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Is Relational Frame Theory?

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In our world there are so many theories on how we should live our lives, battle disorders of all kinds, and how to fix or solve those disorders. The specific theory that we will be taking a look on is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or more commonly known in the psychology world as ACT. Like most other theories that take from other theories in its format, this one is no different. Steven C. Hayes is considered and recognized by the psychological community to be the founder of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Steven Hayes is known for an analysis of human language and cognition. Otherwise known as Relational Frame Theory, and its application to various psychological difficulties including the development of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Relational Frame Theory shows up in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by exploring the paradoxes of context, such as separating words and actions, and distinguishing clients’ sense of self from their thoughts and behavior. Although Relational Frame Theory has a place in the development, most of the theory stems off of behavioral therapy. With that being said, behavioral therapy is divided into three generations: traditional Behaviorism, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy or also known as CBT, and the current “third generation” or contextual approaches to behavior. This “third generation” of behaviorism has a premise that suffering is a basic characteristic of human life and represents a dramatic change that cannot be avoided which is taken

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