Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Abstract

Clinical social work is a derivative profession, drawing its knowledge and practice base from several theoretical schools. The four primary theoretical schools contributing to social-work philosophy are psychodynamic, humanist, cognitive–behavioral, and postmodern. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), although considered one of the third-wave behavioral approaches, draws from all four theoretical schools of clinical intervention. This entry gives an overview of ACT development, its essential features, empirical base, tenets and techniques, and relevance to the social-work profession.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) an Important Evidenced Based Practice for Social Work Practice

“…to Dewane (2008), "For social workers dealing with the broad range of behavioral problems that demand short and empirically-based intervention, ACT has a place" (para. 30).…”

“…ACT is an effective transdiagnostic evidenced-based practice that can treat clients with various mental health and substance use symptoms. Dewane (2008), found that ACT would be appropriate for clients with symptoms of substance use, mood, trauma, phobia, obsessive-compulsive, post-traumatic stress, psychotic, and various other disorders. In addition, ACT has also been found to be effective in working with adolescents, young adults, adults, college students, families, and couples (Dewane, 2008).…”

“…Dewane (2008), found that ACT would be appropriate for clients with symptoms of substance use, mood, trauma, phobia, obsessive-compulsive, post-traumatic stress, psychotic, and various other disorders. In addition, ACT has also been found to be effective in working with adolescents, young adults, adults, college students, families, and couples (Dewane, 2008). ACT meets the Social Work Policy (2010), Institute criterion to be "widely disseminated and benefit a great number of people" (para.…”

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy: An Overview of Techniques and Applications

“…According to RFT maladaptive processes occur as a result of the individual avoiding "private events" (cognitive processes and affective responses) based on their negative appraisal of these events. As the individual engages in ACT they learn to integrate these private events, consolidate personal values and adopt new ways of behaving [19].…”

“…These include: 1) Confronting the system-the therapist assists the individual to examine strategies the individual has adopted in an attempt to overcome the presenting problem and to "… challenge the linguistic set that defines both problems and their solutions, because that set is itself viewed to be a problem" [13] 2) Recognising control as the problem-the therapist helps the individual to understand that in terms of private events (thoughts and feelings) control strategies often may exacerbate the very thoughts and feelings the individual is trying to manage. ACT recognizes that systems of problem-solving are based on socially constructed regulations that are linguistically centred [19]. The therapist helps the individual to see that adhering to such rules can create the source of the individual's problem.…”