Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

What is ACT ?

A person’s relationship with themselves is an important factor in their mental health. One can change their relationship with themselves by changing the way they think about themselves and what they do

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps people identify thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that interfere with them living the lives they want to live. ACT teaches people how to accept difficult thoughts and feelings, commit to meaningful actions, and find meaning in life.

The goal of ACT is not to eliminate unpleasant thoughts or feelings but rather to increase one’s willingness or ability to take action that would produce desired outcomes despite those thoughts or feelings.

ACT is based on the philosophy that suffering is directly related to our relationship with our thoughts and feelings. Often times when we are suffering, we try to get rid of, avoid, fix our painful thoughts, emotions, memories, etc. However, doing so often causes more suffering in the long run. Thus, ACT aims to create a different relationship with the thoughts and feelings so that you don’t win the struggle, but that you step out of the struggle altogether.

ACT Goals

1. Accept what is out of your control
2. Clarify what is important and meaningful to you
3. Commit to taking values-consistent action