Approaching Realistic Therapy
In 2000, I was trained and certified in an educational (rather than strictly therapeutic) model named Constructive Living by its founder, David K. Reynolds, Ph.D. (anthropological psychology, U.C.L.A.) His work synthesizes the work of Shoma Morita, M.D. (psychiatrist - Morita Therapy) and Isshin Yoshimoto (Naikan).
Constructive Living, in essence, combines action and introspection, both intended as ways to see ourselves and (our relationship with others and) the world more realistically.
Morita Therapy involves the action-oriented approach to help (neurotic) people to function more fully by:
1. Accepting their thoughts and feelings (as natural to them in the moment)
2. Focusing on a productive goal or purpose
3. Doing what was necessary in lin with that goal or purpose
Yoshimoto's Naikan (means "looking inward") practice is a form of contemplating our relationships with others in terms of:
1. What we have received
2. What we have given
3. What troubles and difficulties we have caused that person
Whether one calls it "shadow work" or a way to see beyond self-image, this practice has a way of seeing ourselves more realistically, and many report a reduction of resentment, an enhanced sense of gratitude and compassion, and a more balanced view of oneself.
I cannot cite studies, although Dr. Reynolds can. He has written numerous books on the subject, but his most popular one is Constructive Living.
I've shared this introduction because I found a recent article on ACT and its founder to bear a clear resemblance at least to the functionally-oriented Morita Therapy and to Constructive Living, leaving me wondering whether the founder, Steven Hayes, was exposed to or influenced by Dr. Morita's or Dr. Reynold's work -- or whether his insights and approach were developed in a parallel fashion.
In any event, while I can appreciate the use of cognitive therapy to help clients become aware of perceptual filters and such, I particularly appreciate the approach of ACT, and believe it will find an important if not central position in therapy due to its realistic, functional model.
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Morita et al
I did not hear of Morita Therapy until long after ACT was created ... but the connections are there. I am told, however, that the English versions of Morita are not quite right. A senior student of mind who reads Japanese, Akihiko Masuda, is currently writing a Japanese ACT book (Professsor Muto is another author, along with others) and they are dealing with these connections in detail.
As for as Dr. Reynold's work, I have only become aware of that in the last month, and have not done any reading yet. I'd especially like to know of any randomized controlled trials of this method.
I am personally bouyed up by the way that many paths end up leading in the same direction. ACT is not unique in many of its technological components (there are some new things in there, but many bear a clear resemblance to things that already existed ... and others are outright borrowed). What is unique is the scientific model, the basic research, and the linkage to a research program in processes and outcomes.
- S
Steven C. Hayes, University of Nevada
I can't cite studies in particular either but I remember...
reading of a great deal of success with these therapies in Asia while formulating "Cultural Competence" for the psych hospital where I work. I did wonder how much of the success was based on the general preference Asian people seem to have for not going into all the crazy little details of "what's my diagnosis?" and "what does this mean about me?" that Westerners love to do. There seems to be more of an attitude of "Just tell me what to do so I can get back out there and be more productive." (Obviously, I'm really generalizing here...) Also, again, generalizing, there's more of a feeling of "What's best for everyone - my family, my job, my community?" not "What's best for me personally?" So possibly this cultural difference makes the person more open to the compassion that arises while meditating on harms you may have caused another. (One is imagining the person you harmed was your mother in a previous life; that anyone could have been your mother in a previous life. How could you harm your mother?) So although there is not overt spirituality in ACT (hard to reconcile with scientific reasearch, I guess, especially when it would probably turn off a lot of cynical people, I do gently use it in my work. (I also encourage my patients/clients to send thoughts of lovingkindness to their perceived "enemies" which gets a lot of "No way am I doing that!") However, many of those same people eventually tried it and told me how their perceptions about those people changed, slowly and over time. (Saying things like, "I don't know, maybe he's not such a bad guy," or "Maybe he's going through a bad time.") So I do think spirituality (or connections with others,with the Universe, whatever you want to call it) and compassion have an important place in mental health.
I just realized what you wrote. I read "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" years ago and loved it, recommending it to many people. Thank you. I'm so grateful for that.
Namaste.