Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Hexaflex - 2024
Harnessing the Power of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Hexaflex Model for Alleviating Chronic Pain
As you navigate the world of mental health and pain management, you might have come across the term ‘Acceptance and Commitment Therapy’ (ACT). This novel approach to psychotherapy utilizes mindfulness and acceptance strategies mixed in different ways with commitment and behavior-change strategies to increase psychological flexibility. ACT is a trans-diagnostic model of psychopathology and treatment, meaning it can be applied to a wide range of mental and physical health conditions, including chronic pain.
ACT is based on the idea that attempting to suppress or control difficult feelings often leads to more suffering. Instead, ACT encourages you to accept and make room for these feelings, while also committing to actions that align with your values. This allows you to live a more fulfilling life, even while experiencing chronic pain.
ACT is not about eliminating pain; instead, it encourages a different relationship with pain, where it doesn't control your life. The aim is to develop psychological flexibility – the ability to stay in contact with the present moment, regardless of unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, while choosing one’s actions based on situations and personal values.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Hexaflex
Understanding the Hexaflex Model in ACT
A fundamental component of ACT is the Hexaflex model. The Hexaflex model illustrates six key processes of ACT: acceptance, cognitive defusion, being present, self as context, values, and committed action. These processes are not linear stages, but rather interconnected facets that together create the psychological flexibility that ACT aims to cultivate.
Acceptance in the Hexaflex model is about embracing pain, rather than avoiding or struggling against it. Cognitive defusion involves distancing from unhelpful thoughts, seeing them as just thoughts and not the absolute truth. Being present refers to mindfulness and being fully engaged in the current moment. Self as context is recognizing that you are more than your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Values are your chosen life directions, while committed action is taking steps that are in line with these values.
The Role of Acceptance in Managing Chronic Pain
As you embark on your journey with ACT, you'll find that acceptance plays a pivotal role in managing chronic pain. Instead of fighting your pain or trying to suppress it, acceptance allows you to embrace your pain and live with it. This may sound counter-intuitive, but fighting or avoiding pain often leads to more suffering.
Acceptance is not about giving up or resigning yourself to a life of pain. Rather, it's about acknowledging your pain, allowing it to be there without struggling against it. This can lessen the impact of pain on your life and free up energy that you can then use to live according to your values.
Through acceptance, you learn to live a fulfilling life, not despite your pain, but with it. You can still pursue your goals and values, even while experiencing pain. Acceptance can break the cycle of avoidance and struggle that often accompanies chronic pain.
Commitment in Therapy: A Shift in Focus
Commitment in therapy involves identifying what really matters to you - your values - and taking steps to live in line with these values. This could include anything from spending more time with your family, to pursuing a passion, to contributing to your community.
Unlike traditional pain management strategies that focus on reducing pain, ACT and the commitment process focus on enhancing life quality. It's not about waiting for the pain to go away before you start living your life; it's about living a meaningful life, here and now, even with the pain.
How the Hexaflex Model Guides ACT for Chronic Pain
The Hexaflex model guides ACT for chronic pain by offering a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing pain. Through the interconnected processes of acceptance, cognitive defusion, being present, self as context, values, and committed action, the Hexaflex model provides a pathway towards psychological flexibility and improved pain management.
Case Studies: The Effectiveness of the ACT Hexaflex Model in Managing Chronic Pain
ACT has been found to be effective in managing chronic pain in numerous case studies. For instance, a 2011 study published in the Journal of Pain found that participants who underwent ACT reported significantly reduced pain, anxiety, and depression, and improved physical function, compared to those who did not undergo ACT.
In another study, individuals with chronic pain who were treated with ACT showed improved psychological flexibility, reduced pain interference, and improved quality of life. These improvements were maintained at a three-month follow-up, suggesting that the benefits of ACT and the Hexaflex model can be long-lasting.
These case studies and others underscore the potential of ACT in managing chronic pain. By harnessing the power of acceptance, commitment, and psychological flexibility, individuals with chronic pain can live fulfilling lives, despite their pain.
Implementing ACT for chronic pain
Implementing ACT for chronic pain involves engaging in each of the six processes. This can be done through a range of exercises and techniques, often guided by a trained therapist.
For instance, acceptance can be fostered through mindfulness exercises, where you learn to observe your pain without judgment or resistance. Cognitive defusion can be achieved through techniques that help you to see your thoughts as just thoughts, rather than the absolute truth. Being present can be practiced through mindfulness and meditation, while self as context can be cultivated through exercises that help you to recognize that you are more than your pain.
Identifying your values can be done through guided exploration and reflection, while committed action involves setting goals that are in line with these values and taking steps towards these goals, despite your pain.
Remember that implementing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is not a quick fix, but rather a journey towards psychological flexibility and a fulfilling life with pain.
Finding a Hexaflex Model Therapist
Finding a therapist who is trained in ACT and the Hexaflex model can be an important step in managing chronic pain. Such a therapist can guide you through the Hexaflex model, providing support and guidance as you learn to accept your pain, live in the present, defuse from unhelpful thoughts, identify as more than your pain, live according to your values, and commit to actions in line with these values.
When looking for a therapist, consider asking about their training and experience in ACT and the Hexaflex model. You might also want to ask about their approach to chronic pain and whether they have worked with individuals with similar pain conditions.
Remember that it's important to find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable and understood, as this can greatly enhance your therapy experience and outcomes.
Embracing the Hexaflex Model for Chronic Pain Management
In conclusion, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy offers a powerful approach to managing chronic pain. Through the interconnected processes of acceptance, cognitive defusion, being present, self as context, values, and committed action, you can learn to live with your pain, rather than against it, and move towards a life of value and fulfillment.
So, are you ready to harness the power of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for alleviating chronic pain? The journey may not be easy, but the rewards can be profound. A fulfilling life with pain is possible, and ACT can guide the way.
Check out our other posts and our book recommendations to learn more!
The Chronic Pain Blog 💗
DISCLAIMER: INFORMATION PROVIDED VIA OUR CONTENT (VIDEOS, AUDIOS, BLOGS, PDFS, POSTS AND OR COMMENTS) ARE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND NOTHING PUBLISHED CONSTITUTES ADVICE UPON WHICH YOU SHOULD RELY. WE DO NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES AND ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OR ACCURACY, OR FOR ANY OPINIONS, VIEWS OR VALUES EXPRESSED IN ANY VIDEOS, BLOGS, POSTS AND OR COMMENTS SUBMITTED BY USERS AND THOSE REMAIN SOLELY THE OPINIONS, VIEWS AND OR VALUES OF THE RELEVANT USER.
Sources:
Byrne, G., Ghráda, Á.N., O’Mahony, T. and Brennan, E., 2021. A systematic review of the use of acceptance and commitment therapy in supporting parents. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 94, pp.378-407.
Gentili, C., Rickardsson, J., Zetterqvist, V., Simons, L.E., Lekander, M. and Wicksell, R.K., 2019. Psychological flexibility as a resilience factor in individuals with chronic pain. Frontiers in psychology, 10, p.2016.
McCracken, L.M., 2023. Psychological Flexibility, Chronic Pain, and Health. Annual Review of Psychology, 75.
