Definitions
Helps clients change their focus from upsetting thoughts and emotions to more enjoyable or neutral activities. This skill is taught with the acronym ACCEPTS:
Distracting
During this stage, there is ambivalence about change. The individual recognizes reasons to change their behavior, but has hesitations.
What is Contemplation Stage.
clients can use the five senses to nurture themselves in a variety of ways
Self-soothing
"I am making changes"
Action Stage.
the goal is to use positive mental imagery to improve one’s current situation. The acronym for this skill is IMPROVE
Improving the moment
The first stage of change
Pre-Contemplation Stage.
the individual is asked to list the pros and cons of tolerating the distress and of not tolerating the stress (i.e., coping through self-destructive behaviors). It can be helpful to remember the past consequences of not tolerating distress, and to imagine how it will feel to successfully tolerate the current distress and avoid negative behaviors.
Focusing on the pros and cons
When does the Maintenance Stage of change typically take place.
Long term (6 months+)
is designed to keep pain from turning into suffering. While pain is part of life, radical _______ allows us to keep that pain from becoming suffering. By accepting the facts of reality without responding by throwing a tantrum or with willful negligence
Radical Acceptance
"I will change"
Preparation Stage.