Leaves on a Stream Script Overview
Leaves on a stream is a short exercise where you picture your thoughts floating away on leaves, one at a time. It comes from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), developed by psychologist Steven Hayes and colleagues. It can help anyone who gets caught up in worries or self-critical thoughts learn to watch them come and go.
This script guides you through the exercise step by step, starting with five minutes. Afterward, you can jot down the thoughts that floated by and the ones that pulled you in.
In this worksheet, we’ll:
- Explain how to set up the exercise and what to expect
- Share what research has found about stepping back from upsetting thoughts
- Walk you through the leaves on a stream script, step by step
- Give you tips for when a thought pulls you in
- Provide space to note your thoughts and reflect on the exercise
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Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Experiential Approach to Behavior Change. Guilford Press.
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Harris, R. (2009). ACT Made Simple. New Harbinger.
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Masuda, A., Hayes, S. C., Sackett, C. F., & Twohig, M. P. (2004). Cognitive defusion and self-relevant negative thoughts: Examining the impact of a ninety year old technique. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 42(4), 477-485.
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