What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, often referred to as ACT, is a mindfulness-based behavior therapy with the goal of creating a meaningful life while accepting the pain that inevitably goes with it. It is based on six core processes: Acceptance, Cognitive Defusion, Being Present, Self as Context, Values and Commitment to Action. We cannot change what we cannot accept. ACT utilizes a mix of metaphors, paradox, and mindfulness skills (aka acceptance) along with a wide range of experiential exercises and value-guided behavioral interventions (aka commitment).
What are the benefits of ACT?
Defuse from thoughts/beliefs that no longer serve you in the life you want to live now.
Learn psychological flexibility.
Increase your awareness.
Improves compassion towards self.
Clarify values and increase behaviors in line with those values.
Who can benefit from ACT?
Individuals struggling with anxiety, depression or other mood disorders.
Perfectionism and OCD tendencies.
Relationship struggles/interpersonal issues.
Symptoms associated with trauma and/or PTSD.
Life changes/adjustments.
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Dr. Steven C. Hayes founded Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) over 20 years ago, with the view in mind to increase psychological flexibility through mindfulness and the acceptance of life’s inevitable challenging experiences. Using the problem-solving mind to try to address life’s emotional challenges has its limitations.