An empirically-based approach that utilizes mindfulness and behavioral activation as tools for improving a person’s ability to withstand uncomfortable thoughts and feelings in order to allow them to pursue a fuller, more valued life. Acceptance and commitment therapy is effective in treating anxiety, depression, stress, psychosis, somatic health issues, and addiction.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
6 Core Processes
ACT assumes the human brain is fallible, often more destructive than healthy due to a natural tendency to avoid difficult, uncomfortable, and unfavorable experiences, emotions and psychological inflexibility. With this in mind, ACT focuses on six core processes aimed at increasing psychological flexibility.
Acceptance of private experiences
- Allowing thoughts and feelings to happen without resistance
- Being aware of weaknesses and strengths in the moment
- Being realistic about your abilities and accepting them
- Acknowledging difficulty without resistance
- Recognizing you have control over your thoughts and in feelings in all situations
Cognitive defusion: giving thoughts and feelings the capacity to enter and exit without resistance
- Recognizing feelings and physical sensations
- Awareness of inner voice as you experience feelings and sensations
- Interpretations about the experience and their veracity
- Challenging negative cognitions
- Reframe your perspective of the experience
Present Moment Awareness
Self as Context
Values
Committed Action