Cognitive Defusion in OCD
Key Points
- In session 5 we introduce the process of defusion.
- Defusion is made up of deliteralization and separation of behavior from internal experiences.
- Defusion is an important concept in OCD so don’t skip it.
Materials Downloads
Transcript
Now, we're moving into session 5. So you'll begin session 5 again with a review of their home practices.
So from the last session, that would be being in the present moment activities and also their behavioral commitments and address any concerns or issues they had while assessing for yourself where they're at on particular ACT processes so you know where to head in the future if needed or what needs more practice.
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change (2nd ed.). Guilford Publications.,Twohig, M. P. (2004). ACT for OCD: Abbreviated treatment manual [Unpublished treatment manual]. University of Nevada.
This session will then focus on the introduction of the process defusion. I rarely use the term defusion with clients. Instead, I introduce it by saying, "Today, I want to talk about our thoughts, what they do and how we respond to them." And most clients are totally fine with that transition. Defusion is a particularly relevant concept for OCD given that there's a strong impact of thoughts, emotions and sensations on the client's behavior. So when people are able to reduce the impact of these internal experiences and take them more lightly, it is much easier for them to experience them and to have more flexible behavior from there.
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change (2nd ed.). Guilford Publications.,Twohig, M. P. (2004). ACT for OCD: Abbreviated treatment manual [Unpublished treatment manual]. University of Nevada.
