Acceptance and commitment therapy is a mindfulness-based therapy aimed at helping patient to accept their experience non-judgmentally and without trying to change them or evaluate them. The aim of this therapy is to reduce obsessive negative thinking and focus energies on committing to pushing forward as opposed to rehashing what has already happened. ACT therapy helps patient to stay committed to a positive direction and build resilience and psychological flexibility while embracing their current experience.
Therapists work with patients to explore their own self-talk as it relates to life experiences, relationships, challenges, trauma, etc. Therapists work with you to reduce thought patterns that are not in support of the positive direction you have chosen.
Therapists work to engage in processes that support greater psychological flexibility to include:
- Acceptance
- Cognitive Defusion
- Being Present
- Self as Context
- Values
- Committed Action
ACT therapy has been utilized to address a variety of conditions including:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Obsessive Compulsive disorder
- Eating disorders
- Substance use disorders
- Workplace stress
- Chronic Pain