Episode 76 - Getting my ACT together

The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

In this episode, I invite the listener to join me as I provide a summary account of a virtual, two-day training workshop that I attended about a therapeutic counselling modality called, "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy" - otherwise known as ACT. The total listening experience includes six audio segments. Each of the two days of training includes an introduction to the day and two summary modules about the material covered. In each module, I provide a concise sharing about a concept central to ACT (i.e. functional contextualism, relational frame therapy, etc.). Between each module, you will "notice" (the act of mindfully noticing is a big deal to ACT) a very short "typewriting" sound prompt, which is an invitation for the listener to just take a break (actually "pause" the episode) and reflect upon the relevance of the ideas shared to my ongoing discussions about self-coaching and self-care. Hopefully, during the "paused" moments, one might think how the material relates to one's ideas about what constitutes self-care and how one might expand one's thinking about self-care.

Modules:

1) Module One: In this module, I talk about "functional contextualism," which is the underlying philosophical foundation of ACT. I relate the concept to the idea of the self. I suggest a better frame for the idea of a dynamic self that engages in self-care might be this thing called, "Inter-being wellness." Want to learn more about functional contextualism, click here - What is functional contextualism? - YouTube

2) Module Two: In this module, I briefly talk about "relational frame theory," which is a theory that can work in conjunction with ACT. I invite the listener to explore one's idea of what self-care is and how one might expand upon already internalized ideas of self-care. Is self-care an indulgence? A luxury? What activities constitute self-care? Soaking in a hot tub? Setting a boundary? Having a hard conversation? Making an apology? Here is a video if you are interested in learning more about RFT - Relational Frame Theory (RFT) From your ACT Auntie - YouTube

3) Module Three: In this module, we explored the benefits of finding or creating a metaphor for one's life. Metaphors can orient a person and direct a person. Metaphors capture themes that reveal values and can remind us about what is meaningful during difficult moments. What life metaphor is operating in your life? Here are some ACT metaphors -

The Stageshow Metaphor - YouTube

Passengers on the Bus - YouTube

Monsters on a Boat - YouTube

4) Module Four: This module is a wrap-up discussion about the ultimate goal of ACT -- to build and nurture "psychological flexibility" in one's life. There is also acknowledgement that life is hard and that sometimes we get stuck. During these times, we need to be gentle with ourselves and just keep on practicing skills we already know or open up to learning and trying some new ones. Watch the following Steven Hayes' Ted Talk to learn more about psychological flexibility - Psychological flexibility: How love turns pain into purpose | Steven Hayes | TEDxUniversityofNevada - YouTube

Showcase Resource:

1) The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living (Audible Audio Edition): Russ Harris, Russ Harris, Shambhala Publications: Amazon.ca: Books

2) The following blog post was written after I attended the introductory workshop for ACT way over a year ago. In it, I talk about the centrality of noticing to the mindfulness practices connected to ACT. Additionally, I explore what I believe are four core competencies for the practice of self-care. There is also a link for Russ Harris' ACT webpage where one can access a lot of free material related to different ACT tools and strategies. https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/online-resources-1/f/making-acceptance-commitment-therapy-relevant-to-life-coaching

A Parting Salutations:

Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.

Supporting the Café:

Please help keep the conversation at Hopeful Humanist Café going. Check out my support page at Soundcarelifecoaching.com by clicking here - https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/support-the-hh-caf%C3%A9

Steve, The Hopeful Humanist

Peace, take care, be well and share!