Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Forensic Inpatients

Date of Award

Summer 8-24-2013

Document Type

Doctoral Research Paper

Degree Name

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

Organizational Unit

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

John McNeill

Second Advisor

Courtney Welton-Mitchell

Third Advisor

Lavita Nadkarni

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), Qualitative research, Treatment manual, Assessment, Behavior CBT, Diagnosis, Therapy in forensic settings, Inpatient treatment, Forensic mental health, Therapy with forensic inpatients, Forensic hospital

Abstract

This paper provides a preliminary exploration of the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) within the context of a forensic hospital. ACT has a reputation for being a clinically flexible and empirically sound therapeutic intervention, which appears uniquely suited for forensic hospital settings. However, no research has been published to date on the use of ACT as a treatment for forensic inpatients. The ACT approach directly aims to help people let go of the unwinnable struggles to control symptoms of mental illness, and instead focus on constructing a "life worth living." ACT interventions can equip forensic patients with the values and flexible behavioral repertoires necessary to lead lives that are personally meaningful and satisfying and do not involve inflicting harm to others. The ACT model also attempts to minimize the therapist-patient hierarchy through an emphasis on the ubiquitous nature of human suffering. This approach can be particularly useful when working with marginalized, treatment-resistant patients. Continued research on the application of ACT with forensic inpatients is recommended.

Copyright Date

7-15-2013

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

Rights Holder

Meagan Grasmick

Provenance

Received from Author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

42 pgs

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