Faith-Based ACT for Christian Clients: An Integrative Treatment Approach

Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Permissions
About the Author
Introduction
	The “Fork in the Road”
	Combining ACT and Christianity at the “Ground Floor”
	Two Types of Psychological Pain
	Psychological Pain and the Rich Ruler
	Jesus the Rabbi
	An Antidote for Psychological Pain
	A Hopeful Endurance
	Strengthening Christian Endurance: A Faith-Based Strategy
	Counseling and Therapy, Psychological Suffering, and the Christian Faith in Context
	Balancing Acceptance and Action: A Main Goal, Three Pillars, and Six Processes
	ACT Condensed: One-Sentence, Three-Word,and One-Word Versions
	ACT and God’s Dwelling Place: A House of Enduring Love
	ACT and God’s Dwelling Place: A Guiding Metaphor
	Conclusion: The Road Ahead
	Notes
	References
Chapter 1 Psychological Problems in the 21st Century
	Introduction
	Psychological Problems, Conditions, and Disorders in the 21st Century
	Contemporary Responses to Psychological Problems, Conditions, and Disorders: Common Avoidance Strategies
		The Biomedical Model
		The Internet
		The “Prosperity Gospel”
		Traditional CBT
	The Recurrent Nature of Psychological Pain
	The Transdiagnostic Movement
	Lamenting to God: An Alternative to Avoidance
	Conclusion
	Note
	References
Chapter 2 Differentiating Psychological Symptoms from Disorders
	Introduction
	The DSM-5: Defining Psychological Problems, Conditions, and Disorders
	The DSM-5: Assigning a Diagnosis or V Code
	The DSM-5: Growing Concerns
	Relating Differently to Psychological Pain: Perspectives from Counseling and Therapy
	Relating Differently to Psychological Pain: Perspectives from the Bible
	Differentiating Psychological Symptoms from Problems, Conditions, and Disorders: A Case Example
	Conclusion
	Notes
	References
Chapter 3 The Problem of Experiential Avoidance
	Introduction
	The Experiential Avoidance Literature: Theoretical and Empirical Considerations
	Desperately Trying to Escape Psychological Pain: A Clinical Illustration of Experiential Avoidance
	Covering Up and Hiding in Fear and Shame: Experiential Avoidance in the Bible
	Creative Hopelessness in the Presence of God: A Strategy for Shifting from Avoidance to Acceptance
	Learning to Lean on God: A Clinical Example of Experiential Acceptance
	Paul in Chains: A Biblical Case of Experiential Acceptance
	Conclusion
	References
Chapter 4 Faith-Based ACT for Christian Suffering
	Introduction
	ACT: Preliminary Considerations
	Language and Human Suffering: ACT and Christian Perspectives
	An Introduction to the Four Mindfulness-Based Processes: Accepting Inner Pain
	The Technology of Acceptance: Buddhist and Christian Perspectives
	Acceptance and Endurance
	Cognitive Defusion and Watchfulness
	The Transcendent Self and Contemplative Self
	Present-Moment Awareness and Practicing God’s Presence
	Values and Biblical Virtues
	Committed Action and Following Jesus
	Psychological Flexibility and Walking with God in Love
	The “Choice Point” and “Fork in the Road”
	ACTing in Relationships
	Conclusion
	Notes
	References
Chapter 5 Mary, Martha, Contemplation, and Action
	Introduction
	Characteristics of Mary
	Characteristics of Martha
	Theological Interpretations of Mary and Martha within the Contemplative Tradition
	Parallels between Mary and Martha and Acceptance-Based Counseling and Therapy
	Christian Contemplation and Buddhist Mindfulness: Similarities and Differences
	An Exercise for Cultivating Hearing and the Mary Mode: Christian Contemplation
	The Challenges of Daily Contemplative Practice
	A Technique for Developing Doing and the Martha Mode: Opposite Action
	A Clinical Example
	Conclusion
	Notes
	References
Chapter 6 Watching and Enduring
	Introduction
	Traditional ACT and Cognitive Fusion
	Traditional ACT and Experiential Avoidance
	Contemplation and Human Suffering: A Christian Perspective
	The Desert: A Place for Watching and Enduring
	The Cell: A Symbol for Watching and Enduring
	The Limitations of Language: Mystical Theology and God
	Watchfulness: The Christian Version of Cognitive Defusion
	Endurance: The Christian Version of Acceptance
	Faith-Based ACT Goals for Watching and Enduring
	Faith-Based ACT Conceptualizations, Metaphors, Descriptions, and Techniques for Watching and Enduring
	The Bible and Enduring
	A Clinical Example of Watching and Enduring
	Conclusion
	Notes
	References
Chapter 7 Noticing and Shifting
	Introduction
	Traditional ACT and the Transcendent Self
	Traditional ACT and Present-Moment Awareness
	Psychological Flexibility and Walking with God in Love
	The Contemplative Self: The Christian Version of the Transcendent Self
	Practicing God’s Presence: The Christian Version of Present-Moment Awareness
	The Jesus Prayer: An Exercise for Noticing and Shifting
	Faith-Based ACT Conceptualizations, Goals, Metaphors, and Exercises for Noticing and Shifting
	A Clinical Example of Noticing and Shifting
	Conclusion
	Notes
	References
Chapter 8 Committing and Following
	Introduction
	Traditional ACT and Values
	Traditional ACT and Committed Action
	Martha and Action
	Biblical Virtues: The Christian Version of Values
	Biblical Virtues and Contemplative Christianity
	Biblical Virtues, Compulsive Thoughts, and the Passions
	Following Jesus: The Christian Version of Committed Action
	Faith-Based ACT Conceptualizations, Goals, Metaphors, Exercises, and Worksheets for Committing and Following
	A Clinical Example of Committing and Following
	Conclusion
	Notes
	References
Chapter 9 Faith-Based ACT for Depression
	Introduction
	MBCT for Depression
	Traditional ACT for Depression
	Mindfulness and Psychological Flexibility
	Research on Mindfulness-Based Counseling and Therapy for Depression
	Christianity and Depression
	The Contemplative Tradition, Depression, and Metacognition
	Faith-Based ACT for Depression
	Conclusion
	Notes
	References
Chapter 10 Faith-Based ACT for Anxiety
	Introduction
	Traditional CBT for Anxiety
	Traditional ACT for Anxiety
	Research on Mindfulness-Based Counseling and Therapy for Anxiety
	Christianity and Anxiety
	The Contemplative Tradition, Worry, and Anxiety
	Surrendering to God’s Providence: The Christian Version of Acceptance
	The Contemplative Tradition, Anxiety, and Metacognition
	Faith-Based ACT for Anxiety
	Conclusion
	Notes
	References
Chapter 11 Faith-Based ACT for Trauma
	Introduction
	Traditional CBT for Trauma
	Traditional ACT for Trauma
	Research on Mindfulness-Based Counseling and Therapy for Trauma
	Christianity and Trauma
	The Contemplative Tradition, Trauma, and Metacognition
	Faith-Based ACT for Trauma
	Conclusion
	Notes
	References
Chapter 12 Faith-Based ACT for Relationship Distress
	Introduction
	Traditional CBT for Relationship Distress
	Traditional ACT for Relationship Distress
	Research on Traditional ACT for Relationship Distress
	Christianity and Relationship Distress
	The Contemplative Tradition, Relationship Distress, and Metacognition
	Faith-Based ACT for Relationship Distress
	Conclusion
	Notes
	References
Index