Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an action-oriented psychotherapy approach derived from traditional behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy helps clients learn to stop avoiding, denying, and struggling against their inner emotions, and instead to accept that these deep emotions are appropriate responses to certain situations.

The theory of ACT holds that attempting to control painful emotions or psychological experiences is not effective; the suppression of these emotions ultimately leads to greater distress. ACT argues that there are valid alternatives to trying to change the way one thinks, including mindful behavior, attention to personal values, and commitment to action. This therapy focuses on developing behaviors consistent with one’s values and finding meaning and purpose in life.

After confronting and accepting your current difficulties, you can stop struggling with your past and your emotions and instead commit to exhibiting more confident and optimistic behavior based on your personal values and goals.

Among the wide-ranging applications and benefits of ACT, the adolescence period — during which identity development is particularly intense — holds an important place. This period is one in which young people try to make sense of themselves and the world, and emotional and social difficulties are frequently experienced. In this process, the tools and techniques offered by ACT can help young people learn to accept emotional difficulties, act in accordance with their values, and commit to making positive changes in their lives.

ACT can be effective in many different areas, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, emotional difficulties, stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship problems.