestalt therapy, and existential therapy. In these type of treatments, practitioners avoid giving personal remarks and their opinions, because they allow the client to control the session by creating a supportive and warm atmosphere in which clients are able to accept their weaknesses as well as their strengths while critiquing themselves honestly in an attempt to find their own solutions (Comer, 2016,
Norton, J. (2003). The Limitations of Attachment Theory for Adult Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy in Australia, 10(1), 58-63.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of treatment that focuses on examining the relationships between thoughts, feelings and behaviors (NAMI, 2012). It is designed to modify the individual’s normative dysfunctional thoughts. The basic cognitive technique consists of delineating the individual's specific misconceptions, distortions, and maladaptive assumptions, and of testing their validity and reasonableness (Beck, 1970). By exploring thought patterns that lead to maladaptive behaviors and actions and the beliefs that direct these thoughts, people with mental illness can alter their thought process to improve coping. CBT is different from oth...
The ultimate intention of motivational interviewing and guided change talk is that it will result in a strong commitment to change for the client. There is a higher likelihood of behavioral changes actually occurring (Hettema, Steele, & Miller, 2005). Data from early research completed by Miller on MI with drinking showed how change talk can predict behavioral changes. Resistance is common in motivational interviewing. The data shows that the more than a clients resists changes and positive change talk, the more likely they are to continue with the behavior that needs to be changed, such as drinking, drug abuse, or criminal offending (Miller & Rose, 2009).
...ential impediment to postmodern and CBT interventions is practitioner incompetence. Psychological harm to clients is a potential danger of interventions implemented by untrained or inexperienced therapists. Likewise, the attitude and professional maturity of the practitioner are crucial to the value of the therapeutic process. In both approaches, whether taking on the role of teacher or collaborator, the therapist’s stance is one of positive regard, caring, and being with the client. While techniques and therapeutic styles may vary between and within the postmodern and CBT counseling approaches, they both enlist the client’s diligent participation and collaboration throughout the stages of therapy to accomplish positive therapeutic outcomes.
Three interrelated attitude of the therapist are central to the success of person-centered therapy, this include: congruence; unconditional positive regard; and empathy (Corey, 2010). Congruence represents the openness and geniuses of the therapists. Therapists who function this way does not hind behind a professional façade, and are willing to share significant emotional reactions with their clients. Unconditional positive regards refers to the therapist accepting the client totally as she or he is without disapproving particular behaviors, believes, feelings or characteristics. Therapists convey this message by their wiliness to listen without being judging, or directive. The therapist who creates a nonthreatening context allows the clients to explore and share their true feelings without fear of being judged. Empathy is the third necessary component of a therapist’s attitude. The therapist should try to see through client’s point to view, and show understanding and sensitivity to client’s feeling throughout the therapy session. When these three attitudes are conveyed by a therapist, according the Rogers, the client can freely express themselves without afraid of being
Within Gestalt therapy, “the initial goal is for clients to expand their awareness of what they are experiencing in the present moment. Through this awareness, change automatically occurs” (Corey, 2013). This philosophical foundation aligns with my beliefs that people possess the ability to make their own changes when they are fully aware of their circumstances. Additionally, my concept that people, who accept outside sources without sifting through beliefs and standards that may be applicable in their lives parallels with Gestalt’s contact of introjection. People within this stage, willingly assimilate what the environment is feeding them, without dissecting what they need or want (Corey, 2013). Nonetheless, Gestalt’s unfinished business correlates with my opinion that unresolved issues can linger and clutter the present moment, resulting in maladaptive behavior and thinking. When emotions are not fully experienced, “they linger in the background and are carried into present life in ways that interfere with effective contact with oneself and others” (Corey, 2013). Within a counseling context, my beliefs that there should be a partnership between the client and therapist is one of the main goals in Gestalt’s therapeutic process (Corey, 2013). Similar to my idea that the counselor is more of a facilitator to help clients