What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

Dr Russell Harris describes ACT as a form of therapy that aims to help clients create a rich and meaningful life while accepting the pain that inevitably goes with it, the main aim of which is to increase psychological flexibility.  Psychological flexibility refers to the ability to contact the present moment fully, while also being aware of thoughts and emotions, without trying to change them or be adversely controlled by them, and engaging in behaviour in the pursuit of values and goals.  The absence of psychological flexibility has been found to underlie many mental health problems including anxiety and depression.  Studies have found higher levels of psychological flexibility to be associated with greater quality of life.

Although ACT is considered to be a form of CBT, it differs quite significantly from the more traditional approaches which focus on the content of thoughts.  Rather than teaching you how to gain control of thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations, ACT focuses on the context of these private experiences.  ACT encourages you to accept and open up to those unpleasant thoughts and feelings, without over-reacting to them or avoiding situations where they are usually provoked, and to engage in value-driven behaviour.  In other words – doing what matters. 

Although the goal of ACT is not to reduce symptoms, paradoxically, by having greater awareness and being more mindful, the unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and sensations have less impact and influence over you, enabling you to commit to living a rich and meaningful life.

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

Dr Russell Harris describes ACT as a form of therapy that aims to help clients create a rich and meaningful life while accepting the pain that inevitably goes with it, the main aim of which is to increase psychological flexibility.  Psychological flexibility refers to the ability to contact the present moment fully, while also being aware of thoughts and emotions, without trying to change them or be adversely controlled by them, and engaging in behaviour in the pursuit of values and goals.  The absence of psychological flexibility has been found to underlie many mental health problems including anxiety and depression.  Studies have found higher levels of psychological flexibility to be associated with greater quality of life.

Although ACT is considered to be a form of CBT, it differs quite significantly from the more traditional approaches which focus on the content of thoughts.  Rather than teaching you how to gain control of thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations, ACT focuses on the context of these private experiences.  ACT encourages you to accept and open up to those unpleasant thoughts and feelings, without over-reacting to them or avoiding situations where they are usually provoked, and to engage in value-driven behaviour.  In other words – doing what matters. 

Although the goal of ACT is not to reduce symptoms, paradoxically, by having greater awareness and being more mindful, the unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and sensations have less impact and influence over you, enabling you to commit to living a rich and meaningful life.

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

Dr Russell Harris describes ACT as a form of therapy that aims to help clients create a rich and meaningful life while accepting the pain that inevitably goes with it, the main aim of which is to increase psychological flexibility.  Psychological flexibility refers to the ability to contact the present moment fully, while also being aware of thoughts and emotions, without trying to change them or be adversely controlled by them, and engaging in behaviour in the pursuit of values and goals.  The absence of psychological flexibility has been found to underlie many mental health problems including anxiety and depression.  Studies have found higher levels of psychological flexibility to be associated with greater quality of life.

Although ACT is considered to be a form of CBT, it differs quite significantly from the more traditional approaches which focus on the content of thoughts.  Rather than teaching you how to gain control of thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations, ACT focuses on the context of these private experiences.  ACT encourages you to accept and open up to those unpleasant thoughts and feelings, without over-reacting to them or avoiding situations where they are usually provoked, and to engage in value-driven behaviour.  In other words – doing what matters. 

Although the goal of ACT is not to reduce symptoms, paradoxically, by having greater awareness and being more mindful, the unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and sensations have less impact and influence over you, enabling you to commit to living a rich and meaningful life.