One of the key concepts in ACT is the Values concept. Practitioners work to help individuals to discover and articulate what is really important to them in life. Their values serve as their inner compass, guiding them to make choices and decisions that will allow them to go in the direction they want, without being taken off course by painful feelings and emotions.
The trauma that causes PTSD, especially in young people, may look different than you imagine. Not only kids who have experienced war or natural disaster suffer from the disorder. According to the research, more than two-thirds of adolescents have experienced some form of trauma. Of those, between three and 15 percent of kids show signs of PTSD.
The connection young people form with their pets can be enormously beneficial for their mental health. Pets provide a sense of calm, comfort and unconditional love. Just as impactful, is giving a young person the responsibility of caring for and protecting an animal.
Helping a client shift their perspective so they are able to understand that thoughts and feelings are distinct from who they are as a person, can be an important step in changing negative and unhealthy thought and behavior patterns. The concept of Self as Context is another principle in ACT that guides this process.
April is National Alcohol Awareness Month. It’s a good time to educate young people about the risks of underage drinking. Then, arm them with the skills to refuse alcohol with confidence.
