1. Beautiful Mind
2. Pretty much the whole thing. The main character, John Nash (Nobel Prize winner in economics), has schizophrenia and despite active hallucinations and delusions, he chooses NOT to be on antipsychotic medication (side effects are blunted affect and he isn't as clear in his genious mathematical ability). Nash chooses to just let his hallucinations be present and not to let his behavior be guided by belief in them as literal "truth". In turn, they follow him around for the rest of his life; a vital life full of meaningful experiences with his wife and his work.
3. ACT Principles: acceptance, willingness, defusion, choice and valued action.

A Beautiful Mind - Comment submitted by Steven Hayes on February 12, 2006.

We all have our little girls following us around, hallucination or no. We need to learn to acknowledge them and then, sad though it is, to learn to be silent if it is costing us what we value to do otherwise.

You could do a lot worse when asked to explain ACT that simply to say "it is teaching folks how to do A Beautiful Mind thing with their own struggles"

- S

Steven C. Hayes, University of Nevada

This movie is all about psychological inflexibility. Warren Schmidt (magnificent played by Jack Nicholson) is a man who's identity is built around his work (he is vice-president of an insurance-company). The film starts with his retirement's party: beautiful words spoken, compliments given..., but only one day later he discovers that he's not welcome anymore at the office, and all his work ends up in a garbage can. Soon after that his wife suddenly dies, and although he feels like a prisoner in his marriage for over 42 years, he loses in a short time everything.

From that moment on his orderly life becomes chaotic and impulsive. He start's traveling with his king-size camper, visiting his daughter, finding out that he has never connected to her because of his work and now she doesn't need him anymore. He's afraid of intimacy and is running away from it or he spoils the moments were it's growing. He can only connect to his "true" feelings in the letters to Ngudu, a foster-child in Africa he has adopted for $22 a month, and to whom he writes from time to time (although the child is to young to read his letters).

It is there where psychological flexibility starts, painfully facing the life he lived. I would say a movie about self-as-content, experiential avoidance, lack of values and impulsive behaviors.

Must-see!!!

1. American Beauty
2. Much of the movie can be cast into terms relevant to clinical work with ACT. I often refer to people having an "American Beauty" moment in which they wake up one day and realize how their lack of mindfulness/life momentum has led them very far off-course from a path consistent with their values (like the Kevin Spacey character and others).
3. ACT Principle: There are numerous illustrations of mindfulness (and lack thereof) and the cost of experiential avoidance in the behaviors and choices of the characters.

1. American History X
2. 6 hexaflex points
3. I think this film could be seen as illustrating all the Hexaflex points: 

Contact with the present moment- (this is the one I'm least sure about): there is a scene between the main character (white supremacist Derrick Vinyard) & a fellow prisoner (Lamont), who is black, where Derrick manages to make contact with the humour of Lamont's impression of 'angry sex' despite his deeply ingrained mind story of racial hatred.

Acceptance - two scenes stand out here: the first is when Derrick is recovering in the prison hospital after being raped & he is visited by his old school principal, Dr Sweeney, & for the first time in the film Derrick accepts any other emotion than anger, which is demonstrated by his crying (sadness) & acknowledgment of not knowing what to do (uncertainty). Second example is toward the end of the film when Derrick is asked by the police to help deal with the inevitable inter-racial tensions following an attack &, despite Derrick not wanting to get involved, he reluctantly agrees to help as he sees that he must accept his responsibility for the situation.

Defusion - the whole of the film post Derrick's release from prison is about him defusing from his racist beliefs & trying to achieve the same with his younger brother, Danny.

Self-as-content: Similarly, Derrick & Danny both identify strongly with their white supremacist beliefs throughout most of the film, even to the point of tattooing swastikas on to themselves, adopting the skinhead hairstyle, indulging in racist attacks etc. It is only when they can stand back from this view can they find compassion & a flexibility of mind.

Values: during the previosuly mentioned scene when Derrick is in the prison hospital & is visited by Dr Sweeney, he is asked by his ex-principal "Has anything you've done made your life better?" This is clearly a turning point for Derrick who then accepts Dr Sweeney's advice & acts on it by reading the books he has brought him. He also defuses from his racist view of the man & sees his true worth. His belief in his racist values is also undermined when he sees the leader of the white supremacist gang trade drugs with a Mexican gang - he remains true to his values at that point by leaving their protection, but pays a heavy price when he is then raped by the gang members.

Commitment: On leaving prison Derrick commits to turning his back on his racist way of life & behaving truer to his values of being a good example for his younger brother & trying to do his best for his family (with whom he previously fought & bullied). 

Surprisingly and overwhelmingly ACT-consistent...Happy FeetI don't have time right now for the whole hexaflex thing but I just saw Happy Feet. For those of you who don't know, it is an animated Disney film with penguin stars. It was great, and there are wonderful messages in there about acceptance and valuing. It would be great to watch with children to spark discussions about all kinds of things from prejudice to global warming. Plus, it was just really darn cute! 

I should note that there are definitely some stereotyped characters in this movie. If anyone is offended by those kinds of things, be forewarned. Still, I think that the message far outweighs that stuff.

Amy

The film focuses on the life of a current day horse handler/cowboy living his values while acknowledging past abuse, even drawing on what that experience got him in contact with and utilizing it. Acceptance, committed action and present moment focus are all over the place.
 

There is not a particular scene in Crash that I think demonstrates the issues of values and defusion, I think as a therapist you could use the film as a whole to talk about values and defusion (evaluation, that is).

The movie is about racism in Los Angeles, how ordinary people do nasty things to each other on the basis of prejudice and how people make choices in the service of their values and in the service of fear.

To start with evaluation: You could ask a client who are the bad guys and who are the good guys. The nice thing about the movie is that all the characters are doing things that hurt other people and that help other people. So there is no good or bad. And you could talk about how prejudice is something we all do, because of relational framing. And that you can ACT in a different way.

The aspect of values and commited action is closely related. You can talk with a client about the characters: When do they move in the direction of their values and when are they moving in a opposite direction. And relate this to values that clients have for themselves.

Jacqueline

1. Elizabethtown
2. Number of Hexaflex Points :3
3. When Kirstin Dunst says to Orlando Boom: ' ok, you failed. You failed, you failed, you failed etc' ; whole movie is about living a values-led life, in the present
4. Nice example of defusion through repetition as per Milk, milk, milk

However,example of self as content when Dunst is fused with what it means to be 'a Claire' (ie the 'substitute' person).
 

1. I ♥ Huckabees
2. Pretty much the whole film, but especially the conversations between the Dustin Hoffman and Anjelica Huston characters.
3. ACT Principles: Live a rich, meaningful life and what has experiential avoidance cost you?

1. Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade
2. 3 hexaflex points
3. When Indiana is just about to get to the holy grail, he finds himself stuck at the edge of a seemingly bottomless chasm. He reads a riddle that suggests that the only way to get across the chasm is to take a leap of faith. So he steps out into mid air, seemingly to fall to his death. Instead, he finds that there is actually a hidden bridge that was built to blend seemlessly into the backdrop of the chasm and his step lands on terra firma. Whew!
4. The scene illustrates committed action, in that Indiana takes a step towards his quest even when unsure of the outcome. It illustrates willingness/acceptance in that the move is leap of faith, requiring him to make room for his fear. And it illustrates defusion in that while his mind tells him he is going to fall to his death, he is willing to suspend that judgment, and when he actually steps out into a seeming void, he finds that this was an illusion.

Inside Out - Disney/Pixar

It's hard to isolate any particular ACT relevant scenes - the whole movie was an animated version of ACT come to life!  Essentially, Riley (11 year old girl) has to learn to live with a new life that her parents have chosen, leaving her old, highly valued life behind.  She has 4 emotions controlling her from inside her brain - Joy (the dominant emotion up to this point), Sadness, Anger and Disgust. 

Due to the new experiences of distress, loneliness, disappointment and anger, Riley starts to experince 'negative' emotions for the first time and Joy has huge problems accepting this.  She fights desperately and valiantly to prevent Riley experiencing Sadness, but eventually learns to accept that Sadness is a valid emotion and has a useful part to play.  Riley is eventually able to include Sadness, for the old friends and life she has left behind, while building a new life in her new town, heading back towards her values. 

Plus, it's really sweet, funny and engaging. 

It’s a wonderful life: ACT processes

1. Contact with the present moment (and lack of): This I think is illustrated through George’s suicide attempt. He believes he has lost the money from the Building and Loan and that he his a failure and that now Potter will win (and it will be his fault). Such is George’s sense of dejection and impending rejection by the towns people that he attempts to escape by jumping from the bridge. Not only does George not want to be in contact with the present moment, but he wants to have never been born at al.

Georges decision at the end of the movie to have his life back demonstrates this beautifully I think. Before he realises the towns people have all come to help him out he takes his life back and contacts the present moment (which at that point is one of uncertainty over the missing money). He allows himself to be present and open to their criticism and the consequences of losing the money to find their love, help and support instead

2. Acceptance: This is perhaps demonstrated by George’s desire to keep living with the uncertain consequences he faces. I think the key message George takes from Clarence is that it is that upsetting things happen AND it's a wonderful life.

3. Defusion/fusion. Not explicit, but George does not explicitly decide that he has not let the towns people down, it is possible that he stills feels this way, but he has defused from it enough to allow himself to be present with the towns people and the consequences of losing the money.

4. Values: George values helping the town people. He values his family, he values making the town a better place and protecting it from exploitation from Potter

5. Commitment: In the movie, George not only values his values but is actively committed to not letting Potter exploit the town for his own financial gain. His actions are focused on changing the physical (i.e. fighting against Potter- a workable change agenda)

6. Self-as-context: not sure about this one, might there be a sixth process hiding in the movie somehwere

This is a great documentary film about someone who's fed up with the fake gurus in India, and decides to dress up as a guru and start a mini cult in the US, to prove that anyone can pretend to be a guru and get a cult following.

Has anyone else seen it? I think it's brilliant!

1. Present moment - Kumare does teach people meditation, but it's a fake version, and people start getting the experiencing he's suggesting, so maybe not.

2. Acceptance/Willingness - Interestingly some of his 'followers' full accept him and his 'teachings'. And this shows the danger of gurus.

3. Defusion - Through his teachings, people defuse from their own limiting beliefs, but then they fuse with his beliefs. So this is a great teaching about the danger of fusing from one idea to another.

4. Observer Self - Not touched upon much

5. Values - I'm impressed by the values of the director, to seek the truth

5. Commited Action - The actions of the director/main actor and also how he followed through with what he believed, right through to the end - PS - it's a brilliant ending!

Here's the IMDB link with trailer: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1865425/ 

1. Moonstruck 
2.  Fusion (with rules) 
3. Right from beginning to end, ths movie is so filled with just about every character following rules that clearly are so restrictive on their lives. This makes the movie very funny, enjoyable and accessible, yet incredibly profound. The huge exception to this when the character played by Nicholoas Cage tells a confused woman (Cher) something like "Life is not a storybook, that you can look up to see what to do next. Love is about destroying life ... ..."
4. In the context of the movie, these audacious words, just hit out, with an irresistable invitation to vitality - a vivid contrast to following rules blindly (fusion) without any reference to values. The mother with her more philosophical approach would seem to be a contrast to blind rule following, however this is at the cost of avoiding strong emotions (and whatever actions) at her husbands behaviours.

1. My Life Without Me (2003)
2. It’s a beautiful movie of a young woman, Ann. Mother of 2 little kids, living a hard life with little future: low job, husband unemployed, poor housing, little money, little support of her family. One day she discovers that she’s seriously ill and has little time to live. This changes her life and way of life radical. She makes a list of things she wants to do and starts doing them, living life to the max. Very good!
3. ACT Principle: Acceptance, Values, Committed Action, Self as context, Mindfulness

I have been using film clips since I was a school counselor and would do in-class interactive social skills lessons. I will bring DVD's into my office and play them for a client on my laptop. One clip I like to use with couples is from the first SPY KIDS film where the mother is telling her kids the story of how she met and married their father. The sequence is beautifully put together in terms of how she and her soon to be husband were spies working on different sides and began dating and hid their connection and then made the commitment. The mother narrates how her commitment to getting married was scarier than any spy mission. The scene of their wedding is a great illustration of commitment and action even in the face of turbulence and threats. Their wedding is interrupted by an attacking helicopter. There is a great shot of the priest holding the Bible while pages are blown out of it by the gusts from the helicopter's blades (challenges to our values and commitment). The last part of the scene that my couples find the most powerful is when the couple is running away and they look into each other's eyes as if telling each other, "I am in this with you no matter what." They then jump off a cliff together and escape into a speeding boat.

Therapeutically, after I show the clip I will invite the client to track in their body to see what was stirred by the images. Film clips are a great way to help clients move from image to sensation and process through fight, flight, and freeze responses.

- Max Stoltenberg, LPC, CHt

In "Song fo the Sea," this child-friendly movie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgbXWt8kM5Q) provides really great metaphors for: 

(i.) Experiential Avoidance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mUie8Z85iE); 

(ii.) Cost of Avoidance vs. Opening Up (time: ~ 1:01:00 ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPu4etlfCRg). 

It is one of the most beautiful movies I have seen in the past decade! 

I hope you find it interesting and/or useful! :) 

(Submitted by Jonathan Rhodes on April 19, 2024)

The Shawshank Redemption

1.The Shawshank Redemption -pretty much a definitive ACT movie for me! (I recently watched it again within an ACT framework!!)

2. 6 Hexaflex points.

3. As illustrated by:-

CONTACT WITH THE PRESENT MOMENT: Beautifully illustrated in the scene when Andy plays Mozart over the prison and the everybody just stops and listens ( 1 point).

SELF AS CONTEXT: As a punishment for playing the music, Andy is placed into solitary confinement and after his release he tells his fellow convicts that he “had Mr. Mozart to keep me company...[points and taps his head.] It was in here …[gestures over his heart] and in here. That's the beauty of music. They can't get that from you. Haven't you ever felt that way about music?” Red (Morgan Freeman)says that he played the Harmonica as a young man, but lost interest in it and that it didn’t make much sense playing it in prison – Andy says “No, here's where it makes the most sense. You need it so you don't forget”. “Forget?” asks Red, “That there are places in the world that aren't made out of stone. That there's... there's somethin' inside that they can't get to; that they can't touch. It's yours” says Andy (self as context / pure awareness – 1 point).

DEFUSION:Fusion is illustrated when Red says “I’ve been in here most of my life. I’m an institutional man now…just like Brooks was”. Andy replies ““you underestimate yourself” and Red says “I don’t think so” (1 point)

COMMITTED ACTION AND VALUES: Andy talks to Red about his vision of life in a little town in Mexico and life as a free man – he focuses on owning a hotel and a boat (which are goals but I’m sure we could find some values in there somewhere!!) Red (‘passenger on the bus’) says “I don’t think you ought to be doing this to yourself, Andy. I mean mexico is way down there and you’re in here and that’s the way it is”. Andy replies “Yeah right. That’s the way it is. It’s down there and I’m in here. I guess it comes down to a simple choice really…get busy living…or get busy dying”. (highlighting the reality gap between where he is and where he wants to be – within the valued domain of freedom (2 points?)

ACCEPTANCE: Spoiler alert (!) Towards the end of the movie when red is up for parole his rehabilitation officer asks red if he’s been rehabilitated. Red replies “Rehabilitated?... Well, now, let me see. You know, I don't have any idea what that means”. The rehabilitation officer informs Red that it means he is “ready to rejoin society” and Red says “ I know what you think it means, sonny. To me it's just a made-up word. A politician's word, so that young fellas like yourself can wear a suit and a tie and have a job. What do you really wanna know? Am I sorry for what I did? The rehabilitation officer asks “are you?” and Red replies “There's not a day goes by I don't feel regret. Not because I'm in here; or because you think I should. I look back on the way I was then: a young, stupid kid who committed that terrible crime. I want to talk to him. I want to try to talk some sense to him, tell him the way things are. But I can't. That kid's long gone and this old man is all that left. I gotta live with that. Rehabilitated? It's just a bullshit word. So go ahead and stamp your forms, sonny, and stop wasting my time. Because to tell you the truth, I don't give a shit (some acceptance in there!? – 1 point)

MORE COMMITTED ACTION: “ I find I'm so excited I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head (defusion!) I think it is the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain I hope I can make it across the border (do what it takes!).. I hope to see my friend (values), and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope”
 

1. The Zookeeper - a Ralph Ziman film starring Sam Neill
2. Number of Hexaflex points: 3
3. A moving film set in an unspecified Eastern European country that has a Bosnian like civil war raging, in which a zookeeper, Ludovic (a superb performance by Sam Neill) is haunted by his past, when he wielded power over a local populace. Only after he meets Ankica ( who, with her son, are refugees from the fighting seeking sanctuary in the now all but deserted zoo) who recounts the horrors she has experienced at the hands of someone in that position, does he begin to accept what he has done, allowing him to emotionally thaw out a little. He also hides his feelings for his dead wife, literally in a box hidden away, which is found by Ankica who tells him his feelings are 'beautiful', again allowing him to accept the caring side of himself (toward people) more. There is an interesting portrayal of the (sometimes) subtle difference between running away from our experience & moving toward a valued direction: Ludovic appears to hold the value of being a good person strongly (represented by him being only one of two people willing to stay on & care for the animals when everyone else has left), but Ankica questions whether this is in fact a cover for running away from connectedness with other people, & by extension, himself. Committed action is demonstrated by Ludovic as he begins his emotional thawing & looks after both Ankica & her son, Zioig, as well as his caring for the zoo animals, & toward the end of the film, himself. This is an interesting portrayal of achieving psychological flexibility: he finally agrees to deviate from his rigid pattern of behaviour (staying with the animals) & leave when it is clear that all is lost. He shows anger initially when this course of action is suggested, much like someone holding on to behaviour that is self-defeating but at least familiar.
4. Score: 3/5.

The scene in Three Kings is a post-Desert Storm battle among soldiers.

George Clooney and Spike Jonez are taking cover from the hail of gunfire. Spike's character is afraid of going out and shooting back and the following ensues:

Archie Gates (G.Clooney): You're scared, right?

Conrad Vig (Spike): Maybe.

Archie Gates: The way it works is, you do the thing you're scared shitless of, and you get the courage AFTER you do it, not before you do it.

Conrad Vig: That's a dumbass way to work. It should be the other way around.

Archie Gates: I know. That's the way it works.

- I like this one when talking to 25-39 year old anxious males...Probably not useful for everyone, but I dig it.

1. Walk The Line
2. The June Carter character exemplified committed action in the service of a value that was dear to her. The value I would identify (not verbalized by her in the film), would be something like 'Marriage as a committed friendship' or 'Building intimacy'. Some of the elements of committed action on her part included remaining Johnny's friend when he was at his least likeable, rejecting his excessive and self-destructive behaviors while continuing to love him, even remarrying when she couldn't have Johnny. Mind you, he also exemplified similar committed action in continuing to ask her to marry him despite repeatedly being blocked in achieving the desired outcome :).
3. ACT Principle: Outcome is the Process through which Process Becomes the Outcome

1. Yes Man (2008)
2. The movie is about a man distraught over his girlfriend breaking up with him. He refuses to do anything except stay home and watch videos. His friend drags him to a motivational seminar where the message is "Say YES to Life!" He does and his life changes radically for the better. A very fun romantic comedy with Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel.

One of my favorite ways to teach defusion is to read children's books to adults, especially books that were likely read to them in childhood like Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein, etc. Hearing these stories as an adult helps change their perspective on issues they are facing (I use in a substance use treatment setting, but they can of course be applied to many others). I will start a list of stories that I currently use in my groups, but I'd like to know how many others use this intervention, and what stories you use.

I heard this story in passing years ago, and have used iterations of it. It was only after learning more about ACT had I realized I was using a story to relate avoiding fusion to thoughts positive or negative thoughts/feelings. This iteration I borrowed online, but provide the name of the source:

The Story of the Chinese Farmer

Once upon a time there was a Chinese farmer whose horse ran away. That evening, all of his neighbors came around to commiserate. They said, “We are so sorry to hear your horse has run away. This is most unfortunate.” The farmer said, “Maybe.” The next day the horse came back bringing seven wild horses with it, and in the evening everybody came back and said, “Oh, isn’t that lucky. What a great turn of events. You now have eight horses!” The farmer again said, “Maybe.”

The following day his son tried to break one of the horses, and while riding it, he was thrown and broke his leg. The neighbors then said, “Oh dear, that’s too bad,” and the farmer responded, “Maybe.” The next day the conscription officers came around to conscript people into the army, and they rejected his son because he had a broken leg. Again all the neighbors came around and said, “Isn’t that great!” Again, he said, “Maybe.”

The whole process of nature is an integrated process of immense complexity, and it’s really impossible to tell whether anything that happens in it is good or bad — because you never know what will be the consequence of the misfortune; or, you never know what will be the consequences of good fortune.

Alan Watts
 

This is my paraphrase of the famous brief Stoic work, with the sections labeled with the Core Flexibility Processes - because they just seem to fit so well. This might be a source of new stories or metaphors for your work.  Epictetus doesn't always sound like an ACT therapist - but almost always.

From The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This is from one of my favourite books.

It has many ACT relevant moments in it, this is just one of them:

The next planet was inhabited by a tippler. This was a very short visit, but it plunged the little prince into deep dejection.

"What are you doing there?" he said to the tippler, whom he found settled down in silence before a collection of empty bottles and also a collection of full bottles.

"I am drinking," replied the tippler, with a lugubrious air.

"Why are you drinking?" demanded the little prince.

"So that I may forget," replied the tippler.

"Forget what?" inquired the little prince, who already was sorry for him.

"Forget that I am ashamed," the tippler confessed, hanging his head.

"Ashamed of what?" insisted the little prince, who wanted to help him.

"Ashamed of drinking!" The tippler brought his speech to an end, and shut himself up in an impregnable silence.

And the little prince went away, puzzled. "grown-ups are certainly very, very odd," he said to himself, as he continued on his journey.

I think this makes some nice ACT-relevant points about fusion, experiential avoidance and the futility of avoidance/control strategies.

The tippler is fused with his feeling of shame to the extent that he must avoid it by drinking. However, the costs and consequences of his drinking is further shame that he also fuses with and must avoid, also by drinking.

The tippler is essentially drowning in an alcoholic quicksand. The more he drinks to escape, the more bad stuff shows up, so the more he has to drink to escape a little bit more.

The Little Prince, who is essentially a child who has lived alone and has not been exposed to a verbal community where fusion and avoidance repertoires have fully developed sees this as being very odd indeed.

For a great example of someone dignifying their values with pain, I can whole-heartedly recommend the autobiography "Things the grandchildren should know" by Mark Everett (Lead singer of the band Eels). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Things_the_Grandchildren_Should_Know

From publisher:

How does one young man survive the deaths of his entire family and manage to make something of his life? The insecure son of a misunderstood genius of quantum mechanics, Mark Oliver Everett's upbringing was "ridiculous, sometimes tragic, and always unsteady." But somehow he survived this and ensuing tragedies, channeling his experiences into his critically acclaimed music with the Eels.

Told with surprising candor, his memoir is an inspiring and remarkable story, full of hope, humor, and wry wisdom.

Acceptance and Commitment Song - Lou Lasprugato

Lyrics: 

There's suffering when you run away from pain
Expecting change but doing more of the same
And it's a long way down when your mind pushes you around

Open up
Open up
Step into this space
See what you need to face
To get through
To get through
What matters to you
What matters to you

It's hard when love's all but lost
And your best is not good enough
And you fill with fear when you're anywhere but here

Open up
Open up
Step into this space
See what you need to face
To get through
To get through
What matters to you
What matters to you

As you move
As you sway
In the eye of the storm
In the depths of the pain
Will you take a stand?
Will you carry me?
Will you notice hurt?
Will you let it be?
Will you take a stand?
Will you carry me?
Will you notice love?
Will you let it be?
And breathe... 

ACT Principle: Creative Hopelessness and missing out on Values

Any recommendations on how to use the song : A fellow ACT therapist used hits during one of the first sessions of an Anger group.

Here's the lyrics:
Somethin’ gotta give with the way I’m livin’
Seems I’m gettin’ down everyday
The more I strive, the less I’m alive
And seems i’m gettin’ further away

Oh well all my superstitions and my crazy suspicions
Of the people that I care about
I been doin’ more screamin’ than i been doin’ dreamin’
And I think it’s time I figured it out

Yeah baby I need a plan to understand
That life ain’t only supply and demand

I been goin’ joggin’ in the park after dark
Draggin’ ’round with me my ball and chain
Took southern skies to make me realize
That I’m causin’ myself this pain

The woman that I’m lovin’ yeah I’m pushin’ and shovin’
Getting further on by the day
And I can’t understand how the heart of this man
Ever let it end up this way

Yeah baby I need a plan to understand
That life ain’t only supply and demand

When the road gest dark and lonesome dear
You can find me here
But honey you don’t know where I am
You need a friieend yeeaahh
Life ain’t easy in fact I know it’s sleazy
When you’re the big man in town
Shakin’ religions and makin’ decisions
You never get slow on down

Well your wife and your baby you tell them yeah well maybe
I’ll meet y’all at a weekend resort
Put your eyes on the prize and you can realize
Your little girl’s life’s so short

Brother you need a plan to understand
That life ain’t only supply and demand
Yeah sister you need a plan to understand
That life ain’t only supply and demand

Hey, you better figure it out now
You know you ain’t comin’ back down, yeah
You better figure it out now
You know you ain’t comin’ back down

Submitted by Catherine B. Clemmer, MSW, LCSW

Commited action, Values

If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out Songtext
Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
and if you want to be free, be free
'cause there's a miilion things to be
you know that there are.

And if you want to live high, live high
and if you want to live low, live low
'cause there's a million ways to go
you now that there are.

You can do what you want
the opportunity's on
and if you find a new way
you can do it today
you will make it all true
and you can make it undo
you see ah ah, it's easy ah ah,
you only need to know.

Well, if you want to say yes, say yes
and if you want to say no, say no
'cause there's a million ways to go
you know that there are

Ansd if you want to be me, be me
and if you want to be you, be you
'cause there's a million things to do
you know that there are.

You can do what you want
the opportunity's on
and if you find a new way
you can do it today
you will make it all true
and you can make it undo
you see ah ah, it's easy ah ah,
you only need to know.

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
and if you want to be free, be free
'cause there' s a million things to be
you know that there are
you know that there are
you know that there are
you know that there are.

Originally submitted by Nick Frye

I think this song is such as great description of cognitive fusion and could be used to help explain that concept as well as using the lyrics "ghosts appear then fade away" as a great to discuss defusion.

"Overkill"

I can't get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications

Especially at night
I worry over situations
I know we'll be alright
Perhaps it's just imagination

Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Come back another day

Alone between the sheets
Only brings exasperation
It's time to walk the streets
Smell the desperation

At least there's pretty lights
And though there's little variation
It nullifies the night from overkill

Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Come back another day

I can't get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications

Especially at night
I worry over situations that
I know will be alright
It's just overkill

Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Ghosts appear and fade away
Ghosts appear and fade away

Hi,

Great idea!

I haven't used this with clients, but I've always thought the song "Drive" by Incubus is very ACT consistent.

Here's the first verse: "Sometimes, I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear And I can't help but ask myself how much I'll let the fear take the wheel and steer. It's driven me before, and it seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal. But lately I'm beginning to find that I should be the one behind the wheel."

Could be used in conjunction with the monsters-on-the-bus exercise, or any number of exercises that focus on avoidance.

Mary

Acceptance and commited action (*there is just one unfortunate limitation in the song, which is the sentence "I hold back tears" - it is not ACT-conform)

Move in the Right Direction
Gossip

One step closer, I'm feeling fine
Getting better one day at a time
I'm moving forward with all of my might
I'm headed toward a new state of mind

So I hold back tears*
Move in the right direction
Face my fears
Move in the right direction
I'm doing fine
One step closer every day at a time
I won't lose my mind, lose my mind
Uh-uh... oooooh

Motivation of powerful strength
Hesitation was my first instinct
I got the notion my weakness was
Total devotion, it's okay because

I will hold back tears*
So I can move in the right direction
I have faced my fears
Now I can move in the right direction
I'm doing fine
One step closer every day at a time
I won't lose my mind, lose my mind
Uh-uh... oooooh

Keeping my head up
Looking forward
Reminiscing will get you nowhere
Never say never
Starting over
It's not perfect, but it's getting closer

I'll hold back tears*
So I can move in the right direction
I have faced my fears
Now I can move in the right direction
I'm doing fine
One step closer every day at a time
I won't lose my mind, lose my mind
Uh-uh... oooooh

This song is about being in the present moment and recognizing what you have control over and what you don't have control over.  It is also about not being "hooked" by your thoughts.

This song is great at illustrating how a woman was using emotional avoidance to escape from emotional pain.  She eventually realizes that she needs to face her emotions and her issues directly she needs to come towards them rather than run from them.  She chooses to engage in committed action by returning to L.A. After she has this realization, her emotional pain subsides.

a great song about acceptance (and of course because its sung, it is defusion as well)

"Life Is Hard"

Life is beauty through and through
Life is sunny, life is cool
Life is even easy too
But if my word is to be true
Life is something to behold
But if the truth is to be told
Let us not leave out any part
Do not fear, it's safe to say it here
You will not be called a weakling nor a fraud
For feeling the pain of the whole wide world
You want to help but can't help the feeling you cannot
And it's killing you while you're just trying to smile from your heart
So go on, say it, on the same knees you're praying
Yes, life is hard

Come celebrate
Life is hard
Come celebrate Life is hard
Our life is all we are

Celebrate it in the sun, promenade it with everyone
Elevate it in a song
And I'll be there to play it, don't get me wrong
When I feel like dying and being gone
When life is hard
There's just one thing, let's not forget
Yes! life is it!
Life is it, life is it, it's where it's at
It's getting skinny, getting fat
It's falling deep into a love,
It's getting crushed just like a bug
Life there's no love, it's getting beat into the ground
It's getting lost and getting found,
To growing up and getting round
It's feeling silence, feeling sound
It's feeling lonely, feeling full
It's feeling oh so beautiful!
Yes!

Come celebrate
Life is hard
Come celebrate
Life is hard
Our life is all we are

This song demonstrates the concepts of Acceptance, Being Present, Defusion, and Self As Context 

I don't like my mind right now
Stacking up problems that are so unnecessary
Wish that I could slow things down
I wanna let go but there's comfort in the panic
And I drive myself crazy
Thinking everything's about me
Yeah, I drive myself crazy
'Cause I can’t escape the gravity

I'm holding on
Why is everything so heavy?
Holding on
So much more than I can carry
I keep dragging around what's bringing me down
If I just let go, I'd be set free
Holding on
Why is everything so heavy?

You say that I'm paranoid
But I'm pretty sure the world is out to get me
It's not like I make the choice
To let my mind stay so fucking messy
I know I'm not the center of the universe
But you keep spinning 'round me just the same
I know I'm not the center of the universe
But you keep spinning 'round me just the same

I'm holding on
Why is everything so heavy?
Holding on
So much more than I can carry
I keep dragging around what's bringing me down
If I just let go, I'd be set free
Holding on
Why is everything so heavy?

I know I'm not the center of the universe
But you keep spinning 'round me just the same
I know I'm not the center of the universe
But you keep spinning 'round me just the same
And I drive myself crazy
Thinking everything’s about me

Holding on
Why is everything so heavy?
Holding on
So much more than I can carry
I keep dragging around what's bringing me down
If I just let go, I'd be set free
Holding on
Why is everything so heavy?
Why is everything so heavy?
Why is everything so heavy?

Good song for diffusion - especially if you sing it :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p53pDNodxHE

Song: Live Like You were Dying--Tim McGraw 

ACT concepts: Mindfulness/Awareness:

"...and I watched an eagle as it was flying"

Values:

"and I loved deeper

and I spoke sweeter

and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying

and he said someday I hope you get the chance

to live like you were dying

He said I was finally the husband

that most the time I wasn't

and I became a friend

a friend would like to have

and all the sudden going fishin

wasn't such an imposition

and I went three times

that year I lost my dad"

Again, not sure how to use this in therapy, but pretty ACT consistent.

ACT Principle(s): Acceptance, Committed Action

Recommendations On Use: I have not used this song clinically yet. I'm a trainee, and have hesitated based on (1) the blatant (though effective) use of a top 7 swear word, and (2) the VERY pop-punk sound, which I happen to love, but recognize many people find grating. That being said, as a clinician working with young adults with SUDs in various stages of readiness to change their substance use, it feels particularly fitting.  I may bring it to a second-year practicum in my role as an advanced student supervisor first.

Lyrics:

I don't know what we're doing this for
Say we're getting better while we're passed out on the floor
And then we find a way to forget through the years
We wish the bad parts would just disappear
But they're not going anywhere
We're not going any-
Where

I wish I could tell you why I
Have this need to get the hell out before I die.
I'm not kidding myself that it's different somewhere else
Guess I just want to try and find new faces who don't want to just forget
Instead of lubing up the awkward parts
They want to break their fucking habits.

It's time
We stop saying why
And make it fucking happen
And make something happen
No, no

Hannah told me she's unhappy all the time she's been in school
But she does it anyway
Hey, Christina does it too
And Sarah told me her relationship was making her blue
But she takes what she can get
And when she can forget
The things he called her last night
She knows he's heaven-sent.

It's time
We stop saying why
And make it fucking happen
And make something happen
No, no

Nickelback- If today was your last day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtlsyifVaMI

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day
(If today was your last day)

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you'll never live it twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin' stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

Fusion; the song (and the video) illustrates rigid rule-governed behavior and its costs, like the lack of and longing for vitality. 

Always on this line

As the day turns to night
under these suburban skies
think of all willing lies, of cutting ties,
the emptiness,

At first light, first sight,
the world seems like a miracle,
but try to hold it in your hands
and watch it get away,
oh the ugliness of fate,

When you're always on this line,
when you're always on this line,
you could've crossed a million times,
but you're always on this line,
oh, put your hands up,
claim your crime,
'cause you never had the time,
you still get to work just fine,
when you're always on this line

But it's alright, it's okay,
when there's excuses in your way,
you can try, just make it up,
settle down but don't look up,

At first bite, first lie,
the world seems like it serves you well,
but try to catch it in your hands,
treating it like a slave of the emptiness you crave,

When you're always on this line,
when you're always on this line,
you could've crossed a million times,
but you're always on this line,
oh, put your hands up,
claim your crime,
'cause you never had the time,
you still get to work just fine,
when you're always on this line,

Oh, it might be unkind of me to make you feel bad,
it might be a shame of me to treat you like that,
when there's everything you've worked for in your life,
on this line,

When you're always on this line,
when you're always on this line,
you could've crossed a million times,
but you're always on this line,
oh, put your hands up,
claim your crime,
'cause you never had the time,
you still get to work just fine,
when you're always on this line

It's beautiful and the lyrics are very ACT consistent.

The Competition - Kimya Dawson

ACT Principle: Acceptance This song is great for helping people grasp the concepts of acceptance and willingness in the midst of strong emotions and unhelpful thoughts. Popular with adolescents and younger generation clients (especially those who have seen the film Juno and may be familiar with other songs by Kimya Dawson). 

Click for the lyrics.

a song that problematizes fusion and thereby creates defusion :)

Monkeyboy - The Hellacopters

I got an ape performing in my head
If he don't stop then I will soon be dead

This monkey's no friend of mine
I try to act straight but he's on cloud number nine
He's got a cup made of tin
And it's 'cause of him you won't let me in

He bangs a drum so I can't get no sleep
Well he's a monkey but he can't be beat

Head over heels on banana peel
I'm getting confused as to what I feel
And every time I try to speak
He always puts his monkeytongue in my cheek

Oh, my, my - I'd do anything to make him die
And oh then I'd see there's nothing I can do
The monkey's just a part of me

I got a monkey singing in my brain
I should have known already we're the same

Oh, my, my - I'd do anything to make him die
And oh then I'd see there's nothing I can do
The monkey's just a part of me

Originally submitted by Deborah Stringer

The song "turn it off" from the musical "book of mormon" is a satirical tap number about the unworkability of the control agenda. It was written by the same folks who do South Park, so, as you might expect, it's not for all clients or clinicians. The lyrics are below:

The Book of Mormon lyrics: Turn it Off
I got a feeling that you could be feeling
A whole lot better than you feel today
You say you got a problem, well that's no problem
It's super easy not to feel that way
When you start to get confused because of thoughts in your head
Don't feel those feelings hold them in instead

Turn it off, like a light switch
Just go click
It's a cool little Mormon trick
We do it all the time
When you're feeling certain feelings
That just don't seem right
Treat those pesky feelings like a reading light
And turn em off like a light switch
Just go bap
Really what's so hard about that?
Turn it off
Turn it off

When I was young my dad would treat my mom real bad
Every time the Utah Jazz would lose
He'd start a-drinking and I'd start a-thinking
How am I gonna keep my mom from getting abused
I'd see her all scared and my soul was dyin'
My dad would say to me now don't you dare start cryin'
Turn it off
Like a light switch
Just go flick
It's our nifty little Mormon trick
Turn it off
Turn it off

My sister was a dancer but she got cancer
The doctor said she still had two months more
I thought she had time so I got in line
For the new iPhone at the apple store
She laid there dying with my father and mother
Her very last words were where is my brother
Turn it off
Bid those sad feelings adieu
The fear that I might get cancer too

When I was in fifth grade I had a friend Steve Blade
He and I were close as two friends could be
One thing led to another and soon I would discover
I was having really strange feelings for Steve
I thought about us on a deserted island
We'd swim naked in the sea and then he'd try and...
Whoa!
Turn it off like a light switch
There it's gone (good for you!)
My hetero side just won
I'm all better now
Boys should be with girls that's heavenly father's plan
So if you ever feel you'd rather be with a man
Turn it off

Well, Elder McKinley, I think it's okay that you're having gay thoughts
Just so long as you never act upon them

No – cause then you're just keeping it down
Like a dimmer switch
On low (on low)
Thinking nobody needs to know (uh oh)
But that's not true
Being gay is bad but lying is worse
So just realize you have a curable curse
And turn it off
Turn it off

(Tap dancing! With red sparkly vests!)

Turn it off
Now how do you feel?
The same (ahw)
Then you've only got yourself to blame
You didn't pretend hard enough
Imagine that your brain is made of tiny boxes
Then find the box that's gay and crush it!
Okay?
No, no I'm not having gay thoughts
Alright! It worked! Yay!
Turn it off
Turn it off, turn it off
Turn it off, turn it off like a light switch
Just go click (click, click)
What a cool little Mormon trick (trick, trick)
We do it all the time
When you're feeling certain feelings that just don't seem right (don't seem right)
Treat those pesky feelings like a reading light
Turn it off like a light switch on a cord
Now he isn't gay any...
Turn it, turn it, turn it, turn it
Turn it, turn it, turn it, turn it
Turn it
Turn it off (off!)

For a great example of someone dignifying their values with pain, I can whole-heartedly recommend the autobiography "Things the grandchildren should know" by Mark Everett (Lead singer Eels).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Things_the_Grandchildren_Should_Know

His songs also hint at vital living: -----------------------------------------------------

Hey Man (Now You're Really Living):

Do you know what it's like to fall on the floor?

Cry your guts out till you got no more

Hey man, now you're really living

Have you ever made love to a beautiful girl?

Made you feel like it's not such a bad world

Hey man, now you're really living

Now you're really giving everything

And you're really gettin' what you gave

Now you're really livin' what this life is all about

Well, I just saw the sun rise over the hill

Never used to give me much of a thrill

But, hey man, now I'm really living

Do you know what it's like to care too much?

About someone that you're never gonna get to touch

Hey man, now you're really living

Have you ever sat down in the fresh-cut grass

And thought about the moment and when it will pass

Hey man, now you're really living

Now you're really giving everything

And you're really gettin' what you gave

Now you're really livin' what this life is all about

Now, what would you say if I told you that

Everyone thinks you're a crazy old cat 

Hey man, now you're really living

Do you know what it's like to fall on the floor?

Cry your guts out till you got no more

Hey man, now you're really living

Have you ever made love to a beautiful girl?

Made you feel like it's not such a bad world

Hey man, now you're really living...

----------------------------------------------

P.S. You rock my world:

I was at a funeral the day i realized

I wanted to spend my life with you

Sitting down on the steps at the old post office

The flag was flying at half-mast

And I was thinkin' 'bout how everyone is dying

And maybe it's time to live

I don't know where we're going

I don't know what we'll do

Walked into the thrif-tee

Saw the man with the hollow eyes

who didn't give me all my change

But it didn't bother me this time

'cause I know I've only got this moment

And it's good

I went to the gas station

Old woman honked her horn

Waiting for me to fix her car

I don't know where we're going

I don't know what we'll do

Laying in bed tonight

I was thinking and listening to

all the dogs and the sirens and the shots

And how a careful man tries to dodge the bullets

While a happy man takes a walk

And maybe it's time to live ----------------------------------------------------

18 Song lyrics that cover a broad range of ACT concepts...Here are some ACT themes covered by various songs. See the attached file for the actual lyrics (note, some of them are abridged):

Suffering is Universal:

R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts

TOAD THE WET SPROCKET - Little Buddha 

The Problem:

RADIOHEAD - Fitter Happier

NADA SURF - Stalemate

SUPREME BEINGS OF LEISURE - What's the Deal

Acceptance:

THE BEATLES - Let it Be

JAMES BROWN - Mind Power

NITIN SAWHNEY - Letting Go

Mindfulness:

MEREDITH MONK - Walking Song (no lyrics, just breathing)

Self as Context:

AKRON/FAMILY - Franny/You're Human

NINE INCH NAILS - Only T.REX - Cosmic Dancer

Values:

ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN - What are you Going to do with Your Life?

LIONEL RITCHIE - Time

TIM MCGRAW - Live Life Like You were Dying

Willingness:

DURAN DURAN - Finest Hour

SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE - Stand!

FRANK SINATRA - My Way

This song is called Walk Unafraid, it was originally made by R.E.M and then covered by First Aid Kit for the recent move Wild. I like this because it's about encouraging someone to be willing to make a change, sitting with (or carrying) negative emotion or pain. This is especially in the lines

'If I have a bag of rocks to carry as I go
I just want to hold my head up high
I don't care what I have to step over'

As I see it, this song is about willingness to walk unafraid even in the presence of fear and doubt. The person may be clumsy and fall and trip but she will pick herself up and carry on. Expanding the opportunities open to her and holding her head high. 

As the sun comes up, as the moon goes down
These heavy notions creep around

It makes me think, long ago
I was brought into this life, a little lamb
A little lamb
Courageous, stumbling
Fearless was my middle name
But somewhere there I lost my way
Everyone walks the same
Expecting me to step
The narrow path they've laid
They claim to

[Chorus]
Walk unafraid
I'll be clumsy instead
Hold me love or leave me high

[Verse 2]
Say "keep within the boundaries if you want to play"
Say "contradiction only makes it harder"
How can I be
What I want to be
When all I want to do is strip away
These stilled constraints
And crush this charade
Shred this sad masquerade
I don't need no persuading
I'll trip, fall, pick myself up and

[Chorus]
Walk unafraid
I'll be clumsy instead
Hold me love or leave me high

[Verse 3]
If I have a bag of rocks to carry as I go
I just want to hold my head up high
I don't care what I have to step over
I'm prepared to look you in the eye
Look me in the eye
And if you see familiarity
Then celebrate the contradiction
Help me when I fall to

[Chorus]
Walk unafraid
I'll be clumsy instead
Hold me love or leave me high

[Chorus]
I will walk unafraid
I'll be clumsy instead
Hold me love or leave me high

[Outro]
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey

“Be empty of worrying.
Think of who created thought!
Why do you stay in prison
When the door is so wide open?"

“These pains you feel are messengers.  Listen to them.”

“Brother, stand the pain.
Escape the poison of your judges.
The sky will bow to your beauty, if you do.
Learn to light the candle. Rise with the sun.
Turn away from the cave of your sleeping.
That way a thorn expands to a rose."

“Are you jealous of the ocean’s generosity?
Why would you refuse to give this joy to anyone? Fish don’t hold the sacred liquid in cups! They swim the huge fluid freedom.”

"Come, come, come whatever you are..
Good or bad, 
It doesn't matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vow a thousand times
Come, yet again, come, come."

"Submit to love without thinking"

"Close your eyes, fall in Love, stay there."

"When love itself comes to kiss you, don’t hold back!"

"Speak with the language of love."

"If the house of the world is dark, Love will find a way to create windows."

"Love is a silent language."

"Love will find its way through all languages on its own."

"As you live deeper in the heart, the mirror gets clearer and cleaner."

"Now’ is where love breathes."

"No words can explain how inspired words spring out of silence."

"Free yourself from your own thoughts."

"Enough of words. Come to me without a sound."

"Sit, be still, and listen."

"Hear the passage into silence and be that."

"You are the seeker, the goal, and seeking itself. Not only a part of them"

"Don’t sit and wait. Get out there, feel life. Touch the sun, and immerse in the sea."

"Give yourself a kiss. If you want to hold the beautiful one, hold yourself to yourself."

"You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop."

"We often need to be refreshed."

"The moment you accept what troubles you’ve been given, the door will open."

"Respond to every call that excites your spirit."

"Everything about yesterday has gone with yesterday. Today, it is needed to say new things."

"If you are irritated by every rub, how will you be polished?."

"Don’t grieve, anything you lose comes round in another form."

"Smiles come best from those who weep."

"Do not be satisfied with the stories that come before you. Unfold your own myth."

"Stay in the spiritual fire. Let it cook you."