Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes mindfulness and behavioral strategies to help individuals enhance psychological flexibility and lead a more meaningful life. Acceptance: This involves embracing thoughts and feelings without trying to change, avoid, or get rid of them. Techniques might include allowing oneself to feel emotions fully and acknowledging them as natural responses, often using mindfulness exercises to experience them without judgment. Mindfulness: ACT encourages present-moment awareness, helping individuals to engage in their lives consciously rather than operating on autopilot. Mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing or focused sensory observation, are commonly used. Values Clarification: This involves helping individuals identify what is truly important to them in life, which can guide their actions and decisions. People may engage in exercises that have them list their core values and consider how well they are living in alignment with those values. Committed Action: Once values are clarified, ACT encourages taking action in ways that align with these values. This might include setting specific, achievable goals that move the individual towards a more meaningful life, even in the presence of difficult thoughts and feelings. Self-as-Context: This involves developing a sense of self that is separate from thoughts and feelings. It encourages individuals to view themselves as the context in which these thoughts and emotions occur, rather than as the content of them. Techniques might include perspective-taking exercises that help people observe their own thoughts and experiences from a distance.