Creating an Ever-enlarging Upward Spiral

1. Creating an Ever-enlarging Upward Spiral A clinical tool for facilitating committed action • Dr Kingsley Mudd, GP & ACT Therapist • Headspace Youth Mental Health Service • Townsville, Queensland

2. E.g. one of those celebrities in the media? Difficult Thoughts TRIGGER? Ever heard of someone being in “a downward spiral”? Difficult Feelings Unworkable Action(s) Rehab, jail or dead

3. Ask the client : Have you ever been in a downward spiral? TRIGGER? Difficult Thoughts “The Downward Spiral” – can be used as a Creative Hopelessness intervention Difficult Feelings Unworkable Action(s) Did your attempts to get rid of your difficult thoughts/feelings actually make things worse rather than better?

4. What if we could do the opposite? • What if we could somehow create an pattern of ever-enlarging, constructive action, • That would progressively enhance our lives over time? • What might such an upward spiral look like? • I think there are probably 5 main ingredients/steps …

5. Creating an Ever-Enlarging, Upward Spiral Reflect

6. Creating an Ever-Enlarging, Upward Spiral Values Reflect

7. Creating an Ever-Enlarging, Upward Spiral S.M.A.R.T Goals Values Reflect

8. Creating an Ever-Enlarging, Upward Spiral Goals Action Values Reflect

9. Creating an Ever-Enlarging, Upward Spiral Goals Values Action Reflect Reflect

10. Creating an Ever-Enlarging, Upward Spiral Goals Goals Values Values Action Action Reflect Reflect Reflect

11. Creating an Ever-Enlarging, Upward Spiral Goals Goals Goals Goals Goals Values Goals Values Values Values Values Action Values Action Action Action Action Action Reflect Reflect Reflect Reflect Reflect Reflect

12. Is there any danger in creating an Upward Spiral? Goals Goals Goals Goals Goals Values Goals Values Values Values Values Action Values Action Action Action Action Action Reflect Reflect Reflect Reflect Reflect Reflect

13. Is there any danger in creating an Upward Spiral? Goals Goals Goals Goals Goals Values Goals Values Values PRESENCE (Mindfulness) Values Values Action Values Action Action Action Action Action Reflect Reflect Reflect Reflect Reflect Reflect

14. The Upward Spiral Worksheet

15. The Upward Spiral Worksheet

16. “Overcoming Obstacles” Worksheet • Located on the flip-side of the Upward Spiral Work-sheet • Life is bit like running a hurdles race ; • We regularly encounter obstacles that need to be overcome • in order to reach our goals • and create the kind of life we truly want.

17. “Overcoming Obstacles” Worksheet • As you set out to achieve your chosen goals,what obstacles do you imagine could get in the way? • What skills might you use to overcome these obstacles?

18. Ref : “The Happiness Trap” and “ACT Made Simple” by Dr Russ Harris MD

19. Ref : “The Happiness Trap” and “ACT Made Simple” by Dr Russ Harris MD

20. In conclusion … In my work, I use this powerpoint presentation on my notepad computer to educate clients. We review and add to the Upward Spiral Worksheet session by session. Copies of the powerpoint presentation and the worksheets will be available on the ACBS website.