ACT Stage 2 – Defusion

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

“When you accept things you have no control of, you give yourself the freedom to focus on things you do.”
Aimmee Kodachian

As we discussed in the previous Mental Health Musings, ACT is basically built on the concept of Psychological Flexibility.

In short, psychological flexibility means that connect with the present moment fully, and, based on the aspects of the present moment, change one’s behavior or perceptions based on one’s values. In otherwards, hold thoughts and emotions lightly, and use longer term values and goals, rather than shorter term thoughts and emotions, and indeed impulses.

I continue to be inspired and amazed at ACT, and find that the significance of mindfulness and the authentic self as concepts present in ACT resonates in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I’ve been a practitioner of mindfulness since 2011, and have believed fully in the authentic or real self, and have developed a deep, abiding admiration and love for Eastern Philosophy, such as Hinduism and Buddhism. And now, 25 years into my career, I find that there is a way to combine ALL of these things together.

6 Core Psychological Flexibility Processes

Stage 2 – Defusion, to stop trying to make these states/events/experiences “concrete,” but, instead understanding that they are abstracts.

It is thought of as “a skill or technique that is primarily used to detach, separate, or get some distance from our thoughts and emotions.” The Psychology Group.

Jules Evans, philosophy for life, May 3, 2019, https://www.philosophyforlife.org/blog/ten-defusion-techniques-for-unhooking-your-mind

Leaves on a stream
Hands in front of your face
The guest house, theatre, ship of fools
Playground bully
Silly voice
The view from above
Plato’s IMAX
The sky and the clouds
Flushed with pride
You are the Buddha

Stay tuned for the next Mental Health Musings, which will explore Stage 3 – Present Moment

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NASW - National Association of Social Workers