How to put acceptance skills into action when struggling with repetitive negative thinking

Thinking repetitively about future and past painful feelings, events and failures

Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is a core feature of chronic worry, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and Depression. Recently, some studies have shown promising results with brief protocols of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) focused on RNT in the treatment of emotional disorders in adults.

The current study analyzes the effect of an individual, 3-session, RNT-focused ACT protocol in the treatment of severe and comorbid GAD and depression.

Specifically, Dr. Ruiz’s work has focused on developing an ACT-based intervention model designed to dismantle dysfunctional patterns of Repetitive Negative Thinking (RNT), including worry and rumination, known as RNT-focused ACT.

Key Takeaways

In this episode you will hear:

  • What is repetitive negative thinking
  • How acceptance and commitment therapy can help you to tackle persistent thoughts about the past or the future
  • What defusion is
  • What willingness is
Acceptance and commitment therapy

Resources

Resources from Dr. Z.

00:00 Understanding Repetitive Negative Thinking
01:31 Meet Dr. Francisco Ruiz: An Expert on ACT and RFT
03:20 The Personal Journey to Studying Repetitive Negative Thinking
20:23 Introducing ACT-Based Interventions for Repetitive Negative Thinking
33:20 The Impact of ACT on Repetitive Negative Thinking: A Study Overview
 

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About Dr. Z.

I’m originally from Bolivia, South America, and am a psychologist by training. I’m formally trained in empirically supported treatments, and when I say “formally,” I mean that since 2004 I have received intensive training in them, particularly in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). 

Over the past 18 years, I have created resources for and worked with overthinkers and overachievers dealing with all types of anxiety-related struggles: perfectionism, procrastination, productivity anxiety, uncertainty intolerance, indecision, impostor phenomenon, overthinking, phobias, rumination, panic, worry and obsessive-compulsive disorder. I absolutely love my job!

In 2019, I was nominated as a fellow by the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science because of my contributions related to the applications of ACT for anxiety-based struggles. I’m the author of seven books and the co-author of three (see the section on previously written books).

I’m the founder and director of the East Bay Behavior Therapy Center, a boutique private center in the San Francisco Bay Area that offers therapy and coaching for anyone experiencing anxiety-based struggles.

In 2023, I gave a TEDx talk, “Stop playing-it-safe and start living” that has more than 264K downloads.

While I’m a psychologist by training and science-based by passion, my style is jargon-free, accessible, caring, and lighthearted; teaching ACT skills doesn’t have to be boring or inaccessible, so I do my best to make every skill I teach—in any format—as engaging as possible. 

I believe that learning to navigate anxiety-based reactions is one of the key skills of the 21st century, and I’m passionate about it.

I'm passionate about disseminating ACT skills for anxiety-based struggles.

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