ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is a form of psychotherapy aimed at helping individuals use acceptance as a tool for growth. Instead of avoiding distressing or uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, ACT helps people realize that suppressing, managing or denying difficult emotions usually just creates added pain and difficulty. Instead, ACT therapy encourages clients to meet challenging situations with mindfulness and acceptance, enabling them to find healthy and successful ways to move forward.

ACT is based on the premise that it is both ineffective and counterproductive to avoid or deny painful feelings or experiences, as it ultimately leads to more distress. Instead, ACT utilizes positive alternatives to address thought patterns, such as mindfulness, attention to value systems, and positive action. During an ACT session, clients learn to listen to their internal dialogue—with specific attention to traumatic events, difficult relationships, or other stressors. The client and therapist then determine if any action needs to be taken, or if the situation can be accepted as is, while the client learns to develop healthier behavior patterns that may improve the situation in the longer-term. Once individuals face and accept certain feelings and situations, they are then able to use energy formerly spent on fighting their situations and emotions for better purposes—such as committing to living in accordance with their goals and values. The ultimate goal is to empower people to face life successfully, regardless of their circumstances.

ACT, especially when paired with mindfulness practice, offers clinically effective treatment for a wide range of psychological disorders and conditions, including anxiety, depression, OCD, addiction, and substance use disorder. ACT can help clients develop psychological flexibility, confidence, and increased ease by enabling them to face their problems head-on, rather than avoiding life’s stressors. This empowering approach helps clients accept that their reactions and feelings are valid responses to certain situations, and commit to moving forward in their lives.