What is the ACT Matrix? (Life Map Adaptation)

Kevin Polk, Jarold Hambright, and Mark Webster created the ACT Matrix as a way to make ACT and it’s underlying philosophy of science, functional contextualism simple. The video adapts the ACT Matrix diagram bringing all six of the processes in ACT alive, a hands on activity with the experiential activity of creating your own life map. This exercise encourages you to author your values, expose painful experiences, track escape behaviour and acknowledge or plan new commitment behaviours.
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*Disclaimer
1. Conflict of interest: I am an author, I will link to my own books and paid resources as well as use affiliate links. I promise to tell you in videos when I'm being paid (if ever) to advertise during a video.
2. Self help: This channel provides accurate and authoritative information, it is not a substitute for psychotherapy and does not count as a social work service. If you are in need of help, seek out professional services from a licensed healthcare professional.
3. Community: Although this work is my own, I am inspired and supported by a group of clinicians and researchers under the banner of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.

[@marianahernandezvidrio5112]

I really like this adaptation of the ACT matrix. Thank you . I will start using it with my patients.

[@thisisbob1001]

Thanks to you and anyone who takes time to make these vids on act so that others can live a happier and meaningful life.

[@grantdewar4462]

Tim, I will be using your excellent adaptation of the ACT Matrix as a basic reference for those interested in the ACT approach - thanks for your high-quality instruction

[@labin1205]

Your explanation is simple and GREAT to understand, Thank you!

[@christaritchie7288]

You guys should see him Live! I had the pleasure of attending a 2 day workshop run by Tim, it was eye opening and its been one day and I'm already applying this approach with my clients!! Keep being Awesome Tim!! Thank you so much for putting yourself out there! You are making a difference for so many!!

[@Grunfeld]

That was good. Thank you. Definitely want to introduce this into a pain management program and 1:1 sessions too.

[@Punkysoup]

Fabulous video. I'm doing a paper on ACT, and this was a great resource to get me started. :)

[@deadlypalms]

This is a really clear and concise way of introducing ACT, I can see why people have taken to it - very good work indeed!

[@dodahali]

Thank you so much. You explain it very clearly plus you do it with a big smile which makes listening also pleasant:)

[@crystalmanon6809]

Thank you so much for this video! You are explaining something so specific to me that I have never heard before. It is finally validating something that I have been feeling for so long.

[@TimothyGordon]

Wow! Thank you for taking the time to share that with me. Please take a look at my other videos and feel free to give suggestions about topics you’d like to see me cover! :)

[@chaddrake1373]

What a cool adaptation of the ACT Matrix! Thanks for posting this, Tim, I'll make sure to share it with my students.

[@TimothyGordon]

Thanks Chad!! I’m honoured that you’d share this with your students. Stay in touch with me; we should see if there’s any fun stuff we can collaborate on! :)

[@kyleshea536]

This is a fantastic breakdown and taught with an engaging energy. Thanks for uploading, Timothy!

[@TimothyGordon]

Thanks so much for saying so Kyle. 🙏🏼

[@BcuzYouLiveILove]

Very helpful. I've seen other variation of the matrix when I first learned about ACT. So for a while I thought ACT just wasn't a training/therapy for me so I never tried to use it in my life or my sessions, but this adaption really is "simple". Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and training with us!

[@TimothyGordon]

Thanks so much Shae! If you ideas for other videos let me know and please share my content, it helps get the word out about my channel. :)

[@kelseynix6944]

This was really clear and fun to listen to. Thank you for taking the time to create this video. I can see how this could apply to kids in a school system.

[@TimothyGordon]

That’s great!!! Thanks for the positive feedback. I’d be happy to do a video on ACT for Children/Schools if you’re interested!?

[@naterichards3929]

Thank you for this video I appreciate it. I currently am in Year 13 in New Zealand doing psychology. This is gonna help a lot for my report lol.

[@susanpenza-clyve7875]

Really well done. I use the matrix frequently in my practice. I appreciate the examples, diagrams and language you use. Thank you!

[@TimothyGordon]

Thanks so much for the positive feedback Susan! Also, I’d love to hear about how you use the Matrix and if you’ve made any adaptations.

[@kellyschmidt8195]

Excellent and easy to use...you made ACT so accessible...thank you!

[@TimothyGordon]

You’re welcome Kelly!! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment! 👍🏼

[@shakudoken5667]

This is very cool! I'm a teacher and I can imagine myself using this exercise on the first day of a new semester to get students to talk about their goals and fears, and getting them to talk about obstacles and successes that they've experienced in relation to the subject. Thank you for this great video!

[@TimothyGordon]

Galen, yes!!! You are so awesome for thinking of applying the life map to the children you work with!!!! I’ve introduced the life map to teens in high school and it was a lot of fun. It definitely gets them talking. Would you be interested in me doing a video on what I did?

[@shakudoken5667]

@@TimothyGordon I we'll give it some thought 😊

[@shine-highwellnesssis7235]

Great stuff, thanks

[@miguelsolorio6028]

Great video and I gained insight on how to manage my intrusive thoughts and consider the values that I want to pursue. Keep up the good work man!

[@TimothyGordon]

Thanks for saying so Miguel!! You taking the time to write means a lot to me. What other videos would you like to see from me?

[@fredjones5137]

This guy is a great teacher! So clear and easy to follow. I just pounded down on that subscribe button!

[@TimothyGordon]

Thanks for saying so Fred!!! Let me know if there’s any topics you’d like to see me cover.

[@whitnit4148]

You explain things so simple. I really appreciate your videos and will be using this map in my session 😉

[@TimothyGordon]

Thanks so much for saying so!!!! Follow-up and let me know how it goes!? 👍🏼

[@grantdewar4462]

Tim, Simple and effective, great to apply in session with clients and great for them to access and use when they need - fantastic!

[@TimothyGordon]

Grant!! It’s so good to connect with you and thanks for saying so my friend. It means a lot to me. :)

[@grantdewar4462]

Tim, your resources are very helpful to me and clients respond well to the life map - well done

[@paliroad]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@portiapt]

Thank you so much for this! I'm going to use this for myself :)

[@TimothyGordon]

That’s great to hear!! You might be excited to know that I’m developing an online course with the Life Map to create behaviour change in your own life!! :)

[@jeiryasuth]

Thank you! I start practicum soon and your videos have been helpfull.

[@TimothyGordon]

Fantastic! Please subscribe, lots of new videos and other announcements soon.

[@anarchowombat5309]

You are pretty up to date. I mean a year ago their book had just been published (if at all).

[@Bea._jan]

SO HELPFUL ✨ Thank you so much for sharing.

[@TimothyGordon]

Thank you for saying so! Please subscribe. About to launch lots of new content here. :)

[@Bea._jan]

@@TimothyGordon You're most welcome! Already done and can't wait!! :)

[@Grockrobin]

I ❤️ this! Nice encapsulation of the key concepts! I never liked the hexaflex model! Thanks for this Tim! 👍

[@TimothyGordon]

Thank you for saying so David! Please subscribe, we’re just about to begin launching lots of new and awesome content on the channel! :)

[@user-ck5gb3ek1n]

Greetings from Armenia! Thank you for sharing this!

[@TimothyGordon]

Thank you too for watching and commenting. 💛

[@AbbyDanbi]

Thank you!!

[@nv1413]

Great! Very helpful. Subscribed to your channel!

[@TimothyGordon]

Thanks so much!! Let me know what else you’d like to see me post, any questions or topics!?

[@elsawillis3964]

Your video was very helpful after I took your workshop through Pesi last week. English is not my first language and it was hard to follow you sometimes. Thank you!

[@TimothyGordon]

Thanks for the positive feedback Elsa. Sorry that I speak so fast. I’m happy to chat with you any time to answer questions or even record a follow-up video that you might find useful!

[@juanmanuelkonigpsicologo2503]

Thanks a lot!❤

[@TimothyGordon]

You're welcome 😊

[@JDpowerpower]

Nice job my friend. I practice ACT as a therapist. Good and creative expression of Self as Context.

[@TimothyGordon]

Thanks a lot James!!! 👍🏼 Let me know what topics you’d love to see me do videos on!

[@mr.anindyabanerjee9905]

It's one of the simplest explanation of AC Therapy. Thank you so much Sir. But could you please help me to understand how Experiential Avoidance can be fitted into this matrix?

[@cfcnotbummerful]

Good stuff, well done, good lad.

[@TimothyGordon]

Thank you for taking the time to write me Mike!! I’ve got to get on making more videos.

[@eusz305]

Great!

[@mpkeller]

great visualization. helped to look at some sensitive embarrassing escapist behaviors from a still non-objective perspective. thanks

[@TimothyGordon]

Thanks so much for the comment Mark, you sharing this means a lot me.

[@MrAftab2009]

Can someone with an example differentiate "Self as context from Present moment. @Timothy Gorden, Can you make a video on Intake session with ACT.

[@landscapedesignmelbourne]

Thanks Tim'. Jai

[@24tommyst]

ACT must work because look at the green spider on the right--it's contented even with four legs missing! Amazing! Kidding aside, anybody know if it's still diffusion to picture your feelings as some kind of ball outside of you and then imagine you're playing your favorite ball-based game with that ball? Is that fighting at that point or still diffusion? Where is that line between dealing with your emotions using diffusion techniques and fighting them?

[@wonder7798]

Chase or growth or hesitating and reverting back to habit, comfort and rituals

[@jussybasi]

“What is your behaviour under the control of? Are you chasing your values? Or are you running away from things you don’t want to feel? And how is that working in any given situation? “

[@fibee8324]

My problem is, I've completely lost sight of what my values are. I've been struggling with an eating disorder for so long (over 20 years) and that's been the focus of my life. I just don't know who I would be without it and while the idea of chasing my values is great, I have no idea where to start

[@TimothyGordon]

This is a GREAT point. Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing. A good ACT therapist can help you do this work. 🙏🏼

[@fibee8324]

It's a very interesting concept - I'm reading (watching!) as much as I can about it :)

[@chuatola97]

I am trying to apply this for myself. But i struggle because I experience treatment resistant depression. My main features being apathy and anhedonia. I have been through so many therapies and have plenty of experience with defusion, present moment mindfulness, acceptance, etc. But when it comes to values, I just have such extreme apathy that I don't really feel anything about the values. I can choose values to strive towards that are socially acceptable (trustworthiness, health, compassion, etc) but I don't feel feel anything towards those values at all bc of the apathy and anhedonia. I am super aware that I do not feel positive emotions (can feel everything on the negative spectrum). However, even though I don't feel positive emotions, I don't avoid situations either. I am stuck. I have tried everything.

[@TimothyGordon]

This is such a difficult place to be stuck in. I’ve worked with clients who experience exactly what you describe, although you’ve tried therapies, I still must suggest that you work with a qualified professional and see if you can focus on Behavioral Activation. It has great evidence and is proven to be effective to get you moving toward activities. You may also want to consider hiring a behavioural coach.

[@Psychologielernende]

Thanks :)

[@TimothyGordon]

Thank you for commenting! It adds a little positivity to my day. :)

[@hol-upLIL-bit]

I dont remember reading this but regarding ACT, does it distinguish between the caliber of thoughts we have? Not all are created equal. My diffusion tech that i came up is called "dont feed the pigeons" shallow thoughts come but i dont feed them by getting involved with them and they fly away. However, there are those deep emotions/ thoughts where diffusion is a lot more difficult even to do. I understand diffusion is not meant to make your pain go away. Pain is a good evolutionary adaptive behavior like you say, it makes you aware so if you have to get out of the way from that Honda coming at you, you can on time.

[@TimothyGordon]

Yes! I love your metaphor: don’t feed the pigeons. I think naturally there is going to be emotions/thoughts that are just easier to manage with delusion and some that are so incredibly painful, defusing just doesn’t provide an opportunity to step back and do something different. For me, it’s mostly around attachment stuff - thoughts like KZbin is a waste of time, I look stupid, no one is getting anything from the videos - those thoughts irritate me and make me feel sad but it’s relatively easy to not feed those pigeons. Family of origin, feelings of rejection - those are near impossible to move on from and require a lot of acceptance and self-compassion which are easy words to type and intensely difficult to practice. Really, thanks for taking the time comment.

[@khecidsdragons7777]

I prefer the word apprehend over the word chase. It implies success.

[@TimothyGordon]

Love it!

[@yusepp]

Great! I see that you usually ask what content we want or which questions we have... I'd like to see some tips on how to overcome procrastination & perfectionism from an ACT point of view. Thank you!

[@TimothyGordon]

Yes!! Thank you, I’ll cover this on the live broadcast today. :)

[@petrainoz]

Just clarifying: Isn't acceptance also in the bottom left corner? Being able to sit with painful emotions and still be able to commit to action following your values?

[@TimothyGordon]

You're making a GREAT point Petra-one in which I think you're right! Acceptance of inner difficult stuff could go in the bottom left corner, just like defusion, acceptance is a behaviour after all, it's something we do. It's also the opposite of experiential avoidance so it could go in the top left corner more plainly as defusion is about distance and noticing inner painful stuff. At the end of the day, it might be easier for us to say that midlevel terms (non-scientific, not super precise words like acceptance, defusion, values, etc.) overlap. And that overlap is okay because it might make the learning curve a little easier but I'd also argue it makes things confusing in the long-term. I hope I'm helping and not muddying the waters more. I really appreciate that you took the time to watch and comment. Thank you.

[@RodneyDaut]

I saw acceptance as acceptance of feelings not acceptance of behavior as you mention at 9:40.

[@TimothyGordon]

Hey Rodney, I think you caught some words that were a product of me speaking too quickly! :) Yes, it’s the painful private stuff (thoughts, feelings, memories, sensations) that we want to be more accepting of and the experiential avoidance behaviours are not what we want to be accepting of per se, but where we want to practice acceptance by adapting workable behaviours (remembering that escape behaviours can be workable). Thank you for your attention and comment. I really appreciate it:

[@MrAftab2009]

How to conduct a satisfied intake (first session) with ACT matrix with client?

[@TimothyGordon]

Want me to make a video about that!?

[@MrAftab2009]

@@TimothyGordon would love to see..

[@fables4564]

Oddly enough this reminds me solution focused therapy with a dash of Dbt therapy. Lol

[@wonder7798]

What about subconscious or unconscious beliefs how do you bring them to the forefront

[@wonder7798]

For ppl with self medicating behaviors not all are acting from escaping a negative element. It has been suppressed over time then becomes automatic without a triggering event

[@TimothyGordon]

Love your comment about self medicating, yes! Re: subconscious, unconscious beliefs - that is a wonderful place to assess, I do a lot of implicit reaction work with clients to explore fusion, rules, stories they have about experiences.

[@heartywhistler]

What happens if, because of depression and other reasons, some of these reasons unknown, you have nothing positive that you are chasing, nothing is deeply meaningful, and to make matters far far worse, you have OCD, and feel strongly compelled to chase your ugly pain monster?

[@TimothyGordon]

Great question! First off, there’s no substitute for good counselling from a qualified, licensed mental health professional (clinical/registered social worker, licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.) to help address this directly. Please, for the sake of answering your question; what you’re describing isn’t that unusual. I’d encourage you to ask yourself “look at what hurts, inside of what hurts or at least connected to what hurts is what matters.” I don’t say that lightly. And if that doesn’t connect you with something meaningful, choose! Author it yourself. You are important, you may be stuck in a cycle of escape, avoidance and control but that doesn’t mean a meaningful life isn’t accessible to you.

[@heartywhistler]

@@TimothyGordon I tried replying weeks earlier, but it seems that didn't work. My insurance only covered 45 minutes per week with a counselor, which was not helpful. Also, even if I had the money.. finding a counselor who specializes in OCD has been pretty much impossible, even though I live in a somewhat metropolitan area. So I am trying to learn from youtube videos. I'm still having trouble "looking at what hurts, what is inside of what hurts or connected to what hurts." Some part of my brain doesn't want to reveal that or those thiings that really hurt, and why. Choose something meaningful.. that is a good idea. I am at times successful in choosing something other than the yes/no miserableness I get caught up in. I can choose something different. And yes, I still believe in living a meaningful life, and doing things I believe in. Thank you.

[@daydreamer4902]

The word "chase" sounds a bit frenzied and painful like a battle or a predator and also addictive..

[@TimothyGordon]

Indeed it can be all of the above!

[@murrik]

8 uur 30 wo 5 julie tan contr

[@schastielubova]

You cool.

[@TimothyGordon]

That’s nice of you to say so. Thank you. 🙏🏼

[@schastielubova]

@@TimothyGordon Thank you for your videos. 🙏Unfortunately, I don't know English very well, but videos that are translated into Russian are very strong♥️✨🤗

[@lory6605]

How come you don’t give Steven Hayes credit for act?

[@TimothyGordon]

I do! Also note: Steven Hayes didn’t alone create ACT and he didn’t creative the Matrix.

[@chrisburgess2398]

Is this for adults or children? If it’s for adults his delivery is way off the mark

[@TimothyGordon]

Hey Chris! It is for adults and I’d argue it’s way off the mark for some adults; most who I come in contact with are going out of their way to pay me for help with their mental health or some difficult life situation they’re struggling with. My clients often comment that they enjoy my warmth and positivity but also give me the feedback that I challenge them and they enjoy the work we do. If I may offer you a challenge: Try adapting the life map diagram yourself, try it out with someone - perhaps a client, or just a friend, co-worker, partner or neighbour. Let me know if they find it helpful.

[@ba2cinema]

talking too fast....slow down...give spaces in between words....wahts the rush

[@TimothyGordon]

Thanks for the feedback, I'm just a high energy person-I get excited. I've been trying to slow things down!

[@lallala6006]

@@TimothyGordon I think your energy and pacing is great - shows how passionate you are! :) thanks for the content