Acceptance & Commitment Therapy:

Presentation on theme: " Acceptance & Commitment Therapy:"— Presentation transcript:

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy: Applications with ID/DD Clients

Judith Hill-Weld, M.S., LMFT

NADD Annual Conference 2018

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy: Concepts

ACT is based on Relational Frame Theory (RFT):“Human behavior is governed largely through networks of mutual relations called relational frames.”(Hayes & Smith, Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life, 2005)

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J. Hill-Weld, NADD 2018

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy:Concepts

“The aim of ACT, in lay terms, is to create a rich, full, and meaningful life while accepting the pain that inevitably goes with it.”(Harris, ACT Made Simple, 2009)

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J. Hill-Weld, NADD 2018

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy: Concepts

Six Core Therapeutic ProcessesPresent Moment AwarenessDefusionAcceptanceSelf as ContextValuesCommitted Action

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J. Hill-Weld, NADD 2018

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy:Concepts

Six Core Processes Combined = Psychological FlexibilityA = Accept your thoughts & feelings & be present with themC = Choose a valued directionT = Take action

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J. Hill-Weld, NADD 2018

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy:Concepts

Cognitive fusion + experiential avoidancevs.Psychological flexibility

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J. Hill-Weld, NADD 2018

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy: Research

Not much research available on ACT in ID/DD populations for dual diagnosis txMore research focused on parents or support staff participating in ACT therapy or psychotherapeutic educationOr, on ACT targeting core disability regardless of dual diagnosis status

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J. Hill-Weld, NADD 2018

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy:Research

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Dually Diagnosed Individuals Dissertation by Julieann Pankey at University of Nevada, Reno, 2008She developed a 4 session ACT protocol for people with Borderline Intellectual Functioning, Mild Intellectual Disability, and Moderate Intellectual Disability

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J. Hill-Weld, NADD 2018

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy:Research

Three articles that specifically mention dual diagnosis and ACT:Brown, F. J., & Hooper, S. (2009). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with a learning disabled young person experiencing anxious and obsessive thoughts. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 13(3), 195-201.Kangas, M., & McDonald, K. (2011). Is it time to act? The potential of acceptance and commitment therapy for psychological problems following acquired brain injury. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 21, 250-276.Rostami, M., Veisi, N, Dehkordi, F. J., & Alkasir, E. (2014). Social anxiety in students with learning disability: Benefits of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Practice in Clinical Psychology, 2, 299-306.

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J. Hill-Weld, NADD 2018

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy:Six Core Processes

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J. Hill-Weld, NADD 2018

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy:Strengths & Challenges

Why do I like using ACT with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities?Values focus can be person-centered, client directedEmphasizes living a meaningful life, not just compliant oneMindfulness skills reduce reactivity, increase emotional regulationPsychological flexibility addresses dual dx and core disabilityExperiential, humorous, metaphorical, novel

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J. Hill-Weld, NADD 2018

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy: Strengths & Challenges

What are some dangers or drawbacks in using ACT with persons with ID/DD?“Acceptance” can be interpreted as “be quiet, don’t protest or say no”Difficult to teach when to “accept” and when to take action When presented as “training” it can lose the emphasis on living a meaningful lifeSystem (families, DSPs, peers, etc..) may resistCognitive deficits may restrict work in some of 6 processesDifficulty separating private & public experiences may inhibit effectiveness

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J. Hill-Weld, NADD 2018

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy:The Therapist

In ACT, the therapist use her own psychological flexibility in a psychologically flexible manner, to help increase the client’s psychological flexibilityOur therapeutic work must be guided by our own effort to live a meaningful lifeOur best work with clients will happen when we monitor our own willingness to stay flexible, present, and values-congruentWe have to be willing to move toward emotional pain with acceptance first, before we can help people change

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J. Hill-Weld, NADD 2018

Contact Information

Judith Hill-Weld, M.S.Licensed Marriage & Family TherapistPO Box 1891 Nevada City, CA 95959530-265-9450judithhw@gv.net

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J. Hill-Weld, NADD 2018