Addressing Loss, Grief, and Hopelessness in ACT: A Clinical Case With Dr. DJ Moran

MidAmerican Psychological Institute
Pickslyde Consulting

Start by showing empathy for your patient or client! It is general advice for therapists, and an ACT therapist is not the exception.
Keep in mind the components of the hexagon model, and listen carefully to what your patient or client is saying, to give you an idea of which component you need to address first. In this case, Mary was fused to her thought content, and defusion was a clear way to start.
Pain is part of the human condition, but this therapy aims to move beyond the suffering, move forward from where you are. In this case, it was not the idea that Mary forgets about her deceased husband, but as Dr, Moran said, “honor the great relationship you had”, and move on to “the next chapter in your life”.