Defusion Techniques and Exercises for OCD
Key Points
- Defusion practices can be difficult to introduce.
- Therapists struggle with this process more than others in ACT.
- Use exercises to show the components of defusion.
Materials Downloads
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Transcript
If you are finding yourself feeling a bit nervous or confused about defusion and how to use this with your clients, you are not alone.
I find that therapists often struggle with this process more so than others in ACT. And in particular, I find that they struggle to really get started with the concept of defusion with their clients. I'm going to give you an example of how I introduce this with clients because often you can learn metaphors and exercises to use but it can feel like an awkward transition into them especially when you're new to ACT.
Twohig, M. P. (2004). ACT for OCD: Abbreviated treatment manual [Unpublished treatment manual]. University of Nevada.
So here is what I tend to say to ease into defusion exercises. Today, I want to talk about the way our thoughts work. We get lots of thoughts every day, heck, every second. And I imagine you've been noticing all those thoughts and suggestions your mind makes with those present moment practices I had you do last week. We're constantly being sent signals by our mind about our bodies and we can find ourselves taking some of those signals very seriously while we completely ignore others.
Twohig, M. P. (2004). ACT for OCD: Abbreviated treatment manual [Unpublished treatment manual]. University of Nevada.