Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
Developed by Steven C. Hayes
ACT is a psychological intervention that has been shown to be effective in treating a range of mental health disorders.
The main aim of ACT is to help people to accept the things that are out of their control, and to commit to taking action that is in line with their values. This may sound like a simple task, but it can be surprisingly difficult for many people.
How it works:
A key part of ACT is helping people to become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, without getting caught up in them. This allows people to see their thoughts as just thoughts, rather than facts. It also helps them to develop a more flexible relationship with their emotions, so that they are less likely to be controlled by them.
By learning to accept the things that are out of their control, and to focus on taking actions that are in line with their values, people who undergo ACT can expect to see improvements in their mental health.
How it works:
ACT is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that has shown to be effective in treating a variety of mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain.
To request a 15-minute complimentary consultation with one of our therapists, please email info@lotustherapy.ca. You can book your first session here:
References: Harris, R. (2007). The happiness trap: stop struggling, start living. Wollombi, Australia: Exisle Publishing.
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and commitment therapy: an experiential approach to behavior change. New York: The Guildford Press.
“Psychological flexibility is the ability to feel and think with openness, to attend voluntarily to your experience of the present moment, and to move your life in directions that are important to you, building habits that allow you to live life in accordance with your values and aspirations. It’s about learning not to turn away from what is painful, instead turning toward your suffering in order to live a life full of meaning and purpose.”