The Impact of Acceptance Commitment Therapy - Essay Example

Clinical Psychology Introduction The case of Mary illustrates the impact of Acceptance Commitment Therapy that make patients accept their condition, and articulate on the best options available. Moreover, it was used to help Mary clear the negative instigated behaviours in life. Question One Apparently, it is evident that Mary, 51 years old woman is suffering from acute psychological disorder that pertains to her mind. Basically, her psychological issue revolves around the acceptance and commitment therapy that entails therapy of mind. According to Twoig{2012}, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy {ACT} has continuously been present in clinical psychology although it has not been known by many. As such, the therapy has been evaluated as one that is mostly used to assist individuals to accept some of the difficulties and / or challenges that are associated with life. Additionally, the mind based therapy argues that the greater wellbeing of individuals could be easily achieved through ensuring that they work towards overcoming thoughts and feelings that are negatively instigated {Nevid, 2007}. Psychologists have further argued that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy {ACT} analyses the characters and behaviours that assist in the reduction of coping styles. In the same way, it is through the therapy that individuals are able to address their commitment towards making changes, and some of the issue that should be handled when individuals are not capable of meeting their desired goals {Millon,2002}. In this regard, this approach could be used to give an explanation on the situation of Mary and the issues that have continuously affected her for the better part of her life. To begin with, the approach deals with the acceptance of difficulties and/ or challenges that face individuals in their life. Hence, it is evident that the symptoms of anxiety and depression that Mary is suffering from are clear indications of the drawn out divorce that she ended up initiating after she had experienced many years of miserable relationship with her husband. Moreover, she happens to have two daughters who are in conflicting long term relationships with inclusion of grand children she rarely sees. According to ACT, Mary gives an analysis of her difficult life saying that she has continuously lacked confidence and thought that people are better than her. Buss {2005} articulates that the ACT is in the best position to explain the situation of Mary, the relationship with her husband and her children because she tends to accept most of the situations and challenges in her life as the key roles of the mind therapy. Importantly, as opposed to what the therapy argues on the achievement of greater well being for individuals, Mary has not been able to overcome the thoughts of her difficult life, a situation that has made it clear on the reason why she needs therapy. Furthermore, some of the characters and behaviours that are mentioned in the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy have been best displayed by Mary throughout her life, giving more reasons to why the theory is necessary in this case {Vidmar,2005}. Question Two It is for undoubted reasons that Mary’s situation requires assistance through the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy {ACT}. As such, a therapist is expected to take Mary through a form of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in order to ensure that she accepts the current situation and is further capable of controlling it. Coon et al. {2010} point out that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy {ACT} is based on there main areas which are; acceptance of individuals reactions and the present situation, making a choice on a direction that is of more value to them and finally taking action on the same. Firstly, the therapist should be capable of convincing Mary to accept her current situation. According to {Zettle, ND} the beginning of recovery for mind related psychological disorder revolves around acceptance of the current situation; difficulties and/ or challenges. Basically, the theory of acceptance argues that, it is only through accepting particular life situations that individuals are able to move forward. In contrast, the issue of being worried or even being obsessed by situations like in the case of Mary only generates more complication especially emotionally. Consequently, the therapist is bound to utilise a number of acceptance strategies in a bid to ensure that Mary accepts her situation. One, Mary should be advised on the importance of allowing thoughts and / or feelings to take place without having the haste to respond on them. Two, the therapist should encourage Mary to give herself allowance for not being exceptionally perfect on most of the things. Three, the therapist should encourage Mary to observe her weaknesses, but take more interest on her perceived strengths. Four, there should be acceptance of the difficult situations in life without necessarily having to avoid or escape from them. Finally, it is imperative for Mary to understand that she has control over her reactions, thoughts and feelings {Simon & Shuman, 2002}. Conversely, the therapist should ascertain that once Mary has completely accepted her situation, she should further be in a position to experience cognitive diffusion where there are various ways in which individuals comprehend methods of reducing tendency in having repeated thoughts, images, emotions and memories pertaining to their difficult situation {Steadman et al. 1983}. It is worth noting that Mary must be encouraged to observe herself by having a continuous unchanging consciousness. This principle should closely work with individuals becoming committed to the goals that they have set and executing them with outmost responsibility. Berry {2000} articulates that ACT is mostly concerned with therapist being able to compel patients of such disorders to take more caution on their verbal connections on their thoughts and feeling in order to recover from the disorder. It is apparent that therapist faced with treating disorders such as that of Mary have a hug task of ensuring that the patient receives assistance that is crucial in curbing anxiety and depression among other notable challenges. As a result, Mary will be able to handle the current situation, take control and live a normal life. References: Berry, J. (2000). Cross-Cultural Psychology. New York: Sage. Buss, D.{2005}. The handbook of evolutionary psychology. Hoboken, N.J.: J. Wiley. Coon, D. et al., (2010). Introduction to psychology: gateways to mind and behavior. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Millon, T. (2002). Handbook of Psychology, Volume 5, Personality and Social Psychology: Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Nevid, J.{2007}. Psychology: Concepts and Applications. Thousand Oaks, California: Cengage Learning. Simon, R., & Shuman, D. (2002). Retrospective assessment of mental states in litigation: predicting the past. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publication. 1-26, 76-155, 307-335. Steadman, H., et al. (1983). Factors associated with a triumphant insanity plea. American Journal of Psychiatry, 140, 401–405. Twoig, M. {2012}. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive and Behavioural Practice, 1-9. Vidmar, N. (2005). Expert evidence, the adversary system, and the jury. American Journal of Public Health, 95 (1), 137-142. Zettle, R. Complete ACT Manual. Unpublished. Read More