Psychology: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
natalia.na
ACTSeminar-Part2LectureSlides-Sp2020-1.pptxAcceptance and Commitment Therapy-PSYC 498/598
Spring 2020 quarter
Kevin Criswell, Ph.D.
Just so you all are aware, students with the accommodation to do so may be audio recording this seminar.
As Steve Hayes said in his TEDx talk in Nevada, “Life asks us questions…and one of the most important questions it asks us is, ‘What are you going to do about difficult thoughts and feelings?’”
1
Be Present
Be Present: Mindfulness
Consider (handout): How would you define “mindfulness”? Also, what is the purpose of mindfulness?
APA (APA.org, 2012): “…a moment-to-moment awareness of one’s experience without judgment. In this sense, mindfulness is a state and not a trait. While it might be promoted by certain practices or activities, such as meditation, it is not equivalent to or synonymous with them.”
Jon Kabat Zin (in Purser, 2015): “The awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.”
Be Present: Mindfulness
Common myths:
Mindfulness = Meditation
Mindfulness is the goal/purpose of living
Mindfulness is…
Paying attention to something in a non-judgmental manner.
Moment-to-moment acceptance of whatever is experienced while paying attention to something on purpose.
Fostering a non-judgmental (and compassionate) “observer self”.
A means (mindfulness) to an end (values-based goals).
Be Present: Mindfulness
Some helpful metaphors:
“Monkey mind”
“Lion/scary animal outside the door”
“Dropping into Mindfulness” (Kabat Zin)
Approaching a freeway junction
“Dropping into Mindfulness” (Kabat Zin)
5
Be present: Mindfulness of the Breath
Let’s follow a basic breathing mindfulness meditation practice.
Reflection (handout):
What was your overall experience of this exercise?
What is your best guess for how many times your mind pulled your attention to something different than your breath?
What was the most difficult part of this exercise?
What was the best part of this exercise?
Be Present: Self-as-Context
Body Scan: Self-as-context to your own body
Loving Kindness Meditation: Self-as-context to the important people in your life
Let’s try the Loving Kindness Meditation
Be Present: Self-as-Context
Let’s practice the meditation…
Reflection (handout):
What did you notice the most during the meditation? Would you consider this thing “helpful” or “unhelpful” in terms of helping you pursue your personal values?
What was the most helpful thing that your mind brought up as you went through the meditation? Why was it the most helpful thing?
Be Present: Final Words
Practicing for “The Big Game” metaphor:
The best athletes devote a large amount of their time, energy, and effort into practicing before actually competing in an organized game.
In the same way, one cannot expect to practice something like mindfulness very well in high-stress/“performance” situations (e.g., emotionally regulating during a tense discussion) if that person has not practiced in low-stakes/lower stress situations (e.g., alone in a comfortable room).
The point: People can believe that mindfulness exercises do not work because they practice them only during difficult situations.
Other common metaphors: Practicing an Instrument & Building Muscle
Canvas Discussion Assignment(S)
Participation credit for Module 2: Brief Discussion post
Due by 11:59pm on June 7th
Carefully follow directions on the discussion assignment page!
