Acceptance COMMITMENT therapy (ACT)
Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy with an emphasis on acceptance, effective action and mindful engagement. Borrowing from the overarching concepts of first and second wave cognitive, behavioural approaches, ACT engages in a flexible and acceptance-based approach. Working from the underlying philosophy that distress is created from resistance and inflexibility, the ACT approach works towards alleviating distress through acceptance of our experiences, particularly those that we cannot change, whilst working towards values-based action. This includes (but is not limited to), intrusive and rigid thinking, overwhelming emotions and challenging situations and triggers that are beyond our control. The aim of ACT is to engage in meaningful change and to form a more flexible and mindful approach to everyday challenges. ACT is an effective treatment approach for a range of mood and anxiety disorders, including but not limited to the following:
Depression
Burnout
Generalised Anxiety
Low self-esteem
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Panic Disorder
Specific Phobia
Insomnia (sleep difficulties)
Unprocessed grief
Pain management
