Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
In our work together you will learn to embrace the following concepts – with the ultimate goal of reestablishing a sense of balance and harmony within your life:
Acceptance of Feelings
Embrace feelings of hopelessness as well as existential anxieties around mortality and meaninglessness as natural responses to life's uncertainties and challenges. Instead of avoiding or denying these emotions, individuals learn to accept and acknowledge them as part of the human experience.
Mindfulness Practices
Practice mindfulness techniques to cultivate present-moment awareness of existential concerns, such as the inevitability of death or the search for meaning - to observe thoughts and feelings related to hopelessness without becoming entangled in them. By staying grounded in the present, individuals can observe their anxious and hopeless thoughts without becoming overwhelmed by them.
Commitment to Action
Take deliberate steps towards living in alignment with one's values, living a meaningful life – even in the face of existential anxiety. Through committed action, individuals set goals and engage in behaviors that reflect their values, allowing them to move forward with purpose and intention.
Defusion Techniques
Utilize cognitive defusion strategies to create distance from anxious thoughts and beliefs about existence and hopelessness. Rather than remain entangled in catastrophic thinking, individuals learn to view their anxious thoughts as passing mental events, allowing them to respond more flexibly and effectively to existential concerns.
Clarifying Personal Values
Reflect on personal values and aspirations in order to gain insight into what truly matters in life. By connecting with their values, individuals can find purpose and direction even in the face of existential anxiety and hopelessness, guiding them towards actions that align with their deeper desires.