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| Int'l Symposium - Strategies for Staying Present: A Rationale for an Experimental Analysis of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
| Tuesday, June 1, 2004 |
| 9:00 AM–10:20 AM |
| Conference Room 2 |
| Area: CBM/VBC; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Jonathan Weinstein (University of Mississippi) |
| Abstract: . |
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| Strategies for Staying Present: A Rationale for an Experimental Analysis of Several Techniques Employed in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
| JONATHAN WEINSTEIN (University of Mississippi), Kelly G. Wilson (University of Mississippi) |
| Abstract: Many of the new behavior therapies are employing a number of techniques which result in enabling the client to remain in contact with emotionally difficult thoughts, feelings, and memories. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in particular employs a variety of strategies that train "here and now" repertoires of behaving. It is believed that this training acts to reduce the dominance of verbal relations connected to a client's psychological past or future, and, as a result acts as a generalized operant by improving the client's sensitivity to all the contingencies present in her or his environment. It is believed that this approach improves the workability and flexibility of the client's change agenda. Components to be discussed may include the identification and clarification of client’s values, acceptance, cognitive defusion, mindfulness as well as others. A rationale for an experimental analysis of several of these techniques will be presented and discussed. |
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| Going Beyond Exposure: The Unique Contribution of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders |
| MARIA KAREKLA (University at Albany, SUNY), Jeffrey D. White (University of Mississippi Medical Center), Tiffany K. Fuse (University at Albany, SUNY) |
| Abstract: Exposure techniques have long been used to treat various psychopathologic conditions, especially disorders of avoidance (e.g. anxiety disorders). By their very nature, anxiety disorders are characterized by significant conditioned avoidance to internal and external stimuli and are treated most commonly via cognitive-behavioral treatments (CBT) using interoceptive and exteroceptive exposure components. Although such interventions result in satisfactory outcomes, these approaches frequently suffer from high attrition and relapse rates. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a relatively novel treatment for disorders of avoidance that utilizes exposure techniques to improve valued areas in patients’ lives rather than simply decreasing the aversiveness of conditioned stimuli. In this way, it is hypothesized that ACT will result in lower attrition and relapse rates, higher patient satisfaction, and similar effectiveness compared with other CBT-based interventions. This paper will discuss the clinical implications of using ACT to treat anxiety, propose a rationale for exposure, and present results from a modest clinical trial (N = 22; 17 female; ages 18-65) with individuals suffering from panic disorder. Further, this paper will focus on the hypothesized mechanisms of action within ACT and the implications for providers using this treatment for anxiety disorders. |
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| Self-as-Context in Behavioral Change |
| KARA BUNTING (University of Nevada, Reno), Steven C. Hayes (University of Nevada, Reno) |
| Abstract: The derived stimulus relation and transformation of stimulus function properties of language can lead to human beings experiencing language about their experience as their experience. Practices which enable discrimination of self-as-context as opposed to self-as-content being used by new wave behavior therapies, including defusion and mindfulness exercises, target this property of language, aiming to change the context of the stimulus functions that occur through relational learning. This session will present an analysis of these practices in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and a rationale for the importance of self-as-context in behavioral change. |
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| Implementing Metaphor in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
| CHAD E. DRAKE (University of Mississippi), Laura Ely (University of Mississippi), Kelly G. Wilson (University of Mississippi) |
| Abstract: Presenters will discuss a theoretical and philosophical rationale for the use of metaphor in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Examples will be offered as to how to apply the use of different metaphors in a way that is both consistent with ACT and appropriate to the client's unique experience. |
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