Important Things to Know About ACT Therapy

ACT Therapy, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has gained recognition as an effective approach for addressing various mental health concerns. Psychologist Steven C. Hayes developed this therapeutic method to treat conditions like anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and chronic pain. This blog post will explore the key aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, helping you understand its core concepts and potential benefits.

White woman with red hair in a therapy session with a therapist using ACT therapy

What Is ACT Therapy?

Therapists consider Acceptance and Commitment Therapy a form of behavioral therapy that combines mindfulness strategies with commitment and behavior-change techniques. ACT proposes that psychological suffering often results from attempts to control or avoid unwanted thoughts and feelings. Instead of trying to change or eliminate these experiences, ACT encourages individuals to accept them and commit to actions aligned with their personal values.

Core Components of ACT Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy builds on six core processes, collectively known as psychological flexibility:

Acceptance: This involves embracing your thoughts and feelings without trying to change or avoid them. Therapists view acceptance as an alternative to experiential avoidance.
Cognitive Defusion: ACT uses techniques to change how you interact with or relate to thoughts. The goal is to alter the undesirable functions of thoughts and other private events, rather than trying to change their form or frequency.
Being Present: This involves maintaining continuous non-judgmental contact with psychological and environmental events as they occur. By experiencing the world more directly, you can make your behavior more flexible and your actions more consistent with your values.
Self as Context: This idea suggests that you have a basic sense of self that’s distinct from your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Therapists often refer to this as the “observing self.”
Values: These are chosen life directions that guide your behavior and give your life meaning. But in ACT, you use values to guide your actions and increase your psychological flexibility.
Committed Action: This involves taking effective action guided by your values. ACT encourages you to develop larger patterns of effective action linked to your chosen values.

Effectiveness of ACT Therapy

Researchers have demonstrated ACT’s effectiveness in treating a wide range of psychological issues. Studies show positive outcomes in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, as well as improving overall quality of life. However, the success of ACT largely depends on your willingness to engage with the process and practice the skills you learn in therapy.

Recovery and Outlook with ACT

The duration of ACT can vary depending on your individual needs and goals. You may see improvements in a few months, or you might engage in therapy for a longer period. Remember, ACT doesn’t necessarily aim to eliminate symptoms, but rather to change your relationship with them and increase your psychological flexibility.

Your progress in ACT may not always be linear, and you might face challenges along the way. The therapy focuses on moving you towards a more values-driven life, rather than achieving a specific end state. Be patient with yourself and recognize that small steps towards your values represent meaningful progress.

Finding an ACT Therapist

When choosing a therapist, find someone you feel comfortable with. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy offers a unique approach to mental health and personal growth. By learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings, clarify your personal values, and take committed action, you can move towards a more fulfilling life. At Therapy for Women Center, we have a number of therapists who specialize in ACT. We would be honored to work with you.

We see clients virtually in 42 states and have physical office locations in the Philadelphia area.