Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Paper

Words: 437
Pages: 2

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. ACT can be used to treat individuals with AN. ACT is focused on mindfulness and acceptance-based techniques, and can be used to help individuals with AN address weight-related issues, body image concerns, and preoccupation of being overweight (Kristeller et al., 2006). ACT uses various analogies to help individuals visualize their thoughts and feelings as physical objects they can see and manipulate. One analogy used is called “thought parade” which teaches individuals to observe thoughts objectively and accept them, rather than acting on them by engaging in negative eating behaviors (Kristeller et al., 2006). In this analogy, individuals are asked to visualize their negative thoughts printed on notecards and carried by participants in a parade. …show more content…
Another strategy used is called “bus driver” which teaches individuals to experience negative thoughts in the present without reacting to them, and work towards their important life goals (Kristeller et al., 2006). In “bus driver” individuals are asked to imagine that they are bus drivers driving towards their most important life goals while their thoughts behave as the passengers (Kristeller et al., 2006). In this case, their goal is to experience these thoughts and continue driving towards their life goals, instead of changing directions as a result of their thoughts (Kristeller et al., 2006). The overall purpose of ACT relates to mindful eating, which emphasizes the importance of unbiased awareness of thoughts and emotions related to