Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Common issues ACT can treat

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be a powerful tool in helping you to deal with various issues including:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Eating Disorders

• Chronic Pain

• Substance Abuse

• Stress

• Psychotic Symptoms

As an empirically supported therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on helping you to become more mindful of your negative thoughts, feelings and self-perceptions. Based on the philosophical ideas of functional contextualism, in combination with Relation Frame Theory (a therapy technique that focuses on the importance of language), it teaches you how to accept and explore your pain rather than trying to avoid or "run" from it. ACT also teaches you how to use language as an effective means to help themselves and exist more presently in the moment.

ACT works by first allowing a safe space to openly and fully experience your negative feelings or pain. Next, it teaches you how to explore and examine that pain from a position of strength and curiosity rather than one based solely on fear. After you’ve had the opportunity for introspective exploration, you’re then taught how to accept those feelings and work toward committing to positive personal action. These actions are based heavily on your own personal values and as such, are able to produce long term solutions toward a more positive life orientation. Because ACT is values focused, it gives you the opportunity to deeply consider and define (or redefine) the values you feel are most important.

Finally, ACT also teaches you productive and instrumental techniques that allow you to work toward reducing your stress, increasing your levels of satisfaction, and establishing a deeper connection to your inner self. Instead of trying to cope or avoid, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy allows you to develop the skills required to face psychological pain with confidence and strength.

How quickly does ACT therapy work?

The pace of progress in ACT therapy varies from person to person, as each individual’s inner system is unique. However, many people begin to experience significant shifts within the first few sessions. Unlike some therapeutic approaches that focus solely on managing symptoms, ACT aims to create lasting change by healing the root causes of emotional distress.

Some clients may notice a reduction in symptoms like anxiety or depressive feelings early on, while others may take a bit longer to unearth deeper layers of their internal system. The process is guided by your readiness and comfort level, allowing you to heal at a pace that feels right for you.

However, it is important to note that the exact length of therapy required for each person will vary depending on severity and complexities of the issues that are being addressed. You will have the opportunity to discuss this more fully with your therapist in person during the first few sessions.