South Africa: Learn ACT techniques to shift clients from past/future attachment to present awareness and self-as-context in these CPD courses.
Part 4 of this Acceptance and Commitment Therapy series explores moving from attachment to the past and future towards present-moment awareness, and from self-as-content towards self-as-context. It is accredited by the HPCSA for CPD points. South African psychologists and counsellors will examine how rumination, hindsight, hypothetical anxiety and rigid identity stories narrow psychological flexibility in clinical work. Concise theory is paired with exercises for direct use with clients, including breath-based practice, attention switching, the Life as a Stage exercise, perspective-shifting questions and "My mind tells me that". The course also considers when an ACT exercise builds flexibility and when it risks becoming another rigid rule.
This talk explores two further processes within Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): moving from attachment to the past and future towards present-moment awareness, and from self-as-content towards self-as-context. Participants will examine how rumination, hindsight, hypothetical anxiety and rigid identity stories can narrow psychological flexibility, and how these patterns show up in clinical work.
The talk combines concise theory with practical exercises that can be used directly with clients. These include breath-based present-moment practice, attention switching, the Life as a Stage exercise, perspective-shifting questions and “My mind tells me that…”. The emphasis throughout is on helping clients create more awareness, perspective and choice, rather than trying to eliminate thoughts, emotions or identity content.
- Identify when past- or future-focused thinking is functioning as rumination, hindsight or hypothetical anxiety rather than useful reflection or planning.
- Describe the difference between self-as-content and self-as-context and how rigid identity statements can influence behaviour.
- Apply practical present-moment awareness exercises to help clients notice and deliberately redirect attention.
- Apply self-as-context exercises to help clients create perspective around rigid identity stories.
Identify when an ACT exercise is increasing psychological flexibility and when it risks becoming another rigid rule or avoidance strategy.