View the video here: https://youtu.be/RtJdZ7xfCHQ Earn counseling CEUs: https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/519/c/ ACT is a useful tool to help people evaluate the thoughts and feelings underlying their reactions, step back and evaluate whether those behaviors, thoughts and feelings are helping them move toward their goals and commit to thoughts and actions that will improve their happiness and help them move closer to those things which are important to them

1. The ACT Matrix
What Every Counselor Should Know
with Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes
Executive Director, AllCEUs
Host: Counselor Toolbox & Happiness Isn’t Brain Surgery
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2. Objectives
 Review the main points of Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy
 Review how to apply the matrix
 Identify the shortcut question
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3. The Main Principles of 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)
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4. Control is the Problem, 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.
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5. Experiential Avoidance
 The more 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)
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6. Changeable Variables in Context
 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)
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7. Six Core Principles of ACT
 Values Awareness
 Contact with the Present Moment
 The Observing Self
 Acceptance
 Diffusion
 Committed Action
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8.  A lack of 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?”
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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
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10. Clarifying cont…
 Values
 What values do you want to embody (Choose 5)?
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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: Destination Identification
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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
The Audience
 Fly on the Wall /Scientist/Nurse doing bed check
 Curious
 Objective
 Nonjudgmental
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• Values Awareness
• Contact with the
Present Moment
• The Observing Self
• Acceptance
• Diffusion
• Committed Action
12

13. Mindfulness in the Present 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 _____
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• Values Awareness
• Contact with the
Present Moment
• The Observing Self
• Acceptance
• Diffusion
• Committed Action
13

14. Acceptance (Radical)
 Making room for unpleasant feelings, sensations,
urges
 Allowing them to come and go without running from
them or giving them undue attention.
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• Values Awareness
• Contact with the
Present Moment
• The Observing Self
• Acceptance
• Diffusion
• Committed Action
14

15. Cognitive Diffusion
Unhooking Thoughts and 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
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16. Cognitive Diffusion
Unhooking Thoughts and 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.
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17. Cognitive Diffusion
Unhooking Thoughts and 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.
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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?
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19. Committed Action
 Commit to:
 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.
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20. Matrix: General
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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 Cheat Sheet
IMPROVE
 Imagery
 Meaning
 Prayer
 Relax
 One thing at a time
 Vacation
 Encouragement
ACCEPTS
 Activities
 Contributing
 Comparisons
 Opposite Emotion
 Pushing Away
 Thoughts
 Sensations
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 Something Embarrassing
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• 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
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• 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
 Are my current thoughts, feelings and actions
moving me closer to, or further away from my
goals and values.
 Is [this] worth my energy?
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35. Summary
 The goal of 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.
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36. Summary
 Every event is 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
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37. Subscribe
Counselor Toolbox Podcast
Youtube.com/AllCEUsEducation
Facebook: Facebook.com/AllCEUs
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