Acceptance

• Work toward Acceptance Some problems cannot be solved and may never be solved, and patients need help in accepting that outcome. They may continue to feel miserable if they have unrealistic expectations or hopes that an unresolvable problem will somehow, almost magically, improve. Meanwhile, they need assistance in learning to focus on their core values, values, emphasize the more rewarding parts of their lives, and enrich their experience in new ways. A number of strategies designed to enhance acceptance can be found in Hayes and colleagues (2004). Beck, Judith S.. Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Second Edition . Guilford Publications. Kindle Edition.

How this is used

This is important when automatic thoughts are true.

Other options are:

• Focus on Problem Solving
• While an automatic thought might be true, the meaning may be invalid or at least not completely valid (as illustrated below), and you can examine the underlying belief or conclusion.

See also Unconditional Acceptance