What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has been shown to be useful in treating anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, trauma, couples distress and personality disorders. The January 2006 edition of Behaviour Research and Therapy summarized the results of 13 clinical trials. Individuals treated with ACT showed greater improvement than those who received other types of therapy in 12 out of the 13 trials.

The goal of ACT is to maximize your potential for a rich, full and meaningful life by teaching you skills to deal with painful thoughts and feelings so that they have much less impact and influence over you (these are mindfulness skills). This process involves clarifying what is truly important and meaningful to you to inspire, motivate and guide you to live your life to the fullest.

In this way, ACT is about both acceptance and change. Acceptance of your anxious thoughts and feelings allows you to focus more clearly on the present and to take the steps that move you closer to the life you truly want to live.

Acceptance and commitment therapy is based on the following concepts: Control Paradox, Acceptance, Mindfulness and Commitment. Stay tuned for future blog posts digging deeper into each of these topics.