Dewar, G.M.2022-08-312022-08-312013Proceedings of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS) 11th Annual World Conference (2013), 2013https://hdl.handle.net/2440/136229The ACT of self forgiveness contains within it the possibility and opportunity to enter into a new approach to life. This presentation will review current approaches to the treatment of psychological distress and the link between self forgiveness and restoration of psychological health. This will include: conceptualisation of the links between a lack of self forgiveness and psychological distress; the use of measures of forgiveness; and, a proposed framework for the use of concepts of self forgiveness in treatments that utilise ACT to provide a full range of benefits (including mental health, family and social well-being). In particular this presentation will outline an approach to treatment of a 46 year old female experiencing chronic pain and who is a recovering alcoholic. The treatment utilises self forgiveness within a framework of Therapy with a primary focus on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The approach described utilises self forgiveness as a means to facilitate openness to new perspectives on both past transgressions and present moment action. Multiple factors have been proposed as contributors to alcohol dependence including heritable traits, cognitive constructs, familial, social and environmental influences. However the catastrophic consequences of inappropriate behaviour associated with alcohol can form major barriers to recovery and treatment. In the approach described it is the flexible use of ACT in the therapeutic alliance and the focus on self forgiveness which a pathway for recovery and provides tools for relapse prevention. Implications of this approach for therapists and those seeking assistance with overcoming the burden of past events are considered. The important role of processes of stuck thinking, story telling and worry are examined and the innovative integration of self forgiveness into current therapeutic processes utilising ACT are underscored.enCopyright status unknownConference paper393491Dewar, G.M. [0000-0002-7508-5761]