Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Empowering Individuals Through Mindfulness and Acceptance
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes mindfulness, acceptance, and personal values to help individuals navigate life’s challenges. Unlike traditional therapies that focus on eliminating negative thoughts and feelings, ACT encourages embracing them as a natural part of the human experience. By fostering psychological flexibility, ACT helps individuals lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Core Principles of ACT
- Acceptance: Learning to accept thoughts and feelings without judgment.
- Cognitive Defusion: Reducing the impact of negative thoughts by changing how one relates to them.
- Being Present: Cultivating mindfulness to stay engaged in the current moment.
- Self-as-Context: Developing a sense of self that is separate from thoughts and feelings.
- Values Clarification: Identifying what truly matters to the individual.
- Committed Action: Taking steps aligned with personal values.
ACT for Individuals with a Dual Diagnosis
Understanding Dual Diagnosis
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) may experience challenges in cognitive functioning and adaptive behaviors. A dual diagnosis occurs when someone with IDD also has a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression. Addressing both the IDD and the mental health condition is crucial for overall well-being.
How ACT Benefits Individuals with Dual Diagnosis
- Adaptable Techniques: ACT’s flexible approach can be tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals with IDD.
- Enhancing Communication: Encourages expression of thoughts and feelings in a supportive environment.
- Building Life Skills: Focuses on developing coping strategies that improve daily functioning.
- Promoting Independence: Empowers individuals to make choices aligned with their values.
Tailored Interventions
Professionals trained in ACT can modify therapeutic techniques to accommodate varying levels of cognitive and communicative abilities. Visual aids, simplified language, and interactive activities are often employed to enhance understanding and engagement.
Resources and Support
Finding a Qualified Therapist
When seeking ACT for someone with IDD or a dual diagnosis, it’s important to find a therapist experienced in both ACT and working with individuals with these conditions. Consider the following steps:
- Consult Healthcare Providers: Ask doctors or specialists for referrals to qualified therapists.
- Professional Organizations: Visit websites like the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science to find ACT practitioners.
- Local Support Groups: Connect with community organizations that support individuals with IDD for recommendations.
Educational Materials
Books and Workbooks
Accessible literature designed for diverse reading levels can reinforce therapy sessions, such as the following:
Self-Help PLUS (SH+): A Group-Based Stress Management Course for Adults
The Self-help Plus tool developed by the World Health Organization that incorporated ACT for stress management
ACT Made Simple: An Easy-To-Read Primer on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
ACT Made Simple offers clear explanations of the six ACT processes and a set of real-world tips and solutions for rapidly and effectively implementing them in your practice. This book gives you everything you need to start using ACT with your clients for impressive results.
Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
This easy-read self-help workbook offers step-by-step exercises that are straightforward and can be adapted to different cognitive levels.
Metaphors and exercises play an incredibly important part in the successful delivery of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). These powerful tools go far in helping clients connect with their values and give them the motivation needed to make a real, conscious commitment to change. However, no one resource exists where you can find an exhaustive list of metaphors and experiential exercises geared toward the six core elements of ACT.
Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life for Teens: A Guide for Living an Extraordinary Life
This workbook that provides teens with essential skills for coping with the difficult and sometimes overwhelming emotions.
The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living
This book provides a means to escape the epidemic of stress, anxiety, and depression, unlocking the secrets to a truly fulfilling life.
The Reality Slap: Finding Peace and Fulfillment When Life Hurts
The Reality Slap offers a four-part path for healing from crises based on acceptance and commitment therapy.
AIM: A Behavior Analytic Curriculum for Social-Emotional Development in Children
This text introduces and blends together the concepts of Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Applied Behavior Analysis. Together the approach seeks to improve the lives of children with or without disabilities who struggle with social and emotional challenges.
Online Resources
Websites and apps offering mindfulness exercises tailored for all abilities, such as the Self-help Plus tool developed by the World Health Organization that incorporated ACT for stress management (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240035119).
Podcasts
This podcast episode discusses Mark Dixon’s book, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Children with Autism and Emotional Challenges.
The Behavioral Observations Podcast: The AIM Curriculum with Mark Dixon and Dana Paliliunas
This podcast discusses the Accept, Identify, and Move (AIM) curriculum.
The Behavioral Observations Podcast: Get Your ACT Together with Jonathan Tarbox
Dr. Jonathan Tarbox goes through all the ACT processes, and provides everyday examples of how they are consistent with science. Specifically, he breaks down each ACT process into a simple to understand Problem Behavior/Replacement Behavior paradigm.
Autism Knows No Borders Podcast: Neurodiversity & Acceptance Commitment Therapy, w/Brian Middleton
Brian Middleton, an autism self-advocate, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and the host of the Oh Behave! podcast, shares what it was like for him to be bullied in school and how he learned about his autism as an adult. The podcast also discusses his theory around why autism can be seen as both a disorder and a neurotype, the disagreement between the neurodiversity movement and the field of ABA, and the basic components of ACT.
Turn Autism Around Podcast: What is ACT Therapy? Acceptance and Commitment with Dr. Jonathan Tarbox
Dr. Mary Barbera and Dr. Jonathan Tarbox discuss ACT therapy and how it can help children with autism, and parents and professionals working with kids with autism.
BETA Illinois Dual Diagnosis Training Initiative 