What are third wave psychological therapies?

TL;DR

This video discusses third wave therapies, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), compassion focused therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Transcript

hi guys welcome back to my channel and if you haven't seen before my name is ava and i'm a phd student at ucl so i thought i'd talk about third wave therapies that are mainly focused on aspects such as acceptance and mindfulness so first wave therapy would involve behavior therapy second wave would be cognitive therapy and cognitive behavior therap... Read More

Key Insights

• 👋 Third wave therapies emphasize acceptance, mindfulness, and alignment with personal values.
• 🤔 Mindfulness-based therapies like MBSR and MBCT can prevent relapse of depression by addressing negative thinking patterns.
• 🤳 Compassion-focused therapy involves activating the soothing system and reducing self-criticism and shame.
• ❓ DBT is beneficial for individuals struggling with emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
• 👋 Third wave therapies can enhance psychological flexibility, well-being, and quality of life.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Acceptance of chronic pain, for example, can improve mental health and increase engagement in meaningful activities.
• 💭 Mindfulness helps individuals observe their thoughts and emotions non-judgmentally, fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) differ from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)?

While CBT focuses on challenging and changing irrational thoughts, ACT emphasizes acceptance of negative thoughts and emotions while focusing on personal values and taking action towards them.

Q: Can mindfulness-based therapies be beneficial for individuals without a history of depression?

Yes, mindfulness-based therapies like MBSR can benefit anyone experiencing chronic stress, offering coping skills and promoting a healthier present moment awareness.

Q: How does compassion-focused therapy address negative self-esteem and self-criticism?

Compassion-focused therapy helps individuals activate their soothing system, promoting self-care, nurturing behaviors, and reducing excessive shame and self-attack.

Q: Who can benefit from dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)?

DBT was initially developed for individuals with borderline personality disorder, self-injurious behavior, or suicidal thoughts, targeting distress tolerance and interpersonal regulation skills.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Third wave therapies, including ACT and mindfulness, focus on acceptance, psychological flexibility, and aligning behaviors with personal values.

• Mindfulness-based therapies like MBSR and MBCT help individuals recognize and respond to negative thoughts and prevent relapse of depression.

• Compassion-focused therapy addresses the imbalance between threat, drive, and soothing systems, encouraging self-care and nurturing.

• DBT targets behaviors, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation, primarily for individuals with borderline personality disorder.