Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

I do not consider myself an expert in anything but more of a general practitioner however in my journey and experience ACT has been one of the most useful approaches for me and others. Evidence is growing over the past decade that ACT is quickly being shown to rise to the level of gold standard of care all over the country.

ACT is an approach to therapy that helps individuals shift their relationship with their internal experiences (thoughts, feelings, sensations, memories, etc.) by practicing awareness to the present (rather than feeling stuck in the past or worried about the future). ACT is an experiential approach that often includes building mindfulness skills, emotional and cognitive awareness, and exploring values. You will learn to effectively address stressors while building a meaningful, valuable life.

One of the most helpful strategies in coping with anxiety symptoms can be changing one's relationship with their thoughts. Utilizing mindfulness strategies and recognizing thoughts are only thoughts and not "who you are" are just some helpful skills that come from ACT.

I have used acceptance and commitment therapy for 4 years in helping my clients manage their mental health challenges.

ACT has two basic principles for therapist and client to follow. One, accept that we have unwelcome thoughts sometimes and that these thoughts are out of our control. Two, commit to a life which is focused on core values defined by you. In other words, "Embrace your imperfections and learn how to trust that you know what's best."

I have recently added this treatment modality due to the mindfulness element. Acceptance of life conditions can actually empower toward making active changes.

ACT is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It differs from some other kinds of cognitive behavioral therapy in that rather than trying to teach you to better control your thoughts, feelings, sensations, memories and other private events, ACT teaches you to "just notice," accept, and embrace their private events, especially previously unwanted ones.

Commonly called ACT, the description is quite appropriate for this action oriented therapy. In this treatment we help you to clarify personal values, the compass with which you live your life, to take meaningful action. We focus on the values that make you feel truly yourself. This therapy is behavioral and goal directed, like CBT, but it teaches a mindfulness and observer based approach to thinking patterns. This therapy treats a wide range of issues

ACT is like your life coach, guiding you to be present, accept your thoughts, and commit to actions that align with your values. It's not about erasing difficult thoughts but changing your relationship with them. So, you accept what's there, commit to what matters, and navigate life's twists and turns with resilience. It's like having a mental GPS – directing you toward a fulfilling life while acknowledging the bumps along the way.

I help my clients create a life they love that is created based on their values, not on the expectations set for us by others and society. With acceptance and commitment therapy we are able to untangle ourselves from the thoughts in our head and take action towards the life we want to live! This is done through values based living, learning how to be in the present moment and increasing our ability to be flexible when it comes to our thoughts and our actions.

Uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies along with commitment and behavior-change strategies to increase psychological flexibility; integrate and embrace full range of emotions rather than trying to minimize or deny

ACT is a form of psychotherapy that combines mindfulness, acceptance, and behavioral change strategies to help individuals develop psychological flexibility and live more meaningful lives. We will work on accepting experiences and committing to actions that align with your values to transcend struggles and find fulfillment. I have completed ACT Bootcamp training led by the creators of this modality, along with additional trainings.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is effective at helping people with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The therapy encourages the client to accept their painful thoughts and feelings instead of trying to change them. It also teaches the client how to commit to valued goals by focusing on what they are able to do instead of what they cannot do.

I am trained in ACT and implement it to support those who are looking for an alternative to CBT or if it is specifically requested.

Trainings in utilizing ACT to help clients navigate difficult emotions and circumstances.

I've had the privilege of working with several supervisors who specialized in ACT, and I have used ACT strategies with several clients.

ACT is a psychotherapy technique that does not require you to banish any and all negative thoughts. With ACT you can accept all your emotions because all emotions are okay. Within the ACT framework we will discuss your values and how you can learn to live by them, eventually using your own personal values as your guide through life and all of life's experiences.