Acceptance therapy for anxiety, particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), offers a distinct approach compared to traditional therapies. ACT focuses on accepting thoughts and feelings rather than challenging or changing them. This approach is rooted in the belief that the struggle to control anxiety can often exacerbate the problem.
How Acceptance Therapy Differs from Thought-Challenging Therapies:
Traditional cognitive therapies, like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), often involve identifying and challenging maladaptive or irrational thoughts. The therapist disputes, challenges, or weighs the evidence for and against these thoughts. However, newer research suggests that directly challenging thoughts can sometimes intensify the struggle and increase anxiety.
Here’s a comparison:
ACT suggests that psychological suffering often stems from experiential avoidance, cognitive entanglement, and psychological rigidity, which prevents individuals from taking steps in line with their core values.
Advantages of Acceptance Therapy:
Potential Drawbacks:
In summary, acceptance therapy for anxiety, such as ACT, differs from older therapies by focusing on acceptance rather than challenging thoughts. The advantages include reducing the struggle with anxiety, promoting psychological flexibility, and helping clients focus on their values. While it may be counterintuitive initially, acceptance therapy offers a compassionate and effective approach for both clients and therapists in managing anxiety.
Tags: acceptance therapy, ACT, anxiety, cognitive therapy, CBT, mindfulness, psychological flexibility
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