A Contextual Behavioral Guide to the Self: Theory and Practice

by Louise Mchugh, Steven C. Hayes (Foreword)

The self plays an integral role in human motivation, cognition, and social identity.  A Contextual Behavioral Guide to the Self translates this difficult—yet essential—therapeutic process into easy-to-apply steps and user-friendly language. For many clients, it's incredibly difficult to shed preconceived notions of “who they really are,” and negative perceptions of the self can lead to feelings of low self-worth that stand in the way of treatment. Furthermore, every client who partakes in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) must identify a self as part of their treatment, and clinicians often report that observing the self, or “self as context,” is the most difficult of all six core ACT processes.  Problems with the self arise when clients orient themselves in the world and learn to relate to others, but these problems can vary considerably. For example, some clients may have deficits in developing a strong sense of self in the first place—particularly if they are diagnosed with autism spectrum conditions (ASC). Depressed clients or those with borderline personality disorder (BPD) may develop a skewed, negative sense of self, and those with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) may develop an inflated sense of self. With this unique road map, you will learn to apply the complex theory of the self into everyday practice, and help all clients develop empathy, compassion, and flexible perspective taking—leading to better treatment outcomes and better lives for clients.

Genres: Language, Psychology

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2015

Reviews

[Fiona O'Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must-Have Must-Read for CBS Practitioners

This long-awaited text offers a comprehensive account of the self (more accurately "selfing") as envisioned in Contextual Behavioural Science and Relational Frame Theory, a contemporary behaviour analytic account of language and cognition of utility to everyone with an interest in understanding how humans "do" human, and how to predict and influence behaviours that contribute to human suffering effectively.

Clear with practical, believable and compassionate examples of a wide range of experiences relevant to the self - a complex and often abstract topic that can be hard for many new to Contextual Behavioural Science to grasp and apply.

This is invaluably deepening in developing flexibility around how we conceptualize self - with the potential to improve and refine awareness, and hence moment by moment mindful responding to some of the most profound and complex challenges we face as human beings: working out who we ourselves are and how that relates to others and our world in ways that shape our everyday actions for better and for worse.

A beautiful book, highly recommended.

[Nicholas Hatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did an excellent job synthesizing the CBS/RFT perspective on the self and related interventions. As an ACT-oriented provider, the self-oriented interventions have been the most difficult to understand and implement. This book provided a better understanding in the implementation of these techniques as well as a clear framework that makes sense.

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive review of the formation of self from a CBS/RFT perspective + clinical implications and interventions for working with “self-ing” issues. A worthy addition to any CBS practitioner’s library.