ACT for Anxiety Disorders: Focus on Generalized Anxiety Disorder
In this clinical case, Dr. Michelle Woidneck provides a process-focused ACT perspective for understanding and treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). She employs the hexaflex model in addition to useful metaphors and tools, while developing an ACT-guided diagnosis and treatment structure.
<> ACT for GAD: The Million Dollars and Loaded Die Exercises
Learn how to introduce the concept of control as the problem experientially in ACT for generalized anxiety disorder through effective exercises.
1. It is essential to employ control as the problem exercises in therapy, to help clients experience the concepts
2. The million dollars exercise exemplifies how, the more we try to control internal experiences, the stronger they become.
3. The loaded die metaphor emphasizes the importance of stepping away from all attempts at controlling internal experiences, and being open to a new approach.
<> ACT for GAD: How to Target Acceptance Experientially in Session
Dr. Michelle Woidneck explains acceptance exercises for anxiety. Noticing emotions and saying yes or no to them are powerful techniques to apply in session.
1. When doing acceptance exercises, it is important to connect them with the client’s values so they have more power and impact.
2. Turning the attention to an emotion or sensation that happens in the moment is a great acceptance exercise, as it cultivates willingness to feel anxiety, and is a form of exposure.
3. The exercise of saying yes or no to a sensation builds awareness of moments when the client is unwilling to feel anxiety, and helps them become more mindful of inner experiences.
<> ACT for GAD: Introducing Defusion Exercises
Cognitive fusion is an obstacle to willingness or acceptance. Watch now to learn practical exercises for applying defusion to anxiety in session.
1. What gets in the way of willingness is fusion with a thought, feeling, or sensation.
2. “Give your mind a name” and “I’m having the thought that” are practical exercises for introducing the concept of defusion experientially in session.
3. It is important to be mindful of the timing of defusion exercises, as they can be experienced as invalidating if not introduced carefully.
