A new Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based (ACT) workbook guides people with PTSD through the process of how to live a more meaningful and value-driven life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or ACT is a behavioral therapy that has been found to be successful in the treatment of many mental disorders (Hayes, Luoma, Bond, Masuda, & Lillis, 2006). In a nutshell, ACT proposes that many mental disorders stem from our attempts to avoid unpleasant thoughts and feelings (Hayes, Strosahl, & Wilson, 1999).
For example, a person with PTSD may attempt to avoid thinking about a trauma by drinking. While this avoidance may initially work out, in the end, the thoughts and feelings just come back and are sometimes even stronger.
A person may also choose to avoid at the expense of doing other things that are meaningful or consistent with what she or he values in life, such as family relationships. As a result, a person with PTSD may begin to live a life that is controlled by desires to avoid thoughts and feelings. ACT helps people focus their energy on living a meaningful life instead of constantly trying to change what may not be completely amenable to change, our thoughts and feelings.
A New ACT Workbook for People with PTSD
Finding Life Beyond Trauma: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Heal from Post-Traumatic Stress and Trauma-Related Problems by Drs. Victoria Follette and Jacqueline Pistorello at the University of Nevada at Reno, is an excellent resource for anyone who feels trapped by their thoughts and feelings surrounding a trauma.
The workbook is not about learning new ways of avoiding or controlling thoughts and feelings. Instead, it focuses on helping people live a life that feels meaningful and consistent with values, regardless of what painful feelings may be present.
The workbook is easy to read and provides straightforward exercises that takes the reader step-by-step through the process of recovery and healing.
For example, there are exercises that help people take a step back from "the tug of war" with their upsetting thoughts and feelings. In addition, there are exercises that help people identify what they value and find meaningful in their life. So often we let our thoughts and feelings guide the choices we make. For example, someone with PTSD may tell themself, "I would go to that party if I just wasn't so anxious." The workbook helps people use their identified "values" as a guide for their behaviors and the choices they make, regardless of what their mind or emotions tell them to do (which is often "avoid").
This workbook can be a powerful tool for anyone suffering from PTSD or some other effect of a traumatic experience.
Sources:
Hayes, S.C., Luoma, J.B., Bond, F.W., Masuda, A., & Lillis, J. (2006). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Model, processes and outcomes. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 1-25.
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K.D., Wilson, K. G. (1999) Acceptance and commitment therapy: An experiential approach to behavior change. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
