scholarly journals Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy With Functional Analytic Psychotherapy: A Case Study of an Adult Male With Mixed Depression and Anxiety

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-50
Author(s):  
Meagan J. Brem ◽  
Kristina Coop Gordon ◽  
Gregory L. Stuart
Keyword(s):  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Treatment Goals ◽  
Functional Analytic Psychotherapy ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) gained support for treating transdiagnostic features of major depressive (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorders (GAD). However, ACT’s intrapersonal emphasis may be insufficient for targeting interpersonal treatment goals. Integrating ACT with functional analytic psychotherapy offers theory-based strategies for responding to ACT-specific processes through the contingent interpersonal relationship thereby targeting both intra- and interpersonal treatment goals. Yet, no research examined the efficacy of this integrative approach (i.e., functional-analytic acceptance and commitment therapy [FACT]) in treating comorbid MDD and GAD. In this case study, we conceptualized a man with comorbid MDD and GAD from a FACT perspective, described FACT treatment across 28 sessions, and presented pretreatment, termination, and 6-month posttreatment data on FACT-specific treatment targets. Depression symptoms, self-compassion, mindfulness, and interpersonal relationships improved despite unchanged physiological anxiety symptoms throughout treatment. These preliminary data provide clinicians with a conceptual framework for treating clients using FACT and may guide future research on integrative treatment approaches.

scholarly journals Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: A Case Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 025371762199673
Author(s):  
Joel Philip ◽  
Vinu Cherian
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Third Wave ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Change Acceptance ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment

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.

scholarly journals The emerging role of acceptance and commitment therapy as a way to treat trauma and stressor related disorders

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S290-S290
Author(s):  
Gisela Simões ◽  
Rita Silva
Keyword(s):  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Stress Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Addictive Disorders ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Mesh Terms ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment

AimsThe aim of this work is to gather and evaluate scientific evidence about the clinical effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in the treatment of patients with trauma-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).MethodA literature search was conducted on PubMed platform, starting from the following MeSH terms: “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy”, “Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders”, “Psychological Trauma”. Studies obtained were analysed, corresponding to investigations based on an adult population with trauma and stressor related disorders.ResultThe search provided 13 results, of which 12 met the defined criteria. Different types of studies with variable samples were considered, including randomised clinical trials, longitudinal observational studies, narrative reviews and an analysis of case reports.Globally, ACT has been showing a crescent role in the treatment of individuals with trauma histories by enhancing positive outcomes and by being associated with greater psychological flexibility. It is increasingly considered to be well-suited to the treatment of trauma by targeting avoidance, coping strategies with emotional disengagement and persistent dissociation, aspects associated with greater PTSD symptom severity and related psychopathology.Furthermore, research suggests that acceptance-based treatments are helpful in promoting emotional, behavioural, and neural changes in psychological disorders characterised by disgust, shame and guilt that commonly co-occur with PTSD.Among the various exposure factors, we found a growing production of recent literature in which ACT has been applied in the context of oncology life-threatening settings, demonstrating significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life, as well as reductions in emotional disturbances, physical pain and traumatic responses.However, little is known about implementation and results of ACT in situations of trauma and psychiatric comorbidities. Data suggest that, when applied to individuals with psychosis and history of trauma, there is an improvement in overall severity and anxiety symptoms, emotion regulation strategies and a greater sense of engagement in care; nevertheless, reduction of specific trauma symptoms remains controversial. More mention is made about the growth of literature evaluating the application of ACT as a conjunctial therapeutic method for trauma and simultaneous addictive disorders.ConclusionOverall, despite limited published research currently available, some evidence starts to support ACT's promising role as an effective psychotherapeutic approach to trauma and stressor related disorders. Its application in situations where organic diseases represent stress factors has been growing. Future research should focus on clarifying the role of ACT in psychiatric comorbidity scenarios, allowing this psychotherapy to help individuals find a meaningful and valuable life beyond trauma.

How Counseling Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Supported With Motivational Interviewing Affects the Perceptions of Treatment Motivation in Patients Diagnosed With Schizophrenia: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 107839032094538
Author(s):  
Erman Yıldız ◽  
Rukuye Aylaz
Keyword(s):  
Motivational Interviewing ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Nursing Intervention ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Treatment Motivation ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment

BACKGROUND: Lack of motivation is a common phenomenon in treatment of schizophrenia. Despite information that various psychosocial approaches may help overcome lack of motivation, their content and nature remain uncertain. However, in recent years, there is an increasing interest in psychosocial interventions such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and motivational interviewing (MI) techniques in approaching individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (IDSs). In this study, the therapeutic models of ACT and MI were combined to create an innovative integrative approach to address the problem of lack of motivation in IDSs. AIMS: This study was conducted to determine how a counseling program based on ACT and supported with MI affected the perceptions of treatment motivation in IDSs. METHOD: This study addressed the qualitative aspects of a doctoral dissertation designed as a quasi-experimental study that gathered both quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: As a result of the content analysis, three main themes and 10 categories that motivated IDSs for compliance with regular treatment were developed. The participants in the experimental group expressed a focused treatment motivation to participate in daily life activities and social relations, acceptance of illness, satisfaction with life despite side effects and leading a value-oriented life in comparison with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Counseling based on ACT and supported with the MI technique is effective in improving treatment motivation in IDSs. This counseling may be implemented as an effective psychiatric nursing intervention for IDSs.

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

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-212 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on decreasing anxiety and depression symptoms in mothers of hearing-impaired or deaf children

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karim Gharashi ◽  
Naeimeh Moheb ◽  
Reza Abdi
Keyword(s):  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Deaf Children ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Depression Anxiety Stress Scale ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Background and Aim: The presence of a child with hearing impairment in the family is often problematic and needs psychological interven­tions. The purpose of this study was to inves­tigate the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on the symptoms of anxiety and depression in mothers of hearing-impaired or deaf children. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design and with experi­mental and control groups. The study population comprised all mothers of hearing-impaired or deaf children of 2–6 years old in Tabriz City, Iran. Using purposive sampling method, 32 mothers of hearing-impaired or deaf children were selected and then randomly assigned to control and experimental groups (each with 16 subjects). The experimental group was treated with ACT during 8 sessions of 1.5 hours long in two weeks. The study data were collected by the depression anxiety stress scale. Results: ACT was effective in decreasing anxi­ety and depression symptoms in mothers of hearing-impaired or deaf children (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Considering the results and effecti­veness of ACT in reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression in mothers of hearing-impaired or deaf children, this treatment is rec­ommended in rehabilitation centers for children with hearing problems.

scholarly journals Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Outcomes in Functional Movement Disorders: A Case Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 401-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Graham ◽  
Simon R. Stuart ◽  
Daniel J. O’Hara ◽  
Steven Kemp
Keyword(s):  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Movement Disorders ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Functional Movement ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Functional Movement Disorders

Although there are many theories of functional movement disorders (FMD), the causes and prognosis remain unclear, and there are no treatments with high-quality empirical support. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an acceptance-based behavior therapy which, via altering a process called psychological flexibility, aims to support behaviors that are consistent with a person’s overarching values—even in difficult, uncertain, or immutable contexts. It may, therefore, have pragmatic benefits in the context of FMD. We outline the theoretical basis for ACT and detail a case study of a brief (six session) intervention for increasing personally meaningful activity with FMD. The participant was in her early 20s and had been diagnosed with functional propriospinal myoclonus. ACT techniques including relational framing, defusion, and mindfulness exercises were used to increase psychological flexibility, with the goal of enabling effective functioning within the difficult context created by FMD. Following treatment, the participant showed a reliable change/clinical recovery in psychological flexibility (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II [AAQ-II]), FMD symptom interference (Work and Social Adjustment Scale [WSAS]; primary outcome), and mood (Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation 10-item scale [CORE-10]; secondary outcome). This case study demonstrates an approach that focuses first on improving functioning with FMD, as opposed to eliminating or controlling symptoms.

Using acceptance and commitment therapy techniques to enhance treatment engagement in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 264-277
Author(s):  
M. Ashton Phillips ◽  
Tannah Chase ◽  
Chandra Bautista ◽  
Annie Tang ◽  
Ellen J. Teng
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Treatment Engagement ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Transdiagnostic Treatment ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Evidence Based Treatments

Evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are available for veterans, but many do not benefit due to low treatment engagement. This may be partially due to avoidance behaviors characteristic of individuals with PTSD. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a transdiagnostic treatment approach that aims to reduce avoidance. The authors propose the use of adjunctive ACT techniques to enhance engagement with treatment for PTSD. ACT techniques such as cognitive defusion and values clarification have been shown to promote engagement with other cognitive-behavioral treatments, but no studies to date have examined these techniques as adjuncts to treatment for PTSD. Because of its focus on reducing avoidance, ACT is uniquely suited for promoting treatment engagement with the “gold standard” treatments for PTSD. The authors review the existing research on ACT as an adjunctive intervention, discuss specific concepts and techniques from ACT that are relevant to PTSD, and provide recommendations for future research.

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