Dr. Cameron Sepah: Part II - ACT: A Radical Approach to Anxiety -
May 10, 2019
auto_awesome
Dr. Cameron Sepah discusses the effectiveness of ACT in treating anxiety, contrasting it with CBT. The podcast explores cognitive therapy for resilience and flexibility, exposure therapy for anxiety, and the acceptance of anxiety as a natural part of life. Embracing chronic pain and psychological distress is highlighted, along with the importance of professional collaboration in healthcare and media.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on accepting discomfort and emphasizes willingness to experience pain as part of a values-based approach.
In contrast to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), ACT prioritizes accepting thoughts and feelings, fostering mindfulness and values-driven actions.
Deep dives
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a New Approach in Psychology
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is introduced as a behavioral treatment with a unique philosophy different from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). ACT focuses on accepting discomfort rather than reducing symptoms, emphasizing on one's willingness to experience pain or anxiety as part of a values-based approach. The therapy involves developing psychological flexibility to live a fulfilling life despite ongoing challenges.
Differences in Therapeutic Approaches: ACT vs. CBT
In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), symptom reduction is a common goal and is achieved through cognitive restructuring to correct distorted thinking. CBT also includes behavioral components like exposure therapy to desensitize individuals to feared stimuli. However, research suggests that the cognitive aspect may vary in efficacy among individuals. In contrast, ACT focuses on accepting thoughts and feelings rather than challenging or changing them, fostering mindfulness and values-driven actions.
Embracing Chronic Pain through Willingness
When dealing with chronic pain, ACT advocates for embracing discomfort by increasing willingness to experience pain while remaining true to personal values. The therapy shifts the focus from attempting to eliminate pain to coexisting with it by carrying the metaphorical 'painful burden' in a way that allows for freedom of movement and a pursuit of a fulfilling life.
The Role of Values and Psychological Flexibility in ACT
ACT encourages individuals to prioritize values that provide meaning and guide behavior, promoting psychological flexibility to navigate challenges. By aligning actions with deeply held values, individuals can enhance their overall life satisfaction and sense of purpose beyond immediate symptom reduction or pain management. This emphasis on values-driven living sets the measure of success in ACT as attaining a fulfilling and meaningful life.
This is part 2 of a special series I did with Dr. Cameron Sepah about Stress and how to work with it intelligently. This particular episode goes into Dr Sepah's particular specialty, ACT or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which Dr. Sepah uses both clinically in his private practice and studies its efficacy at UCSF.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode