Compare and contrast Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy
Introduction
The current essay focuses on two different therapeutic techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. The initial component of the essay outlines the therapeutic orientations of both approaches; then, the different approaches are related to a case study of a young lady called Linda who is seeking counseling due to feelings of hopelessness. The essay is then finished with some of the author’s personal opinions on the two therapeutic approaches.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
While Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been in development since the 1980’s, it has only recently risen to prominence and is sometimes described as a ‘new wave’ therapeutic technique. ACT is a modern behaviour therapy that uses acceptance and mindfulness interventions alongside commitment and behaviour change strategies to enhance psychological flexibility (Sonja, 2011). ACT differs from many modern therapies, in particular its approach to dealing with distressing emotions, thoughts and behaviours. Unlike many modern psychotherapies, ACT does not look to reduce the severity or frequency of unwanted thoughts and emotions; however, it instead focuses on helping people to live more rewarding lives even in the presence of undesirable thoughts, emotions and sensations.
ACT is underpinned by a program of research on the nature of human language and cognitions know as Rational Frame Theory (RFT). RFT describes how normal human language processes dramatically change the human experience by resulting in the ability to readily and frequently evaluate virtually all of its experiences negatively (Flaxman and Blackledge, 2010). This verbal capacity allows humans to compare their 'ideal' to their 'flaws'. Any discrepancies can be interpreted as unworthiness, and this can be a cause of psychological distress. RFT has led to the development of an empirically based model of human functioning that comprises six interrelated therapeutic
The current essay focuses on two different therapeutic techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. The initial component of the essay outlines the therapeutic orientations of both approaches; then, the different approaches are related to a case study of a young lady called Linda who is seeking counseling due to feelings of hopelessness. The essay is then finished with some of the author’s personal opinions on the two therapeutic approaches.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
While Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been in development since the 1980’s, it has only recently risen to prominence and is sometimes described as a ‘new wave’ therapeutic technique. ACT is a modern behaviour therapy that uses acceptance and mindfulness interventions alongside commitment and behaviour change strategies to enhance psychological flexibility (Sonja, 2011). ACT differs from many modern therapies, in particular its approach to dealing with distressing emotions, thoughts and behaviours. Unlike many modern psychotherapies, ACT does not look to reduce the severity or frequency of unwanted thoughts and emotions; however, it instead focuses on helping people to live more rewarding lives even in the presence of undesirable thoughts, emotions and sensations.
ACT is underpinned by a program of research on the nature of human language and cognitions know as Rational Frame Theory (RFT). RFT describes how normal human language processes dramatically change the human experience by resulting in the ability to readily and frequently evaluate virtually all of its experiences negatively (Flaxman and Blackledge, 2010). This verbal capacity allows humans to compare their 'ideal' to their 'flaws'. Any discrepancies can be interpreted as unworthiness, and this can be a cause of psychological distress. RFT has led to the development of an empirically based model of human functioning that comprises six interrelated therapeutic
References: Batten, Sonja V. (2011). Essentials of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com Corsini, Raymon., Wedding, Danny. (2014). Current Psychotherapies. United States of America: Brooks/Cole. Flaxman, Paul E.; Blackledge, J.T.; Bond, Frank W. (2010). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy : Distinctive Features. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com Macdonald, Alasdair (2011). Solution-Focused Therapy : Theory, Research & Practice. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com McKay, Matthew; Lev, Avigail; Skeen, Michelle (2012). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Interpersonal Problems : Using Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Schema Awareness to Change Interpersonal Behaviors. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com Nelson-Jones, Richard. (2011). Counselling & Therapy. London: SAGE publications. Ratner, Harvey; George, Evan; Iveson, Chris (2012). Solution Focused Brief Therapy : 100 Key Points and Techniques. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com