Re: Re: ACT and CBT

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My take on it: Since we tend to have repetitive thoughts (or thoughts with the same theme), it seems that we would learn by trial and error which ones are helpful and which aren't. If engaging with them is not helpful, then we learn that not engaging with them is the right course of action when they come up again.

If it is an entirely new thought (except for the clearly silly ones, as you noted), perhaps we can't know if it's helpful or not until we interact with it.

Helena

To: "ACT for the Public" <ACT_for_the_Public >Sent: Sunday, July 3, 2011 3:32:04 AMSubject: Re: Re: ACT and CBT

In my experience there is a contradiction within ACT. It suggests not challenging and engaging in thoughts unless they are helpful........ but how do you know if the thoughts are helpful unless you engage with them?For all except the silliest thoughts, where the distinction is obvious, this is a Catch 22. It has tripped me up many times. x

Subject: Re: ACT and CBTTo: ACT_for_the_Public Date: Sunday, 3 July, 2011, 3:09

Yes, this seems important. Nice stretch. Interesting how one approach might resonate for one and not so much for another. What I love about this work, room for all.terry> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > > Hi Esther,> > > > > >> > > > > > The components of CBT that involve noticing your thoughts and naming> > > your> > > > > > thought processes can function very nicely as ACT-type defusion> > > techniques.> > > > > > For example, You might say to yourself, with a sense of humour, 'Aha.> > > There> > > > > > goes my mind catastrophising. Thanks mind.'or 'Aha. There goes my> > > mind being> > > > > > illogical again.' The key difference is, in ACT we would not go on to> > > > > > dispute/challenge the thought or try to make it go away. Rather, we> > > would> > > > > > invest our energy in taking effective action, and engage fully in the> > > task> > > > > > at hand, instead of trying to control our thoughts and feelings.> > > > > >> > > > > > All the best,> > > > > >> > > > > > Cheers, Russ > > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > > <http://www.actmindfully.com.au> www.actmindfully.com.au> > > > > >> > > > > > <http://www.thehappinesstrap.com> www.thehappinesstrap.com> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > > From: ACT_for_the_Public > > > > > > [mailto:ACT_for_the_Public ] On Behalf Of Esther L> > > > > > Sent: Friday, 1 July 2011 9:34 AM> > > > > > To: act_for_the_public > > > > > > Subject: ACT and CBT> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > > I have been using CBT to work with my social anxiety for years, and> > > am> > > > > > now working to incorporate ACT through The Happiness Trap. At this> > > > > > point CBT has become automatic - "this is an illogical thought,"> > > > > > "you're catastrophizing" etc. I am working to accept my thoughts> > > > > > instead. How do I get past this? I've taken to thinking "it's ok to> > > > > > have this thought" and then following one of the suggestions for> > > > > > acceptance.> > > > > >> > > > > > Also, when I'm in a social situation I don't want to work on> > > > > > acceptance, which I'm shaky in, when CBT will allow me to succeed> > > > > > immediately. At what point in the book should I start using ACT in> > > > > > real situations?> > > > > >> > > > > > Thank you, the list has been helpful so far!> > > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > >> > > > > >> >>------------------------------------For other ACT materials and list serves see www.contextualpsychology.orgIf you do not wish to belong to ACT_for_the_Public, you may unsubscribe by sending an email to ACT_for_the_Public-unsubscribe@...! Groups Links<*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/<*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional<*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/join (Yahoo! ID required)<*> To change settings via email: ACT_for_the_Public-digest ACT_for_the_Public-fullfeatured <*>