Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based psychotherapeutic approach that helps individuals accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting against them.
It focuses on increasing psychological flexibility by teaching mindfulness skills and clarifying personal values.
The aim of ACT is to help us create a rich, full, and meaningful life, while accepting the pain that life inevitably brings.
ACT does this by
↪ teaching us psychological skills to handle painful thoughts and feelings effectively, in such a way that they have much less impact and influence—these are known as mindfulness skills; and
↪helping us to clarify what’s truly important and meaningful to us—that is, clarify our values—and use that knowledge to guide, inspire, and motivate us to set goals and take action that enriches our life.
ACT encourages individuals to commit to actions that align with their values, even in the presence of difficult emotions.
This therapy helps people create a richer, more meaningful life by letting go of unhelpful struggle and fostering a greater sense of self-awareness and well-being.
It's particularly effective for anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, promoting adaptive coping and emotional resilience.