Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that emphasises accepting thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty about them. It combines mindfulness strategies with behavioural change techniques to help individuals live more meaningful lives aligned with their values. ACT was developed by psychologist Steven C. Hayes in the 1980’s.

The key components of ACT:

  1. Acceptance: Learning to embrace thoughts and feelings without judgement, reducing their power over you.

  2. Cognitive Defusion: Techniques to change the way you interact with your thoughts, helping to see them as just words or images rather than truths.

  3. Mindfulness: Being present in the moment and aware of your thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed by them.

  4. Values Clarification: Identifying what truly matters to you, which serves as a guide for your actions.

  5. Committed Action: Taking steps toward living a life that reflects your values, even in the presence of difficult thoughts and feelings.

Overall, ACT encourages psychological flexibility and the pursuit of a meaningful life, even when faced with challenges.