Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Therapy to Overcome Emotional Disturbance with Acceptance and Commitment to Values

ACT is a form of therapy that helps individuals accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting against them. It helps clients ease emotional disturbance as they achieve greater psychological flexibility to help cope with stress, distress, or unexpected change in novel, effective, creative ways. Clients become more able to live in accord with their strongest values and better able to do what must be done.

ACT was developed by psychologist Steven Hayes.  It brings together mindfulness, acceptance-based therapies, and novel Cognitive-Behavior Therapy focused on working and allying with our emotions.

A key principle of ACT is that “trying to get rid of the thing that is bothering you only makes it stronger.”   (Mark Epstein, Advice Not Given, 2018)

Through treatment with ACT, clients develop psychological flexibility, which helps them accept their emotional disturbances rather than (unsuccessfully) fighting them by trying to avoid, suppress, or eliminate undesirable or unpleasant thoughts and feelings.

I often utilize ACT with my clients who have Generalized Anxiety Disorders and worry themselves sick, as well as in treatment of panic and phobic disorders. Research has shown that ACT can help people overcome more than one type of psychological condition.

FEAR – is an acronym for the core of many psychological problems according to ACT:

• Fusion with your thoughts
• Evaluation of experience – dwelling on it
• Avoidance of your experience
• Reason-giving for your behavior – justifying and rationalizing

Core Principles and Terms of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

1. Acceptance involves acknowledging and embracing feelings and experiences without judgment, rather than suppressing them as they arise. “Radical Acceptance” (psychologist and meditation teacher Tara Brach’s term) entails staying with the experience until it subsides.
2. Committed Action – Taking concrete steps aligned with your values and fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your life.

ACT – The healthy alternative means of relieving psychological suffering

• Accept your thoughts and emotions
• Choose a valued direction
• Take action

Core Principles and Terms in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

1. Acceptance of emotions and experiences – acknowledging and embracing feelings and experiences without judgment rather than suppressing them as they arise. “Radical Acceptance” (psychologist and meditation teacher Tara Brach’s term) entails staying with the experience until it subsides.
2. Committed Action involves taking concrete steps aligned with one’s values, thus fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life. Commitment entails making the changes though your therapy so that you can align with your values and foster a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your life. It’s good to shake hands with your therapist when you have committed to an action plan.

FEAR – According to ACT, the core of many psychological problems  is

• Fusion with your thoughts
• Evaluation of experience (by overthinking or repetitive negative thinking of  it)
• Avoidance of your experience
• Reason-giving for your behavior

The Goals of ACT

ACT teaches individuals to have a different relationship with their inner experiences, allowing them to focus on what truly matters.

ACT – The healthy alternative means of relieving psychological suffering

• Accept your thoughts and emotions.
• Choose a valued direction.
• Take action.

My ACT clients and I work collaboratively and creatively. I’m very experienced and understanding, and I have a lot of know-how. Clients feel supported as we work together to shape and master a repertoire of therapeutic skills that work well for them on their paths forward.

Helpful Topics

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