Dancing around the hexaflex: Using ACT in practice 5

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can be slippery to describe. It’s an approach that doesn’t aim to change thought content, but instead to help us shift the way we relate to what our mind tells us. It’s also an approach focused on workability: pragmatic and context-specific analysis of how well a strategy is working to achieve being able to do what matters. Over the next few posts I want to give some examples of how non-psychologists can use ACT in session (remember ACT is open for anyone to use it!). Values: Qualities of living Oh so much has been written about values…Values bring meaning to what we do every day, values give us the ‘why’ we dig deep, values guide the directions we take, and help us understand what really matters. Apparently, the Dalai Lama is quoted as saying “Open your arms to change but don’t let go of your values” and from all the things I’ve done as an occupational therapist, this quote resonates the most. Even when the end result doesn’t look the same as the old way (form), occupational therapists are all about helping people do what matters most (function). Describing and defining values Most clinicians learn ‘SMART’ goals (ewww!). Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound… These, friends, are not values. These are actions that are intended to help people achieve goals. Things we can tick off a list and say to ourselves “I’ve done it.&#...
Source: HealthSkills Weblog - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: ACT - Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Chronic pain Coping strategies Occupational therapy Pain conditions Psychology Science in practice acceptance and commitment therapy Clinical reasoning Health pain management Therapeutic approach Source Type: blogs