This Article Full Text (OnlineFirst PDF) All Versions of this Article: 1534650109334818v1 8/3/241    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Baruch, D. E. Articles by Juskiewicz, K. L. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Enhancing the Therapy Relationship in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Psychotic Symptoms

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: debaruch{at}gmail.com.

	Abstract

The article demonstrates how acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) may effectively alter the function of positive psychotic symptoms and how functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP) may provide a complimentary framework for interpersonal change. ACT differs with many psychosis approaches in that it does not attempt to reduce psychotic symptoms; instead, it aims to increase psychological flexibility (e.g., acceptance) in the presence of psychotic symptoms while actively pursuing valued living. The study involves, John, a 21-year-old college student, who presented with depressive symptoms, delusional and brief visual hallucinatory episodes, and severe social isolation. ACT interventions emphasize acceptance of, and mindful reactions to, psychotic symptoms while pursuing valued life goals. As John’s main goal of treatment was to develop more intimate interpersonal relationships, FAP techniques were introduced as behaviors that seemed to be distancing him from peers manifested themselves in session. The benefits and challenges of integrating ACT and FAP are discussed.

First published on April 16, 2009, doi:10.1177/1534650109334818

Clinical Case Studies 2009;8:241.

A more recent version of this article appeared on June 1, 2009


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?