A Flexible Responder is a first responder who strives for cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility is the ability to pay attention, on purpose, to our thoughts, feelings, and urges regardless of the situation, in the present moment, and be able to deliberately respond, rather than react, in a manner consistent with our values or purpose1. Cognitive Flexibility is considered the ultimate aim in several therapeutic modalities, most commonly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). From an ACT perspective, cognitive flexibility consists of six core processes present moment awareness or mindfulness, self-as-context, experiential acceptance, de-fusion from thoughts, identification of values, and movement toward values based committed action.
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My interest in mindfulness led me to discover ACT. I attended my first meditation retreat in the autumn of 2020. One of the co-facilitators was a therapist who specialized in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) because of its integration with mindfulness. Throughout grad school, I was eager to connect with therapists to better understand why they chose their theoretical approach to therapy. I consistently heard that while DBT was interesting, it was designed for people with borderline personality disorder, a population known for treatment difficulties. While at the International Co-repsonder Alliance Conference, I was in a side alcove trying to connect to a virtual lecture. A mental health professional started a conversation about how school was going. This led to talking about my interest in mindfulness and how I was considering training DBT. “If you’re interested in mindfulness” she said, “ACT is where it’s at”. One of the social workers on my team at the time was just starting to work with an ACT therapist. It didn’t take long to see ACT already aligned with much of my world view. Especially regarding suffering and it’s connection to our values. As I started my internship I participated in Steven Hayes’ ACT Immersion.
After I finished my Master’s program, I started on the process of becoming a certified mindfulness coach through mPEAK and University of California San Diego. The idea for Flexible Responder was rooted in my mindfulness coaching and Yoga For First Responders instructor training. I was interested in the overlap of the concept of flexibility in life, both on and off the mat (yoga and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), and in and out of the therapist office.
While Flexible Responder offers coaching and training in mindfulness and meditation this blog also covers the other domains of psychological flexibility with the hopes of fostering more resilient first responders