Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based therapy that focuses on helping people embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling overwhelmed by them. Developed in the 1980s by psychologist Steven C. Hayes, ACT emphasizes mindfulness, acceptance, and cognitive flexibility.
ACT helps people identify their values, accept their experiences (rather than avoiding or controlling them), and take action aligned with those values. This therapeutic approach includes several core processes:
- Acceptance: Embracing thoughts and feelings without trying to change them
- Cognitive Defusion: Learning to perceive thoughts as transient mental events rather than as absolute truths
- Being Present: Focusing on the present moment without distraction or judgment
- Self-as-Context: Cultivating a flexible sense of self, viewing thoughts and experiences as part of the self without them defining identity
- Values: Identifying core personal values that give life purpose and meaning
- Committed Action: Taking consistent steps toward personal values, even in the face of challenges
The major goal of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is to increase psychological flexibility, or the ability to stay in the present moment, accept thoughts and feelings without judgment, and make value-driven choices, even when faced with difficult or distressing emotions.
Research supports the effectiveness of ACT for treatment of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. ACT may be employed with other CBT approaches to enhance treatment and promote psychological flexibility.
