Act for PTSD: Self-as-Context Metaphors and Exercises
Booz Allen
Department of Veterans Affairs
Yale University
University of Nevada, Reno
Key Points
- Different exercises and metaphors can be created to help the person connect with the sense of self-perspective.
- Some exercises focus more on contacting the observer self.
- Other exercises introduce more of the concept that the self-as-context is the nonjudgmental container.
Materials Downloads
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Transcript
In this video, I’ll go through several examples of self-as-context exercises and metaphors. You should be able to use at least one of these with any given type of client, depending on whether they might respond better to a theoretical exercise or a more visual metaphor.
So, here’s one that I call asking progressive self questions. At the most basic level, targeted interventions in the self-as-context component of ACT attempt to contrast the constantly changing content of private experiences with a consistent perspective from which a person can mindfully observe this ever-changing content.
Batten, S. V. (2011). Essentials of acceptance and commitment therapy. SAGE Publications Ltd.
For example, in a session, the therapist may ask a series of questions to illustrate the distinction between the observer and the things that are observed. So, here’s how that conversation might go.
Batten, S. V. (2011). Essentials of acceptance and commitment therapy. SAGE Publications Ltd.