Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

14 Dec

At lightdespite we use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as one of our therapeutic approaches. We love working with ACT as it is practical, flexible, great for a range of mental health challenges and empirically-supported.

What is ACT all about?

ACT, is what is a third-wave behaviour therapy developed by Dr. Steven C. Hayes in the 1980’s. It is grounded in the idea that psychological suffering is often caused by the conflict between our thoughts and feelings, and our attempts to control or avoid them. The primary goal of ACT is to help folks accept these internal experiences as a natural part of the human experience and to commit to actions that improve and enrich their lives.

So how does it work?

ACT aims to maximise our potential for a rich, full and meaningful life through

Developing the psychological tools we need to navigate challenging thoughts and emotions more effectively, minimising their impact and control over our mental well-being.
Uncovering and defining our values, which inform how we want to behave as a human being - how we want to treat ourselves, others and the world we live in.In ACT, our values then serve as a guiding force to inspire and motivate us to take meaningful action, face our fears, and make positive changes in our lives.
Training ourselves to concentrate our attention on what truly matters and fully engage in what we are doing.

What else should I know about ACT?

ACT can be used to treat a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, chronic pain, and more. The number of sessions needed can vary depending on factors such as the nature of the issues being addressed, the client's progress, and their treatment goals. ACT is very flexible and can be customised for the individual's needs and can also be combined with other therapeutic approaches.