Self-as-Context in ACT for OCD
Key Points
- Self-as-context focuses on the experience of being aware that we’re the ones who contain our private experience.
- The goal of self-as-context is to reduce the attachment to internal experiences and to flexibly attend to this constant part that is noticing.
- Refrain from explaining the concept and instead practice it experientially.
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Transcript
Now we're going to talk about the concept of self-as-context and this is for session six. Again, these sessions are given as a guide but you may be covering this concept at a different session with your particular clients.
And at the beginning of this session, you want to review home practice from the previous session as you would in all of the other sessions. This is where you can learn more about how your client is understanding and interacting and practicing with the concepts that you've covered so far and learning more about if they're ready to go on to the next concept or need to review previous concepts.
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2011). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change. Guilford Press.
Self-as-context is the simple experience of being aware that we are the ones who contain and look at our private experience. Self-as-context is a grounded and centered stance that happens in the present moment, and this is where one is able to see the distinction between themselves and the stuff they're experiencing. And by the stuff they're experiencing, I mean thoughts, emotions, beliefs about themselves, beliefs about the roles that they hold, what's considered the conceptualized self. So it's being able to see yourself as separate from this content.
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2011). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change. Guilford Press.