Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Other Third Wave Therapies

Recent years have witnessed an increased interest in the use of “third-wave” psychotherapies in treating psychiatric disorders. These newer therapies are fundamentally different from the existing techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy in terms of their guiding principles and processes of change. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is the most prominent among these “third wave” psychotherapies. However, there have not been any reports from India, thus far, that have studied the use of ACT in treating obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). We describe a case of OCD that was successfully treated with eight sessions of ACT, with the results being maintained over a one-month follow-up period. Postintervention tests revealed a significant decrease in obsessive–compulsive symptoms and an associated increase in psychological flexibility. This case study highlights the possible utility of ACT as a therapeutic intervention in OCD, especially when combined with pharmacotherapy.

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): A Third Wave Behaviour Therapy

Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy ◽

10.1017/s1352465808004797 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 36 (6) ◽

pp. 667-673 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Chris Cullen

Keyword(s):

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽

Relational Frame Theory ◽

Third Wave ◽

Behaviour Therapy ◽

Commitment Therapy ◽

Acceptance And Commitment ◽

Relational Frame ◽

Important Relationship ◽

History Of ◽

Clinical Conditions

AbstractThis paper introduces Acceptance and commitment Therapy (ACT) as one of the newer contextualist behaviour therapies. A brief history of the development of ACT is outlined. The concepts of equivalence and laterality and the important relationship between Relational Frame Theory and ACT are then described. The “hexagram” summary of the six core linked processes in ACT is presented and, finally, the research evidence to support the effectiveness of ACT applied to a range of clinical conditions and client groups is summarized.

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Mindfulness-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

10.4018/978-1-7998-8682-2.ch005 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 68-88

Author(s):

Sindhu B. S.

Keyword(s):

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽

Workplace Stress ◽

Third Wave ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Commitment Therapy ◽

Acceptance And Commitment ◽

The World ◽

Behavioural Therapies ◽

Illness Anxiety ◽

Clinical Conditions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one of the latest mindfulness-based behavior therapies shown to have compelling evidence and efficacy with a wide range of clinical conditions. ACT is so hard to categorize that it is often described as an amalgamation of existential, humanistic, cognitive-behavioural therapy. ACT is often referred as process-based CBT and is one of the ‘third-wave' of behavioural therapies. It is currently the fastest growing evidence-based therapy in the world, with currently at least 304 Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) being recorded all over the world. It has proven effective in different cultural contexts with a diverse set of clinical conditions, from depression, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, chronic pain, grief, loss and terminal illness, anxiety, and workplace stress.

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Part of the "Third Wave" in the Behavioral Tradition

Journal of Mental Health Counseling ◽

10.17744/mehc.34.3.9110205883653735 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 205-212 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Joseph Springer

Keyword(s):

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽

Mental Health Treatment ◽

Theoretical Foundation ◽

Private Events ◽

Third Wave ◽

Basic Principles ◽

Commitment Therapy ◽

Acceptance And Commitment ◽

Behavioral Tradition

As described by Hayes, Strosahl, and Wilson (1999), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one of several methods for integrating mindfulness concepts into mental health treatment. Unlike many counseling approaches, ACT does not assume that the goal of treatment is to better control thoughts, feelings, or other private events. Individuals are taught to notice phenomena and take a nonjudgmental stance toward them rather than trying to control, avoid, or otherwise minimize them. Although relatively new, ACT has increasing support for its effectiveness in addressing a variety of problems (Pull, 2009). This article addresses the theoretical foundation and basic principles of ACT, reviews the research, presents a case study to illustrate how it can be applied, and discusses the counseling implications.

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Using Art-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for an Adolescent With Anxiety and Autism

Clinical Case Studies ◽

10.1177/1534650120950527 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 438-455

Author(s):

Rosanna Chapman ◽

Bethan Evans

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽

Well Being ◽

Young Person ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Third Wave ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Commitment Therapy ◽

Acceptance And Commitment ◽

Centered Care

Anxiety is a common experience for young people with an autism spectrum condition (ASC). This article describes the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) through the medium of art to increase well-being for a young woman with ASC and significant anxiety. An ACT art protocol was delivered over 8-weekly sessions with outcome measured administered at baseline, pre-, mid- and post-intervention. Follow-up data were also obtained 3 months after the intervention. It was found that the young person experienced improvements in measures of well-being and psychological flexibility. Importantly, these were seen to translate to increased engagement in activities that were in line with the young person’s values. This demonstrates that using third-wave approaches for young people with ASC can result in improvements in well-being and quality of life, but that adaptations in line with person-centered care are crucial to facilitate engagement and produce meaningful change.

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The “Third Wave” Behavior Therapies in Context: Review of Hayes et al.'s (2004) Mindfulness and Acceptance: Expanding the Cognitive-Behavioral Tradition and Hayes and Strosahl's (2004) A Practical Guide to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Cognitive and Behavioral Practice ◽

10.1016/j.cbpra.2006.01.002 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 101-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Brandon A. Gaudiano

Keyword(s):

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽

Cognitive Behavioral ◽

Third Wave ◽

The Third ◽

Practical Guide ◽

Commitment Therapy ◽

Acceptance And Commitment ◽

Behavioral Tradition

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for People Experiencing Appearance-Related Distress Associated With a Visible Difference: A Rationale and Review of Relevant Research

Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy ◽

10.1891/0889-8391.32.3.171 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 171-183 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Fabio Zucchelli ◽

Olivia Donnelly ◽

Heidi Williamson ◽

Nic Hooper

Keyword(s):

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Clinical Effectiveness ◽

Psychological Trauma ◽

Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽

Third Wave ◽

Mindfulness Skills ◽

Commitment Therapy ◽

Acceptance And Commitment

People may have a visibly different appearance due to various causes, such as congenital conditions, injury, disease, or medical treatment. Some individuals with a visible difference experience social anxiety and isolation, body image dissatisfaction, shame and self-stigma, psychological trauma, and challenges managing their condition. In this article, we synthesize the relevant literature and present the theoretical rationale for the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a third-wave behavioral therapy combining mindfulness skills and value-driven action, to those experiencing distress relating to an unusual or altered appearance. We also outline how ACT may be tailored to the specific considerations of this population and recommend next steps in researching its acceptability and clinical effectiveness.

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