ABSTRACT
This chapter covers a whole range of skills that we all need in order to be more or less in charge of the choices we make. These skills can be taught didactically, in groups, individually or introduced during the course of therapy. For very dysregulated clients, it may be necessary to schedule specific skills-focused sessions, separate from sessions on reducing target behaviours. Compassion focused therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy both emphasise the evolutionary survival function of being biased towards the worst that could happen, and also of constantly comparing oneself to others (it is important not to be bottom of the pack). ‘Helicoptering’ is the process of rising up and hovering above the situation one is in, and looking down on it. Then making a decision how to proceed according to one’s long-term goals and values.
