#9 Dr. Steven Hayes Developed ACT to Help Individuals Balance Acceptance and Change Leading to Emotional Flexibility

08/26/19 • 46 min

Dr. Steven Hayes is Nevada Foundation Professor at the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada and the developer of a new approach to human thought called Relational Frame Theory. He has guided ACT’s extension to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) a popular evidence-based form of psychotherapy that is now practiced by tens of thousands of clinicians all around the world. Dr. Hayes was listed by the Institute of Scientific Information as the 30th “highest impact” psychologist in the world. Dr. Hayes is the author of many seminal books including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and my favorite Acceptance & Mindfulness Treatments for Children & Adolescents: A Practioner’s Guide. In August, Dr. Hayes released his new book A Liberated Mind. Whether you are a client or therapist, I encourage you to read his new book.

ACT uses mindfulness and acceptance skills to help individuals respond to uncontrollable experiences with behavior that is more consistent with their personal values and goals. A therapy model where clients learn to accept their inner thoughts, emotions and sensations and begin to practice psychological flexibility which is demonstrated by more adaptive behaviors. ACT teaches individuals to deal with their emotional and mental struggles through a balance of acceptance of their problems and encouraging them to move toward more adaptive change. In contrast to most Western psychotherapy which is based on a medical model, ACT does not have symptom reduction as a primary goal. This is based on the belief that the attempt to get rid of symptoms can actually cause a clinical disorder. As soon as individual’s experience is labeled a symptom, they begin to fight against that symptom in order to eradicate it. In ACT therapy, a person would look to have a new relationship with their difficult thoughts and feelings, change their perspective on them as harmless, albeit uncomfortable, transient psychological experiences. It is through this process that clients utilizing an ACT modality actually achieves a reduction in their psychiatric symptoms.

Dr. Steven Hayes on Twitter: @StevenCHayes

Dr. Steven Hayes on Twitter: @StevenCHayes

Previous Episode

#8 Dr. Sue Johnson on Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples and Individuals

Dr. Sue Johnson is a clinical psychologist, researcher, professor, and a leading innovator in the field of couple’s therapy and adult attachment. Dr. Johnson is the founder of Emotionally Focused Couples and Family Therapy, which is backed by over 30 years of peer-reviewed clinical research. Dr. Johnson is founding Director of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) and Distinguished Research Professor at Alliant University in San Diego, California, as well as Professor Emeritus, Clinical Psychology, at the University of Ottawa, Canada. Dr. Johnson is the author of many books, including Hold Me Tight, Love Sense, and Created for Connection.

Emotionally Focused Therapy builds on the idea that adult relationships are complex, and it gives therapists a guide to help their clients in couples therapy. EFT seeks to help the couple bond and become a secure base for each other. EFT is a short-term and structured therapeutic approach, which teaches couples how to change negative communication patterns so they can feel closer and more connected to each other. The emerging research on neuroscience validates the importance of healthy attachments. When there is a breakdown in our relationships, our brains interpret this as danger, which leads to a fight-or-flight response. EFT seeks to help a couple bond and become a secure base for each other.

Dr. Sue Johnson on Twitter: @Dr_SueJohnson

Next Episode

undefined - #10 Dr. Molyn Leszcz Explains Why Group Therapy is One of the Most Effective Mental Health Treatments - If Performed Skillfully and Competently

#10 Dr. Molyn Leszcz Explains Why Group Therapy is One of the Most Effective Mental Health Treatments - If Performed Skillfully and Competently

Dr. Molyn Leszcz is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and his academic and clinical work has focused on improving integration in psychiatric care and broadening the application of psychotherapy within psychiatry. Dr. Leszcz co-authored with Irvin Yalom, the 5th edition of the Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy (6th edition to be released in 2020), and also co-authored the book in the Psychotherapy Essentials to Go series, Achieving Psychotherapy Effectiveness. Dr. Leszcz is President-Elect of the American Group Psychotherapy Association and is a member of the International Board for Certification of Group Psychotherapists as well as the Editorial Committee of the International Journal of Group Psychotherapy.

Group Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves one or more therapists working with several clients at the same time When facilitated with evidenced-based theory, Group Therapy can help individuals make profound and lasting changes in their lives. Group Therapy is often the main type of modality used in intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, inpatient psychiatric units and residential treatment centers, and is commonly integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes individual therapy and medication. Groups can be as small as three or four people; however, group therapy sessions typically involve around seven to twelve individuals. The precise manner in which the session is conducted depends largely on the goals of the group and the style of the therapist. Some therapists might encourage a more free-form style of dialogue, where each member participates as he or she sees fit. Other therapists instead have a specific plan for each session that might include having clients practice new skills with other members of the group.

AGPA on Twitter: @agpa01