The Mindful Action Plan: Using the MAP to Apply Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Productivity and Self-Compassion for Behavior Analysts

The COVID-19 public health emergency created an aversive environment for people all around the world. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), born of behavior analysis, can help address some of these problems by encouraging behavioral change and increasing psychological flexibility. The mindful action plan (MAP) is designed to create a simple approach to utilizing the ACT principles. The MAP utilizes the traditional ACT hexagon model and provides a checklist for learning and following through on the 6 components that, when combined, lead to psychological flexibility. The MAP guides people to act in the direction of their values and to be influenced by their verbal behavior while saying, “I am here now, accepting my feelings and noticing my thoughts while doing what I care about.” Specific instructions and exercises are provided so the MAP can be used by behavior analysts to assist their actions during stressful and anxiety-provoking times.