What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a type of psychotherapy that is included in the so-called third generation therapies, a type of therapy that was developed in the United States during the 80’s and 90’s, and that present differences with respect to the first and second generation therapies.
First and second generation therapies focus on the cause of the distress, so their goal is to eliminate the psychological symptoms that generate this distress. Then, in order to weaken the disorder, these types of therapies propose that the person adopts other ways of thinking, as well as new habits.
On the other hand, third generation therapies do not focus their objective on making the symptoms of distress disappear, but try to limit the negative influence that the disorder has on the person, so that he/she learns to live with the distress. In this sense, these therapies seek acceptance with the aim of reorienting the patient’s life to find well-being. In any case, the aim is not to avoid what causes suffering, but to accept the mental and psychological experience in order to reduce the intensity of the symptoms.
In this sense, acceptance and commitment therapy is one of the best known third-generation therapies and aims to enable the patient to have a richer life, accepting the pain. It is an alternative therapy to traditional psychology, which is scientifically supported, and works with different methods such as experimental exercises, mindfulness techniques and work with personal values, among others.
According to this therapy, the main problem is that the patient confuses the solution with the problem and flees from those thoughts and sensations that cause suffering, discomfort, anxiety and depression, so that only manages to increase the symptoms.
For this reason, during the sessions, situations are created to train the patient and get him/her used to get rid of the psychological rigidity, as well as the phenomenon called experiential avoidance.
Why is it done?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a type of psychotherapy that has demonstrated its effectiveness in different groups of disorders, such as the following:
- Anxiety disorders
- Mood disorders
- Addictions
- Psychotic disorders
- Bereavement
- Post-traumatic disorder
So, this therapy is used to achieve acceptance in the face of experiences such as anxiety, depression, grief, mood disorders, among others. But also to enhance commitment in dealing with situations such as addictions, which endanger the patient’s health. In this way, it is possible to get the patient to distance himself from these addictions.
What does it consist of?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is based on a series of principles. Each of these principles has a specific methodology, so the exercises used in each one are different.
- Cognitive defusion: consists of observing thoughts as they are, in order to adopt a more distanced and rational view of things.
- Acceptance: this principle consists of recognizing and accepting the emotional experience, i.e. thoughts and feelings. In this sense, the patient should not run away from the sensations that cause suffering, but rather reduce the symptoms of this suffering.
- Experience with the present: the patient should focus on the present, since it is the only moment he/she can live, actively participating in what is happening around him/her, because it is key to his/her well-being.
- The “I-observer”: this consists of observing one’s own internal events.
- Clarity of values: this type of therapy requires self-knowledge work to clarify the patient’s values.
- Committed action: consists of setting value-driven goals and achieving them through meaningful actions.
Preparation for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy requires a previous preparation by the patient, which consists of being aware that he/she suffers from a problem that progressively increases the symptoms of his/her discomfort.
Care after the intervention
After the sessions of this type of therapy, the patient should continue with the practice of the experimental exercises carried out during the therapy sessions. In this sense, he/she should continue to do mindfulness exercises and work with personal values, among other techniques that characterize the sessions of acceptance and commitment therapy.
Alternatives to this treatment
Acceptance and commitment therapy is an alternative therapy method in relation to the first and second generation therapies.