Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - Essay Example

Name: University: Course: Tutor: Date: Evaluate the role of mindfulness-based approaches in Counselling and Psychotherapy Introduction This essay will focus on the Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy which is a mediation based psychotherapeutic intervention that aims to minimize relapse of recurrent depression. MBCT is essential for those people who at one time have suffered from depression. According to Kabat-Zinn 2003, p. 145), mindfulness is the understanding created after an individual pays attention to purpose of the then moment or a moment that has since passed. Bishop et al. (2004, p. 230) gave a definition of mindfulness as a way of making an individual become more aware of the emotional distress hence being able to counter them skilfully. ACT will also be dealt with though at a smaller context than the MBCT. ACT will be delved into as a way of psychological interventions that are necessary for transforming the well, being of an individual. Acceptance and commitment therapy It is worth noting that ACT is model of psychotherapy which is based on cognitive and behaviour. The strategies used are acceptance and mindfulness blended with commitment as well as strategies aimed at changing human behaviour to enhance human psychological flexibility (Serani, 2009). The powerful minds behind this theory are Hayes, Steven, Wilson, Kelly as well as Strosahl Kirk. It is important to mention that ACT is aimed at helping patients accept all the challenges of live they are faced with and increasing psychological flexibility. The later entails the following important attributes being mentally present which include awareness, attentiveness, openness, as well as engagement in once experiences. Another attribute includes the potential of managing one’s behaviours in order to meet the desired and predetermined goals. This kind of approach to therapy has been termed an active one since it does not only address the problem but patients are taught to develop better skills and knowledge on how best they can have positive thoughts as well as emotions to curb their impacts towards recovery. Additionally in this approach matters are clearly brought forth and set (Serani, 2009). That is those goals that are of significance to a patient are brought forth, on the same line of thinking, the patient is asked about his strengths and weaknesses and a plan is developed to come up with better strategies or qualities that can be adopted in order to overcome the weaknesses. The principles ACT has 6 core principles which when adopted successfully helps clients to recover fully since they enhance psychological flexibility. The core principles include cognitive defusion, acceptance, and contact with the present, observing the self, values and committed action (Serani, 2009). With the concept f cognitive defusion, one is taken through a process which will ultimately help him or her to curb the propensity to reify belief, imagery, emotions as well as reminiscences. Acceptance makes one to be able to allow emotions, feelings, memories to come and go with no or very little struggle with the feelings, memories, emotions among others. On the same line of thinking contact with the present time makes the patients to be aware of their current situation, a concept termed as ‘here and now’ this is usually characterized with one being open, shows interest as well as receptiveness. Self observation entails access to transcendent of personal sense. This entails a continuum of self consciousness which does not change over time. This is followed by values or goals which are the most important aspects to an individual’s personal self. Lastly committed action is very important and it encompasses efforts of coming up with goals based on the values which need to be exercised responsibly and diligently. Contemporary role of MBAs as a psychotherapeutic intervention Mindfulness-based approaches in psychotherapeutic intervention entail many skills. Awareness entails the focus abilities and attentiveness of an individual. One idea that is exclusively explicit in the different definitions of the mindfulness is the concept of awareness on the present events. Essentially, according to Williams & Barnhofern, 2007, one should be less distracted by “thoughts of the past or the future”. Therefore, the interest is on the experience that one goes through rather than evaluations. This approach has been used to minimize the effect of depression and anxiety in both parents and children. The parents and the children have been coping up with their symptoms through this approach. A study to determine what benefits the parents and children experiencing depression showed that both these groups were receptive to the therapy. The study was conducted by Clinical Psychology at the University of Leuven in Belgium. Yoga movements and mediations is one of the technique used in mindfulness to “heighten a client’s awareness of physical sensations” (Bishop, et al 2004). The psychotherapist takes the patient through series of physical sensations by maintaining attention on movement, breathing and feelings throughout some different exercises. There is also the aspect of walking and sitting. The patient is encouraged to be mindful in daily life. The therapeutic process continues outside the stipulated time of the therapist-patient session. Essentially, this allows the patient to observe and experience mindfulness in another environment outside the counselling session. As a result, there is the feeling of inward development that is formed due to participating in a new environment outside the therapeutic process. Mindfulness-based approaches have helped in averting major psychological issues which include alcohol consumption problems, urge to commit suicide, addiction to gambling, depression among many other issues. (Cindy, 2011, p. 23). Mindfulness can address many issues simultaneously. For this group of people who suffer from many psychological issues, mindfulness assists them in coping with their addiction as well as any new maladaptive development. For instance, those who quit smoking may find themselves suffering from over eating. Interestingly mindfulness will deal with both the two issues simultaneously. Drug abuse in either male or female may lead to other problems which include domestic violence. This may lead to risks such as injuries. Children brought up in such families are more likely to be neglected or abused. Therefore, other treatment will be difficult to be applied to such people due to their aggressive tendencies hence the need for mindfulness approach. In a research carried by Peggilee Wupperman women who were participating in the mindfulness and modification therapy (MMT), reduced their consumption of alcohol. This was after the entire process of application of the therapy. After they minimized alcohol consumption, there was a decrease in the cases of violence caused by the concerned women (Williams G & Barnhofern, 2007). Schizophrenia, a mental disorder that results into diminished responsiveness to emotional feelings, is treated by family psychological interventions. This intervention method is characterized by some components which include, having close participation with the relatives of the schizophrenic patient, minimizing family factors that are predisposing to the disorder, equipping the family members with more skills on handling of problems. The other components are that the family should minimize the feeling of anger and guilt, there should be expectations about the successful recovery of the patient, the relatives should be made aware of the nature of the limits and the relatives should change their ways of behaviour or beliefs that might be contrary to the disorder (Herman & Larsen, 2012). Families that receive these interventions have found that their patients rarely suffer from relapse and hence rare hospitalization. Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy is applied through duration of 8 weeks course and home audio which exposes clients to mindful mediations. Clients are taught how to view themselves as different entities from their moods and thoughts. This allows the patient to be liberated from entangles of thoughts that makes them negative about their situations or life. This insight allows quick healing through positive thinking. The patient will also develop knowledge on handling a replica of the disorder that he/she has healed from. This essentially, reduces the economic cost that come with therapeutic processes. In addition, the patient after recovery, might be of great benefits to other patients who suffer from depression and other disorders. Role of MBAs in Counselling and Psychotherapy Research has shown that when one is depressed, there is a high chance of being depressed again. This is a result of negative thoughts that develop in one's mind based on the experience of being depressed at one time in life. These are the thoughts of being a failure, weakness or unworthiness. The negative moods may also lead to feeling of fatigue and general body tiredness. As a result, one will always be asking himself or herself questions on what is happening with his or her life and when will the problem end. Essentially, negative moods occur due to negative thinking. After recovery, it is evident to know that the mood has come to normalcy but however, negative thinking may not disappear completely (Randye & Lee, 2011). Therefore, when negative moods occur, it triggers all the other symptoms hence negative thinking will start again, leading to depression. As a result of this phenomenon, research was carried out to investigate how to manage such a patient. From research it was evident that these patients should be subjected to an all round therapy that will not only focus on the present condition but also conditions that might develop as a result of therapy (Randye & Lee, 2011). This will minimize the effect of recurrence of the same condition based on the ability of the patient to counteract such an occurrence. Acceptance and commitment therapy has been used in ensuring that there is flexibility in the psychological perception of an individual. It entails creation of awareness and the need of the patient to be actively involved in managing his or her behaviour. This approach was developed by Stephen Hayes and other individuals. Interestingly, ACT has been supported by many writers as an approach that can fruitfully be used in the therapeutic process. ACT focuses not on discussing the problems but on coaching of an individual hence imparting him or her with skills. The patient is made aware of the feelings within and without. This awareness inculcates skills and energy of being able to respond to any challenge that might face the patient. Interestingly, knowledge is power which is useful in preventing many challenges that would have otherwise overwhelmed many individuals. It also improves on participation of the patient in different activities that would foster recovery, self dependence and reliance inn development. As a result, there is an overall development of an individual based on the positive qualities developed, enhanced abilities on responding to various challenges that are in life and other acquired skills. Therefore, the life of the patient is really improved. The subconscious mind is made aware of the feelings towards the surrounding and also towards oneself. There is the self created awareness that propel an individual to begin something execute it till the end with minimal interruptions. Generally CBT includes the following There is an assessment from which that patient fill questionnaires that will be used to assess the progress of the patient in responding to the therapy. Person education is where the patient is provided with written materials from which the patient will learn on the nature of the disorders that he/she is suffering from. Goal setting helps both the patient and the therapist in knowing the ultimate reason for therapy. It motivates both the patient and the therapist to achieve the results. Practise of strategies help in assisting the patient to do away with the negative feelings and emotions that might crop up the mind. Finally, there is homework which the patient is given to do. The homework helps the patient to be busy hence minimizing the negative feelings. It also equips the patient with skills on various activities. When the CBT is incorporated with mindfulness it becomes more essential in using it for therapy. For instance MBCT has been used to treat patients with bipolar disorder. During this treatment, it was found out that there was a significant improvement in the cognitive functioning in the patients. This was after several months of application of MBCT. Evidently, several researches have categorically shown that MBCT has played a great role in increasing attention control within the patient (Herman & Larsen, 2012). MBCT has been used for treating anxiety disorder in children. In a case of fear of a stimuli, the patient is exposed to this stimuli until such a time that he/she will get used to and fear would reduce. This fear may take to time to subside but eventually it might finally be over. MBCT helps the patient to have focus on what is essential in their lives and omit that which might cause mood destruction. Due to exercises involved, it helps in keeping fit as well as maintaining a standard body weight and shape. Positivity is the road towards great achievement hence MBCT results into not only great but also healthy achievers. According to Wupperman & Marlatt, 2012 other problems that can be treated using MBCT are disorders on anxiety such as fear of people, stress disorders that occur after depression, feeling of being unwanted, too much anger, too much alcohol and other drug abuse, addiction to gambling, matrimonial issues or problems related to marriages among many other issues. MBCT is of greater essence if applied in groups. For instance individuals, suffering from the same disorder may be grouped together. This will help them in sharing their experiences and therefore relieving their problems. Some people might think theirs is the worst disorder not until they listen to stories of others. Moreover, the group members may seek advice from one another. The advice may to a larger extent play a great role in ascertaining that there is quick recovery. A therapist can attend to a big number of people simultaneously when the patients are grouped together (Herman & Larsen, 2012). Conclusion The MBAs interventions have been to a greater extent useful in physiotherapy. Mindfulness-based approaches have improved the emotional regulation in people with drinking problems, suicidal urges, addiction to gambling, depression, anxiety and many other forms of emotional disorders. Mindfulness ensures that the patient copes with both the problem at hand as well as the conditions that might develop after the therapy. Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy is applied through duration of 8 weeks course and home audio which exposes clients to mindful mediations. Clients are taught how to view themselves as different entities from their moods and thoughts. This allows the patient to be liberated from entangles of thoughts that makes them negative about their situations or life. This insight allows quick healing through positive thinking. Essentially, MBCT has helped in boosting self esteem within the patients hence being more achievers and thinkers. ACT has also played a great role in transforming lives of many people. It does not only focus on the problem but it also focuses on the development of skills of an individual. These acquired skills might be used to develop oneself economically and socially. The therapeutic process will aid an individual in being able to counteract any recurrence of a disorder that has been suffered from. References Bishop, R., Lau, M., Shapiro, S., Carlson, L., et al. 2004, "Mindfulness: A Proposed Operational Definition", Clin Psychol Sci Prac, 11, pp. 230–241. Herman, C & Larsen, K 2012, ‘How much should I eat? Situational norms affect young women’s food intake during meal time,’ The British journal of nutrition, 107 (4), pp. 588-594. Hofmann, S 2010. ‘The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review’ Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2(1), pp. 46-65 Kabat-Zinn, J, 2003, ‘Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Context: Past, Present, and Future’, Science and Practice, 10(2), pp. 144-156. Kristeller, J 2006, Mindfulness-based approaches to eating disorders. University of Kentucky Press, University of Kentucky. Randye S & Lee, J 2011, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Anxious Children: A Manual for Treating Childhood Anxiety. Harbinger Publications, London. Roth, A & Fonagy, P, 2005, What works for whom? A critical review of psychotherapy research. Guilford Press, New York: Serani, D. (2009). Living with Depression. The Rowman and Littlefield Publishing Group, Chicago. Teasdale, J., Segal, V., Williams, M., Ridgeway, A., Soulsby, M., & Lau, M, 2000, ‘Prevention of relapse or recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy’ Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68(4), pp. 615-23. Teasdale, S 2002, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Guilford Press, New York. Oord, S., Bogels, S & Peijnenburg, D 2012, ‘The effectiveness of mindfulness training for children with ADHD and mindful parenting for their parents’ Journal of Child & Family Studies, 1(2), pp. 175-179 Williams, G & Barnhofern, T. 2007, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in bipolar disorder: Preliminary evaluation of immediate effects on between-episode functioning. Oxford University press, New York. Wupperman, P & Marlatt, A. 2012, ‘Mindfulness and modification therapy for behavioural deregulation: Results from a pilot study targeting alcohol use and aggression in women’ Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2(3), pp. 23-35. Read More