ACT
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a powerful, evidence-based approach that helps you develop psychological adaptability. In other words, it’s the capacity to adapt to life, to transform and thrive in spite of what life throws at you. By combining mindfulness, acceptance, and behavior change strategies, ACT enables you to live in accordance with your core values, creating long-term emotional well-being for oneself.
How Does ACT Work?
ACT doesn’t mean we have to fight our own thoughts and feelings. Instead, ACT teaches you how to accept and come to peace with your emotions. The aim isn’t to get rid of hard feelings; rather, you change the way you relate to them so that they cease being causes of action. In this way, using ACT, a person learns to give up struggling, find resilience, and take important steps towards achieving the kind of life he wants.
The Six Core Processes of ACT
ACT is founded on six basic principles to help you live happily and securely amidst emotional storms:
- Acceptance — Realise and permit hard feelings rather than contend against them.
- Cognitive Defusion — Learn to observe thoughts without adhering to them.
- Mindfulness — Remain present and fully engaged in the moment.
- Self as Context — Recognise that your thoughts and feelings are part of you, but they do not necessarily define you.
- Values — Pinpoint what really counts in life and use it as a compass
- Committed Action — Engage in purposeful effort towards your goals, regardless of whether it is difficult or not.
What Can ACT Help With?
ACT is an effective approach for a wide range of psychological problems, including:
- Anxiety & Stress – Eliminate worry and feel more at ease.
- Depression & Mood Disorders – Improve resilience and rediscover joy.
- Chronic Pain & Other Illnesses – Raise quality of life in face of physical handicap.
- Trauma & PTSD – Recover from past suffering and regain control.
- OCD & Unwanted Thoughts – Throw off the yoke of intrusive ideas.
- Addictions & Substance Abuse – Develop better ways of coping with difficulty.
- Eating Disorders – Cultivate a sane, healthy relationship with food.
- Workplace Stress & Burnout – Acquire resilience and restore work-life balance.
Take the Next Step Today
You don’t have to endure life’s hardships alone. With ACT, you can end the struggle, be present in the here and now, and live the life that really matters to you.
Ready to take control of your own well-being? Contact MLA Psychology today for more information on how to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced psychologists. Let’s work together to help you make your life meaningful and full.
