Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Exposure Treatment of Choking Phobia: A Case Study

One might choke if they observed the lack of research on choking phobia. McNally's (1994) review of the literature on choking phobia found only 25 studies addressing the treatment of choking phobia. The vast majority of these were case studies and none were randomized controlled trials. A search of the literature since then yielded only a few more studies. Given the dearth of information available about choking phobia and its treatment, it is important to document cases treated successfully with novel approaches. My goal in this paper is therefore to illustrate the use of exposure therapy augmented by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; e.g., see Hayes, Strosahl, & Wilson, 1999; Hayes and Strosahl, 2004) in the treatment of an adult male presenting with fear of choking and to offer suggestions for the optimal treatment of choking phobia. To my knowledge, there are no documented cases of elements of ACT being used in the treatment of choking phobia to be found in the literature.

Monetary Effervescence: A Sociological Theory of Religion Applied to Money

This project attempts to answer the question "What holds the construction of money together?" by asserting that it is money's religious nature which provides the moral compulsion for people to use, and continue to uphold, money as a socially constructed concept. This project is primarily descriptive and focuses on the religious nature of money by employing a sociological theory of religion in viewing money as a technical concept. This is an interdisciplinary work between religious studies, economics, and sociology and draws heavily from Emile Durkheim's 'The Elementary Forms of Religious Life' as well as work related to heterodox theories of money developed by Geoffrey Ingham, A. Mitchell Innes, and David Graeber. Two new concepts are developed: the idea of monetary sacrality and monetary effervescence, both of which serve to recharge the religious saliency of money. By developing the concept of monetary sacrality, this project shows how money acts to interpret our economic relations while also obfuscating complex power dynamics in society, making them seem naturally occurring and unchangeable. The project also shows how our contemporary fractional reserve banking system contributes to money's collective effervescence and serves to animate economic acting within a monetary network. The project concludes by outlining multiple implications for religious studies, economics, sociology, and central banking.

An Acceptance and Commitment Approach to Issues of Behavioral Health Care in Soldiers

For over a decade, the U.S. military has been engaged in two distinct, yet equally deadly conflicts: Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). There are many physical and psychological effects of war necessitating the activation and interventions of a myriad of behavioral health professionals. The purpose of the paper was to understand how and if contemporary military culture may work to support or hinder application of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approach to issues of psychological health among Soldiers. While the empirical research on efficacy with Soldiers is limited, a review of military culture revealed the promotion of rigid rule following, although effective in combat, influences the emotional control agenda and stigma while in garrison. However, empirical research demonstrating the clinical benefits and flexibility of ACT is rapidly emerging with civilian and Veteran populations. Suggested as a prevention technique utilized early in Soldier's training to increase psychological flexibility, ACT appears to demonstrate much promise in ameliorating the psychological consequences of war.

Asperger's Disorder in College Students: Application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

College students with Asperger's Disorder (AD) are likely to face significant challenges as they encounter the unpredictable and socially demanding environment of their university setting. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be a valuable approach to addressing many of these struggles. This paper will explore the application of ACT to problems that are commonly associated with individuals diagnosed with AD. Utilizing ACT and the Hexaflex Model as a guide for working with AD students can assist in establishing a greater understanding and acceptance of their unique internal experience, as well as their interaction with the external world. ACT can offer these students the ability to be more present in the moment, to recognize efforts to avoid negative experiences, and to move in directions in life that are personally meaningful.

Human Resources (HR) in the Age of Technology: An Examination of the Relationship Between HR and Technology

Technology helps the Human Resources (HR) department drive for strategic relevance. These two departments are successfully collaborating on major projects in such business-critical areas as e-recruiting, self-service, training, compensation and talent management. Technology is critical in helping increase efficiency, increase attraction and retention, reduce administration and cut costs. In recent years, HR information systems (HRIS) have become more important than ever, this time as an essential part of a company's information security and knowledge fields. Ill-suited benefits and disorganized resources are history; now is the time for customized, dynamic plans and connected systems. Employees will appreciate the HRIS, business will benefit from the HRIS and the HR department will no longer have to be the ugly duckling of the company.