Psychological flexibility refers to the ability of an individual to be open, adaptable, and effective in the presence of challenging situations. It’s a central concept in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) linked to better mental health outcomes, resilience, and overall well-being. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

1. Cognitive Defusion: This involves detaching from one’s thoughts seeing them as just thoughts rather than truths about reality. For example, instead of thinking, “I’m a failure,” one might think, “I’m having the thought that I’m a failure.”

2. Acceptance: This refers to allowing feelings, thoughts, and sensations to exist without trying to change them. It’s not about liking or wanting them but just allowing them to be.

3. Present Moment Awareness: Being fully engaged and present in the current moment rather than being caught up in the past or anxious about the future.

4. Self-as-Context: Recognizing that one’s thoughts, feelings, and memories are not the entirety of who they are. This helps in distancing oneself from harmful self-narratives.

5. Values Clarification: Understanding what truly matters to an individual, what they stand for, and what gives their life purpose and direction.

6. Committed Action: Taking concrete steps towards one’s values, even if it means facing discomfort or challenges.

The goal of promoting psychological flexibility is to help individuals live more enriched, meaningful lives, even in the face of pain and adversity. It is about acting in ways that align with one’s values rather than being dominated by negative thoughts and feelings.

While psychological flexibility and reframing are similar, they are not the same. Let’s differentiate the two:

1. Psychological Flexibility: As previously mentioned, psychological flexibility involves several components, including cognitive defusion, acceptance, present moment awareness, self-as-context, values clarification, and committed action. It’s about being open and adaptable to challenging situations, allowing one to act according to their values even when facing difficult emotions or thoughts.

2. Reframing: Reframing is a specific cognitive-behavioral technique that involves changing the way one thinks about a situation, event, or thought to view it in a more positive or beneficial light. The aim is to shift one’s perspective to interpret an experience in a way that is less distressing or more empowering. For example, instead of thinking, “I failed at this task, and I’m terrible,” one might reframe it as, “I didn’t succeed this time, but I learned something valuable that I can use in the future.”

In essence, while reframing is a technique to change one’s perspective on a specific thought or situation, psychological flexibility is a broader concept encompassing a range of strategies to promote adaptability and alignment with one’s values.

However, reframing can be used within the broader context of promoting psychological flexibility. By adopting a more positive or constructive viewpoint, one can better align actions with values and enhance overall well-being.