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![Shortcut Question
Are my current thoughts, feelings and actions
moving me closer to, or further away from my
goals and values.
Is [this] worth my energy?
AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 34](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/actppt7-06-170706140245/75/ACT-What-Every-Counselor-Should-Know-34-2048.jpg)
ACT, What Every Counselor Should Know
The act matrix presentation explores Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), emphasizing the importance of creating a meaningful life while accepting inevitable pain. Key principles include managing discomfort, valuing mindfulness, and committing to actions aligned with personal values. The overarching goal is to develop acceptance of difficult emotions and commit to living authentically, fostering a healthy relationship with thoughts and feelings.
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ACT, What Every Counselor Should Know
- 1. The ACT Matrix WhatEvery Counselor Should Know with Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes Executive Director, AllCEUs Host: Counselor Toolbox & Happiness Isn’t Brain Surgery AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 1
- 2. Objectives Review themain points of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Review how to apply the matrix Identify the shortcut question AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 2
- 3. The Main Principlesof ACT The goals are to: Create a rich and meaningful life, while accepting the pain that inevitably goes with it. Learn to perceive difficult thoughts and feelings as harmless, even if uncomfortable, transient psychological events. Take effective action guided by your deepest values and in which you are fully present and engaged. (No autopilot) AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 3
- 4. Control is theProblem, Not the Solution Clean Discomfort: When emotions and reactions are accepted, it leads to a natural level of physical and emotional discomfort Dirty Discomfort: Once you start struggling with it, your “struggle switch is turned on” and discomfort increases rapidly. Struggle switch is like an emotional amplifier—switch it on, and you can have anger about your anxiety, anxiety about your anger, depression about your depression, or guilt about our guilt. AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 4
- 5. Experiential Avoidance Themore time and energy spent trying to avoid or get rid of unwanted feelings in general, the more we are likely to suffer “Quicksand” Anxiety (Fear things won’t get better) Anger (Frustration things aren’t getting better) Depression (Hopelessness and helplessness---resignation that things can’t get better) AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 5
- 6. Changeable Variables inContext Emotions are a natural way your body prompts you to act. Focus on changeable variables in the context in which the issue occurs Physical vulnerabilities (sleep, nutrition, pain) Relationships (boundaries and communication) Thoughts (Distress Tolerant) Behaviors (DBT/CBT) AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 6
- 7. Six Core Principlesof ACT Values Awareness Contact with the Present Moment The Observing Self Acceptance Diffusion Committed Action AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 7
- 8. A lackof clarity about values can underlie much of people’s distress or keep them “stuck.” Like going on a road trip without a destination They can get caught up spinning their wheels trying to fight against something or use that same energy to work toward something. “What is the most effective use of your limited energy and time to help you achieve your goals?” AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 Clarifying the Destination Values & Goals Awareness • Values Awareness • Contact with the Present Moment • The Observing Self • Acceptance • Diffusion • Committed Action 8
- 9. Clarifying the Destination Values& Goals Clarifying Relationships: Who is most important to you? Which people? What do you want those relationships to be like? What events, things, experiences are meaningful to you? Work Health Personal Growth AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 9
- 10. Clarifying cont… Values What values do you want to embody (Choose 5)? AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 Achievement Adventurousness Altruism Ambition Assertiveness Being the best Calmness Commitment Compassion Competitive Consistency Courtesy Creativity Decisiveness Dependability Determination Discipline Effectiveness Efficiency Faithfulness Family- orientedness Fidelity Generosity Gratitude Intelligence Openness Reliability Resourcefulness Restraint Selflessness Self-reliance Strength Tolerance 10
- 11. ACT Matrix: DestinationIdentification AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 GOALS & VALUES DISTRESS & DIVERSION From Goals and Values Noticing and Choosing • Work • Recreation/Personal Growth • Health • Relationships Details in a Notebook • Values Awareness • Contact with the Present Moment • The Observing Self • Acceptance • Diffusion • Committed Action 11
- 12. The Observing Self TheAudience Fly on the Wall /Scientist/Nurse doing bed check Curious Objective Nonjudgmental AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 • Values Awareness • Contact with the Present Moment • The Observing Self • Acceptance • Diffusion • Committed Action 12
- 13. Mindfulness in thePresent Moment Awareness of What Is Contact with the Present Moment/Bringing full awareness to your here-and-now experience How do I feel? What are my thoughts, wants and urges? What physical sensations am I experiencing? Describe the environment—smell, temperature, colors, objects, people, sounds, etc… I (see, hear, smell) ______ It reminds me of _____ AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 • Values Awareness • Contact with the Present Moment • The Observing Self • Acceptance • Diffusion • Committed Action 13
- 14. Acceptance (Radical) Makingroom for unpleasant feelings, sensations, urges Allowing them to come and go without running from them or giving them undue attention. AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 • Values Awareness • Contact with the Present Moment • The Observing Self • Acceptance • Diffusion • Committed Action 14
- 15. Cognitive Diffusion Unhooking Thoughtsand Behaviors Cognitive diffusion means: “Stepping back” and recognizing that thoughts are just temporary, automatic events Unhooking: Thoughts/feelings don’t always have to lead to action AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 15
- 16. Cognitive Diffusion Unhooking Thoughtsand Behaviors Here’s a simple exercise in cognitive diffusion: Think of a negative behavior. “I need to X” “I need to have a drink.” Think about it. Believe it as much as you can. Notice how it affects you. Now insert the phrase “I’m having the thought that….” in front of “I need to X.” Think about it. Notice what happens. AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 16
- 17. Cognitive Diffusion Unhooking Thoughtsand Behaviors Here’s another exercise in cognitive diffusion: Think of a negative self-judgment that takes the form “I am X” such as “I’m stupid.” Think about it. Believe it as much as you can. Notice how it affects you. Now insert the phrase “I’m having the thought that….” in front of “I am X.” Think about it. Notice what happens. AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 17
- 18. Other Unhooking Techniques Thoughts are not causes. “Is it possible to think that thought, as a thought, AND do x?” Who is in charge here? Treat thoughts as bullies OK, you are right. Now what? AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 18
- 19. Committed Action Committo: Mindfulness to identify diversions Being willing to accept what is (Distress Tolerance) Actively unhooking to examine the situation objectively so you can: Choose/commit to behaviors that will move you toward your goals and values Choose to let go of thoughts, feelings and behaviors that divert you from your goals. AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 19
- 20. Matrix: General AllCEUs CounselorEducation Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 DISTRESS & DIVERSION Internal Events (Thoughts & Feelings) Autopilot Noticing and Choosing Behaviors that move you TOWARD your Goals & Values Vulnerability prevention, IMPROVE, ACCEPTS, CBT, Challenging ?s, goals Mindfulness (Here and Now Sensations) GOALS & VALUES Good Mother Dependable Loyal Compassionate Successful 20
- 21. Toward Behaviors CheatSheet IMPROVE Imagery Meaning Prayer Relax One thing at a time Vacation Encouragement ACCEPTS Activities Contributing Comparisons Opposite Emotion Pushing Away Thoughts Sensations AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 Vulnerability Prevention Sleep Nutrition Recreation Physical Health Interpersonal Effectiveness Time Management Have clients complete an “I can do this by…” worksheet for each of the above 21
- 22. ACT Matrix AllCEUs CounselorEducation Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 DISTRESS & DIVERSION Internal Events (Thoughts & Feelings) Autopilot Noticing and Choosing • Getting my work done • Spending time with my family • Vulnerability Prevention • Mindfulness • IMPROVE /ACCEPT Mindfulness (Here and Now Sensations) GOALS & VALUES Good Mother Dependable Loyal Compassionate Successful 22
- 23. ACT Matrix AllCEUs CounselorEducation Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 DISTRESS & DIVERSION Internal Events (Thoughts & Feelings) Autopilot Noticing and Choosing Thoughts & Feelings that move you TOWARD your Goals & Values Distress Tolerant Thoughts Positive feelings Mindfulness (Here and Now Sensations) • Getting my work done • Spending time with my family • Healthy living /Vul. Prev. • Mindfulness • IMPROVE /ACCEPT GOALS & VALUES Good Mother Dependable Loyal Compassionate Successful 23
- 24. ACT Matrix AllCEUs CounselorEducation Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 DISTRESS & DIVERSION Internal Events (Thoughts & Feelings) Autopilot Noticing and Choosing • Courage • Hope/Optimism/Enthusiasm • Patience • Compassion with self and others • Willingness to let stuff go • Self-Esteem Mindfulness (Here and Now Sensations) • Getting my work done • Spending time with my family • Healthy living /Vul. Prev. • Mindfulness • IMPROVE /ACCEPT GOALS & VALUES Good Mother Dependable Loyal Compassionate Successful 24
- 25. ACT Matrix AllCEUs CounselorEducation Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 GOALS & VALUES DISTRESS & DIVERSION Noticing and Choosing Behaviors that move you AWAY FROM your Goals & Values (Escape/Quick Fix) Mindfulness (Here and Now Sensations) Internal Events (Thoughts & Feelings) Autopilot 25
- 26. ACT Matrix AllCEUs CounselorEducation Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 DISTRESS & DIVERSION Noticing and Choosing • Sleeping too much • Avoiding life by being a couch potato • Self-soothing with food • Drinking • Lashing out/being irritable, impatient • Self-handicapping Mindfulness (Here and Now Sensations) Internal Events (Thoughts & Feelings) Autopilot GOALS & VALUES Good Mother Dependable Loyal Compassionate Successful 26
- 27. ACT Matrix AllCEUs CounselorEducation Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 DISTRESS & DIVERSION Noticing and Choosing Thoughts & Feelings that move you AWAY FROM your Goals & Values Distress Intolerant Thoughts Unpleasant feelings Mindfulness (Here and Now Sensations) Internal Events (Thoughts & Feelings) Autopilot GOALS & VALUES Good Mother Dependable Loyal Compassionate Successful 27
- 28. ACT Matrix AllCEUs CounselorEducation Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 DISTRESS & DIVERSION Noticing and Choosing• I can’t do this • People suck • I am helpless to change anything/What’s the point • Bad guys/rule breakers always win • No good deed goes unpunished Mindfulness (Here and Now Sensations) Internal Events (Thoughts & Feelings) Autopilot GOALS & VALUES Good Mother Dependable Loyal Compassionate Successful 28
- 29. ACT Matrix AllCEUs CounselorEducation Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 DISTRESS & DIVERSION Noticing and Choosing• I can’t do this • People suck • I am helpless to change anything/What’s the point • Bad guys/rule breakers always win • No good deed goes unpunished Mindfulness (Here and Now Sensations) Internal Events (Thoughts & Feelings) Autopilot GOALS & VALUES Good Mother Dependable Loyal Compassionate Successful • Sleeping too much • Avoiding life by being a couch potato • Self-soothing with food • Drinking • Lashing out/being irritable, impatient • Self-handicapping 29
- 30. ACT Matrix AllCEUs CounselorEducation Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 GOALS & VALUES DISTRESS & DIVERSION Internal Events (Thoughts & Feelings) Autopilot Noticing and Choosing Behaviors that move you TOWARD your Goals & Values IMPROVE, ACCEPT, ABCs, Challenging Thoughts Activity Thoughts & Feelings that move you TOWARD your Goals & Values Courage, Hope, Compassion etc. Thoughts & Feelings that move you AWAY FROM your Goals & Values Distress & Distress Intolerant Thoughts Behaviors that move you AWAY FROM your Goals & Values Escape/Quick Fix Mindfulness (Here and Now Sensations) 30
- 31. Put It Together AllCEUsCounselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 DISTRESS & DIVERSION Noticing and Choosing• I can’t do this • People suck • I am helpless to change anything • Bad guys/rule breakers always win • No good deed goes unpunished Mindfulness (Here and Now Sensations) Internal Events (Thoughts & Feelings) Autopilot How can you think about things in a way that increases… • Courage • Optimism/Enthusiasm • Patience • Compassion with self and others • Willingness to let stuff go GOALS & VALUES Good Mother Dependable Loyal Compassionate Successful • Sleeping too much • Avoiding life by being a couch potato • Self-soothing with food • Drinking • Lashing out/being irritable, impatient • Self-handicapping • Getting my work done • Spending time with my family • Healthy living /Vul. Prev. • Mindfulness • IMPROVE /ACCEPT UNHOOKING is the key 31
- 32. Example: Do SomethingEmbarrassing AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 • Continue with my day and serving my clients (One thing at a time— IMPROVE) • Laugh about it if it comes up (I.E.) • Push it away (IMPROVE) • Other people do embarrassing things (Compassion) • It could have been worse (Optimism) • Humbler/Compassion Grower (Willingness) • Leaving work • Hiding in my office • Self-Soothing with food • Get defensive if it comes up • Embarrassment • Feeling stupid • Wanting to hide out • “Everyone is laughing at me” Noticing and Choosing DISTRESS & DIVERSION Mindfulness (Here and Now Sensations) Internal Events (Thoughts & Feelings) Autopilot GOALS & VALUES Good Mother Dependable Loyal Compassionate Successful 32
- 33. Example: Chronic Illness AllCEUsCounselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 • Have good sleep habits • Eat healthfully • Do my therapy exercises (Activities) • Focus my attention on things I can control (Encouragement) • Get support from friends (Encourage) • Set small achievable goals (One thing) What thoughts will increase… • Happiness • Hope • Gratitude • Determination • Empowerment • Compassion • Stay in bed • Drink • Use pain pills excessively • Lash out at others for not understanding • Helplessness • Hopelessness/Depression • Resentment at people who are healthy • Anger at myself for being weak/lazy • Anxiety that I will lose people and things important to me • Guilt Noticing and Choosing DISTRESS & DIVERSION Mindfulness (Here and Now Sensations) Internal Events (Thoughts & Feelings) Autopilot GOALS & VALUES 33
- 34. Shortcut Question Aremy current thoughts, feelings and actions moving me closer to, or further away from my goals and values. Is [this] worth my energy? AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 34
- 35. Summary The goalof ACT is to create a rich and meaningful life, while accepting the pain that inevitably goes with it Therapeutic Interventions focus around two main processes: Developing acceptance of unwanted private experiences which are out of personal control. Commitment and action toward living a valued life. AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 35
- 36. Summary Every eventis an opportunity to choose thoughts and behaviors that will help you use your energy to move toward your goals and values Acceptance means accepting, without judgement, how you feel and the situation as it is instead of fighting against it. Commitment and purposeful action mean that you choose to use your energy on thoughts and behaviors that move you closer to your goals AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 36
- 37. Subscribe Counselor Toolbox Podcast Youtube.com/AllCEUsEducation Facebook:Facebook.com/AllCEUs AllCEUs Counselor Education Unlimited CEUs $59 | Specialty Certificates $89 37