Updated August 31, 2014.
The following is session nine in a 13-week series of articles dicussing what you can expect from mindfulness and acceptance-based group therapy (MAGT) for social anxiety disorder. For those just joining the series, below is a list of past articles if you wish to get caught up.
Session One
Session Two
Session Three
Session Four
Session Five
Session Six
Session Seven
Session Eight
Remember that these weekly sessions are not a substitute for treatment with a mental health professional, particularly if you suffer from severe social anxiety.
And if you are taking part in MAGT with a therapist, know that the following provides an example of what you're likely to cover during each session, but the structure can vary considerably depending on the specifics of your disorder and the style of your therapist.
Take a moment to review your homework from last week. If you are participating in MAGT group sessions, then your group leader will also take the time to do this with you. Below is a list of your homework exercises from last week.
This week you will be continuing your discussion of willingness exercises related to conversations. However, you will choose from a more structured list of potential converations that you might have. Below is a list of examples:
As in previous sessions, these exercises are introduced starting with potential avoidance strategies that may be employed as well as the identification of values. You would also be instructed to take the willingness stance, and asked to discuss the exercises after you complete them.
While these exercises would be completed as role-plays in MAGT group therapy, if you are following along on your own, these could be easily converted into activities that you could do in your daily life.
Homework Assignment:
Are you interested in weekly information and tips about social anxiety disorder? You can sign up for my free SAD newsletter here.
Source:
Fleming, JE, Kocovski NL. (2009). Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Group Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Treatment Manual. Accessed online February 25, 2014.
The following is session nine in a 13-week series of articles dicussing what you can expect from mindfulness and acceptance-based group therapy (MAGT) for social anxiety disorder. For those just joining the series, below is a list of past articles if you wish to get caught up.
Session One
Session Two
Session Three
Session Four
Session Five
Session Six
Session Seven
Session Eight
Remember that these weekly sessions are not a substitute for treatment with a mental health professional, particularly if you suffer from severe social anxiety.
And if you are taking part in MAGT with a therapist, know that the following provides an example of what you're likely to cover during each session, but the structure can vary considerably depending on the specifics of your disorder and the style of your therapist.
Mindfulness Exercise
This wee's mindfulness exercise is quite simple! Your goal is simply to become aware of your breath using your own ability to focus without any external guidance. Build upon what you have learned in previous weeks to gain an awareness and acceptance of your breath.Homework Review
Take a moment to review your homework from last week. If you are participating in MAGT group sessions, then your group leader will also take the time to do this with you. Below is a list of your homework exercises from last week.
- Practice one meditation exercise daily, chosen from among those introduced during earlier sessions.
- Each day, your job was to practice willingness exercises with conversational activities. Perhaps you planned to talk to your neighbor for five minutes or make conversation with a classmate after class. As part of this exercise, you should have recorded in your notebook any observations related to the task and outcomes of having conversations.
ACT Theme: Conversational Willingness Exercises
This week you will be continuing your discussion of willingness exercises related to conversations. However, you will choose from a more structured list of potential converations that you might have. Below is a list of examples:
- start or end a conversation
- discuss a hot topic (e.g., the latest political scandal)
- share a different opinion
- share information about yourself
- talk on the phone
- talk to a stranger
- chat with people at a social event
As in previous sessions, these exercises are introduced starting with potential avoidance strategies that may be employed as well as the identification of values. You would also be instructed to take the willingness stance, and asked to discuss the exercises after you complete them.
While these exercises would be completed as role-plays in MAGT group therapy, if you are following along on your own, these could be easily converted into activities that you could do in your daily life.
Homework Assignment:
- Practice daily mindfulness as you perform activities.
- Engage in daily willingness activities. Choose from the list of activities that you put together in session three. Below are some examples of activities that you might choose to participate in from a stance of willingness. Choose your own activities based on your goals, and order from the least difficult to most difficult. Remember to record the outcomes of what you do in your notebook.
- Talk to one stranger every day.
- Make small talk with an acquaintance in class each week.
- Invite an acquaintance to go for a walk.
- Invite an acquaintance to go to the movies.
- Offer to help a friend who is in need of support.
- Make plans with two acquaintances to go for dinner.
- Turn an acquaintance in to a friend by sharing personal information.
- Make a regular standing arrangement to see a friend every week.
- Plan a short trip with a group of friends.
- Plan an overnight trip with a group of friends.
Are you interested in weekly information and tips about social anxiety disorder? You can sign up for my free SAD newsletter here.
Source:
Fleming, JE, Kocovski NL. (2009). Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Group Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Treatment Manual. Accessed online February 25, 2014.
SHARE
