ACT Flashcards
Hexaflex
OPEN: defusion & acceptance
AWARE: observing-self & presence
ENAGED: commitment & values
acceptance of internal experience, comittment to moving towards values, Therapy (not always)
Defusion Questions
What thoughts go through your head at that time?
What urges show up when you have those thoughts?
What do you do when those thoughts are present?
How does that work for you?
How easy is it to step back from those thoughts?
What ways can
STUCKNESS appear?
emotions function differently in the context of fusion & experiential avoidance vs mindfulness and values
(functional contextualism)
STRUGGLING:
trying to solve /get rid of unwanted thoughts/feelings
avoiding things that make us feel bad
SCATTERED:
mind elsewhere - past or future
DISENGAGED:
losing touch with what matters to you
stuck in unhelpful habits
Summarise the Triflex Model
OAE
OPEN: (Acceptance of internal experience)
step back & make room for thoughts & feelings
not getting tangled up, pushed around or running from them
AWARE: (Awareness)
aware if the here and now
notice what’s going on inside & aroud you
ENGAGED: (Activation)
know what matters to you
do what it takes to live that way
Experiential Avoidance
Questions
What feelings show up in that moment?
Where do you feel this - what’s the sensation like?
What do you do about those feelings when they show up?
What’s the consequences of reacting that way?
What are some
Stuckness
Questions?
How do you feel about yourself?
Do you have a particular view of yourself that holds you back?
When does that belief show up?
How do you think that affects your behaviour?
What are some
Presence
Questions?
Do you find your mind wandering?
When is most likely to wander?
What happens next?
What’s the consequence of your mind wandering?
What are you noticing right now as we’re sitting here?
What are some
Uncommitted
Questions?
What things have you done to try and improve your life?
What things have you done to be the kind of person you want to be?
How well has that worked?
What gets in the way?
Valueless
Questions
What matters to you?
& how do you want to be towards them?
What brings you most joy?
What brings you the deepest emotional pain?
What would someone who knows you well say were your best qualities?
Essential Skills
Kirk Strosahl
Know how to:
increase a client’s openness to experiences
train the client to be located in the present moment
engage the client in his or her valued life directions
Grounding Exercise
LIVE
Stabilising Arousing Emotions
15-20 secs
COME INTO THE HERE-AND-NOW
see one thing, hear one thing, follow one breath
SET YOUR INTENTION
• remind self of what trying to achieve
CONNECT WITH VALUES
• remind self of why this matters / how want to be
ENGAGE WILLINGNESS:
• Willing to have difficult thoughts and feelings as part of this conversation
Listen Intention Values Engage LIVE
Grounding Exercise
A L I V E
Stabilising Arousing Emotions
15-20 secs
ADDRESS acknowledge distress
LISTEN
how is my breath and experience?
INTENTION
• what do you want?
VALUES
• how am I motivated?
EMPATHY engagement
• how an I engage compassion?
ACT
MATRIX
What can we see you do when this stuff shows up?
What could/can we see you doing when you are moving towards what’s important to you?
What stuff shows up that gets in the way?
Who and what is important to you?
