Acceptance- and mindfulness- based interventions Source: Farmer, R. F., & Chapman, A. L. (2008). Behavioral interventions in cognitive-behavioral therapy: Practical guidance for putting theory into action. Washington, DC: APA.

‘When suffering knocks at your door and you say there is no seat for him, he tells you not to worry because he has brought his own stool’ Chinua Achebe, from Arrow of God

Definition: Acceptance Welcoming, recognizing, and letting particular experiences to occur, both past and present Willingly approving of what has happened or is happening with no protest or reaction! No struggle to change! Experience a past or present state without restricting your life as a reaction to it!

Definition: Acceptance Acceptance is an attitude… Dictionary definition of attitude: 'A position of the body or manner of carrying oneself‘ the origins of the word, from Italian, 'attitudine', which means 'disposition' or 'posture'  ACT: the way we position ourselves/ the posture we hold in relation to our emotions

Definition: Acceptance “psychological acceptance involves experiencing events fully and without defense, as they are and not as they say they are.” (Hayes, 1994, p. 30) “….it involves making contact with the automatic or direct stimulus functions of events, without acting to reduce or manipulate those functions, and without acting on the basis solely of their derived of verbal functions.” (Hayes, 1994, pp. 30-31) Hayes calls it better: ‘willingness’ Actively embracing all private events (both painful and joyful) without attempting to alter the frequency or form This is directly opposite to Experiential avoidance where attempts are made at altering both form and frequency of unwanted thoughts …non judgmental stance toward emotions rather than absence of emotional control…

Definition: Acceptance Hayes further calls it: ‘willingness’ Actively embracing all private events (both painful and joyful) without attempting to alter the frequency or form This is directly opposite to Experiential avoidance where attempts are made at altering both form and frequency of unwanted thoughts …non judgmental stance toward emotions rather than absence of emotional control…

Definition: Mindfulness A subset of acceptance “…mindfulness is the nonjudgmental observation of the ongoing stream of internal and external stimuli as they arise.” (Baer, 2003, p. 125) Kabat-Zinn (1994) “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally. . . it is an appreciation for the present moment and the cultivation of an intimate relationship with it through a continual attending to it with care and discernment.” (pp. 8–9). Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever you go, there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life. New York, NY: Hyperion.

Definition: Mindfulness Critical view of non-judgmental stance as part of the definition Ever possible? Russ Harris suggests: open and curious allowing of and interested in Other suggestions: without buying into and getting entangled with judgment paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, while noticing judgement

Definition: Mindfulness Being aware of, attentive to, and awake to what is happening in the present moment Attending to and taking part in the experience of the present moment (More present oriented compared to acceptance) Observing Describing Participating Paying attention to one thing at a time Use beginner’s mind

THE ATTITUDINAL FOUNDATION OF MINDFULNESS (Kabat-Zinn, 1990) PRACTICE Non-judging Patience ‘…accept the fact that sometimes things must unfold in their own time. ..’ Beginner's Mind ‘…a mind that is willing to see everything as if for the first time.’

THE ATTITUDINAL FOUNDATION OF MINDFULNESS (Kabat-Zinn, 1990) Trust ‘…Developing a basic trust in yourself and your feelings…It is far better to trust in your intuition and your own authority, even if you make some "mistakes along the way, than always to look outside of yourself for guidance. If at any time something doesn't feel right to you, why not honor your feelings?...’ Non-striving ‘…Almost everything we do we do for a purpose, to get something or somewhere…this attitude can be a real obstacle…’ Acceptance Letting Go (example of monkets and coconuts)

COMMITMENT, SELF.DISCIPLINE, AND INTENTIONALITY

Change vs. Acceptance and Mindfulness ? Exposure therapy aims to change the individuals’ relationship with and reactions to experiences