What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
What is ACT?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy (talking therapy) that focuses on helping people accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty for them. It encourages individuals to commit to actions that align with their values, building psychological flexibility.
Why ACT?
ACT has a growing body of evidence supporting its effectiveness for a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, and chronic pain. It emphasises acceptance and mindfulness strategies along with commitment and behaviour change techniques, making it a comprehensive approach to psychological well-being.
How can ACT help?
In ACT, you work with a therapist to develop psychological flexibility by focusing on six core processes:
Acceptance: Embracing thoughts and feelings without attempting to change them.
Cognitive De-fusion: Learning to perceive thoughts and feelings as separate from oneself.
Being Present: Staying engaged in the present moment.
Self-as-Context: Recognizing that you are more than your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Values: Identifying what is truly important to you.
Committed Action: Taking actions that are guided by your values.
For example,
Sam, a 32-year-old professional, seeks therapy for debilitating anxiety that manifests as constant worry about performance at work and fear of social situations. Through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Sam learns to accept their anxious thoughts and feelings without attempting to eliminate them. Their psychologist helps them practice mindfulness to stay present and develop cognitive defusion techniques to view their thoughts more objectively. By identifying their core values, such as professional growth and meaningful relationships, Sam commits to actions aligned with these values. Over time, Sam’s anxiety becomes more manageable, and they find greater fulfillment in their work and social life.
You can read more about ACT at the Association for Contextual Behavior Science (ACBS)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is available from our Geelong Psychologist. Contact us to book a session or to make a referral.