Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Christian Clients: A Faith-Based Workbook

✍ Scribed by Joshua J. Knab

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2022
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 253
• Edition: 2
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Christian Clients: A Faith-Based Workbook, Second Edition, is an indispensable companion for mental health professionals and their clients. The new edition includes updated discussions in each chapter and more than twenty-five new and updated exercises.

The workbook offers a basic overview of the goals of ACT, including concepts that overlap with Christianity. Chapters devoted to each of the six ACT processes include biblical examples, equivalent concepts from the writings of contemplative Christians, worksheets for clients to better understand and apply the material, and strategies for clients to integrate a Christian worldview with ACT processes. Each chapter also includes several exercises devoted to contemplative practices and other psychospiritual interventions.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Figures
Tables
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Permissions
Introduction
The Problem of Emotional Disorders
The “Fork in the Road” Metaphor: Pivoting From Inner to Outer, Self to Other, and Fear to Love
Faith-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
An ACT Viewpoint of the Problem
A Christian Viewpoint of the Problem
The “House” Metaphor: Pivoting From Fear to Love
The Central Aim and Outline of the Workbook
Mary and Martha: Combining Contemplation and Action
Following Jesus
The Intended Reader
Exercise: Goals for the Faith-Based ACT Workbook
Notes
References
Chapter 1 The Problem of Psychological Pain
Introduction
Emotional Disorders: Common Symptoms
Emotional Disorders: Distress and Impairment in Functioning
Psychological Pain in the Bible
Exercise: Psychological Pain in the Bible
A Clinical Example: “My Symptoms Are a Stumbling Block”
Exercise: Symptoms That Get in the Way of Life
Following Jesus as a Disciple
Exercise: Following Jesus as a Disciple
Exercise: The “Fork in the Road” Metaphor
Exercise: Pivoting From Inner to Outer, Self to Other, and Fear to Love
Conclusion
Notes
References
Chapter 2 The Problem of Avoidance
Introduction
A Definition of Avoidance
Types of Avoidance
Exercise: Identifying Avoidance
Avoidance in the Bible
Avoidance Among the Early Desert Christians
Avoidance Metaphors
Creative Hopelessness With the God of Love: Pivoting From Avoidance to Acceptance
Practicing God’s Loving Presence: Pivoting From Avoidance to Acceptance
Exercise: “Like a Weaned Child I Am Content”
Exercise: The “Fork in the Road” and Acceptance and Avoidance
Exercise: Identifying Common Avoidance Strategies
Exercise: Placing Avoidance Strategies On the Altar
Exercise: Practicing Acceptance With Lament
Exercise: Practicing Loving Acceptance in God’s Presence
Conclusion
Notes
References
Chapter 3 Defusion and Watchfulness
Introduction
ACT and Defusion
Contemplative Christianity and Watchfulness
The Jesus Prayer and Watchfulness
The Bible and Watchfulness
The Mary Mode and Watchfulness
Emotional Disorders and Watchfulness
Metaphors for Watchfulness
Exercise: Watchfulness With the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
Exercise: Watchfulness With Pharisaic Thinking
Exercise: Watchfulness With Leaning On Your Own Understanding
Exercise: Watchfulness With the Jesus Prayer
Exercise: Watchfulness With Your Own Lamp
Exercise: Watchfulness at the Sea of Galilee
Exercise: Watchfulness With the Bullying Mind
Exercise: Watchfulness and Self-Compassion
Exercise: Watchfulness and the “Fork in the Road”
Conclusion
Notes
References
Chapter 4 Acceptance and Endurance
Introduction
ACT and Acceptance
Contemplative Christianity and Endurance
The Bible and Endurance
The Mary Mode and Endurance
Metaphors for Endurance
Exercise: Endurance and Emotions
Exercise: Endurance in the Cell
Exercise: Endurance With “Be Still”
Exercise: Endurance With Centering Prayer
Exercise: Endurance With the Welcoming Prayer
Exercise: Endurance at the Feet of Jesus
Exercise: Endurance With Emotions as God-Given Signals
Exercise: Endurance With Emotions as God’s “Gifts”
Exercise: Endurance and the “Fork in the Road”
Conclusion
Notes
References
Chapter 5 Present-Moment Awareness and Practicing God’s Presence
Introduction
ACT and Present-Moment Awareness
Contemplative Christianity and Practicing God’s Presence
The Mary Mode and Practicing God’s Presence
Emotional Disorders and Practicing God’s Presence
Metaphors for Practicing God’s Presence
Exercise: Practicing God’s Presence in Your Cell
Exercise: Practicing God’s Presence in Noah’s Ark
Exercise: Practicing God’s Presence With the Jesus Prayer
Exercise: Practicing God’s Presence With Centering Prayer
Exercise: Practicing God’s Presence With Lectio Divina
Exercise: Practicing God’s Presence at a Lake
Exercise: Practicing God’s Presence With a Flashlight Metaphor
Exercise: Practicing God’s Presence With the “Game With Minutes”
Exercise: Practicing God’s Presence and the “Fork in the Road”
Conclusion
Notes
References
Chapter 6 The Transcendent Self and the Contemplative Self
Introduction
ACT and the Transcendent Self
Contemplative Christianity and the Contemplative Self
The “Little Radio” and the Contemplative Self
The Philokalia and the Contemplative Self
The Mary Mode and the Contemplative Self
Emotional Disorders and the Contemplative Self
The “Being” Mode and the Contemplative Self
Exercise: The Contemplative Self and Directly Experiencing God
Metaphors for the Contemplative Self
Exercise: The Contemplative Self and the Storied Self
Exercise: The Contemplative Self and Directly Experiencing Jesus
Exercise: The Contemplative Self and the False Self
Exercise: The Contemplative Self and the Jesus Prayer
Exercise: The Contemplative Self and the “Cloud of Unknowing”
Exercise: The Contemplative Self as the “Dwelling Place for God”
Exercise: The Contemplative Self and the “Fork in the Road”
Conclusion
Notes
References
Chapter 7 Values and Biblical Virtues
Introduction
ACT and Values
Contemplative Christianity and Biblical Virtues
Exercise: Biblical Virtues and Detachment
Freedom and Biblical Virtues
The New Testament and Biblical Virtues
The Martha Mode and Biblical Virtues
The Teachings of Jesus and Biblical Virtues
Emotional Disorders and Biblical Virtues
Exercise: Biblical Virtues and the Wise Builder
Metaphors for Biblical Virtues
Exercise: Biblical Virtues and the Journey Ahead
Exercise: Biblical Virtues in the Old and New Testaments
Exercise: Biblical Virtues and My Favorite Biblical Character
Exercise: Biblical Virtues and Jesus’ Teachings
Exercise: Biblical Virtues and Standing Before God
Exercise: Biblical Virtues in Major Life Areas
Exercise: Biblical Virtues and Following Jesus
Exercise: Biblical Virtues and Goals
Exercise: Biblical Virtues and God-Given Emotional Pain
Exercise: Biblical Virtues and “Writing Your Story”
Exercise: Biblical Virtues and the “Fork in the Road”
Conclusion
Notes
References
Chapter 8 Committed Action and Following Jesus
Introduction
ACT and Committed Action
Grace, Mercy, and Committed Action: The Story of the Lost Son
Grace, Mercy, and Committed Action: The Apostle Paul
Contemplative Christianity and Following Jesus
The Will of God and Following Jesus
Martha and Following Jesus
Metaphors for Following Jesus
Emotional Disorders and Following Jesus
Exercise: Following Jesus and Three Options
Exercise: Following Jesus and the Vine and the Branches
Exercise: Following Jesus and Writing Your Own Gospel Account
Exercise: Following Jesus By Walking On Water
Exercise: Following Jesus and Barriers to Action
Exercise: Following Jesus and FEAR and ACT
Exercise: Following Jesus Because He Has Prepared a Place for You
Exercise: Following Jesus and Love Driving Out Fear
Exercise: Following Jesus and the “Fork in the Road”
Conclusion
Notes
References
Index