Self-as-context Homework in ACT for PTSD
Booz Allen
Department of Veterans Affairs
Yale University
University of Nevada, Reno
Key Points
- Have the client identify aspects of their conceptualized self that they’re frequently fused with.
- Be on the lookout for how much of their day-to-day behavior is defined by that content.
- Connect with memories overtime to gain contact with a perspective that there’s a part of ourselves that remains consistent (self-as-context).
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Transcript
In this section, I’ll provide 2 types of potential homework exercises related to self-as-context. The first exercise is focused more on self-as-content or the conceptualized self. And the second one is focused more on finding that self-as-context perspective.
The first one is called knowing your conceptualized self. And for this, you’d want to give the client a piece of paper with the following instructions. Something like, “Please complete the sentences below based on both what you think about yourself and what you think others might say about you.”
Follette, V. M., & Pistorello, J. (2007). Finding life beyond trauma: Using acceptance and commitment therapy to heal from post-traumatic stress and trauma-related problems. New Harbinger Publications.
And then you can have a number of prompts like these. You can create your own based on what you think might be useful, but here are some examples: My physical characteristics would be described as blank. I was born and raised in the following areas… My dominant culture would be best described as…
Follette, V. M., & Pistorello, J. (2007). Finding life beyond trauma: Using acceptance and commitment therapy to heal from post-traumatic stress and trauma-related problems. New Harbinger Publications.