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Dealing with existential themes in acceptance and commitment therapy : a qualitative interview study

Wilms, S (2016) Dealing with existential themes in acceptance and commitment therapy : a qualitative interview study.

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Abstract:The present paper firstly reviews the relevance of death anxiety and meaning in life for psychotherapy, and their place in Existential Therapies, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Secondly, a following qualitative interview study explores how ACT therapists deal with these themes in therapy practice. Nearly all ACT therapists were familiar with clients who struggle with death anxiety and a lack of meaning in life. A range of strategies were found, which can be subsumed under seven thematic categories. There was disagreement among the respondents on whether one should explore the client’s worldview and meaning-making regarding death anxiety and meaning in life, as this possibly contradicts with Relational Frame Theory (RFT), the philosophical foundation of ACT. Finally, this study gives first indications that ACT is a suitable form of therapy to help clients who struggle with existential themes.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:10 humanities in general, 77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/70176
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