In this script we look at the experience of Sam, a fictional client.
Sam’s experience with anxiety and fear of rejection is a common struggle for many people. She has developed coping mechanisms and safety strategies, represented by the metaphorical handrail, to avoid falling into the abyss of her worries. However, she has also realised that by holding onto the handrail tightly, she is unable to move forward towards the things that truly matter to her.
The included passage illustrates the therapeutic process of helping individuals recognise their values, challenge their safety strategies, and take steps towards a more meaningful life. It emphasises the importance of confronting fears and anxieties while pursuing what truly matters, even if progress is made one small step at a time.
Thanks to Dr Ben Sedley for sharing this script with us.
Download The power of letting go
DR BEN SEDLEY is a clinical psychologist working in various child and adolescent mental health roles throughout his career. Ben is also the author of a book introducing ACT ideas directly to teens – Stuff That Sucks,: accepting what you can’t change and Committing to what you can and co-author of ‘Stuff that’s Loud: A Teen’s Guide to Unspiralling when OCD gets noisy’ with Lisa Coyne.
More about the power of letting go script
Sam recognises that the things she values—her friends, family, music, and environmental protection—are not in front of her but behind her, out of reach while she clings to her safety strategies. She acknowledges that she feels safe where she is, but she also realises that she wants to make progress in her life and pursue her ideals.
Taking steps towards what she cares about means letting go of the handrail and facing the uncertainties and risks that come with it. It’s a daunting prospect, especially since she hasn’t fully reached where she wants to be yet and will have to confront her anxiety and critical thoughts along the way. However, Sam contemplates the idea of taking small steps and the potential for growth that lies within them.
The therapist acknowledges the validity of Sam’s concerns and encourages her to explore those small steps. The process may be gradual, and Sam may still experience fear and anxiety, but by embracing the journey towards her values, she opens herself up to the possibility of personal growth and a more fulfilling life.
