Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or ACT – founded by Steven Hayes in 1982, and popularised by Russ Harris (author of The Happiness Trap, 2007) – has, in the recent couple of decades, become a highly regarded theoretical framework and treatment modality in the field psychology.

It has attracted a lot of interest and gained its popularity primarily because it is useful for increasing psychological flexibility, through promoting greater internal awareness and understanding of the present.

Acceptance is the process of perceiving one’s present experience without preference or judgement, but instead with kind consideration. It is an alternative way of responding to our internal environment, allowing for adaptive functioning and the integration of mindfulness within the process of counselling.

Commitment is the process on engaging in behaviour that bears desirable outcomes. It underscores the conscious intention of embracing one’s authentic thoughts and feelings rather than struggling against them.

What does ACT involve?

• Learning to embrace challenging or stressful thoughts and feelings rather than avoiding these experiences
• Practising self-acceptance and learning to let go of painful thoughts and emotions that may provoke negative feelings
• Understanding what values are important to you and learning to guide your daily thinking and behaviours by these values

ACT has been used effectively to address and manage a variety of manifestations of psychological challenge and distress – including: stress, anxiety, social concern, depression, addiction and obsessive-compulsive behaviour.

If the sound of ACT resonates with you and you would like to hear more about how it may be helpful to your specific circumstance, you can contact our Intake team and arrange to speak with one of psychologists who are informed by ACT as a therapeutic approach.