Showing papers on "Acceptance and commitment therapy published in 2010"

A review of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) empirical evidence: Correlational, experimental psychopathology, component and outcome studies.

Abstract: This article analyzes the general empirical evidence concerning Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In the first place, a brief description of the ACT philosophical and theoretical roots is presented. Subsequently, the most fundamental characteristics of the ACT model for psychological intervention are described. Then, a review of the correlational, experimental psychopathology and component, and outcome studies that are relevant for the ACT model empirical status is exposed. In general, the evidence regarding all these types of studies is very coherent and supports the ACT model. Specifically, experiential avoidance is found to be related with a wide range of psychological disorders and mediates the relation between different type of symptoms and psychological constructs; component studies are showing that acceptance-based protocols are usually more efficacious than other control-based protocols; outcome studies show the efficacy of ACT in a wide range of psychological problems and suggest that it is working through its hypothesized processes of change. However, the limitations of the actual empirical status of ACT are recognized and further research is emphasized.

The Valued Living Questionnaire: Defining and measuring valued action within a behavioral framework.

Abstract: A number of cognitive-behavior therapies now strongly emphasize particular behavioral processes as mediators of clinical change specific to that therapy. This shift in emphasis calls for the development of measures sensitive to changes in the therapies’ processes. Among these is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which posits valued living as one of its primary core processes. This article offers a definition of values from a behavioral perspective and describes the Valued Living Questionnaire (VLQ) as a first attempt at assessment of valued living. The VLQ is a relatively brief and easily administered instrument derived directly from the primary text on ACT. Initial psychometric support for the VLQ suggests that valued living can be measured, even with the most simple of instruments, in such a way as to consider it a possible mechanism of change in ACT and related approaches.

Feasibility and effectiveness of psychosocial resilience training: A pilot study of the READY program

Abstract: Despite many studies on the characteristics associated with resilience, there is little research on interventions to promote resilience in adults. The aims of this study were to gather preliminary information regarding the feasibility of implementing a group psychosocial resilience training program (REsilience and Activity for every DaY, READY) in a workplace setting, and to assess if program would potentially promote well-being. The program targets five protective factors identified from empirical evidence: Positive emotions, cognitive flexibility, social support, life meaning, and active coping. Resilience enhancement strategies reflect core acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) processes and cognitive behavior therapy strategies. Sessions involve psychoeducation, discussions, experiential exercises, and home assignments. Sixteen participants completed 11 x two h group sessions over 13 weeks. Baseline and post-intervention assessment included self-administered questionnaires, pedometer step counts, and physical and hematological measures. Data were analyzed using standardized mean differences and paired t-tests. There was a significant improvement between baseline and post intervention scores on measures of mastery (p = 0.001), positive emotions (p = 0.002), personal growth (p = 0.004), mindfulness (p = 0.004), acceptance (p = 0.012), stress (p = 0.013), self acceptance (p = 0.016), valued living (p = 0.022), autonomy (p = 0.032) and total cholesterol (p = 0.025). Participants rated the program and materials very highly. These results indicate that the READY program is feasible to implement as a group training program in a workplace setting to promote psychosocial well-being.

Learning RFT: An Introduction to Relational Frame Theory and Its Clinical Application

Abstract: In this book Niklas Torneke presents the building blocks of RFT: language as a particular kind of relating, derived stimulus relations, and transformation of stimulus functions. He then shows how these concepts are essential to understanding acceptance and commitment therapy and other therapeutic models. Learning RFT shows how to use experiential exercises and metaphors in psychological treatment and explains how they can help your clients. This book belongs on the bookshelves of psychologists, psychotherapists, students, and others seeking to deepen their understanding of psychological treatment from a behavioral perspective.

Mental Health Promotion as a New Goal in Public Mental Health Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Intervention Enhancing Psychological Flexibility

Abstract: Objectives: We assessed whether an intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness was successful in promoting positive mental health by enhancing psychological flexibility. Methods: Participants were 93 adults with mild to moderate psychological distress. They were randomly assigned to the group intervention (n = 49) or to a waiting-list control group (n = 44). Participants completed measures before and after the intervention as well as 3 months later at follow-up to assess mental health in terms of emotional, psychological, and social well-being (Mental Health Continuum–Short Form) as well as psychological flexibility (i.e., acceptance of present experiences and value-based behavior, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II). Results: Regression analyses showed that compared with the participants on the waiting list, participants in the ACT and mindfulness intervention had greater emotional and psychological well-being after the intervention and also greater psychological flexibility at follow-up. Mediational analyses showed that the enhancement of psychological flexibility during the intervention mediated the effects of the intervention on positive mental health. Conclusions: The intervention is effective in improving positive mental health by stimulating skills of acceptance and value-based action.

Treatments addressing pain-related fear and anxiety in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain: a preliminary review.

Abstract: This review covers the current cognitive behavioural treatments available to address fear-avoidance beliefs in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP). Four types of treatment protocols were identified for inclusion in the review: (a) graded in vivo exposure (GivE); (b) graded activity (GA); (c) acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); and (d) mixed cognitive behavioural protocols. Most of the research suggests that GivE and ACT result in the best outcomes for treating fear-avoidance beliefs in patients with CMP. There is also a readily apparent paucity of research from North America; indeed, most of the available studies were conducted in the Netherlands and Scandinavia. This relative absence of North American research raises potentially important questions about the role of compensation status and access to care, which differ between countries, on treatment outcome. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Mindfulness: A Dialogue between Buddhism and Clinical Psychology

Abstract: Evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness as a clinical intervention is quickly growing. Much of our current understanding and application of mindfulness within clinical psychology has arisen from dialogue with Buddhist traditions, with the notable exception of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. We wrote this article with two purposes: (1) to provide a concise review of mindfulness within the Buddhist traditions for interested clinicians and researchers and (2) to explore whether further dialogue between Buddhism and clinical psychology could enhance mindfulness as it is used within clinical psychology. We concluded that mindfulness, as it is understood and applied in Buddhism, is a richer concept than thus far understood and applied in psychology. In addition, within Buddhism the development of mindfulness must be understood in tandem with the development of wisdom, compassion, and ethics. We suggest an operational definition of mindfulness within Buddhism. We also explore implications for clinical psychology and possible future directions for mindfulness research and practice.

Experiential avoidance and problem behavior: a mediational analysis

Abstract: Despite their formal dissimilarity, problem behaviors (eg, substance misuse, binge eating, self-harm) may share a common function According to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), this shared function is Experiential Avoidance, the process of avoiding, escaping or otherwise altering unwanted private events (eg, thoughts, feelings, memories) and the contexts that elicit them Structural Equation Modeling was used cross-sectionally with data from a clinical opportunity sample ( N = 290) to test (a) whether problem behavior covariance was associated with experiential avoidance, and (b) whether experiential avoidance mediated the relationships between historical and dispositional risk factors (childhood trauma and negative affect intensity, respectively) and the tendency to engage in problem behaviors Analysis showed that experiential avoidance contributed to the covariation of problem behaviors, and that it fully mediated the relationships between both risk factors and problem behavior Thus, experiential avoidance may be a key process to target in the management of individuals with behavior problems

The Effectiveness of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Self-help Intervention for Chronic Pain

Abstract: ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of an Acceptance Commitment Therapy based self-help book for people with chronic pain.MethodThis was a randomized 2 group study design. Over a 6-week period, 6 participants read the self-help book and completed exercises from it with weekly telephone support wh

Acceptance and commitment therapy versus cognitive therapy for the treatment of comorbid eating pathology.

Abstract: Previous research has indicated that although eating pathology is prevalent in college populations, both CBT and non-CBT-based therapies achieve only limited effectiveness. The current study examined several questions related to the treatment of eating pathology within the context of a larger randomized controlled trial that compared standard CBT (i.e., Beck's cognitive therapy; CT) with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT; Hayes, 2004).The results indicated that the two treatments were differentially effective at reducing eating pathology. Specifically, CT produced modest decreases in eating pathology whereas ACT produced large decreases. In addition, a weaker suggestion emerged that ACT was more effective than CT at increasing clinician-rated global functioning among those with eating pathology. These findings suggest that ACT is a useful treatment for disordered eating and potentially, for eating disorders per se.

Psychosocial Treatment for Methamphetamine Use Disorders: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Abstract: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) incorporates developments in behavior therapy, holds promise but has not been evaluated for methamphetamine use disorders. The objective of this study was to test whether ACT would increase treatment attendance and reduce methamphetamine use and related harms compared to cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). One hundred and four treatment- seeking adults with methamphetamine abuse or dependence were randomly assigned to receive 12 weekly 60-minute individual sessions of ACT or CBT. Attrition was 70% at 12 weeks and 86% at 24 weeks postentry. Per intention-to-treat analysis, there were no significant differences between the treatment groups in treatment attendance (median 3 sessions), and methamphetamine-related outcomes; however, methamphetamine use (toxicology-assessed and self-reported), negative consequences, and dependence severity significantly improved over time in both groups. Although ACT did not improve treatment outcomes or attendance compared to CBT, it may be a viable alternative to CBT for metham- phetamine use disorders. Future rigorous research in this area seems warranted.

Stories and Analogies in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Abstract: List of Tables, Figures and Boxes. About the Author. Foreword by Chris Williams. Preface. Acknowledgments. PART ONE: ONCE UPON A TIME: GETTING STARTED. Chapter 1: What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy? Introduction. What Is Psychotherapy? What Is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy? CBT: Ten Essential Ingredients. Ten Common Myths About CBT. Summary. Chapter 2: Stories, Analogies & Metaphors. Introduction. Tools for Communication. Stories from the Wider World. Story-Telling across the Psychotherapies. Summary. Chapter 3: Using Stories in CBT. Introduction. Uses for Stories and Metaphors. Abuses and Limitations. The Evidence Base. Drawing it All Together. Summary. PART TWO: DEVELOPING THE PLOT: STORIES FOR SPECIFIC DISORDERS. Chapter 4: Depression. Introduction. Definition. Stories and Analogies. Step 1: Putting it into Words. Step 2: Accepting Help. CBT for Depression. Step 3: Doing More - Activities and Goals. Three Layers of Thinking. Step 4: Removing the Critical Voice. Step 5: Develop a Kinder Self-Talk. Step 6: Preparing for the Future. Summary. Chapter 5: Anxiety, Panic and Phobias. Introduction. What Is Anxiety? How Do We Learn? Assessing Anxiety. Generalised Anxiety Disorder. Panic Disorder. Catastrophic Misinterpretation. Selective Attention. Hypervigilence. Safety Behaviours. Phobias. Graded Exposure. Social Anxiety. Summary Chapter 6: Obsessions, Compulsions and Post Traumatic Stress. Introduction. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Definition. Behaviour Therapy for OCD. Cognitive Therapy for OCD. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Definition. Stories and Analogies for PTSD. CBT for PTSD. Exposure Therapy for PTSD. Cognitive Therapy for PTSD. Childhood Trauma. Summary. Chapter 7: Physical Health. Introduction. Health Anxiety. Medically Unexplained Symptoms. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Eating Disorders. Adjusting to Serious Illness. When Illness Threatens Life. Summary. Chapter 8: Personality, Beliefs And Behaviours. Introduction. Anger. Assertiveness. Low Self-Esteem. Relationship Problems. Self-Harm. Perfectionism. Changing Core Beliefs. Summary. PART THREE: HAPPILY EVER AFTER? STORY-TELLING IN THE REAL WORLD. Chapter 9: CBT In Practice. Introduction. Practical Tips For Therapists. Creating Personalised Stories and Analogies. Problem Solving. Schizophrenia and Psychosis. Teamwork, Training and CBT Supervision. Summary. Chapter 10: The Next Generation. Introduction. Third-Generation CBT. Behavioural Activation. Mindfulness. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. CBT for Enduring Problems. Compassionate Mind Training. Building Resilience. The New You. The Future of CBT. Summary. Epilogue: The End - An Unfolding Story... Appendices. Appendix 1: Sources of Information for this Book. Appendix 2: Literature Search. Appendix 3: List of Therapy Conversations. Appendix 4: List of Stories and Analogies. Author's Note. References. Index.

The practice of functional analytic psychotherapy

Abstract: to the Practice of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy.- to the Practice of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy.- FAP and Psychotherapy Integration.- FAP and Cognitive Behavior TherapyCognitive Behavior Therapy .- FAP and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACTAcceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT ): Similarities, Divergence, and Integration.- FAP and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) .- FAP and Behavioral ActivationBehavioral Activation .- FAP and Psychodynamic TherapiesPsychodynamic Therapies .- FAP and Feminist TherapiesFeminist Therapies : Confronting Power and Privilege in Therapy.- FAP Across Settings and Populations.- FAP-Enhanced Couple TherapyFAP-Enhanced Couple Therapy : Perspectives and Possibilities.- FAP with Sexual MinoritiesSexual Minorities .- Transcultural FAP.- FAP Strategies and Ideas for Working with AdolescentsAdolescents .- The Application of FAP to Persons with Serious Mental IllnessMental Illness .- FAP with People Convicted of Sexual OffensesSexual Offenses .- FAP for Interpersonal Process GroupsInterpersonal Process Groups .

Cognitive defusion versus thought distraction: a clinical rationale, training, and experiential exercise in altering psychological impacts of negative self-referential thoughts.

Abstract: Using two modes of intervention delivery, the present study compared the effects of a cognitive defusion strategy with a thought distraction strategy on the emotional discomfort and believability of negative self-referential thoughts. One mode of intervention delivery consisted of a clinical rationale and training (i.e., Partial condition). The other mode contained a condition-specific experiential exercise with the negative self-referential thought in addition to the clinical rationale and training (i.e., Full condition). Nonclinical undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of five protocols: Partial-Defusion, Full-Defusion, Partial-Distraction, Full-Distraction, and a distraction-based experimental control task. The Full-Defusion condition reduced the emotional discomfort and believability of negative self-referential thoughts significantly more than other comparison conditions. The positive results of the Full-Defusion condition were also found among participants with elevated depressive symptoms.