Abstract: According to Relational Frame Theory, deictic frames are a class of derived relational responses defined by their dependence on the perspective of the speaker. This concept was introduced by Hayes (1984) in the article “Making Sense of Spirituality,” which laid the conceptual foundation for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Some of the implications of deictic frames connect to various Mindfulness traditions, such as Buddhism, and therapeutic models like Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. In this paper we will re-explore the behavioral analytical interpretation of this psychological process and provide some clinical insights based on this interpretation.
Keywords: Relational Frame Theory, deictic frames, mindfulness, clinical applications