Lesson 7 Experiential Activities and Comparing Therapies

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Pennsylvania State University *

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243

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Psychology

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Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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3

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Lesson 7: Experiential Activities and Comparing Therapies 1 Both relaxation and mindfulness are helpful activities. Mindfulness is an essential part of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which encourages individuals to observe events as they occur without judgment, promoting psychological flexibility (Hofmann & Asmundson, 2008). This can help people deal with their evaluative and critical minds, reducing the impact of negative thoughts and feelings. On the other hand, relaxation techniques can help reduce stress and anxiety, promote better sleep, and increase a sense of peace and well-being (McKay et al., 2011). These techniques are beneficial for individuals dealing with high stress or anxiety levels. When deciding between mindfulness and relaxation, it is essential to consider the individual's needs, preferences, and challenges. Some may benefit more from the present-focused mindfulness approach, while others may experience immediate relief from relaxation techniques. Combining both methods into one's routine may also be beneficial. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based approach that encourages patients to embrace unwanted thoughts and feelings, such as anxiety, pain, and guilt, as an alternative to experiential avoidance (Hayes et al., 2013). The goal is to stop struggling with these unwanted thoughts and feelings without attempting to change or eliminate them (Hayes et al., 2013). This approach promotes psychological flexibility and can help individuals deal with their evaluative and critical minds, reducing the impact of negative thoughts and feelings (Hayes et al., 2013). In contrast, traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying misconceptions, testing the validity of ideas, and replacing them with more appropriate concepts (Hofmann & Asmundson, 2008). It is a problem-solving process that involves clarifying the status of the presenting problem, defining the desired goal, and finding ways to achieve that goal.
Lesson 7: Experiential Activities and Comparing Therapies 2 Both approaches have unique benefits and can be beneficial depending on the individual's needs and preferences. Some may find more help in the present-focused process of ACT, while others may experience more immediate relief from the problem-solving approach of CBT. It is also worth noting that ACT is considered a form of CBT, and the two approaches share many similarities (Hofmann & Asmundson, 2008).
Lesson 7: Experiential Activities and Comparing Therapies 3 Sources Hayes, S. C., Levin, M. E., Plumb-Vilardaga, J. C., Villatte, J. L., & Pistorello, J. (2013). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Contextual Behavioral Science: Examining the progress of a distinctive model of behavioral and cognitive therapy. Behavior Therapy, 44(2), 180–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2009.08.002 Hofmann, S., & Asmundson, G. J. (2008). Acceptance and mindfulness-based therapy: New wave or old hat? Clinical Psychology Review, 28(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2007.09.003 McKay, M., Davis, M., & Fanning, P. (2011b). Thoughts & feelings: Taking Control of Your Moods & Your Life. Peterson, C. (2006). A primer in positive psychology. Oxford University Press.
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