Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Behavioral Therapies in Practice
Mindfulness- and acceptance-based behavioral therapies are part of a “third wave” in behavior therapy, which emphasizes transdiagnostic processes rather than diagnosis-specific treatments. These strategies have become integral parts of many evidence-based psychological treatments for various problems and populations (e.g., MBSR, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, dialectical behavior therapy).
Acceptance is the ability to be aware of thoughts and feelings without altering or suppressing them. Through acceptance, clients learn to be non-attached to what is being observed, instead attending to their experiences with an open mind and curiosity.
Psychopathology holds that acceptance can reduce chronic attempts to control private experience by avoiding or suppressing distressing material (e.g., intrusive thoughts or feelings) in favor of more adaptive, flexible behavioral repertoires that promote appropriate responses to challenging circumstances and activities. Furthermore, this approach may promote greater resilience during stressful life events such as traumatic incidents or periods of intense anxiety.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of acceptance-based interventions for various comorbid anxiety disorders and how they can be combined with other treatments to promote symptom reduction and improved quality of life. Furthermore, these approaches had positive effects on depression and PTSD symptoms as well.
These treatments have been found to decrease experiential avoidance and improve symptoms for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, posttraumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. They involve the application of experiential mindfulness, values clarification and interpersonal skills training in order to promote behavioral flexibility when faced with difficult circumstances.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a psychotherapy that draws upon both change-oriented and acceptance-based techniques to promote psychological flexibility. It seeks to give clients control over their emotions and behaviors through dialectics – the concept that opposing views or strategies can be integrated throughout treatment in order to avoid clients becoming stuck in one extreme position.
The program has demonstrated success in treating a variety of mental health conditions, such as:
It is a long-term intervention consisting of forty 2-hour sessions spread out over several months or years. It also comes as ultra-brief therapy, where it can be delivered in just twenty to thirty minutes per session.
This topic is essential and relevant for both therapists and the public, as acceptance-based strategies can have beneficial effects on mental health and well-being. As such, they are increasingly being utilized in medical and clinical settings to treat conditions like anxiety, panic disorder, eating disorders, and personality disorders. The primary advantage of these programs is their ease of implementation which often yields beneficial results quickly.
