What Is ACT Flashcards
What does ACT help clients to do?
It helps clients transform their relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions.
What is one of the central concepts of ACT?
Many of the issues that the client presents with in counselling are caused by the avoidance of internal experiences (I.e., thoughts or feelings) that are distressing or uncomfortable.
What does suppressing unwanted thoughts and feelings often do?
It can make those thoughts and feelings more powerful.
Do ACT practitioners seek to eliminate or change a clients thoughts or emotions?
No.
What do ACT practitioners seek to do instead of eliminating or changing thoughts and feelings?
They seek to help the client view these thoughts and feelings for what they are - pieces of language and transient, psychological events not external “truths”.
How does ACT differ from traditional CBT approaches?
ACT does not seek to change the frequency of people’s unwanted thoughts and emotions, but to cultivate psychological flexibility.
What is psychological flexibility?
The ability to contact the present moment, and based on what the situation affords, to change or persist with behaviour in accordance with one’s values.
What does ACT focus on?
Helping people to live more rewarding lives even in the presence of undesirable thoughts, emotions and sensations.
How do ACT practitioners encourage clients to approach problematic thoughts and beliefs?
From a psychologically flexible, mindful, and open perspective to prevent these problematic thoughts from overwhelming the person or determining their actions.
What sorts of techniques do ACT practitioners use?
Mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies
CBT techniques
What is the first overarching goal of ACT?
To help clients clarify what is truly meaningful to them (i.e., values) and use those to guide, inspire, and motivate clients to do things that will enrich and enhance their lives.
What is the second overarching goal of ACT?
Teach clients skills that enable them to handle difficult thoughts and feelings effectively, so they can be fully engaged in what they’re doing and appreciate the fulfilling aspects of life.
Where does ACT derive its name from?
The core idea of accepting what is outside of your personal control and committing to action that improves and enriches your life.
