Dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain is tough. The usual ways to help, like therapy, have been pretty good, but a newer approach called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) seems really promising. ACT isn’t just about handling PTSD and anxiety. It also looks at chronic pain, offering a fresh way to deal with these tough challenges. It’s all about accepting things, being mindful, and living based on what’s important to you. We will explore the fundamentals of ACT and its role in PTSD and other Anxiety Disorder Treatments.
What is ACT?
ACT is based on the idea that psychological suffering is caused by the attempt to avoid or control unpleasant internal experiences, such as thoughts, emotions, sensations, and memories. The therapy seeks to disrupt this cycle by instructing individuals to accept their internal experiences without attempting to alter or erase them.
In the process, ACT assists individuals in identifying their values—those meaningful aspects of life. These values serve as a guiding force, providing direction and motivation to undertake actions that resonate with one’s true self and aspirations.
The Six Core Processes of ACT
ACT uses six core processes to help people achieve psychological flexibility. These are:
Acceptance
The willingness to embrace thoughts, feelings, sensations, and memories without attempting to control them.
Cognitive Defusion
The ability to see thoughts as mental events rather than facts or reality and reduce their impact by detaching from them.
Being Present
The ability to pay attention to the present moment with openness and curiosity rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
Self As Context
Observing oneself from a broader perspective instead of identifying with thoughts, feelings, roles, or labels.
Values
The ability to clarify what is important and meaningful in one’s life and to use it as a guide.
Committed Action
The ability to take steps toward one’s values despite obstacles or challenges.
What Can ACT Help With?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is effective in addressing a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and stress. It excels in managing conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain by fostering acceptance, mindfulness, and alignment with personal values, empowering individuals to lead more fulfilling and resilient lives.
Structure of an ACT Therapy Session
ACT therapy sessions can vary depending on the therapist, the client, and the specific goals and issues. However, a typical ACT therapy session may include the following stages:
Establishing Rapport and Setting the Agenda: The therapist and the client build a trusting and collaborative relationship and agree on the topics and goals for the session.
Reviewing Homework and Progress: The therapist and the client review the homework assignments from the previous session and discuss the progress and challenges that the client has experienced.
Introducing and Practicing Core Processes: The therapist and the client work on one or more of the six core processes of ACT, using various techniques and exercises, such as metaphors, stories, worksheets, role-plays, and experiential exercises.
Assigning Homework and Summarizing: The therapist will employ ACT techniques for experiential insight, using metaphors or role-playing, to establish small, value-driven behavioral goals for practical application.
Conclusion
ACT is a type of psychotherapy that can help people with PTSD cope with their trauma and live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. ACT can help people with PTSD develop psychological flexibility, which is the ability to accept their internal experiences, identify their values, and take committed actions. ACT is an effective therapy for PTSD and can be combined with other anxiety disorder treatments, such as medication if needed.
At the Padda Institute, we understand the complexities of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and our team of dedicated Acceptance and Commitment therapists in Saint Louis is here to guide you through the process. With compassion and expertise, we tailor our approach to meet your unique needs, fostering acceptance and commitment to a more resilient future. If you want to know more about ACT therapy, please schedule an appointment with one of our therapists who specializes in ACT.
