Leaves on a Stream

Free Acceptance and Commitment Therapy audio by Dr. Russ Harris

Practice one of the most well-known mindfulness and defusion exercises in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In this 13-minute guided audio, Dr. Russ Harris leads you through the Leaves on a Stream visualization, a calming technique that helps you observe your thoughts without judgment or struggle.

By imagining each thought resting on a leaf and drifting gently down a stream, listeners learn to create distance from unhelpful thoughts and reconnect with the present moment.

This exercise is ideal for clients learning defusion, therapists teaching mindfulness skills, or anyone seeking greater calm and clarity.

Use this free audio to:

• Teach clients the ACT skill of cognitive defusion

• Support mindfulness and emotional flexibility

• Reduce rumination and promote present-moment awareness