What is the history of the development of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

Acceptance and commitment therapy originates from behaviourism and relational frame theory. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emerged in the 1980s as part of the “third wave” of cognitive-behavioural therapies (CBT). Psychologist Steven C. Hayes and colleagues Kelly Wilson and Kirk Strosahl spearheaded its development. ACT was rooted in behaviour analysis and relational frame theory (RFT),…

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Third Wave Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

After about 50 years of CBT, third wave therapy pioneers including Hayes, Linehan have put forward the questionsif“ controlling ”thoughts and emotions part of the problem or actually a solution. The shift has been from ‘controlling” thoughts to “acceptance”, mindfulness, visualization, psychological flexibility, action based on values and so forth. Changing the “how” of the…

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Second Wave Of CBT

The main champions being Albert Ellis(1955) REBT who identified irrational beliefs and this later led to development of CBT by Aaron Beck ( 1963).  The birth of cognitive behavioural psychotherapy(CBT) approaches has often been described as the clinical equivalent of the COGNITIVE REVOLUTION which took place in the field of scientific psychology thanks to Chomsky…

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The History of Psychotherapies and the Wave of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Psychoanalytical approaches were prevalent until the 20th century. Around 1900, the first wave of behaviourism emerged as a counterpoint to these approaches. Behaviourism posits that behaviours are measurable, can be modelled, and are subject to change. This shift toward focusing on present  circumstances, as opposed to the psychoanalytical perspective, gave rise to what is known…

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Sigmund Freud and the History of Psychoanalysis

In psychiatry, one may love or hate Freud, but he is afigure who cannot be ignored, making psychotherapy almost synonymous with Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalysis began with Freud’s revolutionary idea that the unconscious mind drives much of human behaviour, evolved through multiple thinkers, and shaped our understanding of emotion, childhood, identity, and mental suffering.It explains theory…

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Adult ADHD and Novelty-Seeking Behaviour: Craving the New, Escaping the Now

For adults living with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the term’ novelty-seeking” isn’t merely a personality trait—it’s often a fundamental neurobiological drive. While many people relish new experiences, those with ADHD may pursue novelty with an intensity that can be exhilarating, disruptive, and at times, self-sabotaging. Understanding this pattern is crucial for both managing ADHD and cultivating…

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ADHD And Losing Things

While much of the public conversation around Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) focuses on hyperactivity and childhood symptoms, adults living with ADHD face a unique set of cognitive challenges—one of the most frustrating being the frequent misplacing or losing of everyday items. Keys, phones, wallets, documents—objects seem to disappear constantly, often causing stress, embarrassment, and even financial…

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ADHD And Emotional Dysregulation

When most people think of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), they picture hyperactivity, distractibility, and forgetfulness. What’s often overlooked yet equally debilitating is emotional dysregulation, the intense and unpredictable mood shifts that can leave individuals feeling hijacked by their own emotions. Though not formally part of the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5, emotional dysregulation is increasingly recognised…

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ADHD And Financial Management Due To Poor Impulse Control

ADHD and Financial Management: Understanding the Impact of Poor Impulse Control For individuals living with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), managing finances can be a persistent and often overwhelming challenge. While ADHD is commonly linked to difficulties in attention, organisation, and hyperactivity, one of its most significant yet under-discussed symptoms is impulse control dysfunction. This cognitive trait…

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